"Now?" I asked.
"Now," Edgar confirmed. "Both the General and His Majesty have taken time out of their schedules for you two. They see… potential. The kind that shapes the future of the Empire."
Steve and I exchanged a quick glance. No pressure.
We left immediately, Edgar leading us through the maze-like corridors toward the private audience chambers. The guards at the entrance stepped aside without a word, and we found the Emperor seated at a large table, no formality in his posture this time.
"Come in," he said, waving us closer. "Sit."
We did.
He looked at Edgar and asked, "I thought Billion was supposed to go with General Cassian?"
Edgar nodded and replied, "That was the plan, Your Majesty. But something came up, and the General was occupied."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed briefly at that, but he only hummed softly in response. Then, turning his gaze back to us, a small smile appeared on his lips when he looked at me.
"You've grown stronger again," he said.
