The Day Emperor Akishino Died - Part 56: The corpse
Empress Yū Miko raised her tone, saying in a determined voice: "You may enter!" But in spite of the relaxed way she said it, a fleeting look of extreme trepidation passed over Pyun's face when he heard the doors closed behind him quietly.
Something ominous hung in the room, a darkness and menace that well matched the Empress's mood.
There was no movement in the air; nothing but the sound of muffled feet, and the apparition of the face in the corner of his eye.
Pyun was startled upon seeing a savage face thrust itself forward. It was a man's face, dark skin, with thick features and feral eyes.
To Pyun infinite puzzlement this man had entered the room with something casual and insolent in his manner which made him appear more than ordinarily disagreeable. Yes, the strange man had entered with no ambiguity as to his ascendency, blatantly disregarding formalities in front of the Empress.