"Your Highness, come out," the guard at the door called out as the Empress, Natalia, Dorothy, and Miriam stood up, all rushing to the door. They looked very unkempt and pale, their eyes dark and cheeks hollow. The Empress was first to be let out, followed by Natalia, and then the door shut behind them. "Wait, my ladies-in-waiting are still inside," the Empress said. "We have specific orders not to let them go," the guard said curtly. "And why is that? I am commanding you to release them," Naika said, her chest puffed out.
"I am sorry, Your Highness, we cannot do that," the guard replied. "She is the Empress! How dare you not heed her words? Kneel down!" Natalia said, jumping from behind the Empress. "We have orders from the emperor specifically not to let them go. So if you want them, go talk to the emperor yourself," the guard said coldly, walking away.
