Page 43 of Shadow Throne King

I laughed at that, the sound making Naî turn her head from where she was gorging herself on what looked like most of a pig. They had set it out on a platter for her, as though she were receiving a private dinner.

“You have to admit, I would look good showing a little more ankle than usual.” But Asahi had already turned away, scanning the room again, his eyes lingering on any servant who moved.

Two servants helped dress me, both young men, and when they spoke, I was relieved that neither of them had suffered the same fate as the bath maid.

Dressed, clean, and missing Tallu as though he was the air I breathed, I stepped out into the quiet palace. Quuri had disappeared with a respectful bow, saying that she needed to check on dinner.

Asahi shadowed me, and both of the men who helped me dress hesitated, clearly unsure if they were supposed to lead me around the palace.

I saved us all by making the decision myself. Turning, I strode in the opposite direction from Tallu’s quarters. When we were out of earshot of the servants, I asked Asahi, “Have you ever been to the Lakeshore Palace?”

“Yes,” Asahi said, not even hesitating.

“Am I going anywhere near the dining room?” I asked.

“No,” Asahi said.

“Were you here when the emperor and the empress were in residence?” I asked quietly as we passed beside a tapestry covering a Krustavian carving in the wall.

I paused, drawing the tapestry back. According to Lord Fuyii, the Krustavians did not enjoy paintings or tapestries. Instead, they carved into their walls and created statues from the rocks that they mined.

This carving looked as though it was an entire set of dollhouses intricately carved into the shape of the town. In the foreground, I saw small children playing with each other, while in the background, their mothers hung laundry up to dry.

From their pointed ears and shape, they were dwarves.

“All of the Dogs who were here when the emperor and the empress were assassinated are dead themselves,” Asahi said. “They took their own lives.”

I let the tapestry fall back into place, covering the delicate art behind it with an image of the Imperium’s capital city.

“So I’ve been told,” I said slowly. “But what does that mean if the empress and the prince are alive? Is it possible one of the Dogs is as well?”

“This way,” Asahi said, sidestepping the question and motioning with his hand toward the left.

I followed his directions. “Is it a common punishment to cut out the tongue?”

“I have not heard of it being done since Emperor Rellu,” Asahi said. “Emperor Rellu had a great many enemies, and many of them he needed to keep alive—whether because they were important or because they served as a warning to others.”

“So which is the bath maid?” I asked, only partially rhetorical. “A warning or a necessity?”

If she was a warning, she was a good one. The servants here all fell into line with Quuri at even her slightest glance.

But if she wasn’t a warning—if she was necessary—what did that mean? Who would it benefit to keep a servant of such low station alive?

I shook my head at the question.

Two footmen stood outside a set of double doors, each holding a long spear. I didn’t even need to ask what the room was—the scent of delicious food twisted my stomach with hunger. Behind me, Asahi swallowed audibly.

“His Imperial Majesty will have Dogs,” I observed. “You may have had a chance to change your clothes, but I know you have not bathed or eaten. Go change, clean yourself. I will probably still be eating by the time you are done.”

We were at the doorway, and I could already see Tallu seated at the table, a glass of wine held casually in one hand as he observed a feast of dishes spread across the table. Golden rings adorned his fingers, the swoop of them arcing like waves across his knuckles. On his head, he wore a crown of glinting gemstones, the blue color fading to translucency at the tip of each spike.

He looked up when he saw me speaking with Asahi, his eyes moving back and forth between us before his expression darkened. Asahi didn’t seem to notice, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he bowed, exactly as proper as he always was.

“I cannot leave you unattended.” His voice was rough.

I huffed a slight laugh, glancing back at Tallu, whose expression had turned possessive. “Asahi, I can promise you there’s not a single moment I will be unattended in this room.”

With his face covered by his mask, Asahi’s expression was a mystery, but after a long pause, he bowed once again and turned to go down the hall.