Chapter 8: The Return of the Ladies

"Your Imperial Majesty,"

Taking bowing stances in front of Empress Karina, were her three ladies-in-waiting.

The sun had risen over the land of Zyleria, and Karina, temporarily forgetting she was no longer a college student, had gotten into a funny accident earlier in the day. She had been so distracted by the previous night’s conversation with Leonidas that she had walked straight into a low-hanging chandelier while trying to find the bathroom. Again.

An accident from which she obtained a small and red bump placed right in the middle of her forehead.

General Aldric tried his hardest not to snicker at the efforts of the three women to not stare at the bump. His shoulders shook, and Karina shot him a death glare that promised retribution.

"Lady Sophie Dubois, Lady Fayora Astley, Lady Joan Blackwood. Welcome back." Karina offered, Cheshire having already provided the information regarding the women in her mind before they had even arrived.

The three women rose from their bows, and Karina took a moment to study them properly.

Lady Sophie, the youngest of the trio at 23 years, had bob-length pale pink hair that framed her heart-shaped face like cotton candy. Her eyes were a matching dark pink, round and doe-like, and she had a smattering of freckles across her nose. She was dressed in a soft lavender gown with pearl buttons, and her hands were clasped nervously in front of her.

Karina noticed the way Sophie’s gaze kept flickering toward General Aldric, then darting away as if she had been burned. The poor girl’s cheeks were already flushing a shade that perfectly matched her hair.

Oh my god, Karina thought, narrowly suppressing a grin. She’s got it bad. Like, really bad. But for Aldric? He’s handsome but doesn’t he have the emotional capacities of a brick wall?

Anyways.

Lady Fayora Astley was the complete opposite of Sophie. 26. Tall and statuesque, with sharp cheekbones and a mane of wavy jet-black hair. Her eyes were a striking emerald green, and she carried herself with confidence. She wore a deep forest green gown that matched her eyes perfectly, and her posture was so perfect that Karina felt her own back ache in sympathy.

And then there was Lady Joan Blackwood. The eldest of the three at 32, Joan had warm brown skin and silver-streaked hair that she wore in an elegant twist at the nape of her neck. Her eyes were a gentle hazel, and she had a calm and almost maternal presence that made Karina immediately feel at ease. She was dressed in a cream-colored gown with minimal embellishments, and she carried a small leather satchel that looked like it had seen many adventures.

"Please, sit," Karina said, gesturing to the plush velvet chairs arranged in her private sitting room. "Tell me about your expedition. I want to hear everything."

The three women exchanged glances, clearly surprised by the Empress’s sudden interest. The old Karina had never bothered to ask about their travels. She had barely acknowledged their existence.

Lady Fayora was the first to speak. "The Sarabia desert was... challenging, Your Imperial Majesty. The heat was relentless, and we encountered several sandstorms that delayed our progress. However, we did manage to secure trade agreements with three of the major desert tribes."

"Trade agreements?" Karina leaned forward, genuinely intrigued. "For what exactly?"

"Exotic spices, rare textiles, and medicinal herbs that are native to the region," Lady Joan supplied. "The desert tribes have been isolationist for decades, but we were able to negotiate a partnership. They’re interested in establishing a permanent trade route to the capital."

Karina’s eyebrows shot up. "That’s incredible. How did you manage that?"

Lady Sophie finally spoke, her voice soft and slightly breathless. "It was Lady Fayora’s doing, really. She challenged the tribal chieftain to a drinking contest, and when she outdrank him, he was so impressed that he agreed to our terms."

Karina burst out laughing. "You what?! Fayora, you legend!"

Lady Fayora’s lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile. "It was nothing, Your Imperial Majesty. The chieftain was a lightweight."

"Nothing?!" Sophie squeaked. "You drank an entire barrel of fermented cactus wine and didn’t even stumble!"

"Practice makes perfect," Fayora said, her emerald eyes glinting with mischief.

Joan chuckled, shaking her head. "I spent most of the expedition trying to keep Sophie from fainting every time a desert lizard crawled too close to her feet."

Sophie’s cheeks flamed. "They were very large lizards! And they hissed at me!"

"They were geckos, Sophie."

"Vicious geckos!"

Karina was thoroughly entertained. She liked these women. They were interesting, capable, and clearly had good chemistry with each other. The old Karina had apparently been too busy wallowing in self-pity to appreciate the competent staff she had.

"The expedition was a success then," Karina said, smiling warmly. "I am glad you’re all back safely. And Sophie—" she added, noticing the way the pink-haired girl kept sneaking glances at Aldric, who was now pretending to examine a tapestry on the far wall with intense concentration, "—I’m sure General Aldric missed having you around to keep him company."

Sophie nearly choked on air. "I—what—he—that’s—"

Aldric’s head snapped around, his blue eyes wide with alarm. "Your Imperial Majesty, I don’t think—"

"Oh, I’m just teasing," Karina said sweetly. "But you know, Sophie, I’m sure the General would love to hear more about those lizards."

Sophie looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole. Fayora and Joan exchanged knowing glances, barely suppressing their laughter.

Poor girl, Karina thought, already genuinely fond of the flustered young lady. I’ll have to help her out somehow. Maybe throw her and Aldric into a closet together. That usually works in dramas.

She dismissed the thought for later and refocused on the matter at hand.

"Thank you for your report, ladies. I’m sure you’re exhausted from your journey. Please, take the rest of the day to rest and settle back in. We can discuss the trade agreements in more detail tomorrow."

The three women rose, curtsying deeply. "Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty," they said in unison.

Sophie lingered for just a moment, her eyes darting to Aldric one more time before she scurried after the other two.