The emperor's wish to see his new prize came a bit earlier than he expected.
Originally, he'd planned to meet her under proper terms as an emperor and war hostage, but just as he received news of a large fire in camp and escaped prisoner, a dirt-covered, barefoot girl came crashing in between tents right in front of him.
After pulling her to the ground, two men worked to subdue her before Calix stopped them so he could get a better look. The emperor, no doubt, appeared entirely calm on the surface, as if facing any other prisoner, but his heart pounded rapidly as he slowly bent down to scrutinize the girl.
She was young with a pretty face and slim figure. Her eyes, however, caught the emperor's attention more than anything else, even her tangled blonde locks.
"This hair color is already quite unusual," he said softly, brushing his thumb across the girl's cheek. "But to have these eyes as well."
