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Lumine sighed and collapsed in the chair and kicked off her shoes. She knew she should get up and take off the expensive dress she wore, especially since the corset bones were digging into her stomach from her bad posture but she was so tired from the royal ball. So much dancing and schmoozing up to nobles. Lumine was good at it but that didn’t mean she liked doing it.
“Xiao, do you think they will take the bait?” she asked, directing her attention to the open balcony window. It was a cool summer night, the breeze welcoming.
A moment later the shadows coalesced and took form of a member of her private guard, his golden eyes slightly glowing in the dark. “A few caught my eye. I already have them being watched.”
“Excellent,” said Lumine. With her and Aether recently taking the throne there had been a few nobles that protested at the idea of twin rulers. Aether was more hopeful about them coming around to the idea but Lumine doubted it. The nobles weren’t the type to take something like this quietly so she decided to take matters into her own hands and weed out the most troublesome of pests.
Step one of that plan was to host a ball in the name of unity. On the surface it was to bring the nobles together to celebrate the new rule and on the other hand it was to see if anyone would make a move after the fact. Knowing who was in favor and against was vital for their rule. They had to protect their assets and remove the weeds.
“If that is all then I shall return to my watch,” said Xiao curtly.
“Really? You don’t want to hang around a bit?” Lumine asked with a sigh. She fanned herself with a hand. “I’ve had to deal with stuffy nobles all day. I must rather hang out with better company.”
Xiao’s golden eyes blinked slowly as he regarded her for a moment before looking away. “Those who oppose your rule might make an attack on you tonight.”
“And you can defend me from being in the same room,” retorted Lumine.
“It would be easier to counter them if I didn’t have to worry about you,” he replied curtly.
Lumine sighed. When Xiao got stubborn like this there was no point in trying to convince him otherwise. Sure she could order him to obey her wishes but she hadn’t done that in years. It had taken a long time to get Xiao comfortable enough for him to state his opinions with her and not blindly follow orders.
“Fine, leave me to be bored for the night.” Lumine sprawled out more dramatically on the chair.
She heard a small release of breath and noticed a tiny smile on Xiao’s lips before he dissipated into shadows. Lumine sat up, a smile on her own face. Good. Xiao was usually way too serious for his own good.
She got up and made her way over to the wardrobe to change out of the dress. Sure, she could call a maid to help her but with the risk of her getting attacked tonight, she knew Xiao would be more at ease if she did it herself.
After changing into a nightgown, she headed for bed, the exhaustion of the night catching up to her. She knew she would sleep well tonight with Xiao out there guarding her.