"Lady Selene, you've worked hard in pacifying the rebellion. Traveling all the way from the frontier back to the Capital must have been exhausting... I trust you've already received my late father's decree?"
From his seat upon the high dais, the Young Emperor spoke with great enthusiasm. His voice, however, still carried the unsteady tone of youth.
"To serve the Empire is my duty," Selene replied, placing her right hand over her left shoulder as she offered a courteous bow.
"The Empire is fortunate indeed to have such a capable servant," the Emperor said with a bright smile. "I've decided to grant you an additional reward. Tell me—what would you like?"
Selene was still considering how best to respond when the boy Emperor suddenly exclaimed, eyes shining with excitement, "Ah! I know—why not grant you a marriage as a reward?"
"...A marriage?" Selene blinked, momentarily stunned. What in the world... how did this conversation end up there?
"Yes! I shall betroth you to the Empire's wisest and most capable minister—Lord Honest! What do you think?" The Emperor beamed proudly, clearly pleased with his own idea.
Since his accession, the Young Emperor had been under Honest's constant supervision. Surrounded entirely by the minister's loyal aides, he had grown dependent on him, viewing the man almost as a guardian.
"Cough, cough!" Honest, who had been quietly eating by the Emperor's side, choked so hard he nearly fell off his feet.
Marry her? Heavens, no! He valued his life far too much for that!
Selene von Habsburg might have been beautiful and wealthy, but she was also terrifyingly powerful and notoriously ruthless. To marry her would be to invite one's own death. Honest knew full well that if he dared to agree, she would likely grind his bones to dust before long.
Suppressing a smirk, Selene's lips twitched slightly as she replied, "Your Majesty jests. Minister Honest is nearly fifty years of age—and rather... plump. I fear he doesn't have many years left to live."
Honest's expression stiffened. He grumbled inwardly, Tch, as if I ever wanted to marry you anyway. With that temper of yours, it's no wonder the Habsburg line is dying out.
"Such insolence!" he huffed aloud. "My body is not 'plump,' it is... robust. A sign of excellent health!"
"Enough," Selene cut him off curtly. "Let's skip this topic. I'd rather not have my name dragged into ridiculous talk of marriage."
No person—or nation—was without flaws. In the Empire, one's status depended solely on strength and contribution. As long as one's merits outweighed one's faults, all else could be forgiven.
Thus, in the naive eyes of the Young Emperor, Selene's blunt rejection, though impolite, was not unforgivable. After all, wasn't it just as improper for Minister Honest to eat meat so casually during court?
"Oh, what a shame," the Emperor sighed, pouting. "I truly thought it would've been a fine match."
"Ahem."
Honest coughed lightly into his fist and quickly changed the subject. "Your Majesty, perhaps it's time we discussed official matters. Let's see... General Selene should remain in the Capital for a while to rest. During this time, she can oversee the reorganization of the Imperial Guard and the completion of the main causeway in the southern Lake District."
He paused before continuing, his tone turning serious. "Most importantly, however, the remnants of the rebel army have begun resurfacing within the Capital. Several critical military intelligence leaks have occurred—twice just this month. If left unchecked, this could become a grave threat."
Selene remained expressionless. She recalled that she had already purged the rebel information network in the Capital once before. If it had resurfaced now, it was likely reinforcements from their southern headquarters.
Honest cast her a meaningful glance, then turned to the Emperor with a confident smile. "Your Majesty, such a delicate matter should be entrusted to none other than General Selene. I'm certain she can handle it."
The Young Emperor nodded eagerly. "Very well, I leave it to Lady Selene! I have full faith that you will crush these wicked rebels without mercy."
Though the task added to her workload, Selene didn't mind. Just another cleanup job, she thought. This time, she would make sure to be thorough.
"All responsibilities fall to me?" she asked evenly.
"Yes, Lady Selene. Is there a problem?"
"None, Your Majesty. I accept."
...
After the tiresome morning court session, the afternoon unfolded in calm serenity. Selene sat by the window in the palace garden hall, gazing out at the snow-covered, carefully tended gardens while basking in the gentle, non-blinding warmth of the sunlight.
"General, your tea."
"Thank you." Selene withdrew her gaze from the scene outside and gave a polite nod to the maid before her—a woman of some beauty.
"Your servant takes her leave." The maid bowed gracefully and departed.
"What a pleasant afternoon for tea," Selene murmured softly.
She blew gently across the steaming surface of her cup. The faint ripples on the amber-colored liquid reflected her own calm face. Taking a delicate sip, she added lazily, "The only flaw in this picture is you, Minister Honest... a mountain of flesh sitting across from me really ruins the mood."
Having said so, Selene cast a disdainful glance toward the enormous man across the table, shaking her head slightly in mock disapproval.
"Humph. General Selene jests. This isn't fat—it's robustness, you know," Honest retorted, patting his stomach with mock pride, his gesture clumsy enough to look comical.
"Sure, sure... robust," Selene said with a smirk. "Though I wonder, Minister Honest—are you ready for what's coming?" She smiled meaningfully before waving a hand to move past the subject.
Wiping the grease from his fingers with a napkin, Honest chuckled and tapped the file folder beside him. "Of course. Who do you take me for? Thanks to your efforts, everything is perfectly in order."
The folder on the table was none other than the trove of documents Selene had seized from the palace of the southwestern tribal chieftain—evidence of his collusion with the rebel forces.
"I've given you the opportunity, Minister," Selene said coolly. "Make sure you use it well. As for the upcoming purge of the rebel remnants in the Capital... I'll cover for you. And if there are any survivors, I'll even prepare you a second list myself."
Their eyes met across the table. For a brief moment, the air between them thickened with unspoken understanding. For a man as cunning as Honest, there was no need to explain further.
"Those sanctimonious reformists who keep slandering me behind my back... it's time they vanished, don't you agree, Minister Honest?"
Whether or not their names appeared on the original list hardly mattered. Honest now had full control over who lived and who perished. His political enemies would soon face utter ruin.
And even if some managed to escape by chance, Selene's promised "second list" would ensure their doom.
False charges, forced confessions, public executions, and the inevitable confiscation of property—Honest knew this playbook by heart.
"Of course," Honest said with a grin. "After all, this is our agreement."
"Yes... an agreement," Selene echoed softly.
She rose from her seat, lifting her teacup with slender fingers. The porcelain felt smooth and cool—like carved white sapphire. Lowering her gaze, she smiled faintly.
Our so-called agreement, she thought, is no different from the 'treaties' seen by that failed painter in Vienna—something meant to be broken. Whether it's others... or myself. The only question is—who will outlive their usefulness first.