>>10546119Miss USA looked deeply into the Empress' intense scarlet pupils.
The Empress may have been assisted by her servants but Miss USA could tell that this was more an artefact of her status rather than being purely out of necessity. God knows that she needed it more than the Empress did at that point but Miss USA stood steadfast. She may have lost the physical battle but she could still win the mental chess match.
She puffed out her chest and listened to what the Empress had to say.
>That's all I needed to know.> . . .>I look forward to our next meeting.This was a lie.
Miss USA mustered a smile, or something that resembled it. She had long ago lost all feeling to her face during the match so she wasn't sure.
She then curtsied to match the Yellow Empress' bow, still meeting the Empress' unblinking gaze.
Miss USA slowly backed into the hallway gingerly closing the door still meeting the Empress' eyes. She made sure to meet her stare until the last sliver of visibility was obscured by the gilded barrier but even then she sensed the Empress' gaze burn through the door.
Miss USA closed her eye and lightly pressed her forehead unto the door.
She knew, that the Yellow Empress fought with all her might during their bout but she also knew that that her opponent had significantly more left in the tank than she did and this meeting confirmed it. The epitome of her nation, the culmination of generations of wealth and knowledge of one of history's greatest empires had been distilled into the woman that stood before her and Miss USA knew that she had been outgunned on all fronts.
The Yellow Empress was indeed a true patriot. A woman worthy of representing her nation. A warrior who would have given her life to ensure that her nation stood tall. A leader that could be seen as her nation's one true defender. Before this night Miss USA thought she was that for the United States of America but after this meeting; she just wasn't sure anymore.
