Her body stills when she rakes her eyes over the script.

‘Rose looks around frantically for her phone, and once retrieved, panic quickly forms on her features.

She falls to the floor and screams. The camera pans to the phone which shows her father being apprehended by the police. His crime is treason.’

She runs her tongue over her teeth and feels eyes watching her. The Producer, Amina, approaches with a bright smile.

“I can see you’re simply stunned by the script!”

Breathe in. Breathe out. Coincidences exist. Someone watched her the other day. Hesitation is death.

Where is her father?

“It truly is, but why is Rose’s father involved in the plot?”

“Well, Michelly asked for us to take her character in a different direction so we came up with a plot that would force her character to express deep emotions.”

Eisen. Mother.

“Thank you! Oh and congratulations on your marriage!”

“I see. I’m sure she’ll do wonderfully.”

She smiled and excused herself to find Verrat. He had no care in the world as he and the cameraman laughed at something illogical on social media.

She grasps his arm like a good wife and laughs with him.

Waiting is dangerous. She could stake out Count Zorn’s mansion in the Imperial District for a few days to learn his habits. However he’ll obviously have guards so she’ll have to get creative to get past them.

“Anmutig look at this edit of us!”

Should she kill them? No, killing is a last result. Murder is a high offense in the Empire, though abduction is less so.

“We look so good!”

Should she cause a blackout in the neighborhood? She’ll need a Lightning Stick from the black market then.

“I can finally brag about having the most beautiful wife haha.”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

If there’s a blackout then she can’t use any enhancements. Maybe she’ll use a mask and wig to hide her features.

“Oh so I guess that’s the only reason you married me.”

“Don’t make me sound like that babe!”

Hours pass until suddenly Verrat pulls her aside and whispers like a scared man.

“I saw on social media that Michelly just posted #EmperorStein!”

Ah, that wasn’t good at all. She knew Michelly was a bit problematic but this has far exceeded her expectations. She figures she’s going to meet her family sooner than later.

“See here it is! She talks about how Lord Stein should be legitimized and take the throne instead of Princess Upendo!”

A headache forms in Anmutig’s brain. Of all the idiotic things she could have sent out it had to be one bordering on treason. Actors truly are idiots.

“Verrat, we must remain calm and do what the authorities say when they come for us.”

“Obviously! But I don’t want you to be in danger so maybe you can lay low in the kingdom?”

“What would they think if her coworker suddenly crossed the border?”

“Oh yeah I didn’t think about that.”

“We’ll get through this.”

It’s not a promise.

‘How many more people must I kill before it’s over?’

…

On the way home she encounters Zachary, an old man whose slithered his way to the top. He also happens to be allied with her family, at least that’s how it’s supposed to be.

“A shame you couldn’t live up to your parents expectations.”

So he wishes to speak of these things openly. He must be overconfident about something. Nevertheless her voice drops to a whisper.

“There is nothing to be ashamed about.”

“Yet you formed a contract with an actor and performed in the arts. Even my daughter scoffed at your decisions.”

“What do you actually want Zachary?”

“Baron Zachary.”

“The nobility blends together I’m afraid. I’m guessing since you keep insulting me I can take a guess that my line is being exterminated.”

His eyes dance in delight.

“It’s always exciting when a House falls.”

“The House of Strogameer fell before my birth.”

“And you’re okay with such an ending?”

“Death, death, death, I’ll get my vengeance regardless.”

Anmutig hisses like a serpent. Her hand tightens into a fist. She wants to break his nose until he’s begging her for mercy.

“Be calm woman, there’s no need to get so hostile. You’re acting like your grandad.”

“I’m tired of stupid old men saying things they shouldn’t. Open your mouth and honor the contract.”

“You know I saw your grandad get executed. Had that same look on his face that you do now.”

He is getting blatant enjoyment from this taunting.

“You stood by while your ally was executed. Technically it didn’t violate the contract and yet you benefited from your inaction. How do you benefit now?”

She knows she won’t get an answer from him, but people tend to let things slip when they’re overconfident.

“Oh I benefit from nothing. And when he died the other nobleman just so happened to need new investments so it wasn’t anything foul.”

Her tongue makes a clicking sound before commenting.

“Did your House perhaps let it slip that the Strogameers would do away with them? Just in passing of course.”

“I was a mere teenager so the details are lost to me.”

“The nobility train their children from birth about the circumstances of their affiliations and deeds.”

“I loved myself some good women at the time, just like your mothers uncle.”

It would be terribly easy to kill him. So old and vulnerable despite his many battles.

“I suppose you’re going to insult me on my choice in men again?”