The Empress's eyes flickered briefly with a glint of satisfaction, not for Jiho's compliance, but for the power she wielded over her. The dismissal was swift, a mere nod of acknowledgment that left no room for further conversation.
As Jiho straightened up, she turned and walked out of the throne room with deliberate steps.
The sound of her armor clinking softly with each movement was the only indication of her presence. Her heart pounded with a mix of irritation and determination, but her face remained a mask of cold resolve.
In the quiet of the palace corridors, Jiho's thoughts were a storm of frustration and strategic calculation.
The unexpected party was an unwelcome complication, a deliberate distraction from her true goal. Yet she maintained her composure, her cold and indifferent demeanor a shield against the Empress's manipulative tactics.
