Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Queen and the Servant. Enjoy the 1000-word chapter. I don't own Genshin Impact, MiHoYo and a few others do.
(Jade Chamber, several years after Ningguang's and Grantly's meeting.).
Grantly could only ponder Ningguang's next move. The woman liked to believe herself unreadable. She could not be fathomed because she was so ahead of any curve in her road.
"Does it ever become boring?" Grantly asked while sitting on the throne's steps. "Being so far ahead of any traps? I almost wonder if you want to give someone the advantage so they don't get to be boring." Grantly said while looking at Ningguang.
The ruler of the Liyue Qixing looked at Grantly, her most loyal servant and lieutenant. Grantly said nothing else for a moment, simply wondering what would come next.
"I know that face, you're thinking of something…." Grantly said and crossed his arms. "You forget I've known you since we were children. What do you wish to do, currently?" Grantly asked with a raised eyebrow.
"There's still much work to do before the Jade Chamber is ready." Ningguang put in which caused Grantly to hum. "Is there anymore errands to attend to at the moment?" Ningguang asked while brushing off her dress.
"Not anyone who won't cause issues." Grantly said while crossing his arms. "You forget that you're the most powerful person in the entire area… People don't really get to make any deals without them having to shake hands with you first." Grantly added as Ningguang sighed.
"That doesn't mean there aren't people who forget the rules of the land." Ningguang said while looking out the window. "There's still plenty to do… Plenty to accomplish and many rivals who wish to sit on the throne." Ningguang said as Grantly chuckled to himself.
"Ning, if things were that easy to deal with, you'd know for a fact that plans wouldn't be delayed." Grantly said while crossing his arms at this. "There's so much to deal with as you just stated. There's plenty to do… I'll go get to work on something at the moment." Grantly stated as he hummed and started to leave.
"You know for a fact that you won't be able to handle everything." Ningguang said while she sat on her throne. "Go and get some work done, I'll call for you when your needed… For now? Just make sure nobody bothers me… I need time to think, to plan." Ningguang added while Grantly hummed and pondered to himself.
There was going to be far more deals to be made, he knew that much deep down, you didn't make deals like that and not get something…. However? Ningguang knew very well what came before… And would come after. The woman had built an empire, and to challenge that empire? Meant challenging the entire region.
There would no rest or hunting that couldn't be done by Grantly, however. His mistress… No, his friend, she promised to build a home that would house everyone she cared for.
And Grantly saw no reason why she'd lie…. Meaning he still had help to find, groundwork to lay and keep alive.
"Someone will come to the Jade Chamber when it's done…" Grantly stated while scratching at his neck. "How much work is going to be needed, however?" Grantly asked himself before sighing.
Many considered Ningguang a monster, they couldn't control her or defy her. Grantly saw different, she was the true ruler of this region…. But she protected those under her employ.
"Everyone thinks of her as a tyrant, but she's trying to build something that will last." Grantly muttered to himself before turning to another of her servants. "How goes the construction? Anything I could help with?" Grantly asked while he tapped his weapon on the ground.
He didn't mean to frighten any of the workers. They knew this just as well as he did. They all worked for Ningguang, which meant they all had her protection.
"Slowly, they haven't held up their end of the bargain." The servant put in which caused Grantly to sigh. "And the caravans that have? They keep getting attacked enroute." The servant put in as Grantly shook his head.
He clenched his weapon, bandits and thieves would always raise their ugly heads to continue to harass his master. Ningguang rounded the corner as Grantly continued speaking.
"We need to snuff out these bandits before attacks continue." Grantly said and turned to Ningguang. "We're never see the Jade Chamber done if these attacks continue… I only wish we could track down where they come from." Grantly said as Ningguang drummed her fingers on her arms.
"Grantly, can you kindly leave and handle this affront?" Ningguang asked while turning to the servant in question. "I'll be joining you sooner or later…. We need to address this issue sooner or later at the moment." Ningguang added and shook her head once more.
Grantly could only ponder once more what would happen sooner or later. These bandits didn't know what incurring Ningguang's wrath would occur. He didn't know what they believed, but they were either far stupider then he believed? Or they were massively insane to a degree that he couldn't fathom on any level.
Either way? Their lives were forfeit now… Because there would be no appeasing the ruler of the land.
Grantly only hoped they were happy with whatever they had done… Because now? They had no more lives anymore.
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Author Note
Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that next chapter will be in 2-10 months and will show more of how deep Ningguang and Grantly's bond is. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!
P.S: Next chapter will be 900-1200 words. Lumine will be 900-1200 words or such. It might also be a bit delayed more then I said it was at the moment.