The Emperor's Substitute Bride
He glanced around the faces of the council members who looked away, unwilling to challenge their emperor.
Eventually, his stare settled on his daughter. "Empress Nerina, what have you to say about your husband's decision? Would you also follow it blindly?"
Naomi's heartbeat sped up. What the hell was she going to say to this man?
Taking care to only look at him from under her lashes, she answered: "My husband is the emperor, Father. His word is final. I believe he is right though. We have the second largest fleet and we have to serve the realm in these perilous times. The emperor honors you with this, Father. This role is a very important one."