“I am perfectly aware of that,” Tasia said. “Which is why we are having this conversation now. You must each assure me that you, at least, will support Mace as the true Emperor and Father of the Empire.”
Mace himself looked on the verge of speaking, but one of the Brothers – Joslyn didn’t remember his name – spoke first.
“But even if we accept him as Emperor, will the people?”
Wise Man Fraden snorted, perhaps at the notion that the Brotherhood’s acceptance would matter to anyone except themselves.
“As soon as today’s wedding ceremony is complete,” Tasia said, “Mace will be adopted into the House of Dorsa. That has been Imperial law for centuries.”
“Just because something is law does not mean that the people will follow it,” said Evrart. “That is my concern.”
“You will be here to ensure that the people do follow it, though,” said Tasia. “To assure the lords follow it.”
Evrart gulped down a protest. He’d probably assumed that he would be going to the East alongside Tasia. The room shifted uneasily.
“I know full well that there will be those who will promote my sister as heir should I fail to return from the East,” Tasia went on, her eyes touching each man in the room. “But you must not – you cannot – waver from your support from the Emperor. Not even shadows can destroy this Empire as quickly or as thoroughly as a civil war could.”
“Which all points to why you should let me lead the army East, Empress,” said Mace. It was the first time he had spoken all morning, and all heads snapped in his direction. “Should I perish, no one will feel the loss but my father – well, and perhaps a few others. But should you perish … Tasia, it would throw the whole Empire into chaos. The risk is too great.”
Joslyn chafed at hearing Mace use Tasia’s nickname, especially in front of the counselors. But the rest of the room seemed to take no notice of it. They were too focused on what Mace had suggested rather than how he had suggested it.
“How many times must I tell you that I have made my decision?” Tasia demanded of the room, throwing her hands up in exasperation – which in turn exasperated the tailor who still fiddled with the hem of her gown. “I am going. That is final. I invite your counsel, but not your direction.”
“Empress, if only you would listen to –”
But Joslyn had heard enough, too. “Your Empress has already told you her decision,” she said sternly. “It is generous that she listens to your counsel at all, given that she is well within her rights to make decisions for the Empire without any input whatsoever.” Joslyn moved her gaze slowly from face to face, trying to shame the men into silence. “Should she not return from her expedition to the East, she asks that you support the Emperor in her stead. But given that I will be at the Empress’s side throughout her entire campaign, I can assure you that she will return.”
Joslyn did not look at Tasia as she said it, because she was all too aware of her hypocrisy. She’d been angry at Tasia for making a public proclamation without discussing it with her first, and now she had done the same thing. And just as Joslyn couldn’t argue with Tasia in the council room, Tasia could not argue with Joslyn now. Besides that, Joslyn had told Tasia’s advisors to obey her in one breath and yet she herself disobeyed Tasia in the next.
“I intend to go as well,” Brother Rennus announced. “The Brotherhood will also take pains keep the Empress safe.”
Evrart whipped his head around to the other Brother. Clearly he had not expected Rennus to join the Eastern campaign. Joslyn was also surprised, but she liked the thought of having a skilled healer so close to Tasia.
Long, tense seconds passed, with Wise Men turning their gaze towards the floor and Tasia appearing to brace herself for another challenge.
When no challenge came, Tasia laughed lightly and clapped her hands against her thighs. “Well, I don’t know what the rest of you have planned for today, but it actually happens to be my wedding day. So unless there’s anything else, I hope you will excuse me for a few hours?”
The advisors exchanged hesitant glances. Alric was the first one to get to his feet and bow to Tasia.
“A pleasure as always, Empress,” he said. “You certainly know how to keep us all on our toes.” He scratched his beard. “I s’pose I ought to trim this beast growing on me face if I’m t’go to a royal wedding this afternoon and hobnob with a bunch o’highborn, eh?”
Tasia acknowledged him with a smiling nod, and Alric let himself out without another word.
Alric’s departure triggered a cascade of others, each bowing to the Empress before letting themselves out.
Rennus bowed deeply and kissed Tasia’s ring. “I shall see you soon, at the joyous occasion of your wedding.” He left, Evrart and Udolf close on his heels.
Then it was only Mace, Tasia, Joslyn, and the tailors who remained.
“Well,” Mace said. “Your Military Advisor isn’t the only one in need of a shave.” He smiled ruefully, scrubbing at his whiskers. “And I’m guessing the tailors have business with me, too.”
Mace kissed his fiancée’s hand and prepared to follow the others out the door, but Tasia stopped him.
“Stay back a moment, if you please,” Tasia said. She caught the tailor’s eyes and waved a hand towards the door. The tailor and his apprentices hastily gathered their equipment and followed the last of the Wise Men from the antechamber. Once they were gone, Tasia gestured at the divan. “Please. Sit. There’s something the three of us need to discuss.”
Mace glanced at Joslyn, perhaps wondering if the Commander knew what business Tasia wanted to discuss. But Joslyn only lifted an eyebrow. Whatever Tasia was about to tell them, she was as clueless as he was.