(A.N: Info dump, feel free to skip the information here, it would most likely pop up in the future)
The council was gathering today.
After the slaughter that had shaken the capital, a massacre that had claimed not only civilians but also the child of the city's major traders, the High Chancellor had no choice but to convene an emergency council.
The request had been sent and the Emperor, Alexander, had approved it.
One by one, the council members entered the Imperial Council Hall.
The seating followed strict hierarchy. Officials of lower rank arrived first, filling the outer rows before those of higher standing took their places closer to the centre.
Nearly fifty officials gathered within the hall, but only twenty-two of them held High Council authority.
The rest were representatives, advisors, and witnesses, present to observe and represent major nobles/generals that were not within the capital at this moment.
All of them were waiting for the higher members and the Emperor.
***
At the same time, far from the Council Hall, Alexander was stepping into his carriage.
The doors closed with a muted thud, sealing him inside as the Imperial Guards took their positions.
The carriage began to move.
Few people truly understood the scale of the Imperial Valekar Palace.
Despite being called a palace, it was more accurately a fortified city.
To prevent infiltration and external influence, every servant, guard, and attendant lived inside the palace grounds.
There was so much space to cover that at its peak, the Imperial Valekar Guard had numbered over ten thousand.
More than ten times its current strength.
The Imperial Crown Palace stood near the heart of the complex.
It was Alexander's residence; a standalone palace connected directly to the Imperial Valekar Guard stronghold. Behind it lay the Imperial Consorts' Palace, where the Emperor's consorts resided.
The Empress, however, lived within the Crown Palace itself.
Not far from these stood the Inner Crown Palaces, a series of smaller but elegant compounds reserved for Imperial Princes and Princesses.
Guest Palaces stood nearby, mirroring the Inner Crown structures in size and design.
These housed foreign royalty, envoys, and nobles.
Toward the rear of the palace grounds lay the staff quarters and residential districts. They were arranged orderly like a small town
Granaries were nearby and to the left of the palace grounds stood the Hall of Dynasties, which held all the books and unique items collected through out the various emperor reigns.
The road that led directly from the main gate to the Imperial Hall was called the Heavenward Plaza.
A vast open space of white stone and engraved runes, it served as the ceremonial threshold between the palace and the outside world where large congregations took place.
Encircling the palace grounds flowed the Sky-Reflecting Lake, its waters unnaturally still, mirroring the sky above day and night.
Gardens were spread between buildings, carefully arranged beautifully.
(A.N: I had to include this since it may cause confusion when I start listing different palaces within Imperial Valekar Palace.)
***
As the carriage rolled through the inner gates and toward the Heavenward Plaza, Alexander sat calmly inside.
When Alexander finally reached the Imperial Hall, the entire council was already gathered.
The announcer stepped forward and immediately called, "The emperor has arrived."
Everyone in the hall immediately stood and nearly fifty figures bowed their heads toward the throne. Even those who disliked him knew better than to show it here.
Alexander calmly walked in and made his way to his throne.
He climbed the seven steps that raised and divided the throne from the closest official.
The moment he sat, Victor took his position directly behind the throne, silent and unmoving, his presence alone enough to discourage foolish thoughts.
On Alexander's left sat the administrative core of the empire. On his right, the military powers.
Alexander looked down at the people bowing as all the information he had gathered so far about them played through his mind.
To the right, closest to the throne, stood Marques Percy Walford, who lead his own faction.
He was the Grand Marshal of the Legions. He stood straight-backed, hands behind him, the very image of disciplined authority. He appointed regional generals and lead the army in time of war.
Next to him was Count Eero Malbon, another man leading his own faction, serving as Minister of Defence. His domain was quieter than Percy's but no less vital. Fortresses, border walls, garrisons.
Beside him sat Countess Ingrid Martin, who was aligned with the Grand Marshal. Minister of Military Supply. She managed logistics, troop housing, and the endless flow of weapons, armours, and provisions.
Further down was Earl Aurora Hanford, she was a neutral party, Grand Admiral of the Fleets. She was the kind of person that simply did her job just like her father before her.
Since she controlled imperial Navy, every faction was fighting to get her on their side, however that would very much shift the balance of power.
Near her stood Marquess Grace Cadden, another neutral character.
As Arch Imperial Mage, she commanded all mages sworn to the empire and regulated every authorized magical experiment.
At the far end of the military side stood Marques Gus Garfoot, another loyal follower to the Grand Marshal. He was the Minister of Magical Resources.
Beside them, slightly separated, was Viscount Flynn Neller, who was carefully playing both the Defence and Police Faction. He was the Commander of the Imperial City Guard.
On the left side of the throne, the closest was Marques Jordan Thorn, a loyalist through and through. The High Chancellor.
Next to him was Count Eric Kallen, Minister of Justice and another loyalist. Head of the judiciary. Judges across the empire answered, indirectly, to him.
Beside him sat Earl George Campbell, Minister of Police, another person with his own faction.
Near him was Earl Leilani Engers, Minister of Prisons, who was aligned with the Police faction.
Count Jimmy Lapworth, tied to Defence Faction, handled Border Customs.
Then Count Luke Thompson, Imperial Treasurer and loyalist.
A few seats away was Marques Rufus Quill, officially neutral, though everyone knew he would side with whoever benefited him most. Minister of Trade.
Next to him sat Marquess Melody Ravon, Minister of Imperial Businesses, loyalist.
Count Charlie O'Kennedy, aligned with Defence Faction, oversaw Mines and Quarries.
Further along sat Marques Jex Orwick, Minister of Guild Regulation, closely tied to the Police Faction.
Near the outer seats was Countess Aubrey Forbus, Minister of Harbour Affairs, Another neutral candidate although she would most definitely align with the Grand Admiral.
Viscount Carter Anderson, Defence-aligned, that handled Foreign Affairs.
Closer to the throne sat Lady Aurora, Lady of Palace Affairs. a nonnoble whose family had served the imperial line for generations. Loyalist.
Beside her was Viscount Darius Gilliard, Minister of Roads and Couriers, another neutral candidate.
At the rear of the administrative block sat Countess Daisy Nock, loyalist. Keeper of Imperial Archives.
Finally, near the edge of the hall, sat Baron Elijah Davenport, neutral. Minister of Festive and Civic Rites.
And beside him, frail but sharp-eyed, was Lady Sarah, the oldest presence in the hall and the only other nonnoble besides Lady Aurora. Loyalist. She was the minister of Imperial Succession.