Aria eyes the clock on the wall, an intricate thing of beauty from Ardentmill.

9.50.

She fists her fingers in her dress as she paces about. She doesn't know why she's nervous, she doesn't know why she's acting like this, but what she does know is that Phantom should be coming soon.

Earlier that day she had already given the orders for a doubling of the guard, without stating exactly why for fear of giving the actual reason away, although she suspects Phantom will be coming from the balcony anyway. The balcony's unguarded, as is the inside of her quarters, and she can't help but feel a slight sense of unease as she looks at the clock, again.

9.52.

She breathes. The Skaia is safe, with her, strung about her neck by its gold chain and hidden under the fabrics of her robes. She's thought of pawning it off on one of her advisors, but she's the Empress so it's her responsibility. She's also thought of keeping it in the palace vault or her own, although she's suddenly reminded of the King of Ariant. No, the only way the Skaia can be safe is with her, although she's not too sure about that especially given yesterday's incident. This time, however, it'll be much, much more difficult for him to grab it.

9.54.

But most startingly, the fact that she hasn't told anyone about yesterday's incident surprises even herself. The fact that he can so easily enter the palace unseen means he's a threat, and a threat to the Empress is a threat to Maple World. She can't fathom why she's being so careless, being so flippant about her own safety and security. She's even made up a story about valuable treasure just to bait him to Ereve.

9.56.

She's always wanted to see Phantom herself, though, she admits grudgingly as she leans against the doorway of the balcony, and thumbs the chain of the Skaia absentmindedly. Now that she has - she can't seem to get his deep purple eyes out of her mind.

9.58.

She breathes as she looks over at the clock again. It's almost 10. She wonders whether he's really coming - and why he's even given the Skaia back to her. He can't be serious about seeking her permission. No empress in her right mind will -

"Expecting someone?"

She nearly jumps, startled by the presence of Phantom on her balcony. She doesn't even want to know how he's managed to sneak past the guards, just that he's Phantom and he can. She also doesn't like the way her heart rate accelerates at the mere sight of him.

"No." She says quickly, flushing as she remembers how Phantom managed to steal the Skaia from right under her nose the previous night. Maybe this is a mistake.

"I see you're still wary of me."

"You're a thief, of course I am!" She says, indignant.

"But yet you're still here."

"Yes," she admits defeatedly, only because it's true and she can't seem to find another way about it.

Phantom tilts his head slightly, suddenly boyish, and Aria can't help but avert her gaze.

"I gave my word, though. I won't take the Skaia from you until you agree to hand it to me."

"I will never."

"Then I'll just have to visit you every night." Phantom makes his way past her and into her room.

"Hey! What are you-"

"Not bad," he runs a gloved finger along the fabric of her drapes. "The finest from Ariant. How many weave?"

"Excuse me?" She stalks in after him.

"And this vanity is exquisite." He runs his hand along the tabletop of her dresser. "The best wood from Ellinia? Perhaps a thousand year old tree? And this vase?" Phantom picks up her favourite one at the corner of her dresser, and turns it about in his hand to inspect.

Aria stares at him, speechless. "What? Can you just -"

Phantom flops down on the sofa - her sofa, she's reminded suddenly - and looks about the room with an appraising eye. "Not bad. But the Lumiere's more to my taste, actually."

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for the Skaia." Phantom kicks off his feet and rests them on her coffee table before her sofa.

"Please leave."

"I've promised. I won't leave until you give me the Skaia." He shrugs off his mask effortlessly, revealing once again to Aria his fine, aristocratic features.

"Then I hope you're used to disappointment." Aria says, as firmly as she can, but she's still somewhat distracted by the sight of him running his gloved fingers absentmindedly through his hair.

"Phantom doesn't accept disappointment. Besides, you're complicit." He chuckles as he places his hat next to him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Aria flushes.

"Well, you haven't summoned the guards, so that just means you're okay with me being here." He grins.

"That doesn't mean –"

"Ah." His face brightens in understanding. "You wish to see me, then."

"No! The only reason why I haven't summoned the guards is because -" she trails off. "It's because - I can handle this myself."

"On the contrary, Empress, I'll say you're playing a game with me. I'll play this little game of yours, then, my Empress."

"There is no game." Although the way he says 'my empress' definitely makes her heart skip a beat.

"So we'll pretend every evening, then. I'll pretend to steal the Skaia, and you'll pretend to not want to give it to me. Of course, in the end, you will hand it over willingly." Phantom unfolds himself from the sofa slightly and reaches out to pluck a grape from her fruit bowl on the side table. Aria watches as he eats the grape. She can hardly believe what she's seeing and hearing.

"I know what you look like, now. I'll paste 'Wanted' posters everywhere myself." Aria swallows.

"Go ahead. It doesn't matter, as long as I get my hands on the Skaia." He pops another grape into his mouth.

"I hope you choke." Aria says, and he chuckles. "I'm not playing any games with you, Phantom." Saying his name shouldn't bring a thrill of excitement to her, at all, but it does.

"Very well. I'll just take the Skaia, now, then." Phantom winks and stands up, placing his hat back on his head. Aria instinctively tightens her grip on the chain of the Skaia around her neck.

Phantom laughs as he looks at her closed fingers. "My Empress, I will never renege on my word. I won't take it without your permission."

"You had better not." Aria swallows.

"I will see you again tomorrow. Till then, farewell." Phantom gives a dramatic bow at the waist.

Aria snorts, but as she watches him disappear in a flurry of cards, she can't help but smile to herself.