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An Unconscionable Suggestion
The other Councilmen looked nervous as Cafer stood at the end of the long table to address the future empress. The tension in the air was thick, but the Chief of the Council did not show his emotion. This girl was merely a child with power, and he would direct her in the proper way. Soon she would have to see his wisdom, as her mother had.
"Your Majesty, we received news that you have visited the nursery." Cafer began with a fact. If he could get her to agree to small things, perhaps he could coax her to his way of thinking.
"We have," the princess acknowledged.
"Then you are aware of the great danger facing us."
"I do not follow you, Chief Cafer." Aurora scrunched her eyebrows.
The chief humbly spread his hands, "Your mother did not name an heir."
"She did not have a chance." Aurora countered.
"Traditionally the first born inherits the t
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Empress of the World Leading up to the Announcement
The morning leading up to the public announcement of Empress Zephyra's death was filled with hustle and bustle. A carefully selected crowd was allowed into the palace courtyard to witness the event. In addition, town criers were set in strategic places around Valiant to spread the news. Other messengers were dispatched to carry the announcement along with the two royal edicts to all the parts of the globe. The first edict pronounced a week of mourning in honor of Zephyra's passing. The second edict declared a week long holiday in honor of the new Empress, her marriage, and her children, the new heirs. "Is this really necessary? Why would people want to mourn someone most of them didn't like?" Aurora asked. She had no delusions about people's opinion of her mother. She had been sneaking around for years, hearing snippets of conversations never meant for her ears. Cafer could understand her concern. "It's not about affection. It is about respect. They will show respect
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