I was led to service in the castle’s sanctuary the next morning, and I numbly went through the motions in my stark white dress, reciting the usual prayers, making the usual blessings, leading the usual hymns, all the nonsense that had been drilled into my head since I was a little girl. The change in location didn’t make a difference. It was all the same.

The only differences were the attendees—the Councilors, generals, several other officials, and university students—and the absence of my family. I did my best not to look at the Councilors or Gasni. I found their attendance ironic, since if hell really did exist, they’d certainly be bound for it.

When I returned to my quarters, they’d been cleaned and reorganized, almost like I hadn’t done a thing. New vases, fresh sheets, a couple replaced pieces of furniture, all my books returned to their shelves, all my papers smoothed out and stacked neatly on my desk.

I wanted to wreak havoc on it all over again.

Instead, I checked Gasni’s office for any visitors, but it seemed he was alone. He jumped when I appeared before his desk.

“Chosen,” he said. “To what do I owe this visit?”

“You know about my mother’s plan to leave.”

“I do, yes. I’m very sorry.”

“Have they left yet?”

“I’m afraid so.” He raised his hands in a calming gesture as my face twisted. “But Lady Ranine left this in her room, addressed to you.”

I took the small envelope he offered and found a printed photo inside. Our one and only family photo, before Father died, before we were taken to the castle, before Ranine was born. Father had scrounged up what little spending money we had to have this taken. He hadn’t let on, but he’d known he was dying and wanted us to have something to remember him by. He had been thin, his cheeks gaunt, while Mother’s cheeks were full even though she’d been much thinner than she was now. Her hand rested on her swollen, pregnant belly. Little Jesun clung to Father’s leg while I clung to Mother’s, or was it the other way around? Not even I could tell which of us was which. We were smiling ear to ear, dimpling our chubby cheeks, so excited to find out what a photo looked like. It had sounded like magic. Very, very expensive magic.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I’d thought this photo had been lost when we moved to the castle. Where had Ranine found it?

I sank into a chair, failing to hold back tears. Ranine had held onto this photo even though she’d never known this happy family. We’d broken the day Father died, and we were especially broken now. Maybe that was why she wanted me to have it. To remind me of what I’d ruined.

I tucked the photo back into the envelope. I couldn’t bear to look at it any longer.

“Lady Eujia,” Gasni said, drawing my attention back. “I understand offering my assistance may be unwanted, but I will offer it anyway. The Councilors will announce the next emperor this afternoon. You wish to be a voice of reason in his ear, don’t you?”

“How do know that?”

“It was an informed guess. I assume that was why you’d intended to murder Lenan in the first place. Without the previous emperor hovering over his shoulder, the next will be more susceptible to other influences. However, you should be aware that others will be seeking the same role, and I doubt your status will protect you if you take this path.”

“Why would you want to help me? Why have you kept these things from the Council?”

“Because I’ve seen how this nation works, much worse things than you can imagine. Those old codgers deserve to burn in hell for eternity, but there is only so much you or I can do. This may be our best opportunity to make real change. Our only opportunity.”

“But the Council would still keep their seats. Would it really make a difference?”

“As far as the public at large is concerned, it is the emperor in control. Once he is elected to his role, even if his decisions conflict with the Council, they would not risk disagreeing with him too vocally for fear of backlash. This is the system they created, and they must stand by it.”

I sniffled. “Who is the new emperor, then?”

“I believe you know him. The technological pioneer himself, Yesida Usten.”

I buried my face in my hands. Not him. Gods, not him.

“I know that may sound like a terrible thing, but your history will give you an advantage. Regardless, he will be your emperor, and you will need to face him on a near daily basis, whether you choose to whisper in his ear or not. You may as well make yourself useful.”

I glared between my fingers. “You do know how it ended, don’t you? Since you seem to know everything.”

“I may have had a listening device or two planted in his office.”

Heat burned at my cheeks. My last conversation with Yesida hadn’t been all he’d heard. “Oh, fuck you.”

He grinned. “That secret, at least, is safe with me, I promise you. So, what will you do?”

“I’ll attend the announcement ceremony.”

“Then?”

“Then you’ll see.”