Ravenna sat across from Marie in the cozy study, sunlight streaming through the tall windows. Between them rested a delicate tea set on a polished oak table, the warm aroma of brewed tea mingling with the faint st of part and ink. The versation had shifted to a more serious tone as Ravenna patiently expihe intricacies of the isnd's governand the broader politics of the empire.

  Marie, holdieacup with both hands, frowned slightly in thought. “But, Master,” she begaantly, “why doesn’t Emperor Andrew just announce a successor? Wouldn’t that stop all this political chaos and prevent it from damaging the empire’s ey?”

  Ravenna smiled knowingly, her firag the rim of her own teacup. “True, Father could end the power struggle by deg a successor,” she replied, her tone carrying a hint of irony. “But doing so would create a peaceful transfer of power.”

  Marie tilted her head, her fusion evident. “And what’s so bad about that?”

  Ravenna chuckled softly, setting her cup down with a gentle k. “Our empire is not like others,” she began. “We hold sway over four vassal kingdoms, and the rgest military on the ti, and are surrounded by enemies—empires and fas who harbor varying degrees of hostility towards us. The st thing Father wants is a weak ruler to i the throne.”

  Marie’s brows furrowed as she mulled over Ravenna’s words. “So he’s willing to let his children fight, betray, and even kill one another for the throne?” she asked, her voice ced with both curiosity and a hint of horror.

  Ravenna leaned ba her chair, her gaze thoughtful. “Do you know the story of the Golden Silkworm?” she asked, her voice taking on a storytelling lilt.

  Marie nodded quickly. “Yes, it’s one of the teags of the Absolute Oo the Goddess Solious,” she said. “The Absolute One believed in pg various venomous creatures into a sealed tainer aing them fight until only one survived. The survivor, hardened aed, would i its in.”

  “Exactly,” Ravenna said with a nod. “But remember how the story ends? The Absolute One was ultimately defeated by the gods when they united against him. His downfall came at the hands of Saintess Li.”

  Marie’s eyes brightened as she recalled the tale. “Saintess Li was created by the gods, wasn’t she? A being born from their bined essence, pure mana inate, able to insute all forms of mana and nullify the Absolute One’s powers.”

  Ravenna smiled, pleased with Marie’s uanding. “That’s right. The Absolute One’s idea worked, in a sehe st surviving creature, Saintess Li, was ihe most powerful. It’s the same principle Father follows: only the stro, most capable ruler should asd to the throne. Survival of the fittest, if you will.”

  Marie’s expression grew more serious. “But uhe Absolute One, Emperor Andrew interferes in court politics, doesn’t he?”

  Ravenna chuckled, standing and stretg lightly. “That’s because he’s a man, not a higher being,” she said wryly. “Now, enough politics for one m. Let’s visit the bcksmiths. I want to see how their work is progressing.”

  Marie’s face lit up with eagerness as she rose to her feet. Her flowing dress shimmered slightly in the sunlight, the high slit and exposed midriff a stark trast to the modest mainnd fashions she had once favored. Ravenna couldn’t help but smile, notig how fortable Marie had grown in her tire. It was a small but meaningful sign that she was beginning to embrace the more extravagant and daring styles of the isnd.

  “Lead the way, Master!” Marie said cheerfully, her fidence adding ara spring to her step.

  Court of the cil of Vassal States, Ana Empire, Capital of the Kingdom of Estra

  The Court of the cil of Vassal States of the Ana Empire was alive with activity. A sense ency permeated the air as messengers rushed to and fro, their voices mingling with the sharp king of armor. The security at the grarance had grown expoially tighter, with soldiers from various fas bolstering the already formidable guard. The meeting veoday was no ordinary session. It was an emergency cil summoo address a grave matter: the emergence of a-floor dungeon within the Men Dukedom.

  This was no minor issue. Unlike routiherings where representatives deliberated on matters ing the vassal kingdoms, today’s meeting drew key figures from every er of the empire. Even the Royal Prince of Estra, Finel Gustav, had chosen to attend in person, a rare dispy of the kingdom’s itment to the cil.

  Finel, a striking figure in his te twenties with sharp features and an air of fideood he entrance of the cil building. Dressed in regal attire adorned with Estra's sigil, he exged words with one of the cil ministers, his tone firm but courteous. Mid-versation, his attention was drawn to the arrival of a carriage embzoned with the imperial sigil.

  The carriage came to a halt before the grand steps, and a ti of imperial guards formed a protective formation. The door opened, and out stepped a man whose presence immediately anded respect. He had jet-bck hair, ly styled, aures that betrayed his youthful appearahough he was known to be 32. His regal purple attire bore the sigil of the Goddess Solious crossing swords, marking him unmistakably as a member of the imperial family.

  Finel’s lips curled into a smirk. “Well, well, look who’s decided to grace us with his presence,” he remarked as the man asded the stairs.

  The newer returhe smile with a calm nod. “It’s been a while, Finel. How is your father, King Gustav?”

  “Wonderful, as always,” Finel replied, his tone pyful. “So wonderful, in fact, I doubt even Goddess Herptian could seduce him into kig the bucket.”

  Prince Landon Sorius chuckled, his deep voice resonating. “That does sound like the King Gustav I remember.”

  The two princes exged a handshake, their camaraderie apparent. “So,” Finel began, his tone being more serious, “you’re here to represent the imperial fa? I didn’t expect Emperor Ao send someone from the imperial family. I thought he’d delegate this to a general or perhaps a minister.”

  Landon smiled, his demeanor posed. “He didly send me. I happeo be in the area, and Father thought it prudent to have me apany Justice Minister Kimmel.”

  Finel houghtfully. “A wise decision. Given the growing dissent among the vassal states’ nobility toward the imperial court, having someone directly from the imperial family present might help ease tensions—or at least provide crity.”

  Landon’s expression grew more serious as he aowledged Finel’s words. The rift between the vassal states and the Ana Empire had been widening for years, fueled by perceived and unequal treatment. This meeting would likely be fraught with challenges.

  As their versation tihe sound of hooves cttering against stone drew their attention. Another party approached, this one bearing the imperial fg. Unlike Landon’s formal ente, this group was less ostentatious but equally disciplined. Most of the men were on horseback, their armor refleg the sunlight.

  Leading the group was a man in his early twenties, his strikiures and dark bck hair a mirror image of Landon’s. He dismounted gracefully, his pierg gaze sing the crowd before nding on his older brother.

  From the top of the stairs, Landon’s lips curled into a faintly mog smile. “Look at that,” he said, loud enough for the younger man to hear. “He must have spent quite a fortuo arrive here so quickly.”

  The younger man gnced up, his expression cool but sharp. “Brother,” he greeted curtly.

  “William,” Landon replied with a smile that carried equal parts amusement and challenge.

  The two princes locked eyes, the unspoken rivalry between them palpable. It was clear that the cil’s proceedings were about to take an even more intriguing turn.

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