Father turned his face away from the kneeling Elvin Kushad, to me.
"Neiman," he spoke gently.
"Yes, Father," I rose.
"Receive the military tally from the Commander,"
I walked towards Elvin Kushad, who had retrieved the tally from his conscious and presented it by holding it with outstretched arms above his head. I took it from him, and turned to thank Father formally.
"Thanks to Your Majesty for placing your trust in this daughter,"
The officials mouths twitched. It was 'this daughter', not 'this surbodinate'.
"Rise," Father smiled, "I appoint Tsarmus Kushad, Minister Wen and Dan Kushad to assist you,"
The three men stepped forward.
"These surbordinates shall abide!"
"Court dismissed,"
My retainers joined me outside the Royal Court, along with Tsarmus, Minister Wen and Dan Kushad.
"Imperial Princess," Dan Kushad began, as we descended the steps, "should be careful. Elvin won't take this without complaint. The millitary tally is more important to him than his life,"
"Is that why he kept saying I shouldn't lead the troops?" I slowly realized it, "because he would have to give up the tally?"
"Yes," Tsarmus Kushad nodded, "it's highly likely that it will never be returned to him -- along with his misdemeanor today."
"Elvin Kushad is intoxicated with power," Minister Wen added, "His Majesty has been looking for a way to curb his excessive brashness for quite some time now."
"Why do you say I should be careful, though?" I asked Dan Kushad, "it's not as if he'll do anything rash, will he?"
His angular face held doubt. Looking straight forward, he murmured.
"My cousin has little thoughts beside acquiring power. He married His Majesty's youngest sister to gain a ready path to His Majesty's heart. He is only lucky that Renee Saarhash loves him, or he would have dropped dead long ago."
"But if His Majesty can order his own brother to be killed on sight," Minister Wen said quietly, "what goes for a mere Elvin Kushad?"
"Ao-ye," I called, the truth of the matter hitting me and almost knocking the air out of my lungs.
"Present," Ao-ye's voice came from behind me.
"Send some well trained guards to go spy on Elvin Kushad,"
Tsarmus raised an eyebrow.
"Why does Her Highness want to do that?"
My eyes narrowed. They could not understand. Not now, at least.
"Ao-ye, do as I say,"
"Yes!"
I'd never had to deal with such a formidable enemy. With the supporting evidence, I would be able to prove, that Elvin Kushad, was! The! Mastermind! Behind! My! Dissapearance!