Frances didn’t bother to hide her smile. She consulted the map pinned on the wall. The capital was located on the eastern slice of the empire. With Loyra to the south, and Friaren to the north, it was sandwiched between two powers. Of course, various tiny island states existed too, but those were insignificant to the world at large. Much like how one would not think of Micronesia when talking about politics.

“I’ll draw up a contract. Most likely, I’ll have the land from Tunkos’ Valley to the Moina Mountain Range leased to you.”

“Looking forward to it.”

Amelia stepped towards the door. Her hand wrapped around the knob, before stopping. With a turn, she marched back in front of the empress. With a solemn expression, she started speaking.

“Ha... Yes, Amelia?”

“Your other plan worked perfectly, by the way.” Her voice stayed low. A stock broker on the day of the Great Depression.

“My what now?”

“The opium one.”

“Ah. That’s great, isn’t it? That would make you the richest businessman in the world.”

“Its wrong. Selling opium to depressed and desperate Loyrans...”

“That’s what the British did. And the sun didn’t set on their empire, did it?”

“You’re not some queen ruling over the British Empire.”

“And you’re not the CEO of the East India Company. Yet you agreed to sell it, and you even had connections to smugglers and dealers.”

“That’s irrelevant! What’s important now is that you’re selling drugs to vulnerable people.”

“As if you don’t take advantage of those same vulnerable people?”

“I’m not selling drugs,” Amelia bellowed.

“So do you want the collaboration or not? Because if you don’t want it, just bring me the contract and annul it. I’ll continue to operate, with or without you.”

With a sputter, she turned on her heel and stormed out. The mention of profits was a surefire way to handle her. As honourable as she tried to appear, she was still a capitalist at heart. Her newly expanded line of business included exporting necessities to the Loyrans. Soap, rations, and the like.

Just after returning to the paperwork, she shot a glance at the door. There were already two people in a row. But there was none. For the day, Amelia was the last ordeal.

Most of the paperwork was the same mundane things. Minor requests that needed approval, clarifications, all had to go through the empress. Hidden within the mess of papers and mundane reports, a signature made itself known. Frances worked her way through the paperwork.

“Let’s see here...”

Written in a man’s elegant penmanship, he reported his recent actions. It seemed like he arrested an abusive father the day before. And the numbers supported his work too. The overall crime rate of the capital saw a meteoric drop after the secret police was implemented. Though Hye-Sung rightfully nicknamed it the Gestapo, they didn’t actually have a name. Less of a name, and more of not even existing on paper.

“Very good job, Reiner.”

Frances signed with her name, and stamped. The red circle with her name in it marked her acknowledgement. Though, there was no actual reason to do it.

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She folded the report. Frances stood up, her long dress drooping behind her. Reaching for the candlestick burning bright, she held the paper within the orange flame. Soon enough, the report crumpled into ash and dust.

Night fell without any notice. Only when she stepped towards the windowsill to burn it, then did she notice. Even her hunger went by without so much of a turned head. The stars hung against the black curtains. It was the night of the new moon.

With a well deserved stretch, she headed down. The two guards standing outside her door greeted her, and she waved them away.

“What time is it?”

“It should be a quarter past 8, Your Majesty.”

“Hm. Alright, thank you.”

She made her way down to the dining room. After leaving the zone, her hunger took over. Her belly rumbled, and she gripped it with her hand.

“Your Majesty.” A maid bowed her head. “Are you on your way to the dining room?”

With dinner eaten alone, and a deep sleep, she woke up the next morning to big news. Still in her nightgown, she forced her tired body down the stairs. The various maids and servants were already deep in work this early in the morning.

“You’re a late waker without me.”

“What, without your daily sexual harassment? Haha.”

“Good job.”

“Of course.” Frances took her wife’s hand.

“You must be tired, dear.”

“How could you tell?” She laughed.

“Take a rest.”

“I think the bed’s still warm.”

“Just for you.”

“Tell me everything later.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Good night, dear.”

Haein blew a kiss. A maid helped her to their room, while the men carried luggage inside. Hye-Sung was with them, giving directions.

“You should go and sleep.”

“I know. But I can’t let them just thrash around my stuff. I have souvenirs.”

“Alright, alright. Just make sure to rest well.”

And the next day, all of them met in the dining room for breakfast. With a flick of her hand, Frances sent the servants out. Even with the doors closed, and their alleged privacy, there was no doubt that people were listening.

“Yes, dear?” Haein asked. Her face, particularly her eyebrows, proved different. There was a certain change in her expression, between the acting and genuine faces that Frances saw. And she was acting.

“It's great that you’re back. How was Loyra?”

Of course, the 4 of them continued the charade. Katalina chimed in occasionally, and Hye-Sung provided supporting evidence. Anecdotes after anecdotes, and plans. Everything else was done under and over the table.

“I plan to travel to Friaren. While I am there, my family will kill the current king.”

“King Farus VI. He’s insane, you know. Like you, but much stronger. I don’t think you can beat him in combat.”

“They won’t need to. I’ll shoot him in the head.”

“What then? There’ll be another tournament for the throne.”

“His nephew professed his love for my sister. I will use him to let them join.”

“This smells like a trap.”

“I agree. Thus, I’ll be bringing Hye-Sung with me as well. Ideally, I would have brought Noah.”

“Bringing a mage to a swordfight. Are you confident in your abilities?”

“If we’re in close combat. But if I have space, anyone without magic will be filled with holes.”

“And I need Hye-Sung with me as well.”

“Limβurs?”

“Ooo. You’re bringing me there?”

“Yeap. If you go to Friaren without going to the fucking city of magic, you’re insane.”