Chapter 88: Packing my load

It was a riddle that Juan was determined to solve.The more he observed the boy, the more his curiosity grew.

As Levi's attention seemed firmly locked on the Emperor, his gaze unwavering and respectful, Juan caught a flicker of movement in the periphery of his vision.

For just a heartbeat, a mere fraction of a second, Levi's gaze seemed to stray from the Emperor, to flick toward the Princess. It was almost imperceptible, but unmistakable nonetheless.

The moment, though fleeting, seemed to stretch into eternity in Juan's mind, his eyes straining to catch the slightest movement, the smallest indication that Levi's attention had indeed strayed, even for a moment.

But when he looked again, the boy's gaze was fixed firmly upon the Emperor, as if the slight shift had never happened

Perplexed, he looked at the princess and found her blushing. His state of boredom immediately changed to one of fury.

****

The Emperor's gaze bore into me, his hand stroking his chin, expectant and patient.

At first, the significance of his silent inquiry escaped me, my mind slow to respond, like a sleepy caterpillar roused from its slumber.

It took me a few moments to realize that he was awaiting my reply, for me to break the stillness that had settled upon the throne room like a layer of dust.

I lowered my head as far as I could, my body bowing in a deep, respectful gesture. "Thank you for this great honor, Your Majesty," I said, my voice low and humble, attempting to disguise the nerves that fluttered in my chest.

The unfamiliarity of the situation weighed heavily on me, the tension palpable in the air around me.

I stood before the throne, silent and still, a shadow of doubt cast over my thoughts, my tongue frozen in my mouth like a statue of ice.

I knew not what was expected of me, knew not what more could be said, and so I let silence be my ally, better to be thought a fool for keeping quiet than to open my mouth and prove it true.

The Emperor remained impassive, his expression a mask of impenetrable neutrality. Sёarᴄh the NôᴠelFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

And yet, there was something in the way he shifted in his seat, the low, barely audible grunt that escaped his lips, that hinted at something amiss, at some dissatisfaction that he held within him.

"That will be all". He said with a flick of his head, I knew I was dismissed.

With a final, respectful bow, I turned and made my way out of the throne room, my gaze fixed on the stone floor, refusing to meet the watchful eyes of those around me, least of all Damon's.

The guard opened the door and I stepped out of the throne room.

The air outside the throne room was a welcome respite, the chill of the stone corridor a refreshing change from the suffocating heat of the room.

I had barely taken five steps from the throne room, my feet moving in a steady rhythm, when I heard a voice ring out through the corridor, cutting through the silence with a sudden sharpness.

"Going somewhere?"

Turning to face the source of the voice, my gaze locked with Damon's.

He wore a smirk, his lips curved in an arrogant half-smile, his expression brimming with confidence.

His hair, a deep shade of chocolate brown, tumbled over his forehead in a careless tumble of curls.

Beneath that confident facade however, a storm brewed, an ocean of emotion churning and twisting, revealing itself in the brief flashes of uncertainty that danced across his face.

In that moment, I caught a glimpse of the turmoil that lay beneath his exterior.

"Yes, to my room". I replied.

Damon's smirk faltered, his brows drawing together in a slight frown, a subtle crease between his eyes as he studied me with a hint of confusion.

"Aren't you supposed to be guarding me?" he asked.

"I didn't know my duty starts immediately". I replied honestly.

Damon shrugged. "It starts when I want it to". "Come". He said and waved me over. "I'll show you your new room".

I shook my head. "I have to pack my stuff from the old room first".

Damon pursed his lips as he thought about it. "How much load do you have?"

"Not much". I replied. "I can probably carry it in two trips".

Damon nodded. "Okay then, let's go".

I raised a brow in confusion. "Let's go?"

Yeah. "Damon replied".

"You're coming with me?"

"Why not?"

I shook my head in amusement. "Okay, I guess".

We walked to the guard's building in relative silence and by the time I pushed open the door to reveal a guard standing in the common room, I was glad someone was finally going to say something.

The guard frowned when he saw I was not alone.

"Who are you?" He asked Damon in a harsh voice.

"Damon". Damon replied brightly.

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The name triggered something in the guard and he examined Damon properly, his face, his expensive looking clothes, the manner in which he conducted himself.

The guard jumped to his feet hastily. He bowed as low as he could. "Forgive my rashness my prince, I wasn't expecting you in our humble abode".

"It's fine". Damon said and waved him off.

I led him to the room and packed my load hastily.

I didn't have much, just a few clothes and my weapons. I was done packing in no time.

Damon looked at the meager load I fit into my arms with puzzlement.

"That's all the clothes you have?"

I nodded.

"We need to get you some new clothes as soon as possible". He said. "These ones are…" He paused. "Well let's just say you've used your money's worth".

I nodded in response. I still didn't know what to think of him.

Damon pushed open the door and motioned for me to go out. I stepped out and he followed behind. He then closed he door behind us.

"Let's go". He said.