Chapter 45: Bet-1
Before Asher’s carriage could even roll away, a figure instantly appeared in front of it, making the coachman halt the carriage abruptly.
Before the figure could even utter a word, he was instantly surrounded by the five guards and Lyra, all of whom had already drawn their weapons and stood in a battle-ready stance, prepared for combat without hesitation.
The figure they surrounded was wearing a butler’s uniform. They assumed he might be a servant of the palace, perhaps a real butler. But at the end of the day, that was still a huge might. There was a chance he could be an enemy in disguise, and none of them were willing to take such a risk lightly.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" Lyra’s voice rang out. The soft, gentle voice she reserved for Asher was nowhere to be found. Her tone was ice-cold, matching her sharp and unreadable expression.
She recognized the butler. After all, her eyes had been fixed on the entrance of the banquet hall from the moment Asher stepped into it. She knew the figure before them was one of the two butlers who had been announcing nobles and people of importance as they arrived at the banquet hall.
But Lyra couldn’t care less about that fact at the moment. Recognition meant nothing in a place where betrayal could lurk behind familiar faces.
The butler simply bowed, his right hand pressed to his chest and his left hand placed respectfully behind his waist. He spoke with formal grace and calm respect.
"Pardon my intrusion, Knights of Wargrave, but the Emperor demands the Tenth Sun’s presence."
At the mention of the Emperor, Lyra and the Knights instantly frowned. After all, the man presided over the entire Empire. To disobey his orders would be nothing short of treason.
Still, Lyra didn’t budge. She remained unmoved as she replied coldly, "Without a Royal Order, we aren’t obligated to do anything. At the count of three, if you are still blocking our path, you will be seen as an assassin."
At Lyra’s words, the knights readied themselves again. Although they were still within the Royal Palace, and the Royal Knights were supposed to be responsible for this ground, they didn’t trust anyone beyond their circle.