Stranger

“May I have a word with you?”

Ivory was beyond surprised. This had to be a dream. Klein, talking to her politely?

Certainly a dream.

“Why?” She couldn't stop herself from asking. “Why do you suddenly want to talk to me?”

“I would have gone to the Emperor but he is unavailable for now. I thought I should see you since you have almost the same authority as him.”

Ivory resisted the urge to tell him that the next authority after the Emperor was his second in command, which was none other than General Ragi.

“What do you need?”

“My father is severely sick. Can you permit me to take him to the royal ward to be attended to?” He asked.

“Pa is sick!” She gasped. “Why am I just being informed? Take him to the royal ward immediately and tell the doctors I instructed them to attend to him immediately. I need to get ready and inform my husband of my whereabouts.”

“Is that the only thing you'd be informing him about?” Klein muttered and Ivory froze on the spot.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Pardoned,”