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Yue again is struck by the accent of his words, which is gruff yet smooth, like the purr of a feline. She thought that, if anyone’s voice was made for telling stories or selling wares, it was his – and just like the softness of a hide or the weaving of silk cloth, something as small as this mattered greatly. If she loathed his voice, then she might not desire to pass time in each other’s company… and that could prove dangerous.
What was life, if not a series of necessities that could be enjoyed (not just endured) with the smallest of improvements? That was how Yue had begun to regard this possibility, as an improvement to a situation that could stand to be improved, at least a little bit. The Empress could easily admit that she experienced loneliness without her accustomed retinue.
Her court had always been the majority of her social life.
The Orchid also felt vulnerable, with only her own eyes to watch over Tianlong, unable to watch herself at the same time. She nodded, slow, intentional movements, as she contemplated what he said. Still loyal?
Somehow, Yue felt as if she understood, as there were parts of oneself that were innate as blood, and nearly impossible to shed, even if one desired to do so. It did not mean they could not rightly serve another – on the contrary, these were the types of souls that brought the dynasty into awareness of the outside world.
Such information was of high value.
The Empress swallowed, then gathered herself up in propriety that might have been lost in her prior inquiry. “Within a moment, you would be as culpable for the health and sanctity of Tianlong as I am,” she explained, fearing that he knew this already, after all – this was his idea.
“It is a lofty calling,” Then she said quite plainly, “one that may even result in your death.”
The Imperial Queen dearly hoped it would not end this way, but it was always a possibility. She made certain to govern in a way that did not procure a plethora of death threats, but she could no more avoid aggravating certain bureaucratic parties than she could avoid slaying a life in order to eat.
“And you accept this in the name of mere interest?”
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