The button was not of a pure color, showing some bronze but primarily golden hues.
It was carved with the portrait of a woman, her expression stern, exuding an air of majesty.
"This is Empress Karina I," Prince Herben said in surprise, "I remember this button, it's from the gown she wore at her coronation."
"That gown had twelve buttons in total, symbolizing the twelve months of the year, and also representing the twelve years it took for Karina to rise from a fallen noble to an empress, step by step."
"As far as I know, the twelve buttons were divided among twelve trusted ministers, and from then on, their families have been forever loyal to Empress Karina I and her descendants."
As Prince Herben spoke, he walked over to a bookshelf and pressed a button.
"Click, click, click."
The sound of machinery followed, and a secret door appeared. He entered a series of passwords, and the iron door opened, revealing a safe within.
