After Ashton ate, he gathered up a basket with a covered gift inside as he headed out. He decided to take a leisurely stroll over to the Southern Palace. No doubt his intended target would invite him for a visit. After wandering the Southern Garden for less than ten minutes a palace maid approached extremely respectfully with a formal bow.
"No need for such formalities, I'm hoping my temporary intrusion won't inconvenience anyone." Ashton informed happily helping the maid up. "As I am away from my own gardens hopefully your lady doesn't mind... an insignificant passerby." Ashton continued taking the maids arm while his two guards tensed but remained silent.
Sandra immediately understood the young man's intensions as she gratefully stood and escorted him deeper into the gardens. When her majesty's guards had informed them of the intrusion they had rushed to prepare. "Her Majesty was worried our new friend would be unfamiliar enough to visit, but we dare not send an invitation until you had settled in. You are always welcome to come enjoy the gardens." She replied graciously.
Ashton kept his polite smile as they chatted. He didn't miss when the maid's eyes narrow when one of the guards left. Ashton let her see his dispassionate glance, "My deepest apologies, my name is Ashton Reece, might I catch your name beautiful?" He teased turning his head forward again.
Sandra didn't miss his disapproval of the guards, she also reasoned his majesty wouldn't have thought about her majesty's face when someone else moved into the Eastern palace. She gave a beaming smile, "My name is Sandra Claybourne, I am the head maid of her majesty Empress Charmaine Brianna Luthiger Smyrna." She reported formally as she pulled away from his arm to drop into a deep curtsey as they entered her Majesty's personal greenhouse.
Empress Charmaine was dressed elegantly in a casual red dress with blue shawl while sipping on tea, Sandra's introduction indicated this Ashton wasn't hostile. Charmaine gave gracious smile, "Please, join me." Charmaine called waving to the already prepared seat and refreshments.
Ashton gave a formal bow, then sat down while placing the basket on the edge of the table. "Hopefully my unannounced intrusion has not upset you too greatly your Majesty. Truth be told, I was rather... befuddled by my accommodations, especially as my stay will only be temporary."
Ashton examined the empress, she had rich black hair in a loose updo, several hair pins that had pearls dangling, her grey eyes had softened considerably since he sat down. She was beautiful the way a leopard was beautiful, appreciated from a distance. Each finger was adorned with enchanted rings, an enchanted diamond choker, and enchanted golden bracelets. The Empress had clearly been prepared for war.
Charmaine nodded sipping her tea, "His Majesty's mind is often hard to fathom," while she and Lucian were little better than business partners, she was aware how... striking Ashton's resemblance to a certain portrait Lucian kept tucked away. Charmaine had seen it over the years of course, as they had both needed the ruby more than once.
Ashton caught the implication as he leaned back, "Of course, though I have information his majesty wants, our contract was quite clear." Ashton deliberately empowered the contract enough for her to see the countdown.
Charmaine's gaze flickered to the contract then to Ashton's polite smile, so he really here to fulfill a contract, the terms though... that may require some investigation. Charmaine furrowed her brows as she assessed him again, he was about the right age, "Perhaps you are a visitor from afar?" Charmaine inquired with a slightly more genuine smile.
Ashton leaned forward to pick up the tea, "Not so far as one would think, though travels may be in my future. Personally, court life is... rather arduous, though I will miss the tea." Ashton added in a sigh as he took his first sip.
Charmaine nodded with a smile, "Yes, the tea is almost to die for."
Ashton gave a wry smile, "Speaking of such somber matters, I brought a gift, though a dragon may find them lacking, hopefully you will accept them as a token of comradery," Ashton added pulling the basket forward, Sandra who had been standing silently to the side walked closer.
Ashton pulled the cloth cover away and showed two dozen small quartz ornaments, both women's brows remained neutrally calm, "I am aware you are a second-tier mage your majesty, please," He offered taking a random quartz out. All were about the size of a sugar cube.
Charmaine accepted the slightly rounded quartz, while it was pretty, there didn't seem to be anything special. "You seem rather fond of quartz Master Reece." She complimented noticing his cufflinks.
Ashton gave a polite smile, "I am a being of simple pleasures and necessities, please overlook their crude appearance to the enchantment beneath." Ashton didn't miss that she called him master, and not lord.
Charmaine jolted, while she'd only suspected Ashton to be related to Seibel royalty... he seemed to be denying the idea. "Of course, silly me." She added running her power through it. Inside the small worthless scraps was an enchantment strong enough to give Court Mage Devlin hesitation.
"May I be so bold as to request your hand your majesty?" Ashton asked holding out his empty hand.
Charmaine eyed him warily before delicately placing her hand in his, she didn't feel anything for a moment, but soon felt the enchantment slowly merge with her mana. She couldn't help but gasp as she was able to understand inside was a barrier that could endure the blast of a fifth-tier mage once.
"Hopefully my insignificant trinket will be of some use, while it will only last about an hour for minor situations, it will also activate unprompted ... should you have need. All 24 will only be registered with your permission. I do hope you enjoy my humble bobbles," Ashton added releasing Charmaine's hand and leaning back. Ashton glanced over both women, the damned souls were here but not particularly triggered by either so he would do them this favor.
Charmaine immediately understood the implications, this meant 24 times a life could be saved from physical or mana attacks, and she could pick who they protected. "Truly, a gracious gift. I was ignorant." Charmaine added genuinely grateful glancing down at the inconspicuous quartz. As it was now linked to her mana, this also meant that even if they were stolen, any thieves would find them useless, while they would be a beacon Charmaine could follow.
"Your majesty, I am rather free spirited, hopefully I will not offend during my stay." He added glancing around subtly. Charmaine straightened as she dawned her regal smile.
"Of course, you are always welcome to visit, perhaps in the coming days Crown Prince Serafin and Princess Natasha may join us for tea?" Charmaine announced loud enough to be heard by all the servants. They all bowed in unison.
"I would welcome any friendly relations, though I do tend to be... rather implacable." Ashton added sweeping his eyes over the servants as two guards announced Lucian's arrival. Ashton kept the polite smile but let his eyes cool. Either she had not taken him seriously from the beginning, or she had deliberately not clarified his standing.
Empress Charmaine stood to greet emperor, she was rather startled when Ashton didn't stand or even turn. His eyes which had been like a sparkling blue spring with laughter were now as icy as a glacier. "May your majesty live a thousand years," Charmaine greeting with a curtsey as she bowed her head but kept her eye on the youth.
"Rise," Lucian called, then stood above Ashton watching him. Ashton had no reason to be visiting his empress, but the guards had been instructed only to watch, not impede, "Why are you here?"
Ashton turned polite but distant smile to Lucian, "I came to ask her majesty if she would be gracious enough to allow me to attend her Birthday ball, especially since the newly established Crown Prince Serafin should pay his respects to help stabilize his position. Unfortunately, I heard traditionally she was only thrown a small birthday banquet, in which case having a grand gift would be inappropriate." Ashton mentioned almost in passing, though he hadn't heard this from the empress, he had heard it.
Lucian narrowed his eyes, "There will be an official banquet." He announced, waving to the servants to start preparations. While not a full ball, an official banquet would still be grander than the previous years.
Ashton forced a fake smile, "Your majesty almost sounds as if the disappointment of a Reece is more important than that of your empress's honor." Ashton remarked glancing over the astonished crowd from where he sat. While the maids and guards had bowed their heads they could not all hide their expressions of mockery, distaste, anger, and even delight. So many factions, hiding in empress's personal garden.
Charmaine understood immediately, Lucian was treating Ashton with such indulgence for a reason and Ashton didn't appreciate or want to give in. She half speculated whether Lucian's obsession with Alphonse would turn to Ashton... if so, clearly Ashton was putting up barriers while gathering allies to make Lucian back off the idea.
Lucian tried to understand the implications, "Banquets are unnecessary and wasteful,"
Ashton's gaze cooled further, "So honor and respect are unnecessary and wasteful to your majesty. I am enlightened."
Lucian gritted his teeth, "You're twisting Our words."
Ashton turned his full attention to Lucian, "No Lucian. You just decided your personal feelings were more important than anyone else's feelings or needs. This is not the battlefield where you need to ration supplies, this is court. Respect is noble's armor, honor is their weapon, and wealth their rations. You are trampling your nobles into the ground, eventually they'll turn on you." He then stood up and bowed to Charmaine, "Please excuse my disrespect, I hope to enjoy your company again another time."
"A ball then." Lucian called after the departing figure but Ashton continued to walk out. Lucian's gaze followed Ashton's figure until he turned and was out of sight, then Lucian turned to Charmaine, "What did he bring you?" he demanded.
Charmaine drew herself to her full height, "A sincerely kind and respectful gift, truly I judged a gracious man by a petty villain's standards. I will not see you off your majesty, since I must unexpectedly prepare a birthday ball. I will excuse myself." She gave a curtsey then waved for her maids to escort her back inside. She would have to meet with her father and discuss their plans.