Powerless Empress

Kalina silently followed Baroness Noyan into the palace. The halls were empty and devoid of any decorations or paintings. The floors made of white and gray granite seemed to endlessly go on.

"The Empress is right in here. If you will, Lady Kalina." The Baroness brought Kalina to a set of tightly shut doors made out of dark wood. She opened the door and after Kalina stepped inside, she closed it.

The rumors of the Empress's beauty paled compared to the real thing in front of. The Empress, although more than twenty years had passed since she had married the Emperor, retained her alluring features from her youth.

Her glossy hair was as dark as spilt ink, her eyes luminous black pearls. Her eyes had an exotic and enchanting curve to them. Light wrinkles under the corners of her eyes gave her a gentle feeling. Her elegance was different from the that of other nobles. She carried herself differently from the rest and even though she had trapped herself in her palace for over a decade, her presence did not diminish.

The Empress was sitting on a sofa in the middle of the vast room, which was vacant of any decorations. There was only a sofa, a rug, and a table. The sun streamed in from the huge glass windows that covered the wall in front. Orange light flooded the room, illuminating the queen's face with a warm glow.

"Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress." Kalina curtsied, lifting up her skirt and bowing her head parallel to the floor.

"There's no need to greet me so formally. I knew your mother quite well," the Empress's voice was crisp like ringing bells. Although she spoke the Solythaire language fluently, one could hear wisps of her home country's accent that had not been lost over time. It was almost as though she had purposefully kept her accent, so that her kingdom wouldn't be completely diminished. "Come sit down."

"Yes." Kalina dropped the formalities since she had received permission and sat down across from the Empress.

The Empress chuckled, like she hadn't expected Kalina to be so straightforward. She pushed a cup of tea towards Kalina. "You're an interesting child. Here, have some tea. It's gone cold, but I'm afraid I don't have enough to brew another cup." Her dark eyes were fixed on Kalina.

"There's no need. I'll gladly drink anything you offer me." Kalina calmly received the tea and took a sip. It had a different taste from the teas Kalina usually drank. It had a fresh fragrance, but also had a deep nutty flavor. She took another drink and placed the cup down. "Is this tea from your home country, Your Majesty?"

"Yes. My mother always sent shipments of our tea over, worried that I would forget the taste of our kingdom. This tea was from the last package she ever sent, all those years ago." The Empress had a wistful look on her face as she stroked her teacup. "Enough about me. Why have you decided to visit me? I'm afraid I don't have any treasures to show you."

"It's not that."

"Then, do you feel pity for me? A pathetic empress, imprisoned in her own palace? Someone who hasn't shown her face to her people in decades? Someone who even the lowest of the low scorn?"

"I know you still look after the people." Kalina replied calmly despite the Empress's sharp words. "I know that you ask for reports of everything that happens in the empire. I know that you work behind the scenes to fill in the gaps the emperor leaves behind."

Empress Juniper let out a dry laugh. "So what if I do all those things? No matter how hard I work, I'm still seen as the woman who was thrown away by her husband. At the most, people feel sympathy for me because my kingdom fell. But pity never lasts."

"I don't merely pity you." Kalina's voice was firm. "I want to give you a chance to rise up again. Not all hope is lost. If you take back the power that rightfully belongs to you, then your country will not have fallen in vain."

The Empress shook her head. "From what I have seen, you may be witty, but you are not wise. You are still young. Don't waste your years on a hopeless case like me. I once craved revenge, revenge for my family who must have been thinking of me up until their deaths. But when I had my son, I could no longer risk his safety for my own vengeance."

Kalina knew how hurt she must have felt, how much she must have wanted to make the emperor pay. That was how she felt about Lucille.

"What's wrong with giving someone the retribution they deserve? After all, bees only sting when they are agitated. Shouldn't you strike back?" Kalina persisted. She couldn't give up. The Empress was someone she needed on her side.

"Foolish girl. The revenge you speak of, is more than what you make it out to be. It's spinning a web of schemes. If you fumble, then you will end up getting trapped in your own ploy. It's better not to risk everything for the bit of temporary satisfaction that comes from revenge."

"A spider can't get caught up in its own web, no matter how intricately the threads are spun. As long as you are careful, nothing will happen. Don't you worry about the second prince? If..." Kalina leaned towards the Empress and whispered. "If the Emperor and the first prince were to fall, then the second prince..."

"You!" The Empress exclaimed with an enraged face, but her eyes seemed to be contemplating Kalina's words. "If anyone were to hear you, you would be executed for treason against the Emperor!" She lowered her voice to a hushed murmur.

Kalina shut her mouth but she continued to watch the Empress's expression. After a while, the Empress spoke again. "What are you planning? I can tell that you're scheming something. Don't try and hide it from me."

"I'm the same as you. I want revenge on a few people, and I need power to do it."

"Revenge? You're still so young. Who could have wronged you so badly that you want would go to these lengths?"

Kalina stayed silent.

Seeing that Kalina didn't respond, the Empress continued: "Kalina, the daughter of Duchess Ephraim. Did the Duchess teach you to be so cunning?"

"No. My mother knows nothing about this. This is between us, Your Majesty. Please don't involve my mother." Kalina's gaze was firm.

"Alright. I'm not sure how my measly power will be able to help you, but it's yours." The Empress's lips curled into a smile. "Run along now, it's getting late. Your mother must be searching for you by now."

"Then if you'll excuse me." Kalina rose from her seat and bowed. The cup of tea had been emptied and only a few dark green tea leaves remained.

When Kalina made her way outside, Baroness Noyan had already left. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a black silhouette disappear around the edge of the hall.

In the garden, and again in the palace. Was there someone spying on her?

Kalina's footsteps quickened as she made her way out of the palace. Remembering something, she turned to look back at the tall white palace.

'I forgot to ask for the second prince's name.'

"Lady Kalina! Are you here?" The maid from earlier could be heard calling for her. The Duchess had finished up her work and was ready to return to the mansion.

"I'm here." Kalina took one last look at the palace and walked away.

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Back in the palace, the Empress was still sitting in her room, leisurely sipping her cup of tea. She turned to the window, where the setting sun could be seen.

"Ozias..." She sighed. The memory of the prince that had smiled brightly at her had faded by now. All the feelings she had had towards him were crushed. Now her heart only held contempt for him.

"Mother." A tall figure cloaked in black robes appeared at the door. They leaned against the doorframe with their arms crossed across their chest. "Who was that?"

The Empress turned towards the person. Her face lit up in a warm smile. "You're finally here, Reian."