Meredith bowed, her head hanging low, her brown eyes taking at a glance at the ruby ones staring down at her.
Seated on the throne was Krillien Lorenz von Hachler, the current Emperor who usurped the throne by massacring his whole family; the king and queen, the two concubines, and his six brothers.
"Ryvetsky?" Krillien asked, his eyes shining against the chandelier light, familiarity in his tone.
Meredith nodded. She knew Krillien would remember that name. It was one of the noble families he stripped their noble status off of. For what reason? He did not say. That began the start of his tyrannical rule over the kingdom, planting seeds of fear among the nobility and the commoners.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Meredith answered, placing her right hand on her chest, hiding the other behind her as it shook.
She did not know that standing in the presence of this Emperor would cause this much fear in her. After all, one wrong move could have her severed head on the carpeted floor. She gulped at the thought.
"And what brings you here?" He asked, continuing to eye her like an eagle watching its prey. He wore a crown on his head. The same crown the last emperor--his father--had worn before he sliced his head.
It was adorned with jewels; ruby at the center, diamonds scattered in a line. It was jewels the kingdom possessed. And he wore it on top of his head. A golden crown adorned with jewels and the blood of the kingdom.
"I am here to offer m-myself, Your Majesty." Meredith cursed in her head. She did not mean to stutter. She wouldn't look as determined as she wanted to.
Meredith heard the silent and shocked "oh's" from the butler and the maid standing at Krillien's corner, prepared to heed the Emperor's every need.
Krillien snickered, a smirk appearing on his lips. "Is that so?"
"Yes."
He waved his hand. "You may leave. I am not looking for a woman to comfort myself with. I am not in need of one to begin with." He looked away, looking bored.
Meredith clutched the cloth of her dress. "But if I may, Your Majesty. Wouldn't an Emperor need an Empress to rule the kingdom together? If I am not mistaken--"
"You are mistaken, Lady Ryvetsky." His voice was loud and firm. Meredith knew that if she opened her mouth once again, he would not only raise his voice but his sword also.
She glanced at the sword tucked in his scabbard. It was gilded with gold. Like his crown, it may have been his father's.
"An Emperor needs an Empress, Your Majesty. A man needs a wife, does he not?" She slowly said, examining his face.
He chuckled. "A commoner wife? Perhaps you've forgotten that I took away your family's title? Why would you of all the ladies in this kingdom be fit to be the Emperor's wife?" He leaned forward. "Much less mine?"
"But it is quite perfect."
Krillien raised an eyebrow. Meredith was glad he was still willing to hear her nonsense. Or perhaps he was luring her into a sense of security that her head was safe from being bloodied and mutilated upon.
"You couldn't possibly marry a commoner. She would never be able to know the etiquette and the rules of nobility and the palace compared to a lady born into nobility. It would be wise that you marry someone of noble status. But that would harm you, would it not? The Lady's family may hold enough power to overthrow you--"
"Overthrow me? You dare think of such a thing?" He glared at Meredith. Her breathing hitched.
"I am only stating the possibility, that is all." She breathed when Krillien went silent. It was indeed becoming a miracle of how far she managed to tell him of her thoughts.
"Hence, it would be ideal that you marry a lady not of noble status--with no power in the politics of the kingdom, yet will still be able to perform noble duties," she continued. "Which is why I offer myself, Your Majesty. To be your wife."
Krillien continued to stare.
"Tell me," he stood up. Meredith's heart began to thump as he continued to descend from up his throne. "Why are you so willing? How can you assure me that this is not the Ryvetskys planning to kill me? Or revenge for my brother?"
She gulped. "I assure you it is not, Your Majesty. I am merely trying to... escape from my family." Meredith avoided his gaze, tears welling in her eyes.
Krillien stood in front of her, continuing to eye her. "And is the Ryvetsky in ruins?"
"I... yes." She answered. Her eyes widened as Krillien's hand grabbed her chin, their eyes interlocking. His ruby red eyes glimmering.
"Hm," he muttered, staring into her tear-filled eyes. "Theodore." He called the butler, not breaking contact.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" He stepped forward. Meredith's eyes quivered toward the Emperor and the butler, horrified at what his next move will be. Especially now that her head is in his hands.
"Lead Lady Ryvetsky to the South wing. Prepare her chambers." He let go of her chin and walked away. "The one for the Empress."
The butler's eyes widened but quickly bowed and turned to Meredith. Shock was written all over her face. Yet she was relieved that her absurd plan had worked.
"Lady Ryvetsky," he greeted and extended his arm towards the door. "Please follow me to lead you to your chambers."
Meredith followed, leaving the throne room. They continued to walk towards the South Wing. It was significantly brighter and more decorated than any of the places in the palace she had passed before. It was after all the Empress's part of the palace.
They stopped in front of the doors. Theodore then opened them for her, revealing the Empress's chambers. The room was big. Big enough to fit two houses of the Ryvetskys current residence. It was bigger than her own room when her family were still nobles.
Meredith continued to look around the room, entering it with awe.
"I will ask for maids to have you settled." Theodore said.
"Ah, yes, thank you." Meredith gave a small smile.
"Lady Ryvetsky," he said. "Please do not mistake His Majesty's generosity with kindness." Theodore's tone was cold as if to give her a warning.
Meredith blinked, understanding the significance of his words. "I will not."
He nodded and exited the room, closing the doors as he left.
Meredith was sure not to expect any kindness from Krillien. He was the Tyrant Emperor, after all.