"Ara has been keeping herself quite busy lately," Queen Rei said, a small frown creasing her brow. "I wonder sometimes if she'll ever find someone capable enough to stand beside her." She paused. "The way she's handled the Zhou case, though — I have to admit, I'm impressed. I couldn't believe she connected the dots the way she did."
"I'm so proud of her." King Wuxian said before he shook his head slowly. "The Zhous have been relentless since the warrant on Lan Zhou. His father, Xian Zhou, has sent man after man to the palace. Threats. Court appeals. They even dragged the case before the ministers, trying to overturn it through sheer influence." He let out a long breath. "I'm glad you've been handling it as well as you have."
"The audacity of it," the Queen said, her voice sharp but quiet. "Threatening court ministers. As if their influence places them above the law. I've stood fully behind Ara in all of this, and I will continue to do so — as long as she is in the right."
