Ashton didn't bother to call for a refill of pastries while he waited for morning court to end. Ashton had a small basket while he sipped on tea while he drowned out the erroneous debates for additional taxes, and the removal of another church to start in the spring. Interestingly enough, there had been an increase of young villagers leaving the south. Ashton wasn't surprised few nobles took the matter seriously, it was winter after all. Surely when the spring planting season started more nobles would start to worry. After what seemed an eternity later, Ashton followed Charles to visit the empress.
"While my son wanted to meet you, Lyon has to help prepare for the empress's birthday." Charles explained apologetically, leading the way.
"Not at all, with such short notice I imagine you are all rather busy." Ashton deflected noticing he was once again not properly addressed. This time Ashton was welcomed into the Southern Palace to a private sitting room. The empress was in a formal dress along with Serafin and Natasha. Ashton gave a formal bow beside Charles as they were announced.
"Please rise, father, Master Ashton, have a seat. This is Crown Prince Serafin and first imperial Princess Natasha, no need for formalities." Charmaine added then dismissed the servants. She also rang a bell that activated a ward blocking anyone from spying.
Ashton sat down with a similar basket to the one he'd given before, a pity the empress was already treating him as a tool. Her easy dismissal of formality on his behalf said much.
"Majesty, royal highnesses," Ashton greeted, "I know we don't have much time so I'll be upfront, I was hoping your majesty could make some purchases on my behalf and keep them secrete from Lucian." Apparently the powerplays would continue.
Charmaine narrowed her eyes, calling an emperor by his name was bold... and they'd made no promises as of yet, "I am loyal to his majesty." While helping Ashton keep his distance from Lucian was to her benefit, Charmaine was not only a loyal empress, but a loyal vassal of the empire.
Ashton smiled, "Of course, I will make an oath that during my willing stay, as long as your majesty never in action or word attempt to harm me or mine and make a few purchases even commoners can buy, I will ensure not only the survival, but physical safety of Crown Prince Serafin and Princess Natasha. Nor will any of my actions or words result in harm for the imperial family." Ashton had lost much interest in the empress and her father in these short interactions. Best to set their terms and treat each other distantly, but respectfully.
Charmaine sipped her tea, it was a tempting offer. Serafin was only ten but had almost died a dozen times in the last year alone. Natasha was safer since she was the imperial princess, but she'd been poisoned twice. She looked to her father for his opinion.
"The consequences for breaking the oath?" Charles asked seeing Charmaine considering the trade. To guarantee safety to an imperial was not something to be taken lightly, between assassinations, poisons, beast attacks, training mistakes, and just regular outings.
"Simply that we are both aware the oath was broken, and the knowledge I will not make such an offer again." Ashton explained pulling a quartz oath stone out.
Charles tapped his cane twice, then nodded to Charmaine. They quickly made their oaths, then Ashton presented tiny sliver of quartz to each child.
"Personally I would prefer each child to swallow the gems, they are enchanted to stay harmlessly inside the stomach. The barrier can withstand ten days fully submerged in lava and they will be cocooned with enough energy to not need food or water. If ten days isn't long enough the barriers can be charged from a distance. There is also a signal to call guardians, who will defend them even at the cost of their existence." Ashton explained examining the children.
Natasha was only 7 years old, petite, big brown eyes, slight waves in her dark brown hair. She took more after Lucian in facial structure but was sure to be a beauty.
Serafin stood at attention and watched Ashton clearly trying to assess his relationship with not only his mother, but his father. He was taller than most ten-year-old's, calloused hands from sword training, black hair and silver eyes made a striking contrast. His narrow features made him look like a softer Lucian.
Both children swallowed the gems, then Ashton handed a list of items he'd like. Mostly quartz, instruments, and second-tier mana stones. Nothing that should alarm Lucian... The ward would only last half hour then would need a week before it could be used again.
Charles called for the potential servants to be brought in, twenty men, and twenty women between the ages of 15-25. Ashton looked them all over, "Can any of you sing or play an instrument?" he asked with a polite smile.
Charmaine didn't speak as she sipped her tea again. They'd selected a variety, though music hadn't been a requirement.
Three women stepped forward with a curtsey, and two men gave a slight nod. Ashton nodded for them to step to his right after a quick demonstration, all but one sang fairly well, the last girl said she played the harp and flute.
Ashton picked three more out to run errands and act as a messenger. Each of them swore an oath of loyalty and safety, usually reserved for servants working directly for the imperial family, Ashton nodded in thanks then dismissed them to wait outside.
"I hope we have a cordial cooperation during my stay." Ashton offered holding his tea out to Charles and Charmaine.
Serafin glared, "You should address us formally." He stated, he still didn't understand what exactly Ashton's role was, but even if he was important, he was speaking to his empress mother.
Ashton raised a brow at Serafin, then gave a polite smile, "Your Highness, before speaking you should assess the consequences of your every action and word. While your mother is an Empress, none of you are aware of my identity or abilities. Your highness witnessed me strike a deal on equal terms with the empress of a nation. I have also given her not one, but two items nations would war over to possess. Also, each of your family members in this room are all wearing gifts I personally handed to her majesty that I doubt she's ever seen before." Ashton explained kindly, as a former crown prince his schooling had been far less gentle.
"Your highness, if I can guarantee the life of the crown prince of the largest empire to the known world, why alienate such a power, rather than attempt to befriend like your highness's mother?" Ashton added before the young crown prince could speak as stirred his tea.
Serafin glared, "You dare threaten me?"
Ashton narrowed his eyes, then snapped his fingers. Two shadowy figures completely identical down to the black faceless masks stepped out of the walls, one behind Natasha, the other directly facing Serafin who tried to draw his sword but was unable to move. Ashton stood up while the rest were paralyzed. He stood directly in front of Serafin, "Crown Prince Serafin, you know I would have to break my oath if you died. But be aware, strength of a single sword means little in the grand scheme of the world." Ashton informed with the bearing of not only the seventh-tier mage who had encased an entire country in a water dome, but as the former crown prince who defeated every enemy who had dared stand before him.
Charmaine tried to stand but couldn't move as an invisible pressure filled the room. It wasn't power like that of a mage, but of a superior dressing down an inferior who had dared challenge above their station. Charmaine narrowed her eyes on the audacious youth threatening her children.
Ashton then gave a courtly bow "Now, please meet your guardians. They will be protecting you until I depart, or the oath is broken. Remember your majesty," Ashton added as the guardians released everyone, "If the oath is broken, we will both be aware who on which side is at fault."
Charmaine stifled a shiver, the change had been so abrupt, as if blinking was enough to bring out this polite courtly youth, but another blink might mean the return of the former. "Of course, I also hope we have a cordial cooperation."
Ashton then snapped and both golems knelt, "They cannot be threatened or bribed. They will capture anyone attempting to physically harm their charges. The only orders you will be able to give are to kill, or release." Ashton introduced.
Charmaine watched the figures, both had slender builds but the baggy clothing could mean they were smaller or larger than she suspected. They were also carrying two swords on their backs, chain linked scythe, daggers were visible on their arms and legs, and not a single piece of skin was visible... they almost seemed... inhuman. "Are they... demons?" She asked hesitantly.
Ashton smiled politely, "Not to worry, they are not summoned from another realm. If they are forced into action I will be informed immediately."
Charmaine and Charles shared a glanced, even with two live... beings standing in front of them they didn't give off any signs of being human or alive for that matter. "We will gratefully accept their assistance." Charles offered as he watched them sink into the floors and disappear from view. Even with his abilities and enchanted items he couldn't sense anything.
Ashton gave a jovial clap, "Now that we've established our positions, I have a couple of questions regarding past celebrations."
Ashton then asked if there were any particular customs of the palace he would have to abide by, as well as anyone in particular he should expect trouble from. After about an hour of questions from both sides Ashton departed with his new attendants in tow. First, he would have to see how well they could sing and preform; his first performance for the palace would be... different to say the least. He also made a list of items he hoped to acquire as soon as humanly possible. Since they were simple most were promised to be delivered tomorrow after court.
Ashton eyed the several attendants as they performed their best talents, they would be fine in the short term until his Ember could find him. Unfortunately, he would have to stall any rebellious groups for Lucian and company until she arrived.
With a sigh, Ashton started arranging his temporary pawns. If he was a chess master, he would be battling with no less than four opponents. Lucian, the rebel, foreign interests, and the nobles; his only temporary ally, the empress, was wary of him and his opponents Lucian and the nobles had to see any of his moves and motives as mundane while the rebels had to understand he was aware of their ministrations. Luckily any foreign enemies or aid simply had to be made aware of his existence in the next few months... so many birds, so few stones.