Drink it first!

Scarlet pov.

"Your grace, welcome to the palace. His majesty is waiting for you." a bunch of puppets bowed their heads as they saw me coming.

But before I could enter, they frowned, "my lady, we have sufficient staff to serve you. The royal palace did not allow other servants to enter." as if i did not know the rules. That man was a mixture of crazy and fearful person, who will not even trust his shadow when it comes to his life.

"He is not a servant. He is my partner for dinner. Couples are allowed in the royal palace, right?" I have never thought that those puppets could have so many emotions on their faces as they looked at me and then at the man.. What was his name?!

"Your grace seems to be in a mood of humor.. haha." They laughed awkwardly suddenly and started looking at each other and then at me, making me frown.

"Do you think I have so much leisure time that I will stand at the entrance and make jokes with the servants?" I asked in a sharp tone and they flinched.

"No. your grace, you are such an affluent person. But…" I looked at them with an irritated face as they were still covering the entrance. If it had been my palace I would have dismissed the whole bunch of fools.

"A second more and I will leave, then you will be responsible for explaining to his majesty why I did not have dinner with them!" I always knew that threats have the power to do wonders.

They all stood in a straight line on both sides and I started walking in. but then again it was not only a single bunch of fools i have to deal with, i forgot that one was walking with me too.

"Would you walk or need a separate invitation to walk?" he blinked as if he was in a dream till now.

"You.."

"Yes, my lady." he bowed before I could further scold him and finally started walking behind me.

Crossing the whole passage, we finally stood in front of a large door which had the image of a glowing son with strong flames.

The knights bowed and opened the door for us. Their eyes lingered on the boy for more than a few seconds.

"You are finally here, Scarlet. I must say only you have the courage to make me wait in the whole empire." he passed the sarcasm coated in honey words as he turned to welcome me when he turned silent as his eyes fell on the boy.

He frowned as he looked at me.

"Who is he?" His voice was filled with disgust as if addressing him had dirtied his tongue and his mouth was filled with bitter taste.

"He is my partner for tonight." I replied with a straight face when I heard him gulping again. This man.. Why was he so scaredy? Even the cats have more courage than him.

"Your partner?" He repeated as if I had spoken a magical spell and he needed to chant it a few times to understand it.

"You must be tired after standing for so long. Shall we sit?" i asked as i did not want to drag othere dumb reactions. As an emperor I have expected more from him.

"Oh, yes. I have an important matter to discuss with you. So if you can ask your P.A.R.T.N.E.R to leave us alone for a while." he looked at me and then at the boy.

But before I could deny the man nodded his head and ran from there.

"Wait right there." my cold voice reverberated in the room and his steps froze right there.

"Your majesty. I understand that you are susceptible to his presence, but as i said that he is my partner, not servant. So, as an honorable host, you could not let the guests leave the room. It is not only his insult, but the question of my authority and respect too!" I said each word in a low and slow tone so that it would sink in both of their minds.

The boy realized that his actions were representing me and he finally moved and sat beside me, which was more than my expectations as he always behaved like a scared bunny in my presence.

While the man in front of me was gritting his teeth.

"If you present it like that. I have really asked a lot from you. Then let us discuss serious matters some other day. It is the first time that you have brought a partner with you after the death of Stefan. Let us celebrate the occasion." he laughed merrily but his eyes were looking at the boy with a cold and calculated look.

"There seems to be some misunderstanding, your majesty. Stefan did not die, I killed him with my own hands. And this is the first time I am meeting you after his death. That is why you have not met my new partner." his smile cracked as he heard my voice even the boy looked at me with horror. What? Did I not tell him many times that I could kill him!?

"Now, shall we discuss the matter you have called me for?" I asked again as the man was just looking at the boy as if he had found a gold mine. Did he need to be so visible that he wanted to use him as the next opportunity to kill me!

"As i said, this is time to celebrate, not work." he replied and then looked at his maid. "Go and bring my best wine." Wine again! Would he not think of a new strategy too!?

"Yes, your majesty." he bowed and soon a line of girls entered the room with a lot of snacks and drinks in their hands.

Everything was decorated on the table while I continued to look at his face.

"For your new partner." he clinked the glass as he served me but i did not take any initiative to drink the wine.

"I want you to drink it first."