I pinch the bridge of my nose, a small headache already forming in the back of my head.

Today has been a long day. Escorting little Hollis around shopping wasn't bad, really it was rather fun. The small vess is so excitable, I almost felt bad being firm with them, but I couldn't let them run all over the city. Besides, we had a mission and I needed to keep us on track. Shopping for clothes isn't something I would have ever considered a 'mission', but here I am.

My new position is extremely important and dangerous, and at the same time, fairly mundane.

The banquet hall is full of Karnakan nobility, potential threats everywhere, and yet, the Empress is entirely uninterested. A pair of doors opens into a large garden and the Empress is busy chasing her pet, 'One', around, completely ignoring any chance to earn favor with the nobles.

At first I thought the Empress was an untouchable eldritch force that no one could understand. She was always reclusive, and no one understood what she was doing when she walked around Blackroad, just strolling around without a care in the world. At the time I, like everyone else, assumed she was just acting aloof and was secretly calculating and cold on the inside, perhaps perusing the town for her next meal.

A series of light hearted giggles erupts from the garden. One has somehow turned the tables and knocked the Empress on her back and is standing on her chest, licking her face. Her panties are completely visible from here. I facepalm.

No, acting as her majesty's royal guard has been enlightening. The Empress is a child, only two years old. While her race seems to grow much faster than humans, her maturity is somewhat shaky. She needs constant monitoring and attention. Sometimes I feel more like a babysitter than an elite soldier. The frustrating part is that she does have moments when she acts very mature, usually when talking to people she doesn't know. She is perfectly capable of taking charge and dealing with situations, it's just that she usually chooses not to. I just don't understand.

Finally, the Empress fixes her dress. How many nobles just saw her pink underwear?

I sigh to myself. She is completely defenseless. It has me on edge whenever I am in charge of her safety. If I don't focus, anyone could kidnap her, or assassinate her. Even a level five could do it, despite her being in her sixties.

A shadow flickers at the edge of the garden and a little the tension eases out of my shoulders. Thank goodness for Enna. The caretaker is a real lifesaver, even now, she is carefully watching over her charge. The first time I met her, I nearly wet myself. When she whisked me away into the hive to train me on caring for the Empress, I imagined I might not make it out alive.

Jet'latar grunts his version of a laugh nearby. I turn and continue to observe the room. At least the royal guard are here. Mostly orcs, besides a few Karnakans, like me. Jet is surprisingly apt at navigating the politics of a small gathering like this. Another part of my job that gives me headaches. Intercepting anyone before they can interact with her highness and engaging them in whatever conversation they wanted to have with her. I can't be too annoyed, of course. Her highness is only two, she can't be expected to navigate the muddy waters of court.

Still, I can't help but like the endearing little Empress. If nothing else, she is kind to her subjects.

A flash of brightly colored robes begins to head to the garden. That's my cue. I quickly intercept the noble, trying to make it look casual, but probably failing. Subtlety was never my strongpoint.

"Hello, ma'am." I give a slight bow to the noblewoman.

"Ah, Captain Tess! So good to talk to you." She titters. "I was about to speak with Empress Renna, but don't worry, I know how to read a situation." She winks.

I stay stiff and formal, "Thank you for your understanding, ma'am."

The noblewoman titters again, hiding her mouth with her hand, "So rigid. A proper soldier." She smiles up at me through her lashes, "I like that."

I grab the blush that was creeping up my neck and promptly smash it into dust, and impassively nod at the flirtatious woman.

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The woman grabs two glasses from a nearby waiter, offering one to me. When I don't respond, she shrugs and downs one of them before starting to sip from the other, "I was wondering about the Empress, everyone is quite curious. No one has ever heard of a vess before. The best we have seen are elves."

"Elves?" I ask.

She grins like she finally got me, "Oh yes, there are a few elves living in the capital." She casually sips from her glass, "Elves aren't much for our local customs, but the Empress seems to be enjoying herself. She especially seems to like our clothes. Why, she looks adorable in that dress. And those bows wrapped around her horns! Are you certain I cannot speak with her? Just to compliment her?" The lady smiles demurely up at me.

"Sorry." I keep my voice neutral.

The noble lady shrugs, "Worth a try. You know most people don't trust her. Speaking with her would go a long way towards earning favor, you know?"

I nod, "Of course. But her majesty doesn't want to earn favor. She takes it."

"Takes?" The woman blinks rapidly at me, "Oh I suppose you are referring to the army of monsters stationed outside the city. Yes, quite concerning that." She frowns, "Honestly, we are all a bit worried about that. I have heard that the Empress wants our dungeons, but do you know anything more? Anything to set us at ease perhaps?"

Politics. Why do I have to play politics? All I know is how to swing a sword. I sneak a glance at Debbs. At first the woman seemed spineless and cowardly, and she is. But she is genuinely doing her best to assist the Empress, and for that I am thankful. We even shared wine the other night and commiserated about working under the Empress.

The noblewoman gasps, "Never mind about the Empress." Her lips twist into an evil smirk, "That's the third time this conversation your eyes have darted to look at the Magus. I imagine as the head of the royal guard, you come into contact with Magus Farsight quite often? Do you work well together perhaps?"

This time I fail to keep the blush from fully forming on my checks, "I appreciate Debbs, she fills her role adequately." I clear my throat, "My roll is on the battlefield. Honestly, if you want to know about the Empress, you should speak with her."

The woman smirks and cocks her hip, "Oh, but there is so much more to glean from a conversation with you."

Debbs makes eye contact with me and raises an eyebrow. In a moment, she crosses the room to stand beside me, "Tess, there is something urgent we need to discuss."

My hand goes to my sword and I nod. Turning to the noble lady, I find her with an annoying smirk on her face, "Sorry, there appears to be a situation."

I quickly retreat from the public eye with Debbs into a side corridor that still has a window facing the garden. We stop by the window so I can keep an eye on the Empress.

Debbs places a hand on my arm, "You seemed like you were getting a little overwhelmed out there, you okay?"

My face heats a little further from the contact, "Yeah. Thanks."

She smiles, showing off her adorable dimples, "Of course. You were doing great by the way. The stoic protector of the Empress. Most people were too intimidated to approach you."

I nod and turn my attention back into the garden. Renna is sitting on a bench with One in her lap. Enna appears and offers her a drink which the Empress gratefully accepts. The caretaker takes her place behind Renna and begins combing her claws through her hair, dislodging a few leaves that got stuck while she was playing.

Debbs sighs, "I really don't know what to think about the Empress. She just came smashing into my life and has completely taken over. Sometimes she is beyond intimidating, but then there's moments like these where she lets her guard down and looks so innocent."

"People are rarely so simple."

"Like you?" Debbs folds her arms behind her back and leans forward, looking up at me with a slight blush on her face, "You are always so serious, but you do have a softer side. You're always checking up on me."

I shift, feeling uncomfortable in my armor for the first time, too hot, "I felt bad. I know what it's like to be chosen by the Empress. When she wants you, there is no denying her. Your whole life changes to revolve around her."

Debbs scoffs, "It's not so bad. You're exaggerating. Kind of. What she's doing, it's important, even I can see that." She demurely tucks a stray hair behind her ear, "I've already hit a dead end on my research here. If I want to do something to stop the sands, I'll need to take more direct action. What Hollis has shared with me, has been life changing. I understand so much more than I ever have, and I want to know more. Hopefully one day the Empress will open up to me more."

Suddenly the scared little researcher seems so much more than that. Seeing her bravery makes my heart beat just that much faster. This is a person who has the courage to do what it takes, no matter how difficult. Not only does she have the voice of a dead god knocking around in her head, but she also has the attention of the Vess Empress, a normal person might have collapsed under the strain. I realize that I trust her completely. I'll need to talk to Renna about being nicer to her.

I then realize I've been staring at her and not saying anything for too long now, "Uhm." My mouth is suddenly way too dry.

The Magus giggles and grabs my arm, "Come on, lets go back out and get you a drink."

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