Watching Kestrel, Luther found himself surprised. Kestrel seed to be breezing through the climb, better than he had guessed, even better than so high-born alphas he had walked with before.
With a comforting grin, he told her, "We’re almost at the Queen’s place. She’s really kind and gracious. Just be yourself, but also, you know, polite."
Kestrel recalled eting Luther on that chaotic night at the Earl’s ho.
She rembered how he had this vibe of being so done with the nobles. You could just tell he was a top player in the Empire’s ga.
But here, near the Queen’s quarters, he was different—gentler, peaceful, with loads of respect for the Queen. It was so different from the Luther she rembered.
It made her wonder, "The Queen has ruled for ages, but what’s she like, really?"
...
"What’s the Queen like?" On another floor of the Tower, Brandon teased Ren. "Why the sudden curiosity?"
While guiding Ren through the upper hallways of the Tower, Brandon laughed, "To be honest, I’ve never t her. She keeps to herself a lot lately."
Ren gave a knowing nod. "Considering how loyal Luther is to her, she must be pretty amazing."
Pushing up his glasses, Brandon hesitated for a mont and then shared, "You know, Luther wasn’t always like this. Ever since he beca the head guard and got to know the Queen, he’s... changed."
Ren looked at Brandon, sensing there was more under the surface. It was like Brandon wanted to spill so beans but didn’t quite trust him enough. He was clearly holding back.
Having tead up with Brandon for a while, Ren felt like Brandon was trying to figure him out, maybe even earn his trust. Ren also sensed that Brandon, this seemingly regular deputy, might have so secrets that most didn’t know about.
"Guess who we’re eting next? The Finance Minister," Brandon said to Ren. "He’s kinda a big deal, being from the royal family and all. He’s super influential and powerful. So, let’s try not to rub him the wrong way, okay?"
He gave Ren a side-eye and whispered, "Rumor has it he’s got a super short fuse. If things get dicey, just stay calm and follow my lead."
They walked through this super fancy hallway that looked straight out of a palace scene. The walls were practically dripping in gold and there were shiny gemstones everywhere. It was the road to the Finance Minister’s personal space.
Stepping inside, Ren was taken aback. It was way over the top. The place was blindingly shiny, had gold stuff everywhere, and even the furniture looked too fancy to sit on.
There were these rich, dark curtains hanging everywhere, and the whole room slled super sweet.
Ren suddenly rembered sothing that made him uneasy as he took in the scent. He stopped breathing for a bit. As an alpha, he could hold his breath for quite a while. He saw Brandon was doing the sa.
Weirdly enough, the Finance Minister wasn’t at his fancy desk. Nope. He was chilling on a fancy couch, sniffing sothing from this gold thing in front of him.
When he saw Brandon holding so papers, he glanced over, looking super unimpressed, without even getting up.
Brandon knelt next to him, offering up the papers for a signature.
Quickly looking them over, the Minister comnted, "Wow, that’s a lot of cash. It’s like you guys just love spending money without thinking about saving any for Her Majesty."
Brandon, smiling politely, said, "This winter’s been tough. Lots of our outposts need help, and they’re counting on this money to make it. We hope you understand."
The round Minister grumbled, "You always have so story. Where’s that thing I wanted? I’m almost out of my favorite incense."
Brandon looked a bit uneasy. "Those Hades Stones you want? They’re super rare. They’re only found in this dangerous place, Polluted Zone 338. Getting them ans risking a lot of lives."
The Minister just waved his hand, "A few alphas, you an? I’ll pay for their losses. I’ve heard betas can handle that Polluted Zone just fine. Maybe send that one again if needed."
Brandon tried to keep his cool, but Ren noticed the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, and his hand tightened just a bit.
Ren got it. He knew that look. Anyone who’s been to the Polluted Zone would. He still thought about the faces of the friends he lost there, the way they looked right at the end.
Hearing this spoiled noble talk about their sacrifice like it was just change in his pocket? That hurt. Ren clenched his own hands, rembering the weight of the loss they all carried.
Ren still felt the haunting mories of the Erdtree’s Polluted Zone. The image of holding Kestrel close, trying to stop her bleeding but failing, was burned into his mind. The heat from her blood felt as though it was etched into his very bones. In her last monts, Kestrel had spoken of the devastating darkness of the Zone and how she wished to destroy it.
And now, the very issue she had almost given her life for was being brushed off so casually by this guy.
The Finance Minister’s eyes scanned Ren, sizing him up like he was an item in a shop. The way he looked at Ren was chilly, as if he wasn’t even human but just so asset.
Trying to stay cool, Ren looked down, hiding what he felt.
The Minister remarked, "New guy, huh? Not bad looking, but a bit tall for ." He sighed, as if it was a sha Ren wasn’t to his liking.
He did sign off on Brandon’s financial docunt but made it clear he wanted the stuff for his special incense.
After leaving the office, the quiet between Brandon and Ren felt super heavy as they walked through that shiny hallway.
Brandon finally said, "Do you hate them? The nobles, I an?"
Ren stayed silent, trying to keep his feelings in check.
Brandon softly added, "I’ve seen your records. I know you’re not a fan."
Ren paused before saying, "I used to get really angry at so of them. But now? It feels like getting mad at just one person is pointless." He didn’t finish his thought, but Brandon got it.
Brandon stopped and turned to face Ren. His eyes, behind those glasses, seed to pierce through everything.
What Ren didn’t say out loud was clear: it wasn’t just a few bad apples, but the whole tree. The entire Empire, even this shining tower, was a ss.
...
Kestrel was at the very top of the tower, where she was eting the Empire’s top boss, the Queen.
She thought she’d be eting so old lady who’d been ruling forever. Instead, the person on the throne was nothing like that. She had a crown and a veil that hid most of her face, and Kestrel couldn’t get a read on her at all.
The big hall was super bright, with the throne in the middle like it was lit up by the tower’s light. Even though Kestrel could see soone was sitting there, she couldn’t feel anything from them.
Kestrel was super confused. She couldn’t tell if the Queen was strong or weak, young or old, happy or sad. She couldn’t even guess if she was an alpha, a beta, or just an average person—no average, perhaps. No one "average" could hide their feelings that well.
The fact that the Queen was so beyond Kestrel’s abilities made her realize just how powerful this ruler must be.
Luther, who was always so strong and confident, now knelt in front of the throne like a humble servant. Gently lifting the Queen’s hand, he pressed a soft kiss on it as a sign of respect.
"Bring her to ," the Queen’s voice was soft, almost like a whisper, but it filled the entire room.
Kestrel felt weirdly pulled in two directions. One part of her wanted to run far away, but another part was really curious and drawn to the throne and the person sitting on it. It was scary but also fascinating.
The throne looked so clean and shiny, it almost seed magical. Kestrel felt both frightened and tempted to go closer, to really see it and maybe even touch it.
"It’s okay, co here," the Queen’s voice sounded so kind, and Kestrel could tell she was being genuine.
Taking a deep breath, Kestrel walked closer until she was right in front of the glowing throne.
Under the veil, she could see the hint of a smile on the Queen’s red lips. The queen reached out and took Kestrel’s hand, holding it gently.
"You’re so beautiful. You remind so much of your mom," the Queen said, her voice filled with warmth.
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