The Right Path

 "Oh, good morning, Zeya." Muir greeted from his study when Zeya walked in. His advisors and maids immediately excused themselves when they realized that their emperor had a guest, giving them some privacy.

 His study was brightly lit from the sun rays that entered through the surface of the sea right above them, painting the room a beautiful turquoise color.

 Zeya made herself comfortable and got herself a seat in one of the leather chairs, waiting for Muir to be done with his work.

Nox, on the other hand, remained under her shadows to stay away from the bothersome light.

 "You seem incredibly preoccupied with something." Zeya tried to spark some light-hearted chatter. 

 "Unfortunately, so." He smiled tiredly, getting all of the mess on his desk sorted out. "I was just finishing up some final preparations before all the guests arrive tomorrow. A lot of new guests are coming this time around and well, I don't want any incidents happening under my watch."

 "You know, it's really not that hard to just say that I'm making your job harder, Muir." Zeya scoffed dramatically, crossing her hands above her chest. "I'd much rather prefer that over some weak backhanded comment."

 Muir's melodic laughter rang throughout the room after Zeya's blunt comment.

Zeya glanced at Nox, her confusion mirrored in his expression, suggesting they were both pondering the same question.

 "I didn't mean to offend you, Zeya. It was nothing more than a light-hearted joke." He struggled to speak coherently between his bouts of laughter, but Zeya understood what he meant regardless. "And you know you can never be a nuisance to me, whatever you may do."

 "This will be the Roseabelles' first appearance in public for an incredibly important event. The last thing I want is for a fight to break out and getting someone injured, or even worse, killed."

 "I'm assuming you're responsible for Arius' abrupt decision to attend." Muir smiled, knowing how their dynamic worked. "I had handed him the same invitation months ago when I was in Stygia for business, and he didn't even think twice before he declined."

 "Unfortunately for you, I did the same when that human princess asked me to attend." Zeya confessed, watching Muir's expression with care. "If it weren't for that dream I told you about, you wouldn't even know that I was alive."

 "It was a special favor I had asked of Princess Kaari when she had visited." He explained with an understanding look. "I had heard rumors of how Varen had been trying to rekindle the relationship between the Kaxarenes and Roseabelles. I thought it was worth the try even if I have been rejected once."

 "She seems rather positive that this arrangement will go well. I wonder sometimes if she forgets that she herself is a human whenever I interact with her."

 "Such an interesting mortal, is she not? I see why her people cherish her so much." Muir said as he nodded contently. He stood up and walked towards the vacant seat that faced Zeya. "I can't help but feel that she is different from the rest, or maybe this is just me being overly optimistic again."

 "I would like to say the truth but that would be far too rude, even for me." Zeya couldn't help but chuckle at Muir's expression when she said that.

 "It is not a crime to believe in a mortal, Zeya." Muir attempted to defend himself from Zeya's judgment. "Anyone can change for the better, it just depends on their motives."

 "I know I'm attempting something bold by holding this gathering, but I know that we can get along if we try. That is the only way peace can actually exist between all of us."

There was a sense of resolution in his words, and Zeya couldn't help but want to support him for that. 

Despite his youth, he harbored ambitions to accomplish great things for his people, setting him apart from the monarchs of other nations.

However, she knew Muir's goal lacked realism. 

 Just as Muir opened his mouth to say something else, his expression faltered drastically, as if he had come to a terrible realization.

He hastily scanned the room, searching for something, but it was clear there was nothing there.

 "... You must be bored being cooped up in my study. Why don't we talk elsewhere more spacious?" He suggested out of the blue, trying hard to disguise the discomfort he was obviously experiencing. "I can show you around the palace while we're at it. You know, killing two birds with one stone, as the humans say."

 Muir seemed oddly unnerved, but Zeya decided against asking him what was wrong.

Instead, she politely obliged by following him out of the study and into the corridors.

 Not a word was spoken between them as they made their way through the palace.

Zeya observed the servants casting glances her way whenever she passed by, prompting her to question whether she was genuinely accepted here.

 Her attention on the servants barely lasted when she saw that the corridors were also made entirely of glass, allowing her to see every sea creature that swam past.

She had imagined that there would be some form of support to prevent the glass from shattering under the ocean's pressure, but there was nothing of the sort.

 From a young age, she had a passion for architecture, and among all the styles she had encountered, the Tohayan's building method was the most intricate.

Although it did appear that magic had heavily influenced its structure, the fact that a glass palace could withstand the wild waves of the Northern Ocean was remarkable to Zeya. 

 After a moment of walking, they reached yet another gigantic door. It opened to reveal a majestic library that had an entirely different aesthetic compared to the rest of the palace.

 It appeared as if the room was cloaked by magic to prevent light and sound from getting in. 

Zeya could feel the strong, steady flow of Muir's magic running through the entire library, which confirmed her suspicions that it was kept apart from the rest of the palace. 

 "They were listening in on our conversation, weren't they?" Zeya finally said what was on her mind the entire time out loud.

 "So, you're having the same issues back home as well..." He inquired grimly, locking the doors behind them as an extra measure.

 "Father doesn't seem to trust me." He confessed, visibly upset. He ran a frustrated hand across his hair before letting out a heavy sigh. "Ever since he retired, the number of eyes on me have only seemed to increase."

 "I'm sorry to drag you around with me. They usually don't make reports regarding my guests to him but, I have a feeling that they would make you an exception."

 "I'm guessing that they're against this entire event?" Zeya seemed to have predicted correctly by the look on Muir's face. "The looks on their faces tells me that they do not welcome my presence."

 "I would say that they don't see the point of it. Father had always steered clear from international issues, and we were lucky enough to progress past those in conflict." He shook his head in dismay. "They seem to have forgotten that we were saved by the location of our lands, not because of our impartiality."

 "However, that is besides the point as to why I brought you here." He turned around to look at Zeya, beckoning her to follow him. "I needed to bring you here to talk more about the book you're searching for. I think I may know where it has been hidden."

=================

 "There is a sacred place in Toyah called Montris. An island that is said to be hidden within the fog at the edge of where the Northen Ocean ends." 

 "There may be a map of it somewhere in this library, but I will have to search for it to be sure." He offered a quick, reassuring smile before his expression shifted to one of seriousness. "I wish I could be of any help but only my father would know how to get there exactly. You see, Montris can only be accessed by a selected few, and I am not one of them."

 "It was believed that she used that island to study in peace, away from Baron so I am almost certain that the island holds the library containing her most personal collection of books."

 "Do you think there is a way to get there in time?" Zeya asked, finally seeing hope in putting an end to Tvar's reign of terror.

 She had only three days to locate the book she sought before Tvar would step in. Once the monster was to find out, every second would matter in order to win against him.

 Before Muir could answer Zeya's question, there was a knock on the door before a male's voice spoke up. 

 "Your Majesty?" A nasally voice called out from behind the massive doors. It was his advisor.

 "More on this later. Zeya." His eyes expressed the guilt he felt for having to leave Zeya so abruptly. "But for now, I'm afraid I must go. Before they decide to break the door down to get in."