Daniel walks with a dragon on his shoulder having left Treia in one of the many hiding places he has in the Citadel. Fortunately, this dragon is Ryuogriar in her usual human form, and though she’s one of the tallest in Daniel’s inner circle, she’s still rather easy for him to carry. She giggles deviously as she supports herself against his back, unable to see fully where they’re going. “Mukori! How fun! I’m glad you haven’t lost attraction for me.”
“That will never happen, Mukori. Though, I must confess, we’re not going to a bedroom.”
“Ooooo! Then, a hard table?” She giggles again.
“No. We’re going to see Doephluev. Or, you are. I don’t know if I should be present.”
He can feel her shift to dead weight as she slumps across his shoulder with a disgusted sigh. “Mukori… you… Why should I ruin my good mood speaking to that creature?”
“You wanted to!”
“Yes, but for business. Not when I’m excited about you and me reaffirming our love for each other.”
Daniel comes to a stop and sets Ryuogriar down. She looks at him a little nervously, afraid she upset him. But, he scoops her head into his hands and pulls her in for a kiss. She tenses a little in surprise, but she hugs him. When they finally part, Daniel asks softly, “I will never not love you, Ryuo.”
“And… I’m your only one?” asks Ryuogriar with a breathless voice.
He smirks. “Nice try.”
She grins deviously. “A lady’s gotta try, right?” She affectionately presses close to him, and she asks, “What about spending some time together first? Then, nothing will be able to bother me!”
“Are you sure you’re up for it? You really should be resting more than anything.”
“I’m fine. I assume there are anti-magic countermeasures in place around her?”
Daniel nods. “Goes both ways, though. Remember that.”
Ryuogriar puffs ‘air’ to the side, spitting a small flame that still puts off an impressive amount of heat. “I’m a dragon, Mukori. I have many defenses even without magic. If my opponent has no magic, they don’t stand a chance.”
“And, I would like to guard her Grace.” Both of them turn to find Rose approaching, and she stops a few yards away, kneeling before them. “Emperor Daniel, Empress Ryuogriar, please forgive my intrusion. I was told you were coming this way, and I wish to aid my lady Empress and defend her where I failed once already.” She bows even lower on the ground, her voice breaking up, “P-Please… f-forgive my failure, your Grace…”
Ryuogriar approaches, sinking to a kneel. She hugs the pink dragon, cooing softly, “We were all outmatched. You were very brave to take the time to save even one other, and I am glad you chose Geirahoel. I am far from ready to die, but Geirahoel has more life to catch up to me.”
“But…” chokes out Rose, and Ryuogriar somewhat forcefully pulls the young lesser dragon’s chin up to look at her. “No buts. Everything you did was as correct as could be done in that situation. We all failed, and we will all learn. We need to learn how to detect the archoneldwyn, how to counter their most deadly spells, and how to escape an enemy we cannot see.”
“B-B-But… w-what if… the… your… e-e-e…”
Ryuogriar places a finger to Rose’s lips, hushing her gently. “Shh. That is not your burden to bear. Mukori made the culprit suffer. He took away his power, and defeated him while ridiculing him. The greatest suffering an arrogant beast like him could suffer. My only regret was that I was unable to witness it.” She cups Rose’s cheek, adding a little deviously, “I envy you of that, Rose. You must regale me with Mukori’s heroics sometime very soon.”
Rose’s eyes are watering, and she nods. “Y-Yes, your Grace. Gladly, if this humble servant could please you.”
Ryuogriar nods confidently. “Definitely. Now then, you came with slightly bad timing. If you don’t mind waiting a short while, Daniel and I are going to…” She looks at Daniel with a devious grin. “‘Strategize’.”
“S-Strategize?” asks Rose.
Ryuogriar gives her a ‘seriously?’ look, and Rose flinches, blushing. “O-Oh! Yes, of course! S-Strategize! I shall await you outside of the archoneldwyn’s cell.”
Ryuogriar smiles, pleased. “Very good. Now, rise, and never sink so low again. You are a dragon, and I trust you. You did not fail me, Rose. Remember that. We shall learn together and overcome together next time. We must thank the goddess that we have this chance.”
Rose nods. “I have every day, your Grace. Thank you. I… I will do better. I swear it.”
Ryuogriar cups Rose’s cheek when the latter stands up. “Of that I have no doubt.”
Rose smiles, wiping the tears away. She looks at Daniel, “Your Grace, I…”
Daniel adds softly, “I agree with Ryuo-Mukori. You did everything you could against an overwhelming force. We’ll work on more countermeasures. Especially since the Polo-grenade worked about as well as I hoped. Some improvements might make it even better.”
Ryuogriar nods in agreement. “See? We’ve already made improvements. Now go. I am anxious to start our strategy meeting.”
“O-Of course, your Grace! Your Grace! Um… b-be… um… fruitful?”
Ryuogriar cackles deviously with a grin, and Rose bows before jogging off. “Heeheeheee! You heard her, Daniel!” She faces him, tugging on his collar a little. “I owe you a very special favor, after all.”
Daniel’s first instinct is to insist she owes him nothing, but he leaves it be. If anything, Ryuogriar is just trying to get him to act. And, it’s not like he wants to say ‘no’.
Daniel hums. “You are a temptress, Mukori.”
***
Twenty minutes later, Daniel and Ryuogriar meet up with Rose, Xyreko, and Ucahote outside of Doephluev’s cell. Ryuogriar is clinging to Daniel’s arm, elated as can be. She even seems a little more energetic than she was before, though she’s taking every bit of advantage to cling to Daniel without Hekate around.
When they get close, Ryuogriar straightens her posture. “If you are wondering, our strategy meeting went excellently. I feel full to bursting with strategies.”
Daniel groans, “Oh my god…”
Xyreko and Ucahote chuckle, while Rose glances at them with rosy cheeks, understanding the euphemism, but afraid to laugh at the second Empress. She’s not even sure if Ryuogriar realizes how obvious the second sentence really is.
Ryuogriar then greets everyone, “Now then, good afternoon Rose, Xyreko, Ucahote. I am thankful for your assistance, but I ask that you do not question my words while in front of the assassin.”
All three of them nod, and Ucahote explains, “We are present to provide defense.” The military golem waves his hand, and two obviously heavy golems approach, each carrying the bigger guns Daniel designed; something called a grenade launcher. Their armor plating is far less lustrous than usual, and in fact is a rather dull dark grey color, making a heavy clonking sound with every step.
Ucahote explains, “The cell is shielded with irradiated fluid, meaning magic should be quite ineffective inside, and teleportation is impossible. These golems have standalone programs similar to the remote soldiers we have guarding key targets, such as Leiwelles and Princess Erimaya… when she wasn’t here, of course. As such, they will defend to the best of their ability if the archoneldwyn exceeds expectations.”
Daniel adds, “Radiation is dangerous to living things, but I specifically chose heavy isotopes, which should be primarily releasing alpha and beta particles, which will be blocked by clothes and skin. Regardless, you’ll want to minimize your time inside to be safe. If you feel any sort of ill effects other than your mana being missing, please retreat. I only have a vague recollection of the effects of radiation on humans with no magic. There’s no telling what kind of differences exist with everyone else here.”
Everyone nods, and Ucahote adds, “The golems have been tested. Their armor protects their magic cores from the radiation, and they remain active. But, we can’t see what they see or respond, so use caution.”
Rose asks innocently, “Are you not worried about the effects on the prisoner, your Grace?”
Ryuogriar sucks her teeth, growling, “If we could keep her alive as just a head to answer questions, I would already have-...”
Daniel cuts in, putting his hand on the platinum dragon’s shoulder to calm her and restore her good mood, “It’s not ideal. I don’t believe in experimenting on living beings, but we can’t afford to take chances with her. For all we know, the archoneldwyns have secret techniques to remove contracts from themselves. Cancer and radiation poisoning we can deal with. Her escaping and killing anyone, we can’t. I wouldn’t consider this sort of setup if this was Earth, where we didn’t have magic to fight those two diseases.”
This puts Ryuogriar and Rose both on guard. Daniel adds, seeing their concern, “It’s not like the curse you were under. Though, both were very much curses on Earth. Cancer could happen to anyone at any time for a large variety of reasons. Many treatments existed to prolong one’s life, but sadly, there were very few ways to cure a person, and it wasn’t always effective. With radiation poisoning, the prognosis is a little better if it’s caught early enough, and it’s exclusive to over-exposure to radioactive sources. Generally speaking, neutron and gamma radiation were the most common types of exposure, which should be minimal here. Golems, please set a timer for fifteen minutes and bring Ryuogriar and Rose back out at that time. That should be plenty safe until I can get a radiac working.”
Ryuogriar chuckles. “Uh oh. Little Wenlianna will be upset she missed that one.”
Daniel chuckles. “She’ll learn about it in due time. My list of projects keeps growing. And, the distractions grow bolder and bolder.” He looks at Ryuogriar, and she puts on a playfully sheepish grin. “Who, me?”
Daniel sighs warmly. “Well, it’s certainly a worthwhile distraction. Anyways, safety first. If she’s being obstinate or wasting time, don’t bother and we’ll try another day. I crossed the line, so I won’t be joining you. If she specifically asks to speak with me, I’ll join you next time.”
Ryuogriar nods. “I understand, Mukori. Will you be waiting here?”
Daniel nods. “Yes. In a worst case scenario, I’m coming in to get you. So, don’t be longer than fifteen minutes.”
“I would never disobey my beloved Mukori,” teases Ryuogriar as she strokes his cheek affectionately. “Except maybe in jest or to instigate another ‘strategy meeting’.”
Daniel chuckles. “I don’t know why you bother. Everyone knows at this point.”
She gasps playfully. “I’m practicing for when there are children around! Obviously!”
“Fair enough. Be safe, Mukori.”
“Thank you, my beloved Mukori. Please rescue me if I am in trouble.”
Daniel nods. “Of course. Rose, I want both of you to survive. Fight to escape with Ryuo, not to buy her time. Understand?”
“As you wish, your Grace. You honor me with this task.”
“You honor me with your strength. Thank you.”
The two smile, and Ryuogriar and Rose enter through the special corridor Daniel calls an ‘air lock’, which isolates the main hallway from the customized prison cell for the archoneldwyn assassin, allegedly the last surviving member of her race.
***
Doephluev watches as two dragons in humanoid form enter her prison cell. It’s been about at least a month since anyone interacted with her, other than the golems that deposit food in her cell. She’s not sure how the Harbinger was able to seal off her magic in this cell, but it’s something in the cell’s design. Strangely, it doesn’t affect the golems.
Regardless, she doesn’t have the will to do much of anything anymore. The Harbinger and his companions bested her in battle, he bested her in magic by managing to contract her and seal her magic seemingly permanently, and he has bested her in cruelty. Only a truly cruel being would leave her in a virtually empty room with padded walls and floors with no interaction and barely any light. She has always been an independent operator, like the other two archoneldwyn warriors she grew up with, but the true nature of absolute solitude is stifling. The golems don’t speak to her, they don’t acknowledge her existence, even when she tries to fight them, and they leave the room the same way they enter it. The trays are made out of a paper-like material, so she is unable to form them into weapons. The golems simply shove her back into the cell when she tries to follow them out, and they ignore her physical attacks, which glance off of the heavy metal armor.
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As soon as she sees the dragons, she pleads, “PLEASE! I’ll do it! Whatever thing he’s waiting on, please let me have something! Anything! I can’t stand the isolation! Please!”
The platinum white dragon, Empress Ryuogriar, cocks her head. She doesn’t look as regal as usual. She looks more homely, like a human that crawled out of bed to come speak to Doephluev. The pink dragon, in contrast, is armored in what appears to be either mithril or sharmelkolle and armed with a demon staff associated with the Harbinger of Calamity. Both of these women are his loyal and trusted servants. One of them is one of several of his consorts.
Ryuogriar replies, “I haven’t even said anything yet…”
Doephluev crawls towards the dragon, sobbing. “Ooooohhhh! Thank the spirits! Thank you! Please, say something else, your Grace! Anything else!”
Ryuogriar looks at Rose, and they share a confused glance. Ryuogriar asks, “What sort of trickery are you playing at? You’ll have no greater luck escaping with us present than you have thus far.”
“No! I have no such desires! Just interaction! Stimulation! You have NO idea what it’s like!” The archoneldwyn warrior curls in a ball, looking around her barren prison cell. “This has been the longest month of my life…” She trembles on the floor at Ryuogriar’s feet.
She and Rose both look at each other again, and then towards the door. The golems don’t move, but are standing guard.
Ryuogriar says gently as she looks down at Doephluev, “It’s… been about a week.”
Doephluev flinches as a coldness pours through her body. She trembles. “A-... That can't be! A… A week!?” She looks up at the dragon, genuinely terrified of being deceived. “That’s impossible! It’s been so long! Please don’t lie to me! I’m sorry, alright! Please don’t leave me alone for so long again! I’ll behave! Listen, I’m under contract! Ask me if I can break it! I can’t! I don’t even have magic in this room!” She hugs Ryuogriar’s legs, and Rose shoves her back. “Don’t touch the Empress, assassin. You must truly believe we are fools.”
“No! Listen, I… the walls… This room is suffocating! Please! Harbinger! I won’t betray you! Please let me out of here! Put me in chains, just please…” She begins crying as she pleads towards one of the walls, though she has no idea where the observation window is. “Please…”
Again, Rose and Ryuogriar are unsure, and they didn’t expect this reaction.
Doephluev can’t blame them. She didn’t expect torture of any kind to have an effect on her. She feels like the isolation was more effective for some reason, but she can’t remember. She has nightmares of drowning in this room, but there isn’t even a source of water for her to entertain herself. Just a hole where she can take care of waste functions.
Ryuogriar takes a breath and sighs. “I’ll consider it. Frankly, I hoped I would take more pleasure from seeing you in this room, but I seem to have become soft. I don’t revel in your pathetic state as much as I thought I would. So, I’ll get straight to the point. I came here to offer you a chance to preserve the archoneldwyn race.”
Doephluev cocks her head, stunned by the revelation. For the longest time, there were only the three of them; herself, Brosjak, and Venstennom. For the longest time, Brosjak led them under his tutelage to be assassins and unparalleled warriors. It never even crossed Doephluev’s mind, at least as far as she can recall, to ask about the rest of their race.
“Wh-What does that entail?” asks Doephluev cautiously. “I-I-I’m not objecting. I just wish to understand.”
“Well, you’re the last surviving archoneldwyn, right?”
Doephluev looks down. “I… does that mean… Brosjak…?”
“That’s right. The Harbinger of Calamity defeated even the ‘mighty’ Brosjak as if he were a mere imp.”
The archoneldwyn woman twitches. She obeyed Brosjak because he was stronger than her. He made sure she knew that. He taught her to be a powerful magic assassin, using ancient techniques, strange artifacts, and rune magic in the tattoos they have.
They surpass the normal power levels of even the Uhl’tall, and the techniques combined are highly protected secrets. The rune tattoos, specifically, are something only Brosjak knew how to implement and empower to use.
Strangely, though, Doephluev can’t describe the feeling she has. She doesn’t feel sad or afraid. She actually feels rather tranquil with the news, even though it was shocking at first. She has seen Brosjak’s power first hand. His training wasn’t gentle.
Doephluev relaxes on her calves, her shoulders sinking as a huge weight feels lifted from her. She’s not sure why, but that’s the feeling that comes to mind.
“The Harbinger of Calamity… He truly is beyond the gods, isn’t he?”
Rose and Ryuogriar both smile at each other, then looking to the door again with cheeky grins. Ryuogriar says warmly, “Why yes, he is.”
Rose chuckles, and Doephluev sighs. “I see. Then, what is it you’re asking me to do? Teach others my magic?”
“No, not exactly. My intent is for you to accept the responsibility to carry and give birth to children. My darling Emperor has encouraged me in my desire to protect other races from extinction. If what you say is true, you are the last archoneldwyn. You can refuse, but the Emperor, the Harbinger of Calamity, is willing to grace you with his children to help preserve the archoneldwyn.”
“Ch-Children?” asks Doephluev nervously. “Me?”
Ryuogriar nods. “You will remain prisoner, and your children will be raised by maids and wetnurses, but if you behave, I'm willing to allow you visits. The goal is to preserve the archoneldwyn.”
Doephluev stares distantly at the wall. She again doesn’t know the feeling she’s feeling.
Before, she would never have even humored talking to these two dragons. She would have deflected and insulted them, since that was what she was trained to do. Death is better than betrayal. But, Doephluev has died several times already, thanks to the revival rune activating and her being defeated promptly after.
The mysterious human known as Daniel or ‘the Harbinger of Calamity’ has some hold over her, even without the contract, which she knows is present. Normally, one of the rune tattoos can override magic contracts, which are a similar form of glyph magic. But, something about Daniel’s tattoo, in combination with the prison cell, are preventing her from being freed from it.
Something feels wrong though, like he has something to do with the nightmares.
She also doesn’t want to be abandoned in this room again. If they’re telling the truth, just a single week felt like over a month.
It’s a strange feeling to be in such a powerless position after becoming one of the most powerful mages in the world. She has the ability to hide her presence, even from those adept at detecting mana, she can revive herself from death, and she can battle dragons.
“So… that’s it? I just… bear children, and I get to live?”
Ryuogriar nods. “As irritating as it is, yes. I will be honest, I don’t like you. But, I vowed to myself that I wouldn’t allow the dragons to wipe out another race. Cooperate, and I will ensure you are healthy for the sake of your children.”
Doephluev nods in understanding. “I’ll cooperate, but I have some requests.”
Ryuogriar frowns. She doesn’t need or want to humor her at all. The contract should and could make her completely compliant, even against her will. But, Daniel prefers not to exercise that level of domination.
Rose growls, “You dare make demands in your position?”
“No, my Lady.” Doephluev bows at the waist, saying softly and sincerely, “But, sincere requests.”
“What do you want?” asks Ryuogriar a little coldly.
Doephluev nods gratefully. They met on the battlefield as enemies, and Doephluev nearly killed Daniel as well as the orange Dragon Empress, Geirahoel.
Fortunately, her requests go along with what the dragon wants, but maybe not quite perfectly as she has in mind.
***
Sundenelle walks along the arcades of her royal courtroom, inspecting the decorations. Banners with the sigil of the empire have been newly made, embroidered with golden thread. Normally, only a stained glass window with the Strylak holding the world with its many arms overlooks the courtroom from behind Sundenelle’s throne dais. They’re adding the banners in preparation for an important audience in a few days. Sundenelle wishes to set a solid image for the Empire. There are also various statues of animals used on the coats of arms of many families of the Empire, as well as small banners on standalone polearm frames representing the various vassal territories of the Empire.
Florists are also bringing in planters and flower pots with beautiful blooming roses, decorating the throne room extravagantly and beautifully.
Byleathea approaches Sundenelle, escorted by one of the vassal kings that’s in the Imperial Capital for the audience as well, since his kingdom is relatively close to the Capital.
The king bows respectfully, even though he's thirty years her elder. “Your Excellency Empress Sundenelle, you seem to grow more beautiful every day.” She offers her hand, and he kisses the back of her hand gently.
“King Vubenclef, you flatter me as always. Thank you. Lady Byleathea.”
Byleathea curtsies, since it’s the first time she’s meeting with Sundenelle this particular morning. “Your Excellency, I humbly present myself to aid your every need. His Majesty, King Vubenclef was keeping me company as we came to greet you.”
Sundenelle smiles warmly, “Of course. I was simply inspecting our preparations.”
“The banners look excellent, your Grace,” replies Vubenclef. “I must say, I will likely emulate this for my own throne room back home.”
“Thank you. It adds a nice break of color to the room, doesn’t it?”
“Indeed.”
Sundenelle notices Byleathea give her a look, one that isn’t that of a sycophant; the furthest thing from in fact. She wants to say something, but doesn’t want to undermine Sundenelle’s authority. Anyone not as familiar as a daughter with her own mother and most trusted lady-in-waiting would almost never realize that Byleathea gave such a look. But, it was clear as day to Sundenelle. The young Empress is fairly confident that she was raised quite well; she received an excellent education, learned to be cunning in a cutthroat household under her stepmother and her half-siblings, and as a rather low-ranking heiress to the throne, she grew up without entitlement or cruelty, since she was content with her lot in life until her half-siblings and stepmother began doing irreparable damage to the Empire like scavengers bickering over the corpse of her beloved father.
Byleathea was a mistress, and she herself had no claim to the throne, but she is now far above those wretched family members that nearly destroyed the Empire, and Sundenelle trusts her mother with her life. She’s the one person she not only allows to contradict her, but she expects her to.
“King Vubenclef, now that my lady-in-waiting is present, I will be getting my audience dress fitted. I know you just arrived.”
“No, your Excellency. Pay me no mind. I was in the area and came to see what all of the servants were doing. Pardon me for being nosy.”
Sundenelle chuckles warmly. “Not at all. I appreciate your feedback on the throne room’s new decor. I am but a single young woman, and to hear outside opinions is invaluable.” She says this, but of course, she’s mindful that the only person she truly trusts not to be a sycophant approving of anything and everything Sundenelle does without question is her mother. She has a few fairly trustworthy guards and a relatively trustworthy chancellor, but only her mother will tell her the truth without seeking favor, since she has the unique privilege of being Sundenelle’s esteemed mother.
They both excuse themselves from the king making their way to a private area at the back of the courtroom, and the guards let them through, one of them opening the door for the two ladies. “Thank you, Meidyt,” replies Sundenelle, and he answers her, “You honor me, your Excellency.”
Once they’re alone in the private room beyond, Sundenelle asks, “Mother? Do you dislike the preparations I’m making?”
“I only wonder what you hope to accomplish. I believe Mister Daniel has no concept of what the Imperial Castle should look like.”
“I’ve wanted to improve the courtroom for a while anyway. And, we’re engaged in battle with a cunning opponent. He has agreed to come here and present his case.”
“Which is why I wonder why you are preparing decorations, rather than defensive installations.”
Sundenelle nods. It’s the obvious answer. More guards, more mages, more weapons. From the reports, Daniel makes use of something called ‘demon wands’ and ‘demon staves’, some sort of magic ranged weapon that can cast magic faster than even quick-casting mages, and almost impossible to negate with magic spells to disrupt magic. That’s also the problem, though.
“Daniel’s weapons, by my understanding of the reports, virtually negate anything we could do to defend. And, Hekate and her dragons will be present as well.”
“Alright, then… is it even wise to hold this audience? I agree that Daniel and his companions are exceedingly dangerous. It would be better to conduct any official meetings between them and the Empire through ambassadors.”
Sundenelle shakes her head. “No. Daniel is calling himself an Emperor, and he could be critical in the war against the demons. If we are to keep him at an archer’s range, rather than at a handshake, he could do something even more dangerous. Aramellianna the cold-blooded sorceress trusts him.”
“Many of the nobility are expecting you to retaliate for the capture of Fort Twilight. Do you expect them to peacefully allow the meeting to exist?”
“I expect Daniel to expect treachery and take care of himself. I am gambling, but I’m gambling with roughly the same risks in play as if we ignore him and do nothing. He is too powerful to ignore, and I need to see him myself. Or, as close as possible without being in the same room.”
Byleathea widens her eyes. “A body-double?”
“Not quite. According to the maid who received the message from one of Daniel’s golems, the golem appeared to be an old woman until she tried to ignore the request to deliver the message, and it revealed its true form.”
“Illusion magic?”
“Yes. Our mages will be performing illusion magic to project you and me into the throne room, and to project the inside of the throne room to our evacuation room. Daniel’s team will likely detect the trick, but I’m not a complete fool. We’ll have the chamberlain inform him of the precaution and offer him the same luxury if he desires. If he refuses, then I’ll try to convince Daniel to meet with me personally in a secure chamber for both our safety.”
Byleathea massages her temples. “You’re taking an incredible risk, Sundenelle.”
“I know… But, I don’t know how best to explain it. It’s like the feeling I had the day I challenged my predecessor and my brothers. Daniel isn’t my enemy, and he’ll keep the others in check. I believe that. I trust the various things I’ve seen.”
“Are you sure you aren’t just fascinated by him?”
Sundenelle looks at her mother suddenly, but she doesn’t object just yet. She knows her mother is asking from an objective standpoint to try to protect the young Empress. It’s her job as both a mother and lady-in-waiting.
“I… will confess a curiosity. But, I want to win him over. He wants to legitimize the Fievegal, and he’ll need allies to do that. I would like to employ his technical skills to improve the Empire. And, in fact, I’d happily annex his citizens into the empire.”
“You mean the dragons.”
“All of his citizens, actually. Prosperity comes from passion and independent thought with united goals. And, Daniel seems to care greatly for all of his citizens. He would be more motivated to serve the Empire faithfully if we treat his citizens well, as we do with our other vassal states.”
Byleathea sighs. “I still worry about your decision to bring him and his companions here. Other than going through ambassadors, I don’t know a better option.”
Sundenelle nods. That would have been the very next question she would ask. From her point of view, she wants to see Daniel and size him up in person. Or at least, as close as she can safely get. Unlike his counterpart serving as king of Mornistae, an allied kingdom, but not a vassal state of the Empire, Daniel is an anomaly. Rather than serving as a single king effectively enough in this world, Daniel has shifted the balance of power in the war, disrupting the long-standing stalemate.
“Give me an idea of your vision of a future where I’m wrong, and Daniel uses this opportunity to conquer us all, Mother. Just what you think it might look like.” Sundenelle has a pretty good idea of what it could look like, but from what she has gathered, it won’t go that way unless someone in the Empire starts it.
Byleathea gives the best answer she knows, “Extermination of the royal family and loyal nobility, enslavement of imperial citizens, destruction of historical artifacts and books, worst case. Very possible with the scope of power we’re dealing with.”
Sundenelle nods as she sighs. “Thank you, Mother. I won’t change my mind, but feel free to say you told me so if it comes to it.”
Byleathea sighs before she straightens a part of Sundenelle’s dress and fixes her hair. “Very well, Sundenelle. Now, remember, it is proper to use the royal ‘we’ during the audience, since this will be on behalf of the Empire.”
“Of course, Mother.”
“And, remember to speak on behalf of the proper first person; yourself or the royal ‘we’.”
“Yes, yes, Mother. I’ve been an Empress for a while now.” She smiles at her mother, adding softly, “Thank you for looking after me, though, Mother.”
Byleathea smiles and bows respectfully. “My pleasure, my illustrious daughter.”
***