The chamber doors creaked open, and the emperor's aid, his eyes widening in surprise, looked as if he had seen a ghost at the sight of the unexpected visitor.
Caution melted into relief when the man noticed that only the Duke had entered.
"Duke Victor, what brings you here? The Emperor is tired today and is not in the mood to meet anyone. But I can forward your message and schedule a meeting."
The aide's unease was palpable, his every movement betraying a hidden secret.
However, Duke Victor never noticed that, and instead, he made a sympathetic face when he looked at the aide.
"I am sorry for coming at such a short notice. I would not have come had it not been an emergency like this. But can't the emperor take some time out of his schedule for a minute? Some important guests came here to meet him."
Duke Victor emphasised the word 'guests', so the emperor's aide would notice.
But the aide looked even more nervous now because of that.
