TO SAY ANYONE was expecting the emperor , would be a lie ; all the high rankers and ministers were well aware that the day after late consort diana's death anniversary was the day the emperor never attended the meetings . and if he did , one would pray he did not for anger clouded by lack of proper rest made the emperor perhaps the worst being to be around .
they gathered together anyway , if the emperor happens to check on them in a flight of curiosity , to not give him any other reason for making the life of nobles more hellish than he already did .
" to think the emperor would pay any mind to us after the empress' arrival ― her job was to coax him into listening our word . but here she just sits in the council room silently , minding her own business and quipping in only when it comes to her area of administration . " marquess thornton said .
a gruff scowl evaded the bearded features of the viscount beside him , who added in , huffing " she seems pretty useless to me , for hell's sake ― ! she speaks to the emperor lesser than we do ! "
theodore alistair on the other hand , simply sat in silence , pretending to read the journal that had arrived just yesterday on his order . he didn't feel the need to participate , for he of all people was well aware that the conceptions about the empress were nothing but empty , but arguing with these men was like teaching a pig etiquette , so he refrained from making a comment .
the chatter that continued was but a faint background noise for him , until it had subsided all too suddenly . golden eyes of the duke rise , to be met by the center of attention . there stands the empress , radiant and cold as ever .
" blessings be upon the moon of the empire ― " they all greeted in unison , acknowledged by a single nod as she stepped over to sit on the end of the table , on the emperor's seat .
" please take a seat , my lords . the emperor hasn't been in good spirits today , so he has appointed me as his replacement to lead the meeting today . I'm sure none of you would have a problem with that , so let's get started , shall we ? "
curt and cut to the point , her statement barely gave the men any space for objection . they all took their seats , knowing better than to speak against an arrangement ordered by his majesty himself .
" your highness , the bill on monopolozing the mana stone trade , has his majesty said anything about the matter ? " count roscente chimed in , backed by a few hums in background .
" i believe that isn't my place to speak ― but no , his majesty has not shown any signs of releasing the impositions on the mana stone trade . " she replied , dishing out a paper to write something on it .
" these laws came into existence before my appointment as the empress , hence i do not have a say in the removal or amendment of those . so please refrain from requesting things that aren't in my power . is there any― " she was , however , cut off midway in her sentence .
" but doesn't that restrain the economy , your highness ? not letting the nobles and merchants take part in the mana trade is lead to loss ! " count's son , Iain ― the royal treasurer , spoke .
turquoise eyes rose up from the paper , sharp as daggers ― staring at the him with a look that cut his words short at an instant . it was eery , the chill that the words of the woman carried .
" I am no finance expert , ser iain . but i do know that loss is only caused when you lose out on something you've invested in . monopolizing the mana stone trade is simply keeping the nobles out of the area , which although holds back business , does not cause loss by any means . so next time when you cross a line , make sure to frame the counter arguement in your head before presenting it . "
her words caught the entire council off - guard , and theodore noticed many of the men present straighten up in their seats . of course , roger wasn't all too surprised . he wasn't the one to underestimate the quiet ones ― besides , he has had a taste of the former beaufort princess' mean streak in the past anyway .
" shall we proceed ? " with a sigh , she questioned . right away , baron van doren quipped.
" the reports that you asked for on the students that enrolled in the university in past five years ― it seems every year the number keeps on decreasing for mysterious reasons . not to mention there have been cases where the qualified mages are losing their mana as time goes on . "
alistair leaned forward in interest ― the problem that the astocian empire had with magical forces could be related to this , he hadn't even imagined .
" perhaps it is because they aren't getting enough energy source ? " the duke added , looking at the empress curiously .
" ever since the seltia empire ambushed the meriphirine mines , which led to their destruction , the mages have been struggling to restore their mana from the remaining mines . "
" what about the imported mana stones from the other empires ? " the empress questioned , to which theodore sighed .
" the countries are well aware of the crisis and hence have increased their prices far too much . to counter our accusations of unfair treatment they tell us that their empire has a need for mana stones just as much as we do . "
" then we might need to find a way to create a source of our own to help the deteriorating rate of mages ― duke alistair , i will need you to take charge of a task for this matter , since it comes under my job . "
alistair nodded , his words sincere " I'm honoured , your highness . "
the rest of the council meeting carried on like usual ― save for more conversations than the ones led by the emperor . the quiet , usually cold empress was a surprisingly active communicator ― albeit she didn't really beat around the bush , but she was also very open to ideas which was a great relief to the younger circle of officials . It was a pity that she was but a mere substitute .
" that is all for today , i will report your complaints to the emperor . good evening , gentlemen . "
and finally , they wrapped up . the sun had already started to set , theodore noticed from the orange glow that seeped in through the windowsill .
as both exited the meeting hall , he approached the empress .
" pardon my insolence ― but back when her highness addressed the problem of the mages ― it almost seemed you suspected something ? "
his words caused persephone to look into his direction ― again , unreadable as ever , ― she replied " i am a paranoid woman in general , so it isn't exactly surprising if i do . however i do wish for someone to go and personally check the present gemstone mines to see if there is a problem with the production . "
" i am at your service . " he answered immediately , earning a small grin from the empress .
it was odd how contrastingly the slightly lopsided , street urchin grin sat over the usually apathetic face of hers ; as if there was something she knew that others did not .
" if you insist , i will trust you with it . although i might feel guilty for exhausting the duke too much . "
his ears reddened , and quickly he attempted to change the topic by mentioning what he'd been planning since some time .
" that being said , i was wondering if the princess needed a playmate ? it is often that children her age feel lonely when they don't have someone their age to confide in . " faux earnestness laced his words , and he added .
" i have a son around her age , and embarrassing as it is to mention ― he takes after me and is quite good-looking , he would be a good playmate for princess ambrosia , wouldn't you agree ? "
her grin simply grew at that , and she turned to face him properly , steps coming to a halt .
" then i believe there is no chance for me to question your son's ability ― however a friend is something i cannot decide for my daughter . so i suggest you take princess ambrosia's words into account . "
" ― .. fair enough , your highness . Thank you for your time , i will take my leave now . " he curtsied , " blessings be upon the moon of empire . "
" good evening , duke alistair . "