Are you crazy? Gideon put down the treacherous creampuff from the tower Tori had brought to the palace. Tori watched his face go through disbelief and betrayal at the realization that she didnt co by just to drop off a dessert tower to his mother.
Tori stood by the open French doors of the casual dining room where she was usually taken when they ate at the palace. While she didnt want to co to the imperial palace, she had arrangents to make.
No. I cant guard you this week and the easiest way to ensure your safety is to also make you take a leave of absence.
Gideons dismay didnt shrink. Why are you taking a leave of absence?
I told you: I have an experint.
What experint?
An important one.
You expect to take a leave of absence when you wont tell why? Gideon glowered.
If I tell you its for Piers, will you take the leave of absence? She didnt want to reveal her experint in detail or its end goal in case it didnt work the way she wanted it. She especially did not want Piers to be disappointed. If she told Gideon, hed cave in to just a single inquiry from Piers if not blab everything to Piers of his own free will.
Gideon narrowed his eyes. What does this have to do with my brother?
Tori! The Empress lodic voice filled the room as she swept in. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the conical tower of cream puffs. Is this what I think it is?
Your Majesty. Tori smiled at once and walked towards the Empress to greet her. She extended her hands and the Empress grasped them, pulling Tori towards her to kiss her cheeks. I heard you were interested in my baking contest entry that won second place.
This only won second place? Empress Monica shook her head as she pulled Tori towards the cream puff tower perched at one end of the long dining table. She walked around it, her eyes seemingly scanning every powdered sugar dusted puff with awe. She looked back towards Tori. What beat you?
Senior Southards at pie. I commissioned her to make one last night since I was coming today. I thought youd be curious. Tori motioned to the heating box also on the table.
Sarah, go and bring the coffee in! And so serving ware, the Empress said as she called to one of the maids. Its just the right ti for an afternoon snack.
The maid bowed her head and scurried off to give the orders.
I hope Im not bothering you today, Tori said as she stood to the side and waited until the Empress seed satisfied at the cream puff tower.
Oh, my dear girl, youre not bothering at all. Its the weekend! I was just getting in so exercise, the Empress said. It explained why she was wearing pants and a tunic. She glanced at Tori hopefully. May I have a piece?
Of course, Your Majesty. This is all yours. Tori winked. You dont have to share.
The Empress laughed; her face filled with pleasure. How can I be an Empress without being at least the smallest bit generous, she said with an amused smile. She looked at Gideon. Gideon, since youre here, go and fetch your father.
Gideons shoulders almost fell. Ill let a servant-
Gideon. The Empress kept a smile on her face as she looked at her youngest son. Go and fetch your father. Tori drew her lips inward and bit them at the slight edge in the Empress voice.
The second prince lowered his head, defeated, and nodded. Yes, Mother. He turned around and let out a heavy breath as he walked out of the dining room.
The Empress gave the two servants standing on either side of the double doors of the entrance a nod. They swept in and grabbed the handles, closing the doors.
Now then, the Empress said as she fell back on to the seat to the right of the head of the table. She leaned forward and plucked one of the cream puffs from the middle of the tower, pausing for a mont to make sure it didnt topple over. When it remained in place, she let out a small, relieved breath and brought the cream puff to her mouth. After biting into it, she motioned for Tori to take a seat next to her.
Tori pulled out the heavy wooden chair beside the Empress and sat down. The cream puff is layered with custard, chopped strawberries, and whipped cream, dusted with powdered sugar and a few streaks of lted sugar.
The Empress closed her eyes, relishing the taste of the puff. Its delicious! Visually, though, its quite stunning.
You shouldve seen it with the candles for Axtons birthday.
The Empress chuckled and looked back at Tori with half a puff still pinched between two fingers. Since we are alone, you can speak freely. You are Tonis daughter. Everything you do must have a purpose.
Tori held back a laugh and nodded. Id like to ask you to request that Prince Gideon have a leave of absence this week.
The Empress furrowed her brows and tilted her head. Why?
I am taking a leave of absence and cannot guard him.
The Empress sat up straight, the playful look on her face becoming serious. Is everything all right?
Yes and no. I believe His Majesty has inford you that I requested unrestricted access to the vaults at Universit?
Yes. He said that the Universit heads were very reluctant, but conceded. Despite not being a student, let alone an alumni, you will be allowed to access the vaults.
Part of the agreent was that I still had to follow procedures and rules regarding them. Considering that the collections and restricted vaults have rare and important pieces, I didnt see a problem with following the rules. Im not reckless with resources, Tori said. She took a deep breath. However, the Dean of Natural Sciences, who oversees the toxicology vault, is clearly resentful that Ive been given such access and is making it difficult for .
The Empress frowned at once. You ca to the right place. Matthieu gave them an imperial order-
To allow access, and they are, Tori stressed. I have to follow the procedures everyone else does. Unfortunately, I must wait for the vault keeper to not only let in, but remain with us the entire ti Im doing my experint. Normally, thats fine. I completely understand why. Except that the vault keeper is a professor who teaches and does lab work, but only during tis that I happen to be available to do the experint. Hes free to escort us into the vault while Im in class at Lyce.
Empress Monica narrowed her eyes. So, theyre following the imperial order, but purposely making it difficult for you.
Yes, but I dont mind being compliant, Tori said, perking up. She smiled wide. Professor Lemaires availability is during Lyces class hours, so Im taking a weeklong leave of absence. Papa has already given his approval and reached out to Lyce. Tomorrow morning, I will be waiting outside of Professor Lemaires early morning class to have him take directly to the vault with Master Ramos and Instructor Ignatius.
The Empress nearly choked with laughter. She turned her head to the side, letting out a very un-Empress-like snort of glee as her face flushed. Brilliant!
That is why Im asking for His Highness Prince Gideon to also take a leave of absence. I dont feel I can properly guard him when I am gone for a week.
The Empress nodded, her laughter dying down. She looked at Tori curiously. Tori, I know that your experint is likely complicated, and you dont like to give details until its finalized, but Id like to know what is so important that youd go this far.
Tori didnt falter and expected the Empress to ask. In truth, it was fair for the Empress to ask, and Tori didnt mind telling her specifically.
Im making Piers a ring and it needs to be done as soon as possible.
The Empress curious face went blank almost imdiately. You...want to give my son a ring? She began to tremble as her eyes dilated, and Tori sucked in a breath.
Its a crystal tool! Her eyes went wide as she shook her head wildly. Its ant to replace food testing charms to decrease the chance of him being assassinated by poison! Its only in ring form because a ring is the most inconspicuous and convenient piece of jewelry that can be brought near food. Its easy to move around and visible to the wearer.
The Empress deflated at once. Oh...its a crystal tool.
Tori crinkled her eyes. Did the Empress not catch the part about the ring decreasing the chance of assassination by poison? That was a particularly important point.
I havent told anyone the goal for this experint. Ive done tests with different seafood, but not with poison. There are both liquid and powdered forms I need to register into a crystal to make it react. If a poisonous substance is detected within an arms length of the crystal, it will start to glow. This includes reacting to poison in the air....
Such as at the cabin, the Empress said, nodding solemnly. How confident are you that this will work?
Quite confident, Tori replied. The accuracy with the seafood, both cooked, raw, and mixed with other ingredients was extrely high. In fact, the sensitivity was more than an arms length.
This is more advantageous than a charm?
Tori nodded and went through the various advantages the crystal tool would have over a charm and the Empress looked increasingly intrigued. I understand. If thats the case, this could be an important tool for anyone, especially my family.
Yes, Your Majesty, Tori said. I plan to sell it to the Emperor if it proves successful.
The Empress squinted. You plan to sell it to him?
My ti and expertise are not free.
But arent you making it primarily for Piers?
Yes, Piers crystal will be free, Tori said. Other crystals will need to be purchased at a later fixed price.
If youre making a ring, youd need it mounted, the Empress said carefully. I can have our imperial jeweler-
Master Monde and Master Ramos are good friends, and he has already agreed to take on any job I have for mounting jewelry, Tori said, without hesitation. She smiled weakly. Piers ring mount is already selected.
The Empress let out a tired sigh and leaned back against her chair. You really are Tonis daughter. When I see you with a weapon or chatting so cheerfully, I think youre most definitely a Guevera, but you have your mothers edge. She pursed her lips. I cant say I dont like it. Let know what your price will be.
Yes, Your Majesty. Tori gave her a small bow of her head. Of course, please keep in mind that this is a secret. I dont want Piers to be disappointed if it doesnt work.
You have my word, the Empress said as she looked at the puff tower. It seems I was bought off. At least it cos with a at pie.
One of the doors opened and so maids ca in, rolling in an elegant gilded and glass cart with coffee, plates, and utensils. As they set the place settings, Gideon arrived.
Mother, Father will co as soon as he finishes this last moriam.
Good, thank you, my son, the Empress said as a maid poured so coffee. The maid added so cream and sugar before the Empress picked up the dainty cup. By the way, there is no need to go back to Lyce tonight. Youll be on a leave of absence for a week starting tomorrow.
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