Lucian stood on the balcony of his palace, his gaze sweeping over the vast city below. It was a city reborn from the ashes of war, bustling with life and energy. The reconstruction efforts were in full swing, the streets filled with merchants, artisans, and scholars, all working toward the betterment of the empire. His reforms had taken root, and for the first time in a long while, Lucian felt that his vision for the future was becoming reality.
But as he looked out over the horizon, a single thought weighed heavily on his mind: no empire, no matter how powerful, could survive without capable leaders. He knew he wouldn't live forever, and while Isolde stood by his side as a partner in both governance and life, they needed to ensure the next generation would be ready to take over when their time came. If the empire were to continue thriving, it needed more than just a strong ruler—it needed leaders who could carry forward the legacy they had begun.
