She turned to the Royal Guard Captain. "Remove her. Now. And ensure that from this moment forward, only those with official titles enter this court. Anyone found violating this decree answers to me personally."
Guards moved forward. Seraphina's eyes widened in horror and humiliation. "Your Majesty, please—I've done nothing wrong—"
"You've overstepped," Heena said simply. "And that ends today."
As guards escorted the protesting noblewoman out, whispers erupted throughout the court. Heena returned to her throne, settling into it with satisfaction.
"Now then, Marquis," she said pleasantly, as if nothing had happened. "You were saying something about the northern border?"
The message was clear: a new order had begun.
...
The entire day, Heena listened to ministers drone on about territorial disputes, tax reforms, and trade agreements. She absorbed it all, cataloguing loyalties with razor precision. Fifteen ministers held true power in this court—and her five husbands dominated the top tier, with sycophantic followers clustered beneath them like parasites.
But one figure stood apart.
Duke Robbiston—a grizzled war veteran with silver threading through his beard, scars mapping his weathered face. One of the Empress's few genuinely loyal supporters, a general who'd fought beside the previous Emperor and sworn an oath to protect his daughter. Her five idiot husbands constantly tried crushing him, yet the old man remained steadfast.
A smile curved Heena's lips.
As debates swirled, she cut through the noise. "Well, well. How about this, General?"
The room quieted. She gestured toward Duke Robbiston's faction. "You see, my dear husbands are 'terribly' busy right now. Exhausted, even. And I'd like some... quality newlywed time with them." Her smile sharpened. "So effective immediately, I grant Duke Robbiston command of half the Northern armies."
'Stunned silence.'
Shockwaves rippled through the assembly. Duke Robbiston himself looked thunderstruck—the Empress had given Adrian 'complete' Northern control three years ago. Splitting it now, without Adrian present to object, was a devastating power cut.
Duke Robbiston dropped to his knees, voice booming with military precision. "I will follow Your Majesty's wishes and stand firm on her will!"
Heena smiled warmly at him. "I know you will."
A Marquess—Marquess Halverton, one of Adrian's lap dogs—shot to his feet. "I 'object', Your Majesty!"
Heena's gaze swiveled, cold as winter frost. Her hand draped lazily over the armrest. "Oh? And what is your objection, Marquess?"
He drew himself up, tone dripping false righteousness. "Your Majesty, the Duke isn't even here to defend himself! And 'you' granted him that power—you cannot simply take it back!"
The temperature in the throne room plummeted. Heena's expression went black, murderous aura radiating from her like physical force. When she spoke, her voice could freeze blood.
"Marquess." She stood slowly, surveying every face in the assembly. "It seems this court has 'forgotten'—you serve the 'Empress', not the consorts."
She turned the full weight of her stare on Halverton. "This is not some democratic council where you 'object'. You 'listen' to what I say."
She snapped her fingers. An attendant materialized, bowing low. "Your Majesty."
"Read it. All of it."
The attendant smiled and unfurled a document. "This is the contract signed between the Empress and her consorts upon their marriage. Article Seven, Clause Three: ''The Empress grants Duke Adrian Valorian command of the Northern Region for an initial term of three years. Should the Empress determine at any point that the Duke is not fulfilling his duties adequately, she retains absolute authority to revoke or redistribute said power.'"
He paused, letting it sink in. "It has been three years, two months, and seventeen days since Duke Adrian assumed command."
Heena's smile returned—predatory, satisfied. "Now then, Marquess Halverton. Tell me—what has Duke Adrian accomplished in the North?"
Halverton and his faction straightened, voices firm despite their bows. "Your Majesty, Duke Adrian has secured the Northern border completely! Protected it from enemy incursions! He annihilated the beast hordes that plagued the cities! Northern quality of life has improved dramatically—"
"'Stop.'" Heena's hand sliced through the air. "I asked for 'facts', Marquess. Not your 'opinions'."
She turned to Duke Robbiston. "Duke. Tell me about the problems Duke Adrian has caused."
Shocked silence. Duke Robbiston's eyes widened—he'd been investigating Adrian quietly, never expecting the Empress to know. He bit his lip, then stood, meeting her gaze directly.
"Your Majesty, it is this humble servant's mistake to... investigate a Royal Consort without permission. But I worried for the people."
Heena waved dismissively. "Forget the preamble. Speak."
Robbiston took a breath. "After the Duke took control, yes—the Northern border became secure. Enemies fear engaging us. Monsters were eradicated." He turned to face the assembly. "But there's a critical problem. Duke Adrian has waged 'unauthorized wars'. He seized three enemy villages beyond our borders."
A minister from Adrian's faction interrupted. "But that's good! We expanded territory—"
"'Silence!'" Duke Robbiston's voice cracked like thunder. "The Duke's aggression triggered retaliation! The Southern Kingdom attacked 'our' southern borders in response—causing a massacre. Your Majesty—" He addressed Heena directly. "We signed peace treaties with those nations. Duke Adrian violated them. He created diplomatic rifts with three neighboring kingdoms. If this continues, we'll be viewed as treaty-breaking aggressors—and full-scale war will erupt within seven to eight years. War we cannot win."
Heena smiled, satisfaction blooming. She looked at Marquess Halverton expectantly.
His face drained of color. "B-but... but we demonstrate our strength! Show enemies we're powerful!"
Before Robbiston could respond, Heena cut in, voice dripping contempt. "Are you an 'idiot', Marquess? Who let you into this court?"
Stunned silence crashed down. Halverton's face went ashen.
Heena descended the throne steps slowly, each footfall echoing. "Even a 'fool' knows breaking peace treaties is a 'crime'. Did you leave your brain in your bedroom this morning?"
Nervous laughter rippled through the assembly—quickly stifled. Ministers who'd supported Adrian shifted uncomfortably.
Heena stopped before Halverton, looking down at him. "Duke Adrian violated international law. Started wars without imperial authorization. Destabilized our alliances. And you call that 'success'?" Her voice dropped to a lethal whisper. "Perhaps you should join my dear husband in his... 'vacation'. I'm sure he could use the company."
Halverton collapsed to his knees, stammering apologies.
Heena turned back to the throne, cape swirling dramatically. "Duke Robbiston will assume command of the Northern forces immediately. He will repair the diplomatic damage and restore order. Anyone who disagrees may voice their concerns—'after' they review the treaty violations Duke Adrian committed."
She settled into her throne, crossing her legs regally. "Now. Are there any other objections?"
Silence. Absolute, terrified silence.
"Good. "