An empty room laid in front of her , haunted by the sightless stares of statues sticking to the sovereign's spine. It lacked the warmth and welcoming aura Lux had felt when stepping into Nehir's humble home despite the light pouring itself from the several openings in the walls , it was as if this very room had been abandoned and stuck in time. The throne remained empty and Luxanna started to question if she had not lost herself and entered the wrong room yet something wrong floated in the air , something malicious.
" How curious , I was so certain I was not expecting any visitors today. "
Mismatched eyes blinked a bit too fast and a bit too much in order to lessen any more visible effects surprise might have had on her form ; the voice had resonated from behind her back all too suddenly and frightened her for she had neither heard nor sensed the presence of anyone behind her. Yet , quickly regaining her composure , the sovereign turned around in order to greet this newcomer.
" Pardon my intrusion , I was allowed in… "
Luxanna's bright eyes widened at the sight of him. He was at least two feet taller than she was and so the woman had to crane her neck back to gaze at his features : her own stare was caught by the emperor's vibrant golden one seemingly boring into her very being , the way his head lightly tilted to the side in an almost amused inquiry and this fire - colored mane that framed his features in light curls. Each of his movements were accompanied by the gentle noise of the jewelry he was adorned with , from the sun shaped diadem resting upon his head to the golden chains over his chest.
" I am well aware. " He walked past her and Luxanna could have a glimpse of his back in which swayed loosely tied together strands of hair at least reaching his back ; it was truly a wonder to her how one could live with such long hair for she would have personally hated it on her own person. " Alas , what I am not aware of is the reason for your appearance in my court. "
The emperor gave off an aura that made Lux uneasy , a darkness that clung to him and made him not quite human. Yesterday's warnings came back to her in that instant , the worried whispers of the merchants , Nehir's tale.
He was a monster.
" Please allow me to properly introduce myself before I offer you the details of my visit... " Luxanna steeled herself and her gaze anchored itself into his , willing her mind to be quiet and focus only on what she had to say. " I am Luxanna Crownguard , current ruler of Demacia."
" Ah, so it is Demacia's sovereign that goes around inquiring about my person? " He had settled upon the lone throne that sat in the middle of the decorated room, cheek leaning into his open hand. " Words travel to my ears quite fast you see, I knew of your presence among my people but I had not expected you to show yourself so easily to me. "
A pause that lasted the time of a smile that had nothing benevolent.
" Without any escort to add to it. "
" I deemed it unnecessary. The nature of my presence before you is due to pressing matters, matters of war. "
" Oh? War, you say? "
Luxanna nodded. Her posture straightened despite the trail of cold sweat that rolled against the back of her neck, she flattened her hands against her lap. A sparkle had shone in the emperor's golden gaze as he had repeated the word, a certain glimmer of interest catching his eyes.
" As you may be aware, the empire of Noxus poses a threat to all that surrounds it due to its brutal expansionist nature. Noxus' lands consist of inhospitable steppes , their grounds are unable to grow crops which is the opposite of Demacia's situation. It makes no doubt that this empire known for war and invasions would attempt to intrude upon our lands ; of course , for the safety of my own people , as the current ruler I cannot wait to see if this hypothesis turns out to be true or not ; thus why I am offering an alliance. "
" Now , this is all sensible and well thought out yet why shall i accept your little deal? How would it serve me in any way? "
Such an inquiry was to be expected and the demacian sovereign had already come up with a solution… one that could sound like the worst idea of them all considering all the whispers that surrounded the emperor and yet it was the surest way , Lux was certain of it. There was little chance a man that , as his own people believed , reveled in his sanglant megalomania and full power would deny access to more.
" Marry me. My land would be equally yours : from Freljord's border to its neighboring isles. I only ask in return mutual understanding and peace. " Luxanna's brows furrowed for an instant and a faint frown turned her lips. Was she being too straightforward with this? But she had no time to truly ponder the question for her thoughts were interrupted by a booming laughter breaking the silence.
The tips of Lux's ears began to tingle and the corner of her lips had a faint twitch of irritation for his reaction , soon overshadowed by surprise as the emperor got up from his seat and beckoned her to follow him. No words were exchanged in the lapse of time they walked through a dim lighted corridor until they arrived at an immense library , bigger than the throne room itself , with countless bookshelves filled with aged manuscripts ; a sight that robbed a gasp from Luxanna.
It was a jewel of knowledge she might not be aware of and the simple idea of it made her want to surge through the many shelves composing the room.
" Since I believe we have a mutual arrangement it is only fair I share with you some old knowledge , is it not? "
She stared at him.
" Would they teach me your name? "
An amused chuckle replied to her before words did.
" No. But I shall for it seems you have earned it. I am named Amun Rhaast ; calling me Rhaast would suffice. "
Luxanna's mismatched gaze drifted over the wooden sea of bookshelves below the balcony they stood upon , she allowed a little smile to grace her lips for the time being.
" Then I will make sure to remember it , I shall also let my escort know in order to take the necessary measures. "
Her position straightened and shifted to face Rhaast , her eyes keeping their steel - like resolve despite the polite smile that had blossomed on her features.
" Please meet me in Demacia in the following days to officially settle this arrangement. "