Chapter 38: I'm not cocky, I'm furious

Isabelle swept into the throne room like an empress, trailing a somewhat less intense Phoenix behind her.

For her part, she felt more determined than ever. Determined to hold court, to...to sit on that ridiculous big chair, to show that she was the Empress.

To put on the display.

Tenshi was there, a tall, slender, deadly shadow that slid into position at her side, like he'd never left it.

Her other guards were not far. Lyov and Alexander sat nearby, both of them regarding her with expressions that she recognized as concern.

Her gaze flicked between the two.

Lyov, ever serious, rose when she entered.

"Please...take a seat, my dear, and we will call the first order of business..."

She was going to pretend he didn't call her 'dear' in front of everyone.

But she did take a seat, and waited to hear about what happened in her absence.