Claude's gaze lingered upon the array of exquisite jewelry displayed before him.
Necklaces adorned with glistening gemstones, bracelets adorned with intricate patterns, and rings that sparkled with an ethereal allure captured his attention.
His eyes narrowed, a subtle intensity manifesting in his gaze. In that moment, he was resolute in his intentions.
Ever since Navier had revealed her knowledge of his identity, a nagging sense of concern had taken root within Claude.
He pondered the possible reasons behind her initial reaction, searching for answers within the depths of his thoughts.
Could it be that his behavior towards her husband had caused her distress? Or was it his refusal to proceed with the proposed trade deal?
Endless possibilities swirled within his mind, each one a fragment of uncertainty.
Now, driven by the desire to make amends, Claude resolved to offer a gesture of reconciliation in the form of a gift.
His hand emerged from the sea of jewelry, a finger extending to point at a particular necklace that held his attention captive.
His gaze laid on the necklace which was a stunning masterpiece of silver and sapphire, intricately designed with diamonds that added a celestial touch.
"This one," he murmured, his voice tinged with determination.
The grand duchess, donning an expression of curiosity and amusement, arched an elegant eyebrow in response to Claude's chosen necklace.
Her voice, barely above a whisper, carried a touch of amusement as she offered her observation, seemingly lost in her own thoughts.
"Oh, I somehow presumed that you would choose a ring, considering since..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes momentarily lost in contemplation.
A flicker of annoyance danced in the emperor's eyes as her words reached his ears, piercing through the silence of the room.
The corners of his lips tugged downwards into a subtle frown as he crossed his arms.
"Choosing a ring would lead to misunderstandings, making our situation even more complicated," he explained, his tone unwavering.
♕
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.
♕
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."
♕
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.