While Fleeing the Guards, the Human Bursts into the Queen's ChambersShe LooksUpandOrders the Guards скачать в хорошем качестве

While Fleeing the Guards, the Human Bursts into the Queen's ChambersShe LooksUpandOrders the Guards

Dr. Marcus Webb is human researcher working at the Thessari Imperial Archives—extensive historical and cultural repository attached to the palace complex where scholars study Thessari civilization and conduct academic research. Marcus has been working at the Archives for nine months on research project examining pre-alliance Thessari diplomatic practices, spending his days in reading rooms and document storage areas far from political activities. This evening, Marcus inadvertently becomes witness to something he was never meant to see: conversation between two senior Thessari officials—Lord Vethros and Ambassador Kethros—discussing plans to manipulate upcoming alliance negotiations in ways that would violate treaty obligations and harm alliance member species' interests for Thessari strategic advantage. Marcus wasn't trying to eavesdrop—he was working late in a private study room when the officials entered an adjacent room, apparently unaware anyone else was in this section. Their conversation was clearly intended to be private, discussing conspiracy they believed would never be discovered. Marcus tries to leave quietly, hoping to slip away unnoticed. But Lord Vethros sees him leaving the adjacent area—recognizes that Marcus was positioned where he could have overheard their discussion, realizes the security implications. Vethros immediately calls palace guards, claiming Marcus was conducting unauthorized access to restricted documents—fabricated accusation designed to detain Marcus and provide cover for dealing with the witness to their planned treaty violations. Marcus understands instantly what's happening—the guards aren't there to verify document access violations, they're there to detain him so the officials can silence the witness. He runs. Not because he's guilty, but because being detained by guards working for the officials planning the conspiracy means he'll disappear before anyone who might protect him learns what's happening. The palace complex is massive and confusing. Marcus runs through corridors he's never been in before, taking turns randomly, trying to create distance from pursuing guards while having no clear destination. Behind him, boots thunder—palace guards in pursuit, demanding he stop. Marcus tries doors desperately, hoping to find unlocked room where he can hide. Most doors are locked. But one set of ornate doors opens—massive elaborate entrance that yields when Marcus pushes. He doesn't know what rooms these are. He just knows they're unlocked and guards are seconds behind. He bursts through the doors, stumbling into the chambers, already bracing for consequences. The room goes still. It's private chamber, clearly belonging to someone of significant status, occupied by a single person: Queen Seraphina, sitting at a writing desk, working on correspondence. She looks up, her expression unreadable as she takes in the scene: human researcher bursting into her chambers, breathing hard from running, clearly fleeing. Before Marcus can speak, palace guards spill into the room after him. Six guards, weapons drawn, voices already forming apologies to the queen while moving to apprehend Marcus. "Your Majesty, we apologize—" "This unauthorized individual—" Seraphina lifts one hand. Single gesture, minimal movement, carrying absolute authority. "Leave," she says. One word. Spoken quietly but with tone that permits no debate. The guards hesitate. "Your Majesty, this man was being pursued—" "Leave," Seraphina repeats. "Seal the doors behind you. No one enters these chambers until I give explicit permission. That includes whatever officials sent you pursuing this man." The guards withdraw, sealing the doors as commanded. Alone with the intruder, Seraphina studies Marcus—not as a threat, but as a problem she has chosen to make hers. "Dr. Marcus Webb. Explain. Quickly and honestly. Why were you fleeing palace guards?" Marcus tells her the truth—the conversation he overheard, the planned treaty violations, the fabricated accusations, his recognition that being detained meant being silenced. Seraphina listens, then says: "You've stumbled into internal political situation that certain officials would prefer remain hidden. And I've made decision to protect you rather than allowing you to be apprehended by people who have clear motive to silence you." All stories are original content. Subscribe to Sci-Fi Empress for stories exploring sovereign authority exercised through deliberate protection, where a ruler's choice to shelter someone can redefine loyalty and consequence, and how crossing a forbidden threshold can sometimes place you under the most powerful protection in the room!