Empress of Nilfgaard
"What?!" Serena exclaimed.
Tissaia said calmly, "As his Empress, you'll be in the know of everything. And once you and the rest of the army arrive, you can turn on Emhyr."
"You heard me talking to Valentin, didn't you? I was just joking. There's no way in hell I would ever marry Emperor Emhyr."
"Don't argue with me, cupcake. Do as I say, and you can end this war and bring honor to your homeland and your family. You still want to make them proud, don't you?"
Serena looked anguished.
"You've been watching my every move."
Tissaia nodded. "I had to make sure where your loyalties laid."
"But once Emhyr is dead, I'll be ruler."
"Yes, and you can fix Nilfgaard. Also, you won't have to be ruler long. Just until Princess Cirilla comes of age."
"What?"
"Her father, Duny, the Urcheon of Erlenwald, is actually Emperor Emhyr."
Serena's eyes widened. "What?"
"No one but a few knows. Cirilla will unite the two countries upon her 18th birthday as Empress of Nilfgaard and Queen of Cintra."
"Does she know?"
Tissaia shook her head. "She will be told when the time is right. But for now, no, she doesn't."
Serena took a deep breath in and let it out. Then, she said, "Okay. I'll go tell him."
Tissaia smiled again. "Good, now go, cupcake. Don't waste any time."
Serena nodded and teleported away. She reappeared in the Nilfgaardian camp. Soldiers turned to look at her as she walked by them. As she neared Emperor Emhyr's tent, she realized she hadn't seen Fringilla anywhere yet. Fear gripped her as Serena wondered if Fringilla was inside.
"Serena Aep Nyr to see His Majesty, Emperor Emhyr."
The soldiers standing guard parted, and she walked into the tent. She saw the Emperor and Fringilla in a heavy discussion.
"I have made my decision," Emperor Emhyr said. "You cannot change my mind."
"But, sire. Are you so sure letting Aretuza off so lightly will be good? What if it gives the other mages false hope that we are weak?"
"Then, that will be their mistake in assuming so."
"Shouldn't we just destroy Aretuza? Like we did Ban Ard?"
"You came from Aretuza."
"Yet, my loyalties are with you, sire."
Fringilla crept towards him and lightly rested a hand on his arm. Serena realized that Fringilla liked Emperor Emhyr and wanted him.
Huh, no wonder she didn't like that he was paying attention to me at the ball, she thought.
Emperor Emhyr pulled his hand back roughly. Fringilla looked hurt.
"Enough!" he snapped. "It has been decided."
"By who?"
Serena cleared her throat, "Ahem. Your Majesty."
Fringilla spun around as Emperor Emhyr looked up. Serena held her head high and stepped forward.
"Who are you?" Fringilla asked.
She bowed, and Emperor Emhyr bid her to stand. Serena stood straight, just like Tissaia had taught her.
"That's no concern of yours," she told Fringilla.
His Majesty looked amused. He watched as the two sorceresses faced off against each other, eye to eye. But then, Serena broke contact and looked at him.
"I have thought about it, Your Majesty, and I would like to confess something to you."
"Leave us, Fringilla."
His sorceress was shocked. But, she bowed and left.
"What is it, Serena?"
"The last time we spoke, you mentioned me being fit for a queen."
"Yes. What about it?"
She walked towards him.
"I'm sorry, Emhyr, if this is bold of me," she began.
Serena gauged his reaction to her voicing his name. He looked pleased that she had finally said it. Gathering the courage, she continued.
"Do you think I'm fit for an Empress?"
His eyes widened. Serena immediately apologized.
"I'm sorry for my boldness. Please, punish me."
She knelt at his feet. He leaned forward and pulled her up.
"No, it's alright. Yes, I do think you're fit for Empress."
Serena blushed. He smiled, watching her cheeks turn red.
"When shall we be married?"
"Whenever you want, Emhyr."
"How about today? Right now?"
"Umm, okay."
He smiled and called for a guard.
"Find me a bishop."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The guard left and soon returned with a bishop and Fringilla in tow.
"What is this?" Fringilla asked.
"We are getting married."
Fringilla's eyes widened in shock. She stared at Serena, not comprehending who she was.
The bishop began the ceremony with the guard and Fringilla as witnesses.
"Do you, Emperor Emhyr var Emreis take this woman to be your wife and Empress?"
"Yes, I do."
"And do you, umm..."
"I, Serena Aep Nyr, do hereby take His Majesty to be my husband and Emperor."
The bishop nodded and announced them as Emperor and Empress. Fringilla, on the other hand, was furious.
"You're not Serena! You look nothing like her!"
Serena pulled back her sleeve and revealed Fringilla's mark upon her wrist.
"Am I not? Did you not put this mark upon me at a ball six or so years ago when I was 17?"
Fringilla's eyes widened. "No, it, it can't be."
She backed up.
"That mark was supposed to kill you!"
Emperor Emhyr's eyes flared with anger. "What?!"
Fringilla realized she had over confessed. She turned her gaze upon Serena and realization dawned upon her.
"She's playing you, Your Majesty! Serena's a mage!"
"I know that already. She told me of her time at Aretuza and why she had to change her appearance."
"But, but she doesn't love you, she just wants to be Empress so that the mages have someone who can get close to you to kill you!"
"That's not true!" Serena shot back. "I love Emhyr."
She turned to her husband. "Who will you believe, Emhyr? Me, your wife; or Fringilla, your sorceress?"
He looked conflicted. For years he had trusted Fringilla, but she had just confessed to trying to kill Serena. He worried maybe Fringilla had been manipulating him this whole time, making him into a figurehead. Emperor Emhyr could not have that.
"I believe Serena. Guards, remove Ms. Vigo from my presence. And put dimeritium chains on her so she cannot use magic."
"No, sire! Please don't! No!"
Fringilla was shackled and dragged away, kicking and screaming in protest. Serena smirked.
"She was lying, wasn't she?"
"Of course. Despite what I look like, I'm still Nilfgaardian. My father served in your army faithfully until his death at the hands of a Cintran soldier. My mother catered your ball. I serve you, Emhyr."
He smiled. "My good Empress. Nilfgaard is lucky to have you."
Serena blushed. "You are their Emperor, their ruler. The people love you, Emhyr. They're lucky to have you."