The council chamber had not been this full in years.
Nobles lined the marble hall in layered silks and polished insignia, murmurs rippling like disturbed water as Aurelia entered. The double doors closed behind her with a resounding thud.
She did not pause.
She walked straight to the throne.
Leonhardt Kael followed two steps behind, armor gleaming, gaze sharp. He felt it too—the tension in the air, thick enough to cut.
Every person in this room had heard about the poison.
Every person in this room wondered if they would be next.
Aurelia seated herself slowly, deliberately. The sound of fabric settling echoed like a challenge.
"Begin," she said.
The High Chancellor stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty, the council expresses its deepest concern regarding the recent… incident."
Incident.
Aurelia's lips curved faintly. "You mean the assassination attempt."
Gasps scattered through the chamber.
The Chancellor stiffened. "That word is—"
"Accurate," Aurelia said calmly. "I will not soften reality to spare weak ears."
Silence fell.
She let it stretch.
Then—
"Three days ago," Aurelia continued, "a servant was ordered to poison my tea. Yesterday, that servant was murdered to prevent testimony."
Her gaze swept the room.
"I am not here to ask who did it."
Some nobles exhaled in relief.
"I am here to tell you," she said, voice sharpening, "that tradition will no longer protect traitors."
A low murmur broke out.
Duke Harren rose abruptly. "Your Majesty, with respect, palace tradition dictates that investigations of noble involvement—"
"—are conducted privately," Aurelia finished. "Quietly. And buried."
She leaned forward slightly.
"That tradition ends today."
The chamber erupted.
"This is unprecedented!"
"You cannot accuse the council—"
"This will destabilize the empire!"
Aurelia raised one hand.
The noise died instantly.
"Destabilize?" she echoed softly. "My death would have destabilized the empire. My silence would have invited another attempt."
Her eyes locked onto Duke Harren.
"You seem particularly concerned, Duke."
Sweat beaded at his temple. "I only speak for order, Your Majesty."
"Then order yourself to sit," Aurelia said coldly.
Harren froze.
Leonhardt's hand moved—just slightly—toward his sword.
After a long moment, the Duke lowered himself back into his seat.
Aurelia straightened.
"From this day forward," she announced, "the Imperial Trial Decree is revoked."
Shock rippled outward.
Leonhardt's eyes widened.
That decree had stood for over a century. It protected high-ranking nobles from public prosecution.
Revoking it was not just bold.
It was war.
"Any individual," Aurelia continued, "regardless of title, bloodline, or council seat, will answer directly to the throne for crimes against the Crown."
She paused.
"Effective immediately."
The Chancellor's voice trembled. "Your Majesty… such authority—"
"—belongs to the Empress," Aurelia cut in. "Or have you forgotten who sits on this throne?"
No one spoke.
Fear had finally replaced outrage.
Good.
Leonhardt leaned closer. "You're forcing them into the open," he murmured.
"That's the point," Aurelia replied without looking at him.
---
The first strike came faster than she expected.
A man stepped forward from the rear—Lord Viremont, head of the eastern trade faction. His expression was calm, almost amused.
"Your Majesty," he said smoothly, "such a decree is admirable in intent. But surely you understand that sudden changes often… provoke resistance."
Aurelia tilted her head. "Is that a warning?"
"A concern," Viremont said. "The eastern provinces are sensitive. Disrupting noble authority there could lead to unrest."
A threat, wrapped in silk.
Aurelia smiled.
"Then let them be sensitive," she said. "I am not here to be liked."
A ripple of laughter—nervous, scattered—passed through the chamber.
Viremont's eyes hardened. "You are young, Your Majesty. Passion often clouds—"
"—judgment?" Aurelia interrupted. "I agree."
She gestured.
The side doors opened.
Guards marched in, escorting a trembling woman—the kitchen attendant with the blue ribbon.
Gasps filled the hall.
"This woman," Aurelia said, "was detained last night attempting to flee the capital. In her possession was correspondence."
A guard handed Leonhardt a sealed packet.
Leonhardt's eyes scanned the contents.
His expression darkened.
Aurelia continued, voice even. "Letters detailing payment schedules. Poison acquisition routes. And assurances of protection."
She looked directly at Lord Viremont.
"Written in your cipher."
The room exploded.
Viremont laughed sharply. "Absurd. You expect us to believe—"
Leonhardt stepped forward.
"The cipher matches trade contracts registered under your seal," he said. "Including one dated three days before the poisoning."
Viremont's smile faltered.
Aurelia rose from the throne.
"For treason," she said, "I strip you of title, lands, and protection."
Guards advanced.
Viremont backed away. "You cannot do this! The eastern faction will revolt!"
"Let them try," Aurelia said coldly. "The throne does not tremble."
As Viremont was dragged away, the nobles stared at Aurelia with naked fear.
She met their gazes one by one.
"This is your warning," she said. "I will not hunt you."
She paused.
"But if you move against me—"
Her eyes sharpened.
"I will end you."
---
That night, the palace was too quiet.
Leonhardt stood outside Aurelia's chamber, troubled. He had sworn loyalty to the Crown, not to chaos—but the line between the two was blurring.
Aurelia stood by the window, watching torchlights flicker in the city below.
"You pushed too hard," Leonhardt said at last.
"No," she replied softly. "I pushed exactly hard enough."
He frowned. "You've made enemies you can't see."
She turned to face him.
"I already had them," she said. "Now they know I'm watching."
Leonhardt hesitated. "And if they strike again?"
Aurelia's gaze softened—just a fraction.
"Then they'll learn," she said, "that poison is mercy compared to what I offer."
A sudden crash echoed outside.
Steel rang.
A shout—cut short.
Leonhardt spun, sword drawn. "Stay back!"
The doors burst open.
A guard staggered in, bloodied. "Your Majesty—"
An arrow struck his chest mid-sentence.
Leonhardt moved instantly, pulling Aurelia back as another arrow slammed into the wall where she'd stood moments earlier.
Outside, chaos erupted.
Aurelia's heart pounded—not with fear.
With clarity.
"They're early," she said.
Leonhardt stared at her. "Early for what?"
Aurelia met his gaze, eyes burning.
"The coup."
Outside, the palace bells began to ring.