Veta nodded.
He gestured for her to drop to her knees. “I have a gift for you.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Veta said, and took a knee, as was customary when being blessed with a gift from the Emperor.
Though her hands trembled at the thought of what the Emperor’s gift would be.
She had heard from others that gifts could range from a physical gift to demands of sexual favors.
Immediately, she steeled herself. She did whatever was necessary in the name of the Empire. She always had—for doing whatever was demanded in the name of the Empire had kept her alive for years.
What was one more moment?
The Emperor parted his robe.
She closed her eyes.
And heard a snap.
She opened her eyes, expecting to see—
A blade.
A shiny, new blade, as long as her forearm, with a wicked, serrated edge on one side, the tip curved. The weapon of a warrior. One that would quickly take out any attacker, Rhimodian, or otherwise.
She accepted the blade, feeling the weight of it in her hands—not too heavy, not too light.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“I am honored with such a gift, Your Majesty. I thank you.” Her stomach knotted over the price of such a weapon. What would this gift cost her? What part of herself would be expected for the Empire now?
There was little left.
He nodded. “Good.”
A strange smile spread over his features.
One that made Veta question his motivations, making the knots worse. She bowed her head.
And sighed in relief when the Emperor walked a few steps away, his robes swishing softly in the otherwise silent room.
“Now go. Protect my daughters. Make sure they return to me.” He paused and glanced back at her. “And keep me informed, Veta. Anything you learn that might help end this war would be appreciated.”
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
