The guards were just passing, leaving on the orders of the Empress.

Once they were gone, Gallagher swiftly pulled the Empress into a tight hug. She could immediately tell he had gone through some things, and allowed him to hug her.

(I kinda understand the science behind parallel universes. Sorta. )

(too skeptical to believe in them myself, but I have hope. It'd at least make things a lot more interesting and explain some of the weird silly coincidences of of life.)

Ezael Edros
Es blinked at this. Was.. Was it proper for an Empress to be so familiar with her servant? He didn't mind, of course, but he'd need to consult his studies on human interactions. Maybe even probe the man himself at a later time. Maybe this Empress had finally found herself a suitor.. He had heard the rumors of her troubles, of course, and thinking about such a thing brought a bit of a smile to his face.
He sent a silent prayer of his own to the Goddess, wishing these two humans continued happiness in their future.

(Yeah, i think it makes me feel better about my usual apatheticness towards everything)

After a couple of minutes, he pulled back. " Apologies, your majesty. That was inappropriate of me. "

She let out a soft sigh. " Its alright, Gallagher. You needed it. Now tell me. What did you find? "

" ...he has several banned books, along with a dark magic circle. And...slaves. he's using them to test the magic on them. I believe he wants to use the magic to control the minds of the people. " he gritted his teeth behind his broken mask silently.

Ezael Edros
The man was some sort of.. spy? Interesting. Well, at least it did well to explain his and the Empress' odd behavior, but.. Dark magic circles and mind controlled slaves? What was all of this about?
In his eagerness to know more, he inadvertently poked his head out above the wall as he leaned in.

" ...I figured that the Grand Duke had sour feelings about my grandfather handing the throne to the late emperor instead of him, but...." she sighed softly. " And Lowell? "

"...He...was struck down, your majesty. They had us locked in cages powered by holy magic. I myself only survived because of what you taught me. " Gallagher replied.

Ezael Edros
Es took all of this in in silent thought. He hadn't met this Lowell fellow for himself, but felt a small pang of pity for the spy's fallen partner. The use of holy magic in such a vicious way made his stomach lurch, thankful that the servant had escaped such a thing.
He'd need to look further into the Empress' family relations it seemed if this is what the Goddess had been so very concerned about. It definitely seemed almost as if there were.. some sort of conspiracy or revolt on the brink of erupting.

" ...it couldn't be helped then. Did you manage to retrieve his body? "

He shook his head. " No, your majesty. "

She sighed but nodded. " for now, then U recommend you stau inside the palace walls. His men are surely looking for you. And visit the palace doctor when you have the chance. You can head to bed for the night. "

" ...arent you going to? You need sleep. Its not good for your health. "

" ill rest tonight. I promise. "

He nodded and turned, heading out of the garden.

Ezael Edros
"A-Ah, I apologize." Es stepped out from behind the wall, embarrassed at being spotted and bowing slightly to Gallagher.
"I intended to ask earlier if your wounds needed tending to. I can heal you, if you wish."

He stared at him. " you heard, didn't you. " he questioned. In truth he had sensed his presence halfway through the conversation. But this one knew what would befall him if he said a single word to anyone.

Ezael Edros
Es mentally cursed his inability to lie again and hung his head shamefully.
"Yes, I had."
He kept his admission quiet, glancing back at the Empress still in the garden.
"Truth.. be told, I have been extremely curious of the reason I was tasked with the Empress' protection. I initially suspected that your presence may have had something to do with it.. But now I see that things are much greater than they seem to be."