As Heena turned to leave the Grand Hall, her tactical kneepads clicking softly under her gown, a high-ranking eunuch quietly stepped into her path.
"Vanguard Madam," the eunuch whispered, his eyes darting nervously. "The Emperor requests your presence in the private study. Immediately."
Heena simply nodded. The chaotic, comedic theater of the morning assembly was over. It was time for the real politics to begin. She followed the eunuch through the winding, heavily guarded corridors of the inner palace, leaving the screaming civil officials far behind.
When the heavy wooden doors of the private study clicked shut behind her, the atmosphere instantly changed. The tired, headache-riddled Emperor who had just mediated a brawl was gone. Sitting behind a sprawling mahogany desk was the ruthless, calculating sovereign of the Great Dynasty.
"Do you know what shame is?" the Emperor asked, his voice a lethal, vibrating growl as he rubbed his temples.
