"Is it wrong to cherish her when her husband fails to appreciate the treasure he holds within his grasp?"
⋆ Claude De Alger Obelia x Navier Ellie Trovi
➳ 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞...
The empress directed her gaze towards the window, her countenance bearing an air of neutrality.
A book lay open upon the pristine white table, and her focus shifted to Psyche who made its return with a small jewelry gift box delicately held in its beak.
Navier's eyes widened in pleasant surprise, her hand gently reaching out to receive the gift from the eagle.
"Ah..." she softly uttered, her tone a mixture of awe and gratitude.
Cradling the box in her hands, she placed it carefully upon the table, her eyes fixated upon its elegant exterior.
With a deliberate motion, Navier removed the ribbon that bound the box, anticipation shimmering within her gaze.
Slowly, she opened the jewelry case, unveiling a resplendent necklace that adorned the velvet cushion within.
The sight of its exquisite craftsmanship caused a glimmer of delight to illuminate her eyes, casting a soft radiance upon her features.
Her fingers delicately lifted the note nestled amidst the jewelry, their movements gentle and reverent.
[Please accept this small gesture as a small apology. I wish to assure you that my intentions are pure.]
She read the words, a mixture of surprise and confusion flickering across her expression.
The notion that the emperor perceived her as upset stirred a curious blend of emotions within her.
Bringing her fingertips once more into play, she carefully lifted the necklace from its cradle, savoring the weight of the pendant in her palm.
A subtle smile danced upon her lips, as if the gesture had succeeded in unraveling the knots of uncertainty that had enveloped her.
With a sense of quiet resolve, Navier adorned herself with the necklace, allowing its beauty to grace her neck.
"The emperor's gifts hold an aura of opulence and uniqueness. Surely, the jewelry crafted within the borders of Obelia must possess a remarkable splendor," Navier mused aloud, her voice tinged with a mixture of admiration and curiosity as her eyes traced the intricate details of the necklace.
As she voiced her observation, her gaze met the unwavering green eyes of Psyche, the ever-watchful messenger bird.
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The emperor found himself confronted once again by the presence of the majestic bird, the eagle that had caught his attention the previous day through the window.
Its appearance for a second time stirred a surge of suspicion and curiosity within Sovieshu, causing him to question the motives behind its recurrent presence near the palace.
Pondering the eagle's actions, he recalled the pathway it had taken, repeatedly veering towards the left side of the grand hallway.
An intense expression settled upon his face as he delved into his ruminations, seeking to unravel the significance of this peculiar behavior.
'The left side...'
His thoughts swirled with a mix of trepidation and intrigue.
The path the bird chose invariably led to one destination - the chambers of the empress.
A sudden realization dawned upon him, and his eyes widened with a mixture of disbelief and apprehension.
The weight of his suspicions gripped his core, causing his jaw to clench with a tinge of unease and frustration.
'Navier's bedroom...is she hiding something from me?'
Rising from his regal seat with a sense of purpose, the emperor positioned himself before his desk, his hands finding resolute purchase upon its polished surface.
Fixing his advisor with an unwavering gaze, Sovieshu issued his command, the chill in his voice cutting through the air like an icy gust.
"Prepare a trap to be stationed in close proximity to the empress's room. Specifically, a crossbow."
♕
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Psyche, in its relentless journey towards the hallowed room of the empress, bore a weariness that lingered in its weary gaze.
The arduous task of traversing the expansive expanse from the illustrious Obelian empire to the far reaches of the Eastern realm weighed heavily upon its noble frame, eliciting an internal sigh of exhaustion.
With a subtle blink of its luminous eyes, Psyche's gaze drifted languidly to the periphery, drawn to a fleeting curiosity.
Yet, in an instant, its eyes widened in sheer shock as a sudden and malevolent force pierced the air.
'...!'
An arrow, propelled by an unseen hand, raced towards its avian form with an unstoppable trajectory, its velocity leaving little room for evasion or defense.
Caught off guard by the swiftness of the attack, one of Psyche's majestic wings, were mercilessly struck by the arrow.
