Practiced arrogance

First thing in the morning, the five of you head down the main street towards the palace, making no attempt to hide yourselves. Maya walks beside you, looking amused and confident. Behind you, Sadie and Uzume joke with each other, and wave at people who stare curiously at your odd group. Iris, on the other hand, looks nervous.

She looks at you as your group walks. “So, you know they won’t just let you walk in, right?”

You smile. “I’m a visiting ruler, of course they will. They may not know how I got here, but I’m a known figure, right?”

Iris nods. “Well, yes…the people at the palace have the resources to know about you for sure, but why would they let you in?”

You laugh. “One of the things you learn as a terrible rich kid, is how far arrogance, confidence, and a sense of privilege can take you. I’m a visiting emperor, with enough power to walk in. And I know the guards will bow to authority, it’s a matter of appealing to their sense of duty.”

Maya sighs. “Are you really going to go with ‘don’t you know who I am’ as your plan?”

You grin. “In a way, yes!”

Iris shakes her head. “And if it doesn’t work?”

You shrug. “I have a few backup plans, but once I start using magic we may as well light a beacon letting them know we’re here. Hopefully it won’t be necessary.”

Maya gives you a look, but by now you’re approaching the gate guards. One of them steps in front of you. “Halt! You may not enter here.”

You give him your most arrogant look. “I am here to see the queen who has erected a barrier in my lands. I am Emperor Josh, slayer of the demon lord. I will be having an audience with Queen Mayella.”

The guard looks at you for a moment, seemingly surprised. “But sir…I mean, your highness…how are you even here? The barrier…”

You interrupt, glaring. “Did you not hear me? I. Killed. The. Demon. Lord. Do you think a simple barrier can stop me? I’m being polite by requesting entrance here. Do you want to start an incident?”

The guard looks panicked, shaking his head. “N-no, your highness! You may enter, of course!”

As he hurries away to open the gate, you flash Maya a grin. You hear her mumbling in return.