A Very Thin Line

"Of course."

Valentin bowed slightly to Tissaia and walked away. Serena looked at the Rectoress.

"Yes?"

"Do keep us updated on anything Emperor Emhyr says, okay, cupcake?"

Serena nodded gravely.

"I will make sure to do so."

"Good. Now, why did you never say anything about the sun?"

Serena swallowed. "Because I feared you'd think I was a spy for Nilfgaard when I wasn't. I'm still not."

"You are walking a very thin line now, Serena. Do watch your back."

Then, Tissaia walked away, leaving Serena alone. She pondered whether she had done the right thing or not.

"You have damned us all."

Serena turned to look at Rector Stovren.

"What I should have done... was kill you yesterday. Pity that I didn't."

He looked furious. "Be careful, Nilfgaardian. I will be watching you. Closely."

Serena matched his glare, unwavering. He scoffed and walked away.

Grumpy old sod, she thought.

Then, Serena teleported out of the council room and reappeared in Tor Lara. She wandered into the cavern Rectoress de Vries once took them all to and stared upwards at the opening to the night sky.

Don't worry, Mother, Father. I'll make you both proud, Serena thought sadly.

Then, she teleported away from Aretuza and to Emperor Emhyr's camp. Serena glided through the soldiers and came upon two guards who blocked her entrance. She knew that Fringilla was most likely already gone, glad that she didn't have to run into the other sorceress.

"I'm here to see His Majesty."

The guards' faces remained impassive.

"I'm Serena Aep Nyr. Let me through."

Upon hearing her name, the guards uncrossed their swords and allowed her to enter. She walked through and bowed in front of Emperor Emhyr.

"Your Majesty," Serena said.

"Rise."

She stood. His eyes roamed her, but she remained perfectly still. Then, he cleared his throat.

"Who are you?" Emperor Emhyr asked.

"I know you do not recognize me, sire, and that is due to my time at Aretuza. But I am Serena Aep Nyr. My mother and I catered your ball some years ago."

His eyes widened, and he dismissed the other officials in the tent. He beckoned her forward.

"My sunshine, is it really you?"

Serena bowed again and took a step forward.

"Yes, Your Majesty. It is I. I just have changed. Rectoress Tissaia de Vries summoned me to Aretuza three years ago, now. I'm sure you are somewhat aware of the mages' Ascendant rituals."

"Yes, the Enchanting," King Emhyr said darkly.

"Well, I could not be recognized as Nilfgaardian. It could have potentially gotten me killed, because of the mages' fight at Sodden Hill."

"Indeed. Well, my sunshine, I'm sorry to not be seeing the real you, but this new you is just as beautiful."

Serena blushed. "Thank you, sire. You flatter me."

He smiled and asked, "What brings you here? I thought you said you didn't like bloodshed."

"Oh, I don't. But I am asking you to not lay waste to Aretuza."

Emperor Emhyr's eyes widened.

Serena quickly added, "What I mean is, please don't decimate the academy. Yes, march upon it, but... it's the only home I have now that my mother's dead. I just don't want to lose Aretuza too."

"Hmm, very well. But we must make it look like I mean to destroy the school."

"I understand, Your Majesty. That's really why I've come."

He smiled. "My, my, you have the wits and patience of a true queen."

Serena went still. "Your Majesty, I-"

He waved it off and said, "We will talk about it after I return home."

She bowed her head. "Yes, sire."

Serena and Emperor Emhyr went over a strategy for Aretuza and once both parties were satisfied, she thanked him. Then, she teleported back to Aretuza and stood upon the battlements once more.

"Had an enjoyable talk with Emperor Emhyr, did we?"

Serena went still and turned around slowly.

"Rectoress, I can explain," she said quickly.

"Please do."

So Serena told her of the plan and by the end, Tissaia actually seemed pleased.

"Be careful with Emhyr, cupcake. Power and especially the greed for power are very dangerous."

Serena nodded and said, "I know, Rectoress."

"Good."

Then, Tissaia turned around and left, heading back down the stairs. Just as she descended, Valentin ascended. He walked over to Serena.

"Everything okay?"

She hesitated but then shook her head no.

"What's wrong?"

"I keep trying to juggle everything in my life right now, and it's so much stress. I don't know if I can keep lying to Emperor Emhyr and not get myself killed. And while I'm in cohorts with him, I feel like I'm betraying the mages. But everything I'm doing is to keep Aretuza safe. Is that so wrong?"

"I don't know, Serena."

She sighed and turned to look out over the academy.

"This school means everything to me. I can't lose it."

"I'm sorry."

Serena turned around, confused. "For what?"

"For what happened to your mother. I didn't expect Stovren to kill her."

She shuddered at the memory. Valentin looked at her, sadness and remorse in his eyes. He stepped forward and took her hands in his.

"I know my rector has caused you pain, and I understand why you did what you did to Ban Ard. But don't fool yourself into thinking that Emperor Emhyr actually likes you. He's probably just playing you."

She pulled her hands away and looked at Valentin.

"If you really think that, then you must underestimate me. I don't care for His Majesties' affections. In fact, I'd much rather he didn't know me at all. But since he does, I can use it to our advantage. You warn me of him using me, well, you should warn him of me using him. I'm not the helpless woman I was three years ago. I've grown during my time at Aretuza.

So if Emperor Emhyr wants me as his Empress, I may just oblige. If it suits the mages, of course. And I'll only have to deal with him until I cut off his head. Then, I can restore Nilfgaard to its former, pre-war glory and bring it back under the mages' control."

She smirked. Valentin's eyes widened. He had not seen the ruthless side of Serena yet; and admittedly, it scared him.