Page 50 of Betrothed to the Emperor
“Since when does an Emperor’s Dog act as a nursemaid?” I gestured around us. “I thought you were here to guard me from threats, not from hunger.”
My words were undercut by a roll of my stomach, hunger twisting enough that Asahi could clearly hear the sound from the other side of the massive room. Pointedly, he looked at the tray the servant had left.
I huffed and moved it onto my lap, taking off the cover to reveal a bowl of milky porridge topped with dark fruit compote. I stirred it together, taking my first bite and nearly groaning from how delicious it was.
I really was starving if I was this excited overbreakfast cereal.
On the side were strips of fried bacon, and after a single bite, I shoved the rest into my mouth hungrily. I was glad Terror wasn’t here to demand food. I wasn’t about to let anyone share this meal.
By the time I finished, I leaned back, considering the room. Idly, I tapped a spoon on the side of the bowl. “Does Emperor Tallu expect another attack from whoever tried to assassinate him?”
“It is not my job to know what the emperor thinks,” Asahi said.
“No, I don’t suppose it is. But you must know him after spending so long guarding him.” I considered again. Maybe I could get around killing Rute. I would just need to give Tallu a reason to kill him. What had Lord Fuyii said?
Tallu had given his father letters from Krustau that showed Fuyii’s disloyalty, and for that, the Minister of the Treasury had been exiled. What would Tallu do if Rute had letters from Krustau setting up an emperor’s assassination?
He’d have no choice but to have him executed. And that would tie the whole thing up in a neat bow just in time for our wedding. As long as whoeverhadtried to assassinate him didn’t try again.
Tallu would have people searching Rute’s quarters, going through all of his belongings; it wouldn’t be hard to push them to search again after I’d planted evidence. That was a plan. Good.
Now, I just needed supplies.
Turning to Asahi, I pretended at a smile. “Is there anything else I forgot? Do I need to brush my teeth or write a thank-you letter before I am allowed to leave?”
Asahi pursed his lips. “No.”
Getting up did leave me with a hint of dizziness that I shook off quickly. I needed to get moving. There was too much to do and only two weeks to do it.
Servants bowed low as we left the emperor’s private quarters, although I saw no trace of Tallu. As we passed by two sets of guards dressed in amber and started down the path back to Turtle House, I asked, “And where is my intended?”
“I am not your social secretary,” Asahi said sharply.
“No, but youdoknow, don’t you?” I asked.
“Yes.” Asahi briefly stepped in front of me as we passed a group of courtiers out for an early morning walk, their voices dropping to whispered gossip as they passed us.
“Well, this relationship is getting off to a swimming start. You and I are clearly going to get along brilliantly, Asahi.” I kept my voice cheerful and walked into Turtle House, ignoring him all the way to my rooms.
Nohe waited for me beside the doors, gesturing for a servant to open them as I approached. “Prince Airón, we are so grateful for your safe return.”
“Yes,” I said drily. “I imagine that none of us expected my morning walk to end up like this.”
“I’ve had a private bath arranged for you in your quarters, or I can reserve time at the bathhouse. Do you have a preference?” Nohe tilted her head in the silent gesture for direction.
Shaking my head, I said, “A bath here is fine.”
“Very good.” She led the way to the empty room I’d assumed was for training, and I saw someone had brought in a large tub. Piivu, the servant I’d saved from Rute what seemed like a decade earlier, was pouring a steaming jug of water into the nearly full bath.
“Piivu!” I smiled when I saw him. It felt like the first thing that had gone right since I’d gotten to the Imperium. Turning to Nohe, I said, “Thank you for finding a place for him.”
She nodded, her expression as mild as possible, although I could feel her curiosity. “Of course. He’s a hard worker.”
“Good.” I started to undo the ties on my clothes, and both Piivu and Nohe made sounds that were no more than horrified breaths. “Don’t tell me—someone needs to undress me?”
“You’re the emperor’s consort,” Nohe said, almost apologetically.
“You need to be properly attended,” Piivu said, showing more propriety than I’d expected. When I looked at him, he flushed.