Perhaps it was a desperate thought.
" The empire of Shurima? "
Luxanna could see Sona signing from her reflection in the glass mirror. The noble had invited herself into the royal headquarters once more but this time at an earlier hour where the sun had not quite yet awoken and the sky was still clothed with shades of warm orange - pink. The monarch always dressed herself up alone , always walked to her locations by herself , so much that it seemed any servant that might have worked for her had been dismissed ; Lux detested not doing things by herself. The woman turned around , digits still busy closing up the buttons of her sky blue satin shirt stuffed into elegant white pants , a smile that wished itself confident dancing upon her lips.
" Yes. " A moment of silence was taken to tie a bow around her collar. " Noxus borders upon Shurima , I am certain they have been in the light of its violent tendencies at least once and would probably entertain the idea of a revenge… or at least taking back the lands stolen from them. " Mismatched optics searched in Lady Buvelle's features a sign of approval of her idea but found nothing but a marble facade , unable to decipher the thoughts behind the cerulean glance ; Luxanna couldn't deny that the other's lack of response sent terrible shivers down her spine and created a pit in her stomach. " It would be impossible to get Freljord involved as you know it is torn by a tribe war as we speak and the City of Progress would most likely not get involved in these matters , I'm not even certain they possess an army… Their weaponry could be ideal but alas…"
Luxanna barely noticed she had begun to pace through the room while enraptured in her anxious thoughts , hands clutching one another against the curve of her spine ; Sona simply stared. " I have had echoes of a certain bond with Zaun and Noxus , this means we have to act fast and create one of our own… I think we should start from Shurima. What do you think? "
Finally Lux settled in one place , anchoring herself on her feet and meeting the noble's gaze with inquiry ; she was first answered with a brief curve of painted lips. " Whatever your choice is , the people who trust in you will follow you and the rest will follow. "
The demacian ruler would have voiced further protests but two knocks against her private quarters' door - frame cut the words from exiting her mouth. She lightly cleared her throat before breathing out a curt "What is it?". A young woman with hair as dark as the night came into vision almost timidly , her freckled joined hands pushed against her lap in an attempt to not seem as tense as she was. Luxanna recognized the brave girl immediately even before she spoke : her name was Annabelle and she was Lux's most trusted lady - in - waiting , a shy girl that often let others spoke over her but with a kind heart and kinder intentions ; the sovereign allowed a sympathetic grin to slip through before she reminded herself that she could not quite act like a carefree young girl anymore.
" What is the purpose of your visit , Annabelle? " Her eyes seemed to not carry the intent of her inquiring sentence as they drifted over the open window into the chaotic sea of life pouring from every corner of the main place in an unstopped flow. " ...Of course , Your Majesty. " Once again , the title caused Lux to grimace internally. " I have a message for Lady Buvelle , Dame Lestara Buvelle is actually waiting for you in the dinner room and she sent me to get you. "
Once Sona Buvelle and Annabelle excused themselves and departed it was like a sudden chill had taken roots in the very room , a freezing wind biting at Luxanna's skin until she closed the window. This emptiness , this lack of someone else's presence to confess her doubts to , began to gnaw at her throat a little too much and a little too quick.
" This is nonsense! I don't have time to wallow in negativity , I have a trip to plan! Come on, Lux! " It was an easy task to feign a positive attitude , she was perhaps the one that knew of it the best , but it would do for the time reminding ; she would allow her anxiety to mercilessly crush her when the lights would be off.
Nevertheless , even when Annabelle returned and was given the order to prepare her own luggages for the upcoming travel , this growing unease didn't part with Luxanna. An unease that made her believe her choice was not the correct one therefore she sunk into thoughts once more , her options displayed before her eyes once more. What of the archipelago of Ionia? It was way too far and she could not afford to be away from such an extended amount of time especially as more urgent matters were looming over tomorrow. No , she had only one choice for the moment.
With haste the sovereign would enter her study and rummage through her drawer in search of a world map she acquired during one of her many travels ; the yellowing sheet of parchment neatly rolled on itself and tied together by a brown string. Its age showed with the way time erased parts of Lux's notes upon its surface and the way she held it with utmost attention as if she feared the brittle paper would be torn in her hands. Her index finger traced a line from Demacia to Shurima's port town Nashramae.
Her first stop.