Camille sat in her garden, enjoying the afternoon weather as she sipped her tea. Things were happening so much faster than she could have imagined. Her son would soon become the next emperor. She wondered what meager force was still keeping the emperor alive. Whatever it was, it should be eradicated.
"Lovely afternoon, isn't it?" Lady Xenia's voice echoed as she approached Camille. "The emperor truly outdoes himself with these affairs," she added as she took a seat opposite Camille, who gave her a thin smile.
Camille coolly sipped her tea. "Only when it suits his mood," she replied. "Well, I couldn't help but notice that certain guests are absent. Have some of your usual allies fallen out of favor?" Camille asked, a mocking smile playing across her face.
