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75 - Procession
Before Anzi could demand an explanation, the clanking of metal from behind made both of them turn. Two soldiers outfitted in the signature armor of the Emperor’s personal guard appeared at the top of the winding steps with the monarch right behind them.
He was wearing something different than usual, robes of soft gold and white thread rather than Imperial red. It made him look even more unearthly, if that was even possible, or maybe it was how he stood more than half a meter taller than his guards as he grinned and plumped his garment around himself. “Greetings!” he exclaimed. “Things are going fantastic. We’re doing wonderfully, everyone.” He clapped his hands once, and his two guards as well as the harem men standing nearby bowed and backed away out of sight behind the crimson curtains. “Great, we don’t need to stuff this place with so many bodies. Ah, Oza, come out here.”
Anzi’s breath caught in her chest like an ugly clot of tangl
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