The Emperor had always seen his wife as a necessary evil, a political tool, but he had never imagined she would be capable of such public self-destruction.
He stopped in front of a massive window, staring out at the sprawling city below.
"She is mad," he said, his voice a low, disgusted whisper.
"To risk everything over a simple competition. She has no control."
Alaric stepped beside him, his gaze following the Emperor's.
"She thought she was making a show of force," he said, his voice calm and even. "She assumed Daphne would be a weak opponent. She underestimated her."
The Emperor turned, his eyes searching Alaric's face.
"You knew, didn't you? You knew the girl was more than a pretty face. That's why you challenged me."
Alaric met his gaze without a flicker. "I've been a strategist my entire life, Arin. I don't see things at face value. I see what's beneath the surface. Daphne is not just beautiful. She is intelligent, cunning, and has a spirit that cannot be broken. She has a will to survive that is stronger than any army I have ever commanded."
"You are more perceptive than I gave you credit for, my friend. She... she brought my Empress to her knees without a single word of threat." The Emperor shook his head, a look of bewildered respect in his eyes. "What kind of power is that? What kind of woman is she?"
"She is the kind of woman who knows how to fight her own battles," Alaric said, his voice laced with a possessive pride. "She will not be a pawn in your games or a mere consort in your harem. She will be a Queen in her own right."
The Emperor was silent, a thoughtful, calculating look settling on his face.
He had seen Alaric's passion, his unwavering belief in Daphne. He had also just witnessed the kind of enemy Daphne could make and the kind of power she held.
The Empress' ruin was a warning, a public display of the consequences of underestimating her.
"The competition will proceed as planned," the Emperor said, his voice now filled with a new, ruthless resolve. "But the rules have changed. There will be no more assassins. No more parlor tricks. She has my word on this. The Empress' punishment will be a public one. She will rot in her chambers until the competition begins."
"It has been a week, Arin," Alaric said, his voice measured. "Have you reached a decision regarding the Imperial Edict?"
Arin sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I have. I will issue it. I will grant you your marriage to Lady Daphne." He looked at Alaric, his eyes holding a face holding hints of weariness. "It pains me, Ric, to release such a woman to you. She is a marvel. But I have given my word."
Alaric's heart surged with triumph, but he remained silent, waiting for the inevitable terms.
"However, a man in my position gives nothing for free," Arin continued, his tone hardening. "This edict, which will protect her and secure your union, comes with a price. Two things, in return."
"Name them," Alaric replied, his voice firm.
"First, she must win the competition. No second place. Her victory must be absolute. I will not have my Empress humiliated by a woman who then fails to achieve the ultimate prize."
Alaric gave a confident nod. "She will win. I have no doubt."
"And second," the Emperor said, his voice dropping to a serious tone, "she must solve the infertility issue in my harem. My consorts, my wives... for years, every woman I have lain with has been barren. My lineage is at risk, and with it, the stability of this empire. I have consulted every physician, every herbalist, every man of science and magic. None have succeeded. But your woman... if she can bring my Empress to her knees with a needle, she can surely give me an heir. This is the price of her freedom, and the price of your happiness."
The Emperor's terms were monumental, a burden of immense proportions, but Alaric's face remained impassive.
The prize was too great to refuse.
"Do not worry," Alaric said, his voice firm. "She will succeed."
"When will you issue the edict?" Alaric pressed, needing a timeline to plan his next moves.
The Emperor looked at his friend, a flicker of sadness in his eyes. He let out a low laugh.
"I won't tell you, my friend. A ruler must keep a few secrets, even from his closest allies. That would take all the fun out of it, wouldn't it?"
"Remember, Alaric, the Empress must not find out"
With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Alaric alone reeling in joy.
Daphne was finally going to be his.