The Emperor's Study Room...
Bathed in warm lamplight and heavy silence, the air felt as still as the polished floors beneath them.
Seated with one leg crossed over the other, the Emperor leisurely stirred his cup of tea. The soft clink of the spoon was the only sound in the room—until he paused.
His sharp blue eyes lifted, piercing through the man seated across from him like blades of ice.
"So," he said slowly, voice calm yet laced with power, "you want me to make your daughter the Empress... and your grandson the Crown Prince?"
The question hung in the air, heavy and deliberate—like a sword balanced on a thread.
The white-haired Duke froze mid-sip, nearly choking on the emperor's blunt question. He carefully set the teacup down on the lacquered table, the delicate clink barely masking his momentary discomfort.
Composing himself, he stroked his long beard with practiced calm, the gesture as much for poise as for thought.
"I never said such a thing. This is not my will, but the earnest plea of all the ministers. The throne beside the King remains empty, and the palace longs for its guiding light. Only your wife holds the grace to be Empress, and her son—by right and blood—shall be named Crown Prince."
The Emperor smirked, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he saw right through the Duke's carefully chosen words.
"And what if I choose not to name an Empress?" he said coolly, leaning back as the light caught the edge of his crown.
"Am I not enough to rule alone?"
He let the question linger, his voice laced with quiet command.
"As for the Crown Prince…"
He stirred his tea once more, almost lazily.
"I already have an elder son. The ministers need not concern themselves with matters that belong to the throne."
The weight of his words pressed against the room like an invisible force—subtle, but unmistakably final.
The Duke, his hands clasped together with precision, remained still, though his eyes gleamed with determination.
"Your Majesty," the duke spoke first, his voice steady but urgent,
"You know I've always been loyal to this throne, to the dynasty. But loyalty alone cannot protect the future. My daughter, she is destined for greatness. She has the grace, the strength, and the intelligence to guide this empire as Empress. If you do not act, Your Majesty, the ministers and nobility will lose faith. And once that happens, no throne is safe."
The Emperor's eyes flickered briefly with intrigue as he leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze piercing.
"Loyalty, you say?" he asked, his voice low, cutting through the tension.
"But why make your daughter Empress, Duke? What is it that you see in her that I do not? You would place her above the other women of the court. Why her?"
The Duke's lips tightened, but his eyes softened slightly as he spoke.
"When my daughter was born, Your Majesty, a prophecy was spoken. It was foretold that she would be the one to save the seed of the kingdom when it was on the brink of destruction. That she would rise to protect the empire in its most vulnerable hour. It is not just my belief, Your Majesty—it is a matter of fate."
The Emperor's brow furrowed, a slight pause lingering as he processed the Duke's words. His fingers gently tapped on the arm of his chair, his sharp blue eyes not leaving the Duke's face.
"A prophecy?" he mused, his voice thick with suspicion.
"So you claim that your daughter is destined to save the kingdom... And yet, you want me to make her Empress? A child of prophecy, you say. What is to stop me from dismissing this and taking the throne for myself?"
The Duke did not flinch.
"Nothing, Your Majesty. You have the power to rule as you wish. But the prophecy speaks of more than just power—it speaks of a time when this kingdom will falter. It is said she will lead the people with wisdom, with compassion, and with the strength to protect the royal bloodline when it faces ruin. Her ascent is not just for us, but for the future."
The Emperor sat back in his chair, mulling over the words. The weight of the Duke's request still hung heavy in the air, but the Emperor was known for his sharp intellect. He was not one to make decisions hastily.
Finally, he spoke, his voice calm, but with a dangerous edge.
"So you expect me to hand over the throne to a woman... because of a prophecy?" His gaze was piercing. "You would have me put my trust in something so uncertain, based on an ancient whisper?"
The Duke did not falter, his voice unwavering.
"The prophecy is not the only reason, Your Majesty. I offer you something far more valuable than mere belief. I offer you my loyalty—my full support, and that of my allies. If you make her Empress, I will place my army at your command, and we will secure the throne. You will have the power to safeguard the kingdom and solidify your rule. I offer this, not just for my daughter, but for the survival of the empire itself."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed, and a slow smile crept across his face.
"You would offer your army?" he asked, his tone calculated. "And you ask for your daughter's coronation in return. Tell me, Duke, why should I trust you? What guarantee do I have that your loyalty will not shift in an instant?"
The Duke's gaze remained steady, his tone firm.
"You have my word, Your Majesty. And my army, should you need it. But you must act now, before the people begin to question the throne. You have the power to shape the future. I am simply asking you to secure it."
The Emperor leaned back, contemplating for a moment before speaking again, his voice measured.
"Very well, Duke. I will make your daughter Empress... but understand this: I will need more than just your loyalty. If you wish for her to ascend, you will hand over full control of your army to me. I will need it to ensure the throne remains secure. Only then will I allow her to take the throne. Until then, your loyalty—and your army—remain mine to command."
The Duke's lips curled into a thin smile, though his eyes remained guarded.
"As you wish, Your Majesty. My loyalty, and my army, are yours. For the good of the empire."
As the Duke bowed and turned to leave, his footsteps echoed softly across the marble floor. He was careful not to show his hesitation, but deep down, he couldn't help but feel the weight of what he had just agreed to. The Emperor's gaze, however, remained sharp and calculating, his eyes following the Duke's every movement.
As the Duke's back was to him, the Emperor allowed his lips to curl into the most subtle yet sinister sneer, a glimpse of malice hidden behind the mask of royal composure. The Duke, unaware of the dark amusement playing at the Emperor's lips, continued toward the door, his thoughts focused on the power he had just secured for his daughter.
Emperor thought to himself "You think you've won, Duke. But you've only played into my hands."
The Duke reached the door, his hand gripping the handle, but as the Emperor's voice rang out again, his words colder than ice, the Duke froze for a brief second.
"Remember this, Duke… loyalty is a currency you can spend only once. Don't be so quick to believe that you've secured the future. The price is higher than you think."
The Duke paused, his back still turned, but he didn't reply. He stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. The Emperor's sinister sneer deepened as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest.
Emperor smirked "You'll see soon enough, Duke. In this Empire, nothing is as it seems. You've made your move… but I'll be the one who makes the final check."