THE emperor’s comfortable sitting room was neither gaudy nor extravagant. It wasn’t made to show off, but for people to relax in.
Though I can certainly guess his likes just from looking around in here.
Ashes certainly had good taste. The whole room was done in mahogany and reflected the dim light. The calm colors of the carpet and style of furniture reminded her of Tomoko’s shop.
As Yura took in the room, Ashes had his back to her. He tossed his cape onto his chair and smiled at her.
“Make yourself comfortable.”
His words caught Yura off-guard.
At that second, her eyes were caught by something strange lying on the desk.
I guess I really don’t feel that nervous.
The room was full of rare objects and things she’d never seen before.
A map of an unfamiliar continent with several lines stretched across it, and there was an odd protractor device laying on it. Books with beautiful bindings lay around the room. There were several pages strewn about with a quill pen among them. It looked to Yura to be the results of someone working fervently.
There was an armillary sphere atop the hearth, as well as a decorative double-edged sword and a sundial. There were also a variety of busts carved from marble and wood.
And then there was a tiny wooden box on top of the table. It was covered with fabric and Yura realized suddenly that there was something inside.
It was a coin. A coin with someone’s face etched into it. Someone with an expressionless face and their long hair tied back in a single ponytail. A young man wearing a cape with several pleats.
As Yura stared at it, realization hit her and she looked up.
“This is you. Isn’t it, Ashes?”
Ashes looked up and shrugged.
“It took you awhile to notice.”
“It doesn’t look anything like you!” Yura blurted out.
As she compared the coin to the real Ashes, she burst into laughter. Ashes looked hurt.
“That’s quite rude. It’s the real thing. It’s the work of the best craftsman in Tolkinia.”
“But it doesn’t look like you at all!”
Giggling, Yura flopped down into a nearby chair. Glancing at Yura, Ashes looked sad.
“You could never understand my torment,” Ashes frowned, shaking his head. “They said they could ‘depict my likeness exactly as it is,’ but there’s no proof of that.”
Yura felt bad for him and yet she still laughed.
“Is this it?”
“So far,” Ashes moaned. “I won’t be outdone by some ideal version of myself!”
“Is it that bad?” Yura blinked.
Ashes seemed to be reaching back through his memory.
“Yes, all of them have made needless additions.”
“Additions?”
Ashes nodded with a serious look.
“I mean to say they’re exaggerated. There are certain rules at play here. First of all, I was drawn…muscular.”
Yura burst into laughter all over again. Ashes openly frowned.
“To appear strong enough that I could single-handedly slay a charging bull. Also…I was given a more handsome face. They’ve ignored all my changes to the prototype.”
Yura approached him while laughing before she clapped Ashes on the shoulders.
“You don’t need any ‘additions.’”
“I’m honored,” Ashes said and shrugged her off coldly. “When people come for an audience with me, they are thrown off and demand ‘Where is the emperor?’ It’s such an inconvenience.”
Yura threw her head back and laughed louder. Ashes looked fed up as he watched Yura laugh so hard, she cried.
“You have it, don’t you! That picture. Where is it?”
“I will not show it to you!” Ashes declared. “…If I tell you not to look for it, you will anyway. Won’t you?”
As Yura continued laughing, Ashes pointed to the wooden box with a “Hmph!”
“What do you think? He’s the greatest engineer in the land, isn’t he?”
Yura nodded eagerly.
Returning the coin to the box and laughing for a bit, Yura suddenly realized he was staring at her.
“What?”
Ashes suddenly became serious, looking at the still-smiling Yura, he flashed her a relieved look. His lips loosened and he spoke in an unexpectedly gentle tone.
“You finally smiled.”
“Huh?”
Yura’s eyes grew wide.
“Y-Yeah…”
Yura gave a loud, exaggerated gulp and nodded. After an uncomfortably long moment passed, she searched frantically for the right words. She finally offered an awkward, “I’m sorry for worrying you.”
Then she bowed.
Ashes’ eyes widened and he peered at her like he was observing the flustered Yura for the first time. When his eyes met hers, they looked dubious. Yura felt even more uncomfortable.
“…Hmph.”
He quickly turned away, looking out the window. It was a poor example, but he wasn’t the sort of person she could normally talk to so candidly.
The sound of a bell ringing reverberated on the wind. It was a very gentle sound. To Yura, unnervingly so.
Right! I can’t just stay here all day like this. I did come to talk about something.
“Uh. Umm…”
Yura looked up, surprised at his sudden absence. She panicked and looked around for him.
“A-Ashes?”
Tucked into the right corner of the room was a little door. It was the same color as the wall. And it was open.
She rushed over and peered inside. Then she gasped.
Inside was a hexagonal room.
Unlike the other room, this room was covered with walnut-colored mahogany. The lower part of the walls had glass in them that, on closer inspection, was one long bookshelf. It was bursting with books, with no room to spare.
There wasn’t much that one could call proper furniture in the room, only a couch and a table. Ashes was looking through the bookshelves, his back to her.
“At least say something when you leave…” Yura complained as she approached him.
Several books were lying on the couch. She picked up the top book and flipped through it.
“Uh…”
It was full of a script she didn’t recognize.
Is it some sort of cursive? Not good. I’m horrible at English… What do you do when you can’t read?
Yura looked up after the idea suddenly struck her.
That’s right. Why can I understand the spoken words here but not the written ones? I’m fine for now, but what if, I can’t understand at all? What’ll I do then? Translation shmanslation! If I lose the ability to speak, I won’t be able to communicate with anyone.
Yura shook her head and smacked her cheeks. She tried to disrupt such futile thoughts. She returned the book to the couch
I will learn the language! At least well enough to be able to write it. If Sei teaches me a little at a time, then I’ll be able to communicate in writing if a time comes where I need to fully know the language.
Ashes silently continued examining the books.
“Didn’t you have something you wanted to talk about?” he asked.
“Hwhuh?” she sputtered.
She was taken aback at what felt like a surprise attack. Ashes turned back to her with a smug smile.
“I’m right, aren’t I?”
“……”
Yura gulped.
H-How did he know?
Her mind went blank. Yura was susceptible to being caught off-guard like this.
I’ve always had a habit of freezing up when this happens!
Ashes faced Yura again, leaning his back against the wall and folding his arms, as if waiting for her to speak.
Yura’s tongue failed her, her throat dry.
She could feel the words spinning fruitlessly through her mind.
“Um…”
She couldn’t think of anything to say but that. Ashes waited patiently for her to begin speaking. It began to feel like the world’s most serious staring contest. Yura finally looked away.
I’m such a fool…how could I forget something so important?
“…I came here to talk about the wedding.”
“What?”
Ashes’ face became stern. Yura recoiled. He waited for her to continue, a dubious look on his face. Yura began to explain nervously.
“I-I heard from the others…”
Ashes didn’t move a muscle as she spoke. Gave not a peep or nod. Yura avoided the specifics, and after she quickly tried to explain, she shut her eyes tight for fear he’d get angry at her.
Ashes only showed a hint of emotion once Yura stopped talking. He brought the tips of his brows together in disgust and spat out a short phrase. “How ill-mannered!”
Yura shrank back further.