[ Imperial Palace: Emperor's chancery ]
Abel perched leisurely on the chair behind the desk, his feet on it, eyes shut. When he reopened his eyes ever so slowly, the door suddenly flung open.
Conan gasped in dismay, looking around at the mountains of papers around the emperor's office. It wasn't any better than his office, which he had already expected. But his heart wasn't ready for it; he would never be ready.
"Your Majesty!" he shook his head, ignoring the horror around him, and went straight to Abel's desk. The emperor's office was much wider than Conan's, so he was aware Abel was idling and getting no work done.
Conan planted his hands on his hips, huffing. His eyes fell on Abel, waiting for the emperor to look back at him.
"Where is she?" Conan asked without beating around the bush, making Abel arch a brow. "That devil who caused all this mess! Where is she?"