Chapter 53 Zephyr’s Curse
Amarien's POV
My heart leaped in my chest.
Daevir has never called for me with his royal courtiers. He had never sent his most cherished Eunuch, Eunuch Zephyr, to seek me out. I couldn't believe my ears.
Zephyr bowed again when he saw my hesitation. "He would rather you come with me. He wants you adequately prepared to see him."
A troop of guards appeared from behind Zephyr. They stepped forward to me and led me out of the garden into the imperial courts.
I thought we would be heading straight for Daevir's station, but I was wrong.
They whipped me over to the imperial Ease Quarters. Here, ranking members of the royal courts get the best beauty treatment.
I've never been here before, but it was a beautiful station to behold. I was whisked in by a bunch of women who took off my clothes and slipped into a pile.
I was bathed, rubbed, and treated with tender portions and lotions. I was clothed in the finest silk money could buy, and my hair was combed out.
What's all this about?
Only a queen is treated this way.
Yet it all felt too good to be true. Daevir is seeking me out, so public, so intentionally. This is what I dreamt of all night long.
This is what I long for.
Once the women were done with my hair, I was whisked over to the maiden who handled my makeup and performance.
I was sprayed with the Royal Jasmine lycan flower.
I gasped.
This flower is only used on the Royal Queen in waiting. The maiden looked more than happy to serve me.
I was appalled by all of this.
When they were done, Zephyr walked into the room to receive me. He bowed to me, and I bowed back.
"His Royal Highness awaits you, Amarien."
With this, Zephyr walked me out of the Imperial Ease Courts to the Imperial station. This is the Emperor's office. However, since Daevir now assumes his father's place, this is his office now.
As Zephyr and I walked through the Imperial station, I couldn't help but slow my steps in quiet wonder. Crystal-clear walls rose on either side of us, catching the light and scattering it like frozen stars.
Beneath my feet, marble floors gleamed with a soft, heavenly sheen, polished so smooth they reflected the towering pillars above. Those pillars stretched endlessly toward the vaulted ceiling, grand and solemn, as though they were holding the sky itself in place.
As we moved deeper into the station, the air itself seemed to change, growing cool, faintly perfumed with incense and old stone.
Sunlight poured in through high arches of crystal and glass, painting the corridors in shifting hues of gold and pale blue. Every surface felt like wealth and power, from the intricate carvings on the walls to the gilded rails lining the walkways.
Servants glided past in hushed efficiency, their heads bowed, their footsteps barely a sound against the marble.
Above us, banners of the empire hung heavy and proud. I felt small beneath their gaze, a single fragile life moving through a place built to outlast generations.
It was indeed heavenly, pure and quiet here. Yet a few officers were stationed here. They all sat scrubbing with delicate inks. They were officials from high-ranking families. Officials in robes worthy of a full year of my stipends.
I gulped. Intimidated by this luxury. This is an undeserved privilege that just fell into my lap.
I felt out of place, like a goat in silk. But I had to go on…for Daevir. I imagined him receiving me with his warm, charming smile, in that powerful crimson emperor robe.
I imagine he'd kiss my cheek, yet with respect because of the officials around him.
What next? What will he do? Announce a nobody like me as his Queen? He already ordered that I be sprayed with the Royal Jasmine Lyacna flower perfume. This is my sign.
I would be elated out of my mind, but I just couldn't figure out the nervousness that crept right into my skin.
Zephyr is unusually quiet. Yes, he held my hands tenderly and pristine like he would a queen, but the only sound I hear here is the echoes of our footsteps.
None of the officials here even raised their heads from their scribblings to acknowledge me. How would they, when they have no idea who I am?
"There we are, Amarien," Zephyr said and bowed as he got to a big, giant door, embroidered with images and stories of gold and velvet red.
"He is right in that door waiting for you. We are not allowed to go in with you." Zephyr said.
I nodded. And turned to open the door when Zephyr's voice caught me off guard.
"You are making the biggest mistake of your life, Concubine Amarien." Zephyr's voice cut me like a thunderclap.
I turned to him, his head was still bowed.
"What are you talking about?" I felt a shiver down my spine, but tried not to admit it. Not when I'm this close to getting everything I've always wanted.
"You're making the biggest mistake of your life, Amarien," Zephyr said. This time, he raised his head to match my eyes.
I saw a shrill coldness in those eyes. A coldness that told me I don't and will never belong here.
"And if I were you, I'd flee for my life."
With this, Zephyr turned away and left, leaving me visibly shaken by his ominous words.