The Two Empresses
Step One

Saciel who was still asleep was unconscious when Parvati entered with some servants. He just opened his eyes when the head maid opened the curtains and the sunlight dazzled the room.

"Good morning, Your Majesty. Today your event is quite crowded, let's prepare," said Parvati happy. Saciel woke up from her sleep and yawned for a moment before her eyes began to turn to the few maids who prepared everything.

"I can do it myself, Parvati. Take them out" Saciel said in a heavy voice. "I'm not used to being bathed in a normal day anyway."

"If that's His Majesty's wish, fine. But later we will still help you make makeup," said Parvati. Saciel simply nodded and let the waiter out before he set foot to go to the bathroom. Thirty minutes he spent cleaning himself and changing clothes. Soon a few servants came in and started dressing her as simple as possible.

"Your Majesty, it looks like it's time to find a lady-in-waiting for you" Parvati said. Saciel paused for a moment before returning to move the tip of the pen.

"For what? I think there's been a lot of waiters here" asked Saciel.

"It is necessary to help His Majesty take care of some things that the servant cannot do" Parvati said.

"Huf, I can actually take care of everything myself but I think you have a point too. Please prepare the list so I can choose."

"Your Majesty," Parvati replied while saluting and left. Soon someone knocked on the door and Phillip's figure entered his study with a plate stare.

"Thank you for accepting my offer to be an aide, Phillip," Saciel said with a triumphant smile that she could not hide.

"It is an honor to serve you, Your Majesty. His Majesty's schedule today is quite solid, I hope you have enjoyed breakfast" Phillip said.

"I don't have an appetite" retorted Saciel lazily.

"Can't be, Your Majesty. At least a cup of bread and a cup of tea is enough to fill the energy. I'll tell you to prepare breakfast" said Phillip.

"Ngh, can it be just cereal?"

"...alright, Your Majesty. Chocolate cereal with pieces of fruit and cream?" bargain Phillip. Saciel nodded, letting Phillip take care of the rest. He focused on the sheet of paper in front of him. "Your Majesty is fine?"

"Why be formal with me? Usually just a name, right?" ask Saciel.

"Your Majesty, my position is already far below you, where might I dare to call His Majesty's name just like that" Phillip said with a sigh.

"...yesterday Oorun came and said my family name would be changed according to the name of the royal family."

"Heh, when? How come I didn't see it?"

"Obviously no, because he stopped time" Saciel complained. "And he came at the coronation."

"The god now often socializes with you and Lady Cerlina here huh? Is there something between you?" ask Phillip. Saciel simply shook his head and put down his pen when he saw Stevan coming in along with his meal. "Let's move before we eat it."

Saciel moved to another table and slowly dined with a simple breakfast. Stevan poured Earl Grey a cup of tea and put it on the table.

"Your Majesty, many invitations came in this morning" Phillip said as he placed a stack of invitations on his desk.

"Yes invitation? I think I'm going to work longer than anyone" Saciel complained.

"That's what I'm going to attend, schedule it right away" Saciel said. Phillip checked the invitation and saluted, then left. "Stevan, is there any news from Lao?"

"Until now I have not heard from Duke Requiem, Your Majesty. Should I send him a letter?" answer Stevan.

"No need, it will only trouble him. Call all the ministers, I want to hear a report from them."

"Okay, Your Honor," Stevan replied. After cleaning the cutlery used by the queen, Stevan came out. Saciel refocused on her work until she was unconscious when a crow repeatedly knocked on the window using her beak. The new Parvati comes in with a list of names that see it.

"Your Majesty, look. There was a crow trying to get in" Parvati said. Saciel turned and let the bird in with a look of wonder. He only realized there was a ring in his claw when the bird flapped its jet-black wings. Carefully take out the ring and carefully look at it.

"Where did you come from, crow?" saciel asked with a sharp look, but there was no fear in the crow. "Heh, forget me that you're a bird. I need to track who..ah!"

The crow suddenly exploded and became ashes, making Saciel and Parvati wary. Saciel immediately put down the ring and sealed it.

"Your Majesty, is this a threat?" ask Parvati.

"...no, Parvati. This is a warning that I'm not trying to figure out who sent this ring, even though I already know who it is. Tighten the guard, we can not be careless against psychopaths," said Saciel firmly. Parvati nodded and hurried away.

...****************...

"They're strengthening the guard" Dark said as he monitored the border with his binoculars. "I think Saciel knows who sent him."

"He's not stupid, Dark. You're too rash to get it" said Vatra. He turned and looked at the pensive Vristhi some distance away from their place. "You're sure here's the weakest place for magic."

"I'm sure you can ask the outcast prince" replied Vristhi scathingly. Dark was intending to draw his sword, but Vatra glanced sharply and made him stop.

"You better be careful what you say, boy. This foolish prince is unruly" chirped Vatra coldly. "And I also can't control myself not to kill you."

"...I'll remember that" said Vristhi. Vatra refocused on the border, while Dark and Vristhi clashed hatefully. Vatra slowly moved his fingers and turned the surrounding rocks into humans and his cattle. He immediately gave the creature orders jejadian went over the border. Not to forget he put a magic circle bomb on his back.

"Do you want what that is?" ask Vristhi curious. Vatra did not reply, but instead pulled the two away from their current hiding place. "My answer!"

"You'll find out later" replied Vatra, stopping far enough from the starting point and watching his artificial creature being interviewed by the guard. Once allowed inside, they walked towards a nearby village not far from the border and blew themselves up, leaving guards shocked and hundreds injured.

"What...what are you doing?!" snapped Vrishi while pulling Vatra's collar with heightened emotions. Vatra brushed the woman's hand away with a cold look, making Vristhi even more emotional to see her.

"You forgot I'm starting the party right now?"

"This party you're talking about? Damn it," maki Vristhi.

"Heh, you won't be able to escape, boy. You are now part of my plan. If you intend to defect, I will kill the man immediately" said Vatra cynically. Vristhi was about to attack, but he was already helpless before the man. His mouth was now clenched and he could only stay in place. Vatra chuckled and put a horrible look on his face.

"Well, what are you going to do, Your Majesty?"