Slowly, the Emperor lifted a wide, silk-draped sleeve to cover the lower half of his face, his shoulders shaking with a quiet, highly amused chuckle. "It is fine, My Lady Vanguard," he said, his eyes curving into sharp crescents. "And here I thought you had simply forgotten how to greet Us."
"Never, Your Majesty," Heena replied, her tone perfectly flat and serious, though it was taking every ounce of her willpower just to keep her spine straight. "How could I? Even as your subject draws her final breath, she would never forget to bow to her Emperor."
The Emperor's amusement cooled a fraction at the stark, unapologetic reminder of her impending death. He lowered his sleeve, leaning back into his golden throne with a calculating gaze. "So. Why are you here today?"
