"We cannot wait to get you out of that beautiful dress."
My cheeks flamed with heat, and the other guys coughed or looked away in discomfort. Through the bond, I could tell the discomfort was from not acting on certainurges,so I cleared my throat. "I suppose we're ready then."
We made our way into the dining hall, sexual tension still present, where the emperor and empress waited for us. It was set up beautifully, just like all royal dinners would be. The servants were bustling around, getting everything ready as we took our seats.
Empress Lovington smiled kindly as Emperor Lovington smiled respectfully and greeted us. "We are happy you were able to make it to dinner, and we really appreciate your help with the monsters."
"We are more than happy to help." I smiled politely as I sat down between Aimon and Casper. "But, as I'm sure you have probably realized, we were sent here for another reason as well."
"We figured as much," Emperor Lovington admitted. His smile thinned out into a line. "I am surprised you're being so forthcoming about it."
"To be completely honest, we were told that Emperor Lovington was having an affair with Empress Hayes and that you are in league with the Revivium Empire." I placed my elbows on the table and folded my hands together, staring directly into Emperor Lovington's eyes. "Personally, I think that's bullshit, and we have found no proof of that, nor do I think we will."
"It is preposterous," he confirmed. "But I have a feeling you have a way for us to prove it."
"I do." I smiled, grabbing the vials from the slip pocket in my dress and handing them to one of the servants. "These are truth serums. We want to ask questions to ensure your loyalty and make sure we aren't fucking ourselves over by aligning with you and getting betrayed."
The servant walked them over and gave the vials to the emperor, who passed one to the empress.
"That's reasonable," Empress Lovington murmured.
"I can't help but feel a little insulted," Emperor Lovington grumbled. "However, I know this isn't your doing. I know this is more of the work of Emperor Lloyd, and therefore I will comply."
I glanced at Silas with a smug smirk, and he shook his head, his lips curving upward with a hint of a smile.
The emperor and empress drank the truth serums, setting the vials down with a click on the surface of the marble table.
"Are you having an affair with Empress Hayes?" I asked, point blank.
Emperor Lovington shook his head. "Absolutely not. The very thought repulses me."
"Are you having an affair with Emperor Hayes?" I asked the empress.
Her lip curled in disgust. "I wouldneverhave an affair with anyone, least of all him."
"Are either of you in league with the Revivium empire?"
They shook their heads. "No."
"Are you loyal to the Lethium Empire, and is our alliance strong?" Silas spoke up.
"Yes," they both answered, but Emperor Lovington expanded, "I have a high respect for the Lethium Empire. However, my loyalty being questioned like this does bother me, and I will be speaking with Emperor Lloyd about it while the truth serum is active."
"That's fair," I murmured. "Do you haveanyidea why Matthieu, the bone and metamorphose mage, would accuse you of something like that?"
"No, but we have heard extensive rumors of him having an affair with Empress Hayes," Emperor Lovington said.
"To be completely honest, I am worried about the emperor of the Revivium Empire," Empress Lovington added, worry clear in her gaze. "We've only seen or heard from the empress for over a year. She keeps saying that the emperor is sick, but I don't believe her. Something else must've happened."
"Matthieu has been infiltrating the Revivium Empire to get close to the emperor and empress; however, he did mention something about the emperor being under a hex," I admitted to them.
"All signs point to the empress," Silas muttered, but Empress Lovington was quick to dismiss that thought.
"She wouldneverdo that. She loved her husband. If anything, I believe Matthieu is involved in something more sinister. This didn't start happening until just before he appeared anyway."
"I don't disagree with you," I blurted.
"I think that covers all of our questions." Silas gave me a sharp look. He might've trusted Emperor Lloyd with all of his being, but I trusted the Lovington royals in a similar manner.
