The Name That Shakes the Queen
"Pallas, what does that person look like?"
Rose's gorgeous eyes narrowed, her voice shaking slightly as she pinned the Platinum Bishop with an unyielding stare.
Pallas hardened, his breath catching. Could it be… this brat actually has some sort of link to Her Majesty?
He couldn't afford to be careless. Bowing a little, he described with extreme caution:
He… he is a young man. So very handsome, with such an uncommon temperament. No older than twelve or thirteen years."
Rose's face fell at once. That flicker of optimistic hope in her heart turned to rage, her tone cooling the air.
"Pallas… are you guilty of deception?"
Her tones were as razor-sharp as blades.
Pallas bent at a right angle, his voice laced with panic.
Forgive me, Your Majesty! That conceited young master had the temerity to offend you with his words. I wanted to give him a severe lesson, but he claimed to have had a… close relationship with you. I—I really didn't dare be careless!"
A cold laughter escaped Rose's lips, but there was no warmth behind it.
"Heh… do you really think my husband would be the child of such an age?
Her voice was icy. Pallas shook like someone hurled into an ice cave.
"Nor do I think so!" he added hastily. "Let me atone for this affront. I will dissect that impudent lad myself and hang his body as an example to those who would think of desecrating your name!"
His voice had been frantic, but behind his bent head, his eyes had flickered with cruelty. Now that you've been dismissed by the Queen, boy, you are dead. No matter who your parents were, you've pushed too far. Today, I'll strike ruthlessly.
Straightening a little, he faced the doors, his ruthless sneer twisting at the corner of his mouth.
"Stop."
The order pinned him in position. Reluctantly, he turned, seeing Rose already gazing down at him with contempt before she turned her eyes away, her back straight, her figure looming.
Still, he did not have the courage to face her directly. Bowing once more, he ventured hesitantly, "I… I do not know what additional orders Your Majesty has for me?"
"That individual," Rose replied curtly, "when he encountered you… did he say anything?
Pallas' eyes flickered coldly. Boy, it's time for me to 'speak kindly' for you. Don't thank me too much when you're dead.
"Your Majesty… this subordinate dares not repeat his words." He feigned hesitation, letting the silence draw tight like a bowstring.
"Speak!"
Her voice cracked like thunder.
Pallas swiped sweat from his forehead, though the wicked gleam in his eye gave away his pretense. He stuttered with his falsehood.
"He… he said…"
"Enough hemming and hawing!" Rose barked. "State it clearly.
"Yes!" Pallas' eyes blazed as he spoke louder, his voice full of indignation. "That child was brazen beyond belief! In the public square, he threatened that you are his woman. That you have secretly loved him all these years!"
He stood up, hammering his voice into the air, dripping fake righteousness.
How could this be possible?! How could Her Majesty—the pride of all Spirita—fall to the level of such an ant? Of course, I did not believe his rubbish!"
He ground his teeth as if he were angry on her behalf, and added:
I was prepared to kill him then and there, to save you from further indignity. But the boy had the temerity to threaten us once more—he told me as a certainty that if anyone laid hands on him, you yourself would slay us with your own fingers!"
His voice darkened, condemning.
"Such pride. such arrogance! I hesitated, shaken by his temerity. So I hastened to you for arbitration."
Heavy silence followed. And then Rose's voice—splendid, cold, always detached—began to waver.
"Are you… telling the truth?"
Her statuesque height shook, betraying the tempest seething inside.
Pallas took advantage of the moment, bowing further.
"Each word that I have said is true. If Your Majesty would doubt me, all the Silver Armored Knights waiting outside the citadel can bear witness!"
He winced a little, happiness growing in his chest. Perfect. Her Majesty shakes with rage. Boy, you are done for. Ripped apart by the Queen herself. I need not even raise a hand—what a worthy end for you.
Rose's following words, however, caused his breath to catch.
"That man…" her shoulders were shaking wildly, her voice harsh, "…did you hear his name?"
Pallas smiled to himself, but his face remained respectful, servile. "He… he gave his name as Nux. He said once you heard him say his name, you'd come out to greet him yourself."
He shook his head, pretending incredulity.
"Such rubbish… truly, I did not think it worthy of your hearing. Forgive me for bringing it to you so belatedly."
Boom!
The room shook with violence as a tempest of holy power burst outward from Rose. The pillars shook, the tapestries lashed in the blast, and even the marble underfoot creaked softly.
Her control broke. She wrestled to keep the wild shake out of her voice, her lips trembling as she hurled her demand.
"Where… is he?!"
Pallas' heart leapt in terror and excitement both. She's furious! Truly furious! Excellent! Boy, you'll be dust within the hour. Hahaha…
Bowing so low his head nearly struck the ground, he shouted, "I will capture him at once and drag him before you!"
Spiritual rings surged from beneath his feet, eight radiant halos stacking one after another. His body blurred as he launched himself from the hall with deadly intent.
Behind him, Rose turned.
But lost was the cold, detached grandeur. Her perfect face now blazed with fevered passion, her lovely eyes glazed over with infatuation, full of wild hope.
"He's here… He's really here…" she breathed, her voice quavering like a maiden's first confession.
"Yes! He must be here!"
"No… how could I let him wait for me? If Nux has come to visit me, then… then I have to go to him!"
Her crowned head flashed like jewels as she spun, caught up in uncontrollable passion.
Hula!
With a swirl of golden fabric and a blast of wind, the queen who governed the Soulforge Citadel through an iron hand shed all caution. Her form blurred and disappeared from the throne, her footsteps pounding with the urgency of one who had waited too long.
In a moment of time, the dazzling hall remained empty and still.