Geirahoel breathes heavily as Daniel holds her in his arms. Her favorite position to lay eggs has been to lean back against him while he reaches around her front to massage her belly to help relax her muscles and make the process that much easier.

As far as Daniel knows, it’s not especially painful for the dragons, though he may need to ask Gold or Roeta for an unbiased opinion, but it is still tense. He often can’t imagine how they choose to continue to be intimate with him when he looks at how big the eggs are.

It may be comparable to that same thought in regards to a human child, but the scale is completely different.

Geirahoel has been a little odd this time, though. Normally, she’s quick to scoop her egg into her arms using her tail and cling to it for a long time, at least in the case of both of her prior eggs. This time, she barely responds to its existence.

Regardless, Daniel always likes to let Geirahoel move at her own pace, and she lovingly and affectionately holds his arms as he continues to gently rub her belly.

“Good job, Mukori. Looks like it’s…” Daniel pretends he’s checking something, finishing playfully, “An egg.”

Geirahoel giggles softly in his arms. Maybe she finds his jokes tiresome, or she’s unimpressed with having Daniel’s children already. He did upset her greatly when he got himself cursed.

Or, more specifically, she was upset that he almost died because he was careless.

But, he didn’t think she would outright neglect his second egg with her.

She treated Tekten with affection, though. Am I reading too much into…?

When she moves, the orange dragon gingerly picks up the egg and inspects it for only a moment, as if she’s holding a watermelon or a piece of ceramic to be purchased or passed on.

She leans over the edge of the bed and sets the egg down on the floor.

Before Daniel can ask, she pivots the rest of the way around and kisses him.

Daniel is startled, even as she climbs up to push him down, still passionately kissing him without any regard for the egg she just set on the floor.

When he can, he urgently squeezes out the words, “G-Geira-M-Mukori!? Is… I don’t understand what’s going on!”

“What do you mean?” asks the dragon somewhat lustfully. She has almost completely shifted gears and is now greedily engaging in foreplay with the obvious intent of making love. They did both times before, but something is very wrong.

Usually, the egg was still on the bed, and the second egg, she had to keep it from falling off of the bed for a change. It’s a stateroom meant for noble guests, so the bed isn’t small.

Regardless, she is already sliding her hand into his pants, touching him to make her intentions even more clear.

Daniel finally shifts and holds her by the shoulders. “Mukori! Talk to me! Why… Won’t the egg… I don’t know… Don’t you need to warm it up first? Or something?”

She cocks her head, giving him a somewhat absent-minded gaze. Something is very wrong, but it’s not like mind control or a spell. Rather, she seems somewhat heartbroken, as well as aroused in a mechanical, empty way.

She tries to kiss Daniel again, and he rolls them both over to pin the dragon down. “Geirahoel! Listen to me! What is going on?”

Her eyes water briefly, and she whimpers, “I’m sorry…”

She covers her eyes with her hands, beginning to sob, and Daniel relaxes, lifting her up so he can hug her. “Mukori, please… I don’t know what you’re sorry about. Talk to me.”

“It’s… I… I failed… I… Please… Please give me another chance…” chokes out the dragon.

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand. I’m sorry, Mukori, but I really need you to tell me more.”

She finally presses against him, crying for a long moment, and Daniel patiently waits. When she finally calms down a little, he asks softly, “Mukori, you have forgiven me for a great many things, so I’m sure I can forgive you for whatever it is. Please tell me what it is I need to forgive so we both can move on.”

“Th-The egg…” whimpers the redhead. “I-... It’s… It has no child…”

“What?” asks Daniel. It’s not that he doesn’t understand her words, even if they are a little distorted by her crying. But, they’re words he didn’t expect to hear.

“The egg… I… It’s an empty egg…”

“Empty?” Daniel tries to think. It might be similar if it was literally empty, but her first reply said ‘no child’.

So… It wasn’t fertilized? Or, did… something happen?

The third egg would have most likely been conceived shortly before Geirahoel was ambushed by Brosjak, which left her physically dead for a short period of time. As far as he knows, the dragons don’t spontaneously lay unfertilized eggs the way chickens do, but he does also know that reptiles of Earth were capable of laying unfertilized eggs, both spontaneously and as a defense mechanism for the nest.

And, since chickens aren’t the only birds that can be coaxed into laying eggs unfertilized, there is some chance that the egg was never fertilized.

Daniel decides to ask directly, since it affects what he should feel about the situation. “I’m not angry or disappointed, Mukori.”

“B-But all this time-...!”

“Shh, it’s fine. There are probably a thousand reasons this could have happened, and nine hundred and ninety-nine would have been completely beyond any of our control. So I don’t blame you, and I’m not hurt. But, I would like to ask a question.”

“Anything!?” asks the dragon desperately, clinging to him.

“Do dragons sometimes lay unfertilized eggs, even if they haven’t been intimate?”

Daniel can feel her shift in his arms, still thoroughly residing in his embrace, but twitching as if a realization came to her.

“Y-Yes… but,...”

“You were also almost instantaneous about deciding the egg was ‘empty’. Did you know already, or-...”

“No! I wouldn’t have hidden it from you! I swear!” Geirahoel desperately clings to his arms after backing just far enough that she can look into his eyes. “I would never! You’re the only one I would never want to hide anything from!”

Daniel smiles softly, cupping her cheek to wipe away a tear with his thumb. “Then, do you know if the egg was ever successfully fertilized?”

She looks down. She replies softly, “No… It wasn’t…”

“I see.” Daniel gingerly plops her down onto the bed, and he lies down beside her, facing her on his side. “So, my little guys missed your little gal before the shell formed. Perhaps this is my fault.”

“No!” whines the dragon. “I-... It’s… I’m a failure…”

Daniel laughs, and she scowls at him, but he adds, “You’re not a failure. If anything, I’m relieved. There’s no one to mourn. Just an egg that we could eat tomorrow for breakfast if we were so inclined.”

She looks at him with wide eyes of shock, and he gives a nervous chuckle. “Sorry, maybe that was a little tasteless. But, I’m serious. I would rather the egg to have never had a chance of being a baby, than the alternative.”

She relaxes quite a bit, finally, and she manages a soft smile. “I see… B-But still… We were intimate quite frequently… There should have been no issues…”

Daniel is quiet for a moment. Maybe she hasn’t thought of it, or maybe she doesn’t want to think of it. He doesn’t really blame her either way.

Then again, he does selfishly wish to protect those he loves, even though they’re more readily powerful than he is.

“I… can only guess, though I would certainly expect the worse scenario, that the… ambush might have had something to do with it.”

“Ambush?” asks the dragon before suddenly halting her thought. She goes quiet, and Daniel wonders if maybe he should have left it alone.

But, she nods gently and slides closer to him. “I see… So, because it didn’t go that way, our… essences simply missed each other, is that it?” confirms the young dragon.

Daniel smiles. “That’s how I see it. So there is nothing to forgive, and I still love you very much.”

Geirahoel smiles. She replies tenderly as she climbs on top of Daniel slowly, but full of obvious intent, “I’m glad, Mukori. Though I’m sad we wasted so much time, I…”

Just as she’s making her intentions very clear, the door bursts open. Kera’tai is the one who enters suddenly startling Daniel and Geirahoel both.

“Daniel! I’m so sorry to intrude, but there’s trouble in the dining hall! Please hurry!”

Just as she’s saying this, a gonging bell goes off

Geirahoel listens to it, asking seriously, “What is that?”

“It’s the base’s alarm bell. The call to battle.”

***

Gong! Gong! Gong! Gong!

The horizontal horn-shaped ‘bell’ of the west wall of Fort Peony fills the air with sound, arousing everyone at Commander Leiwelles’s orders.

She isn’t actually trying to draw everyone to battle, but the message is clear to everyone.

They need to be ready for anything.

With tears in her eyes, the caramel-skinned demon-kin yells over the noise, “You of all people should know how painful those words are, you callous monster! Is it so wrong to want more for myself!? What would you do if you were in my position!? Don’t you dare tell me I don’t love these children. I would burn the whole world to protect them. And, I would even kill you.” Her tone ices over, and the dragon matriarch she is unleashing her feelings on spits the flames out of her mouth, glaring at Doephluev.

“I have no problem with you having desires. My problem is that you repeatedly cross the line and treat the Fievegal like it is nothing more than a game, or a ladder for you to climb. You have no respect for anything but your own desires.”

“That’s not true! I have to try ten times harder for even scraps of respect! And Hekate goofs around just as much as I do!”

“Hekate is the Sovereign Empress! She earned it right alongside Daniel! She fought for our respect! You seem set on fighting us to make us less respectable in order to make yourself seem more respectable.”

“If you spent more time helping me as much as you help Hekate!”

“P-Please calm down!” urges Hekate finally. She’d likely take Ryuogriar’s side before Doephluev’s, but even the feisty and envious little feldrok girl would readily admit that she sees the archoneldwyn in a more positive light, now that they’ve gotten to know each other.

Daniel jogs up with a couple of the female Stalvaltan Guards and soldiers of Fort Peony following him, since Roeta stayed behind to protect Geirahoel.

He slows to a jog, intentionally placing himself between the two arguing women, asking, “Doephluev, why do you have to antagonize everyone?”

She gives him a horrified expression, like he just betrayed her, but he immediately turns his attention to Ryuogriar. “Ryuo-Mukori, you’re not innocent either. The games Doephluev convinces everyone she can to play against her are accepted, lost fair and square, and everyone knew who they were up against.”

“Y-You’re scolding me too?” whines Ryuogriar, though her temper has already defused a great deal.

“I’m not here to scold anyone. But, I can’t say I’m surprised it was you two.”

“Wh-what’s that supposed to mean!?”

“It means the epitome of grace eventually had to butt heads with the queen of cunning. So let me ask you this, Mukori…” Daniel looks directly into her eyes, and he asks, “Do you regret making Doephluev the offer you did?”

The dragon flinches, glancing at the archoneldwyn briefly. Doephluev scowls at her, but she doesn’t say anything.

Ryuogriar looks to the side, replying a little bitterly, “Of course not. I am certain it was the right decision, regardless if it was the only true decision.”

The human from Earth replies softly, “It wasn’t the only decision.” After all, you could have chosen to ignore the archoneldwyn and let them fade into history.

Daniel then looks to Doephluev. “Doephluev, your turn.”

She becomes a little sheepish and hesitant under Daniel’s gaze. “Y-Yes?”

“Do you regret accepting Ryuogriar’s generosity? Not the situation, not your position as the mother of the future archoneldwyn, but simply the generous offer itself; the kindness one woman made to another.”

Doephluev is quiet, and she looks down at her feet. “I… am thankful for my second chance at life… A life where I am not just a weapon…”

Daniel smiles softly. “Good. Then, you both agree on one thing. You don’t regret the choices that started this all. So, then you must obviously regret me…”

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!” “Never, My love!” cry both of them together, and Daniel smirks, causing both the former assassin and the second Empress to flinch slightly when they realize it.

Daniel then says, “You don’t have to like each other, but if you wish to keep playing this game, you will need to at least continue to get along as you had been up until today.” The extremely unorthodox emperor looks at his first dragon consort. “And, it very much is a game to me. Hekate is the Empress of the Fievegal until such a time she decides to step down, but I couldn’t care less how she is Empress, even if that means treating it like a game of tag. So… please go a little easier on Doephluev. She does work hard, even if she could spare a little restraint in antagonizing everyone else.” He gives Doephluev a side-eye that causes her to shrink a little.

Ryuogriar takes a breath and sighs. She gingerly hugs the feldrok egg in her arms. “You are right, Mukori. Regardless of their mother, I did pledge to care for her children as I will yours and mine.” She looks at the archonelwyn finally, saying a little coolly, “I have also been remiss in educating Doephluev in my expectations if she is to be a member of our family. I… will communicate better in the future.”

Daniel puts his hand on her shoulder, and he kisses her cheek gently. “Thank you, Mukori. Truly.”

She smiles, relaxing finally. The mechanic then looks at Doephluev. “Doephluev, you’ve come a long way…”

“I’m sorry for being a pest,” grumbles the archoneldwyn, cutting Daniel off, but jumping to the heart of the issue. “I just want your affection and the highest position at your side. But,... I guess… I could be a little more mature about it… And make the other Empresses actually respect me properly…”

Daniel kisses her forehead, since he’s a fair bit taller than her, compared to Ryuogriar, who is much closer to his height.

Hekate adds warmly, obviously relieved that the situation turned in a good direction. “I wouldn’t call us ‘friends’, per se, Doephluev, but… I suppose I can accept you as my friendly rival. That’s a big promotion from where you were, so you should be grateful.”

The archoneldwyn and Daniel both scoff, and Hekate asks cheekily, “That was my Geira impression. How’d I do?”

Everyone turns serious, and Daniel glances in the direction of the barracks building where he came from.

“She’s not a monster,” grumbles Hekate. “And, she probably is my best friend. You act like I’m summoning some sort of evil creature.”

Everyone shares a laugh, including Neith who was ready to try to intervene as a sort of intercepting punching bag as one of the few who could survive most attacks from either woman.

A chilling voice asks, “Something amusing, Onii-chan?”

Neith goes rigid, immediately responding, “Nothing at all, your Grace.”

Geirahoel walks past him, as if appearing in his shadow like a phantom. She is slender and not carrying an egg, and she has an icy expression. “So, Ryuo and Doephluev were fighting, were they?”

She glances at everything going, including the soldiers around the base, who have all gone to battlestations in preparation for major devastation around the base. Thankfully it didn’t come to that, and Leiwelles cautiously approaches the group.

“The issue is resolved for now,” replies Ryuogriar confidently. “We had a misunderstanding. I genuinely apologize for disturbing everyone.”

She bows her head, and Doephluev hesitates, but does the same. “I apologize as well. I was selfish and childish. I should have kept my temper in check.”

Leiwelles replies sincerely, “I am only thankful it did not escalate. Please don’t mind us.” She gestures, and the officers begin relaying the “Stand down!” order amongst each other. The brunette commander of the base adds sincerely, “I knew when dealing with dragons, the best we could do is try to be ready to combat fires and evacuate the injured. Forgive me, Empress Doephluev, but I have not witnessed the… erm…”

“Archoneldwyn,” offers Daniel politely.

She nods. “Thank you. I have not witnessed the archoneldwyn in combat, but the fact that your companions were so on edge, you obviously stand as an equal with dragons.”

“I’m flattered,” replies Doephluev gently.

“I don’t have a personal investment in your disagreement, but I’m thankful it ended peacefully. And, I also don’t personally care about how the Fievegal handles its upper ranks. As a humble officer of a border fortress, I would only ask that you inform me who is in charge at the time.”

Daniel scoffs, and Doephluev blushes a little, while Ryuogriar rolls her eyes. Hekate replies diplomatically, in spite of being the youngest Empress, “Doephluev is indeed the Sovereign Empress at the moment. I lost fair and square.”

Daniel pets Hekate’s head. “Sweetpea, I ask that you be mindful in the future to not admit that to anyone outside of the Fievegal. Even if we don’t care about how we run the Fievegal, if we show how we might appear disorganized so brazenly, our adversaries might be more inclined to attack us.”

He gives Sundenelle a knowing look, and she averts her gaze with rosy cheeks. Her own military forces acted on that very impulse, since her orders were ambiguous.

Hekate groans. “Maybe I really SHOULD give Doephluev the Fievegal. Being a responsible leader is annoying.”

Daniel laughs. “That might make her happy as well.”

Ryuogriar pouts a little, and Geirahoel stalks close to Daniel, sensing that the primary issue is resolved. “Mukori, now that things are settled here, we should return. We need to finish what we started.”

“If you already laid your egg, Geirahoel, where is it?” asks Wenlianna innocently. She’s a little further away from the brewing battle, but is close enough to converse with those near the epicenter.

The orange dragon doesn’t look directly at her, but Daniel replies, “It seems I misfired. I’ve been striking out a lot recently.”

Geirahoel blurts out, “That’s not true!” She blushes, adding softly, “We missed each other…”

There’s an awkward silence for a moment, and Gold is the one to break the ice. “Well, now that that’s all sorted, maybe we should share a drink.” She winks at Daniel with a smirk, and he nods. “She’s right. As an apology, let us share a drink that’s cultivated only at the Fievegal. Though, Commander, I recommend, you only allow your soldiers to partake when they’re off duty. We’ll give you plenty to ration out, though.”

“How very generous of you, your Grace. Thank you.”

Geirahoel slugs Neith in the gut, and he grunts, doubling over only briefly. She clearly didn’t hit him that hard. The orange dragon empress growls, “That’s for whatever the joke about me was.”

“Dear sister… I didn’t even make the joke…”

“And you’ll forgive me because I’m your ‘precious little sister’, yes?” The fiery redhead walks over to Daniel, gripping his collar. “Now that you’re done, I’m taking Mukori.” Daniel chuckles as she drags him towards the barracks building again. The human asks quickly, “Is everyone good?”

“Yes, yes,” replies Ryuogriar dismissively. “Fulfill your husbandly duties, Mukori.”

This leaves another awkward silence amongst everyone else that hears it, and Daniel falls obediently into step with the orange dragon, who pays no heed to anyone else. Roeta, who was waiting about halfway between the barracks building and the entrance to the dining hall, falls into step with her Emperor and Empress to guard them. The female Stalvaltan Guards follow as well, though they’ll mainly provide security for the building. As with Roeta, though, if they have to rush into the room, Geirahoel is much less likely to retaliate as aggressively.

Daniel knows that this blow up was a time bomb from the very beginning, as he was playing with fire entertaining the idea of having a harem of women. He’ll need to pay more attention to their individual feelings to try to defuse similar issues before they boil over. The fact that he made it this far is miraculous.

***

Sundenelle lounges on one of the seats of the bus used by the Fievegal’s Imperial family to travel, which has a long row of alternating seats facing each other that allows a comfortable ride for all of them while also conversing with ease.

The seats alone are more comfortable than any chair the young albino empress has ever sat in.

Byleathea boards the bus, remarking, “I had wondered where you are, your Majesty.”

Sir Ecklevon bows to the head Lady in Waiting, greeting her politely, “Good Morning, my Lady.”

“Good Morning, Sir Ecklevon.” She then curtsies to her own daughter, but Sundenelle waves dismissively. “Come now, Mother, just take a seat and relax with me. It's just us here for now.”

“Very well,” replies the matron. She approaches the seat on the bus catty corner to Sundenelle's and takes a seat, observing a light amount of dust on the base of the blonde Empress's dress, since the young woman has her seat reclined.

“Mother, if this is the comfort of their carriages, which require no beasts of burden, what do you think the Citadel is like?”

Byleathea sighs. “I suspect we will find out sooner, rather than later, it would seem.”

Sundenelle smirks, prompting Byleathea to continue, “Speaking of,... I worry about what we saw yesterday evening.”

“You’re talking about that disagreement between Doephluev and Ryuogriar, yes?”

Byleathea nods. Sundenelle can speak more openly as an Empress, but Byleathea has had to watch her words for many years as an informal concubine to the Emperor. The blonde lady in waiting adds softly, “That was only a disagreement, and it put an entire military base on high alert.”

Sundenelle is quiet for a moment. She knows that Leiwelles needed Daniel all but summoned as quickly as possible in order to defuse, which he thankfully did. Though, it also pointed out the weakness of his situation; the fact that he has to delicately find a path forward without overtly choosing sides. Especially because every single one of the women around him seems to possess a great deal more strength than him, with only a handful of exceptions, now that she knows the truth.

“Yes, I am aware…” murmurs the young Empress. She creates a small sword made of light magic over her palm. It’s nothing more than a toy for a doll at its size, so it won’t use much of her mana. “Even with my inborn talents, I probably rank close to the bottom in terms of magical prowess. Wenlianna is a rare omni-affinity mage, and even Gwenesphia and Veiranoei have mana they don’t seem to flaunt very often.”

“You are entering this arrangement at a severe disadvantage at almost every angle,” remarks Byleathea quietly. “I know that the Empire benefits more by not being an enemy of the Fievegal, but… I cannot let go of the thought that there might be a better way.”

Sundenelle idly studies her tiny sword as she listens to her mother. Byleathea is the only person in the world that Sundenelle truly trusts. Ecklevon is close, since he proved himself during the succession debacle, and she has some reliable vassals, but only Byleathea cares about Sundenelle more than the Empire itself.

More than the Empire itself… She smiles at this last thought as she reiterates it in her mind. She releases the mana and lets the sword vanish in a little ‘pop’ like a bubble.

“Mother,... If you say it now, voice a genuine, heartfelt objection not as my lady-in-waiting, nor as a vassal of the Empire, but as my mother, I will dissolve this mischievous engagement this very day. Something tells me, not even Daniel will object. However, before you speak your thoughts, I ask you this…” She holds a lock of her own hair out in front of her, looking at its diamond-like gossamer ‘white’ color. She has a memory of when she was a child and was accused of being a ghost by other children. This was when she first started shutting herself away in study, rather than wasting time on social gatherings.

And, when he learned of it, the Emperor provided her with a magic device to hide her appearance.

“It’s not that I am ashamed of your appearance, my beautiful little Sun. Rather, there are too few who can appreciate beauty such as yours. That being the case, I would rather keep it all to myself. So, please, only wear this necklace when we’re not alone, my precious Sun.”

The young empress touches the necklace her father gave her. She would be lying if she claimed she never felt that her father was ashamed of her ‘birthmark’, but true to his word, he always doted on her appearance and compared her hair and eyes to rare gemstones.

“... The first time this appearance was seen in public in over a decade, only one person stepped up to take my side, rather than questioning me as… something… other.”

Byleathea is silent.

I know, Mother. I know that he appears reprehensible on the surface. He cares not for etiquette, and he is shameless with possessing one of the largest harems on the continent, with women ranging the very limits of logical sense for a human… Yet…

“I’m not here to scold anyone. But, I can’t say I’m surprised it was you two.”

Daniel’s words sit with Sundenelle. True to his word, he didn’t scold or lecture, but he did force Ryuogriar and Doephluev to come to terms with each other with logic.

If I was one of those two… Would I have so readily given up my stance? I don’t know the full story, but… both of them were very passionate about their feelings.

She smiles as she remembers the situation.

Though, they are obviously more passionate about him, aren’t they? Will the day come… when I can feel that way?

Byleathea sighs finally. “I don’t oppose to this marriage as it stands. After all, you were granted explicit permission to pursue love and children from that love.”

“In that case, Mother, I have some thoughts. What if I make Themik my Deputy Chancellor?”

“Wh-What?” asks Byleathea, stunned.

“Since I will have a great deal of challenges in learning the ways of the Fievegal, I will not have time to fully dedicate to the Empire’s affairs. Themik may not have undergone the full heir training as his elder brother, but he did keep up with much of his studies, and he has been studying continuously in prison. Isn’t that right, Mother?”

Byleathea looks to the side. Sundenelle has always known about Byleathea’s soft spot for Themik, and that she has continued to visit him regularly in prison, providing him with books and other study materials such that he is comfortable, entertained, and learning more and more.

“I… Am I speaking as a mother, still, or as your vassal?”

Sundenelle smirks. “I rely on you speaking your honest feelings either way, Mother.”

The Lady-in-Waiting looks down and closes her eyes as she remains quiet for a moment to think. It’s not that she’s afraid of saying the wrong thing, it’s just that she’s trying to sort her own feelings out.

“If you grant Themik such a high position, he could cause you a great deal of harm.”

“No. He can cause a great deal of harm to the Empire. However…”

Sundenelle casts a light spell towards the back of the bus, which is opposite of where Ecklevon is standing near the main entrance door.

Instantly, a humanoid form flickers into existence armed with a demon staff, and Byleathea exclaims, “What!? Your Majesty! Get behind-...!”

As her mother tries to protect her, Sundenelle calmly grabs her wrist, stopping her from rushing towards the being.

At a glance, it appears to be a suit of armor, but with no one inside of it. Regardless, it can move, and its head is roughly fox-shaped, though it could also be said to resemble a dragon.

Sundenelle explains, “I can’t yet tell if they are individuals, but one of these soldiers has been following us even when we were still in the Empire.”

“Wh-What!?” asks Byleathea, as Ecklevon closes in behind them, his hand on his sword.

“Sir Ecklevon, do not draw your weapon,” orders Sundenelle. “As I said, it has been following me, specifically, since the audience with the Fievegal, though I felt less spied on after the talks of the wedding started, and more guarded.”

“My Lady…” starts the gatonine knight.

“I’m impressed,” speaks a woman’s voice from the strange armored soldier. It suddenly disappears, and a new being takes its place. This one, Sundenelle recognizes as ‘Xyreko’, the prime minister of the Fievegal. “So, you were aware? Then, was I being deceived?”

Sundenelle can easily hear the sarcastic edge to the Prime Minister’s tone. Sundenelle relaxes in her seat. “We both know that Daniel and I were playing games with each other. Just because I knew you were there didn’t change how I operated anything, nor the decisions I am making. In fact, this makes things easier.” She looks at Xyreko, requesting, “If I become an Empress of the Fievegal, I would like you to simultaneously guard and spy on my brother, Themik, so he can serve as my deputy. And, in a worst case scenario, I would ask that you help me maintain order in the Empire.”

“Your Mother is right, your Grace. While her personal affection for the former prince is one thing, if you believe you need our help to maintain order in the Empire, you may already be on the precipice of losing control.”

“There are many honorable men in the world,” replies Sundenelle. “Sir Ecklevon is one such man, whose pledge to serve me loyally is one of the only reasons I was able to rise to Empress.”

“You give me far too much credit, your Majesty,” replies the gatonine, still remaining on guard, but he has obeyed the young Empress’s orders.

“I give the credit you are due. No Emperor or Empress, King or Queen, Lord or Lady stands without the undying loyalty of their subordinates; the men and women who faithfully choose to follow the lead of someone who has earned that faith.” She looks at Byleathea. “Themik has proven to be intelligent, but he is not a cutthroat. He may be bitter about how I used him, but he will serve me faithfully.” The Empress turns her gaze back to Xyreko. “For, we will imprison his mother and brother in the Citadel, so that he must request permission to visit them, but can also regularly hear their voices and speak to them, under the right conditions only the Fievegal can provide at this time.”

Byleathea is quiet, and Xyreko replies, “As it has been stated, the Fievegal will not strictly control the affairs of the Empire, but will share an explicit vassal-relationship with the Empire in a formal capacity; an exchange of military protection for military support, as well as fair trade arrangements.”

Sundenelle smiles and nods. “So, in name, the Empire continues to be the Grand Zenkon Empire, and we will support each other as allies.” She then looks at Byleathea again. “My Deputy will be surrounded by enemies and allies, regardless of who they are. The only reason I won’t choose someone like Yaulander is…” She interlocks her fingers in front of her, replying softly, “I don’t trust him. And, more importantly, I have more leverage over Themik.”

Byleathea fidgets lightly with her hands. “I have no objections to your decision, your Majesty, particularly… if… he does not need to be treated like a criminal.”

“My request is that he be watched subtly by our allies whenever I’m out of the capital.”

“I will obviously need to look into better stealth spells, but I will certainly assist any Empress of the Fievegal, so long as she is loyal to my one and only Master, Daniel.” Xyreko’s declaration is proud and certain, and Sundenelle would expect nothing less. While Xyreko has an ego, rather than a mindless drone, she is still a golem. However Daniel came to possess control over the golems of the Fievegal, it grants him a seemingly unstoppable army.

And, thankfully, his ambitions for conquest are minimal, if not non-existent. Otherwise, the teenage Empress can think of nothing that would stop the Fievegal from sweeping the continent, where once the Demon Covenant even hit stalemates with the allied forces, since dragons rarely chose to fight.

Xyreko then states, “Daniel and Ryuogriar have finished their business, so the group will be gathering for our departure. If you have any last minute business to take care of here at Fort Peony, please do see that it’s done promptly, your Grace.”

“Thank you, Minister Xyreko. I will find Daniel. If he’d like me to resume my normal appearance, I will have to ask that my necklace be repaired.”

“I am certain that you may do as you please, your Grace. Though, if you must know, Daniel has three sacred laws he practices with the Empresses.”

“Oh?” asks the young Empress.

“Yes. Though, you will need to ask him yourself if you really wish to know.”

“Aww! You can’t tease me like that. Now I’m curious.”

Xyreko giggles, in spite of not having a face. “Indeed. Regardless, I can speak with confidence that Daniel would prefer you appear and behave as you are most comfortable. You saw the way Hekate behaved. Do you think she was scolded?”

Sundenelle smiles. Hekate is sometimes a little foolish, from what she can tell, but she is a compassionate and earnest soul. Even Sundenelle could never retain such sincerity after her lifetime of being surrounded by aristocratic politics and cutthroat ambitions. The former-slave Empress of the Fievegal has a charming innocence to her, and Daniel only guides her, rather than controlling her.

Sundenelle lowers her relined seat and stands up. “I understand, Minister Xyreko. Thank you again. Now, if you’ll please excuse me…” She starts to walk towards the front, and Ecklevon walks ahead of her, cautiously paying attention behind him.

However, the young Empress pauses for a moment. “Actually… Do… you have golem soldiers following the other Empresses?”

Xyreko is silent, but for some reason, Sundenelle gets the distinct impression that, if she had a face, the golem would be giving a neutral and cryptic smile. It translates through her voice when she replies with deflection, “You will find Daniel near the Quartermaster’s office, your Grace. I will be around, if needed.”

Xyreko vanishes in a flicker of light, almost immediately being replaced with a fresh soldier carrying one of the Fievegal’s most distinctive weapons. It bows its head politely at both noblewomen and dissolves into thin air, though Sundenelle can still tell it’s there. She has little doubt that Xyreko’s ‘new stealth spells’ will not be revealed to the young albino Empress until she is trusted.

Very well, Xyreko. I understand. I’ll be playing what I can close to the vest as well, but I do appreciate you not taking it personally.

She leaves the bus to find Daniel, and Ecklevon briefly requests Neith to watch over Sundenelle so he can make use of the restroom.

At a glance, it’s a normal day for everyone.

***