Chapter twenty-four

Clutching the hem of her dress, the Empress fought to send her blush away.

Was she not the ruler of a nation? Yet, the memories of the morning seemed to make her knees tremble.

After three calming tea and four cups of coffee - a new tea favour discovered in the east - she began her daily duties.

A stamp here, a signature there. That much was easy.

"Your Highness, Lady Claudette is at the door." Announced a guard. She had forgotten her tea arrangements. Gesturing for her to enter, she mouthed to a maid to bring two light teas.

"Greetings to the glistening flower of this Empire, Empress Cassiopeia Dorothea Saol I."

"How ceremonious. Good evening Lady Claudette."

"I saw your letter. Has something happened, Your Highness?"

The Empress nodded. "I will accept the trial of your cousins from your father's side, the two Lord Zephyr."

She nodded, understanding why the Empress had called her there.

"Who do you think should succeed?"

"Your Highness, I don't think I can express my opinion on the matter. The law of this Empire would surely discipline the matter better."

"I have examined the case. The witnesses of the birth that support the claim that plaintiff Lord Carnon Zephyr are two commoners. Their words have little relevance in nobles' trials, unless the two parts agree to elevate them momentarily to their ranks.

His twin, Lord Edde Zephyr, would never allow that. Anyhow, Lady Nen has elevated one of the witnesses to the rank of noble via marriage. Since it is not in fraud, the change of rank is allowed."

Lady Claudette shifted. "That would make its testimony valid."

"It's unclear. The Empire's jurisprudence did not express any opinion. It seems that I must decide whether to retake his testimony and qualify it as valid now that he is a noble, or if I should discard it as not valid, as he was not a noble at the time of the events."

"That leaves the choice in your hands." Concluded Lady Claudette, sharper than she let out.

"Precisely. I do not know any of them, but I know their cousin."

"I see. I now understand why you asked for my opinion." She took a sip from her cup. "Carnon should get the title."

"Because it is his birthright?"

"No."

The Empress waited for her to finish her tale, but she cut short. "Carnon is a good person, Edde isn't."

Empress Cassiopeia did not push further, but asked a different question.

"This Empire does not need good people, it needs capable people. Although Count Zephyr, Your husband, will oversee all his baronies, the now Zephyr barony is still a large and fertile piece of land. I need a Baron capable of managing it, especially now with the Darafen war."

"Carnon has studied alongside Edde. They are equally capable."

"Who taught them military strategy and diplomacy?"

"Count Bouje's third son, Baron Bouje."

"Isn't he Marchioness Bouje's nephew?" Marchioness Bouje was Empress Cassiopeia's etiquette teacher.

"Yes."

Her older brother was Count Bouje, who had three sons. To the eldest he gave the county, the middle decided to enter the clergy, and the third obtained a baronade. Count Bouje also had a daughter, who unfortunately died just wed.

The Boujes had always been teachers. Etiquette, swordsmanship, military strategy, diplomacy, literature, history, you name it. That was why she was not surprised that the Bouje Baron had opted for a teaching position.

"Thank you for your time."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two friends parted ways.

"Lord Neus." She called. "Send a letter to Baron Bouje, schedule a meeting for tomorrow."

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That night she rested in Lord Asher's chambers.

She had decided to bring along the folders with all the documents for the Commoners' trials.

"We have a double marriage case, the husband, a merchant, was having two families in two baronies... We have an illicit substances trader that states he was framed, and the last one... Ah, yes. A citizen states that the newly built bridge in the capital is in his property and deems compensation, you know, the one near the shopping district..."

"I'll take care of it before you know it."

She smiled. "Thank you. I'm counting on it, but if you need anything let me know, I'll gladly help you. Now, going into details for the first-"

He took the folders from her hands.

"Your Highness, please do stop talking about work. I'll read the documents and take care of the case, fret not."

She sighed, "I'm sorry, I'm just..."

"Stressed?"

She nodded, and the blonde caressed her head. "I know, I know."

"It's just... I don't have my people. Those closer to me were once loyal to my father, and those who wish to dethrone me for my brother are growing in numbers."

He nodded, listening attentively.

"The royal soldiers are loyal to me, but it's a loyalty that took years to build, as for the nobles, I was never allowed to mingle with the men. All I know are wives and unmarried debutantes. Countess Claudette-"

"Countess Zephyr?"

"Her. She's my most powerful ally..."

"That's quite the tragic situation, especially because her husband isn't involved in politics. At least the Palace will be refurbished with fine wine."

She chuckled. Countess and Count Zephyr produced the finest wine of the Empire. Some of their wine recipes, like Champagne, date back to before the creation of the world. They are one of the oldest noble families, full of history and tales of the old world.

"It seems that I'll at least be able to become an alcoholic before my reign collapses."

"You have me, and although it wounds my pride, you have Lord Dorkas."

"That I do. You're capable, and so is he from what I could tell, but I don't know how much I can trust him."

"What about the daughter of Marquess Nister?"

"Lady Deanna? She's amazing. A good friend, perhaps a tad too honest."

"She's his only daughter."

"That's true, but his marquisate earns from renting properties by the sea and his hotels. Although influential, it is not that useful when it comes to politics. Moreover, her father is young and she is not promised to no one. It would be hard to receive her help."

"Lord Chamberlain and Lord Neus seem trustworthy." He added.

"Lord Chamberlain is loyal to the Crown, not to me. The moment he'll think that my brother is a more fitting heir, he'll have my head."

He nodded.

"Lord Neus follows his brother."

"You have everyone's expectations on your shoulders."

"Thanks for the reminder."

"Sorry."

"You should be."

He got out of his bedchamber and gestured for a maid to bring calming tea.

She glared at him.

"Mercy upon my soul."

She rolled her eyes. "How was your day?"

"Boring."

The conversation ended like that, and Empress Cassiopeia felt uneasy.

"What is it?" He asked.

"I don't know. I think I drank too many teas today."

He shoved the maid that had just entered with hot tea back outside.

"How much did you drink, Your Highness?"

She lifted a hand. "5? That's a lot, but not too bad-"

She lifted her other hand. "9 teas? Bloody hell Your Highness, do you want to get tea poisoning?"

She chuckled, "what was that?"

"What was what?"

"Bloody hell. What was that?" Her laughter made his cheeks heat up.

"The n-northerners use it, so I thought it was a common expression..." He mumbled, lowering his head.

At his reaction, the Empress fell on the bed laughing, holding her stomach with her hands.

"It's not that funny Your Highness!" He tried protesting, but she was too busy laughing to hear him.

Perhaps the stress of her new role had hindered her sense of humour.

Writer's corner

Even in fantasy books I will never miss the chance to make fun of the British accent.