Your chest tightens with fear as the Empress wonders out loud, stonily, why she was not informed earlier. This, you think, could be the end for you. But your face remains unchanged through her Majesty's comment and through the stare that you can feel on you, and your voice remains steady. 

"I first knew of it two days ago. I attempted to go straight to thine chamber, your Gracious Majesty, but the knights guarding your abode stopped me. I was, apparently, to schedule a formal audience with you. Although I was able to bypass the majority of the waitlist, despite the urgency of my message, more...important meetings preceded this. Today was the soonest I could arrange for my presence."