Emperor Lucius frowned at the man across from him. A full fleet of military airships was visible from the windows of the Imperial palace, visibly glowing from all the enchantments the Southern Court’s mages could bring to bear.

“With respect, High King Xavlaeron, I do not see how your accusation is possible. Her Majesty NSLICE-00P’s status confirms she is human, and we have confirmed reports of her using Holy mana. If nothing else, the Aesdes would not permit a demon lord to do so, and it is well known that Holy mana is anathema to them.”

Xavlaeron Yesroris, High King of Mirima, known colloquially as the Southern Emperor, scoffed. The half-elf was tall, standing a full head above Emperor Lucius, who was by no means short. He had dark, straight hair and sharp, green eyes, with the slightly pointed ears characteristic of his kin. He wore golden full-plate armor, though he had no crown. Instead, he wore a broken chain tied together, in the fashion of the High Kings of Mirima since the days of its founding.

“You betray your ignorance, Lucius. An Emperor of all things should not fall to the simple doctrine we tell the people. The relationship between dungeons, Holy mana, the Aesdes, and the world is more complicated than simple hostility. And demon lords are known to be crafty, and even to mimic Holy mana to those unfamiliar with it. You have not forgotten the Scouring of Krilya the Black Saint, have you? Unless you have confirmation from the Aesdes themselves that they approve of her, I find your reliance on circumstantial evidence to be naive, and foolish.”

Emperor Lucius furrowed his brow.

“And yet, you do not present your own evidence as to your claims. The Queen of the Dobhar has ever been a friend to the Empire and to the Northern Court.”

High King Xavlaeron raised an eyebrow.

“Really now? Was she a friend when she murdered one of your Consuls and burned his house to the ground? Was that an act of friendship? Claiming it so would reveal your intentions for the Court, Lucius. You do not have even a fraction of the support or military might required to follow in the steps of Cnaeus the Bloody. Do not play coy, I know you have bet on that monster to fulfill your ambitions. And you have chosen poorly.”

Emperor Lucius narrowed his eyes.

“That is a matter of the Northern Court, and not the place of the Council of the Southern Realms to decide. Regardless, I will not permit you to simply move against Her Majesty NSLICE-00P. The Eastern Court has not approved of your declaration either.”

High King Xavlaeron sneered.

“You will not ‘permit’ me, you say?”

He rose to his feet.

“You forget your place, Lucius. I am not asking you. I am telling you, as a courtesy. You have only risen to the throne by my approval. And despite the fact that you were meant as nothing more than a symbol, still you have managed to destroy what little we entrusted you with. So no, your ‘permission’ means nothing, to no one. The Council of the Southern Realms will restore the order that the Northern Court has failed to keep, and we will not permit attacks on the very heart of the Empire. What forces remain in the North will fall in line, Verrucosis has remained loyal so at least someone in this Court has a head on their shoulders. Any who side with the enemy will be branded a traitor as they deserve. As for you, Lucius, I’m nearly of a mind to declare you unfit to rule, seeing how your incompetence has led the North to ruin. Simply be grateful that I am not here to apprehend you.”

Emperor Lucius resisted the urge to grit his teeth.

“And what of the Eastern Court? Maior Generalis Maximia Tetrica has already stated she does not approve of your declaration. She will not be pleased if you ignore her and move against someone she recognizes as Amiciti Populi Elteni.”This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

High King Xavlaeron smirked.

“I am touched by your concern, but leave the Eastern Court to me. I can assure you that they will be handled adequately.”

With that, High King Xavlaeron left the room. Magister Verrucosis was waiting for him outside. The two left to speak…without Emperor Lucius. Emperor Lucius heaved a sigh, and knelt forward, holding his face in his hands.

When he had gathered himself, he sat back upright and turned to a side door.

“Come in.”

At his command, the door opened, and Princess Caecila walked in, a deep frown on her face.

“I, Princess Caecilla, greet…”

Emperor Lucius waved his hand.

“Enough of that. We lack time, and in truth I am Emperor of nothing.”

He waved to the seat in front of him. Princess Caecila slowly made her way over, and sat down. Emperor Lucius took a deep breath.

“Princess Caecila, what is your opinion of NSLICE-00P?”

Princess Caecila rubbed her chin.

“She…is very calculating, blunt, and unaffected...or perhaps even apathetic towards all that she does not feel concerns her. She has made no secret that she acts solely based on the tangible benefits to herself.”

Princess Caecila tilted her head.

“Yet…she also does not hesitate to cooperate when she does consider it beneficial, and holds back no effort when doing so. She cares nothing for political influence nor if she is taken advantage of, so long as she continues to benefit. And…she seems to protect her own. I imagine it must be the case for her companions to trust her as they do.”

But then, her face turned pale.

“But…she is unforgiving, and quick to violence. She seemed prepared to kill Drusus over a merely implied threat. So when she finds out the Southern Court is coming for her…”

Emperor Lucius sighed deeply.

“She will endeavor to wipe us out.”

Princess Caecila slowly nodded. Emperor Lucius then turned to look her in the eyes.

“Caecila, why did you marry my son?”

Princess Caecila froze, and blinked at the sudden shift in topic.

“Um, Emperor Lucius?”

He held his gaze.

“Please, tell me the truth, and speak freely. I wish to hear it.”

Princess Caecila slowly began to flush. She could not help but smile slightly.

“Well…because I love him. He was valiant and confident and kind and made time for me, a poor girl with no standing, when no one else would. He always thought of me, and was the first to acknowledge my efforts. I am truly grateful I have had the chance to meet him.”

But then, she frowned, and her eyes began to fill with tears.

“But…I did not know what it was I did. When I look at the state of the Northern Court and the Empire…when I imagine what will happen to my family and friends and people like them as a result…I cannot help but think I was wrong. I should not have interfered. I should not have been selfish. I should have turned him down, and let Aemilia Hiberna marry him. Then none of this would have happened. I see what she has done in Turannia…she would have done so much better than I, and her father would not have abandoned the Court to infighting and ruin.”

Emperor Lucius nodded.

“There was a time that I thought that as well.”

But then he made a smile.

“But no longer. I have seen you work to restore me, the Court, and the Empire to its former glory. You worked harder than anyone else, though it was not required or expected of you to do so. Harder even than those of us who held responsibility. Whatever Aemilia Hiberna is like now, I know that back then she would not have done the same. And I feel that even with the Hiberius family in charge, between the rebellions, the cults, and the incursions, the Northern Court would have struggled regardless.”

He placed his hand on her shoulder.

“My son prioritized his feelings and his ideas of right and wrong over the good of the Empire. Consul Hiberius chose to abandon the Court, placing his family and his ambitions over his duty to the Empire. Even I wished only to break the leash wrapped around me. Each and every member of the Northern Court has chosen to prioritize themselves over the Empire. You are perhaps the only one who has worked to make it right, solely for the Empire's sake. I am truly proud to call you my daughter-in-law, my son could not have found a better partner.”

She looked up at him, tears welling up for a different reason now.

“Emperor Lucius…”

He pulled back his arm and took a deep breath before narrowing his eyes.

“And that…is why I must ask a difficult task of you now. I strongly question the High King’s motives to move against NSLICE-00P now, of all times, and especially when the Aesdes seemed to have vanished. Whatever she may be, it is all but confirmed that NSLICE-00P is a hero, a chosen champion of the Aesdes. But I have no power here, so we must move quickly to do whatever we can. Princess Caecila, my daughter, are you willing to do whatever you must to save the people of the Empire?”

Princess Caecila wiped away her tears, and faced the Emperor with narrowed eyes.

“I am.”