Today, however, Lina was determined to use this opportunity to teach the Duke of Anjou a lesson and remind him who truly ruled the empire.
Her entourage proceeded directly to the large study, where several scribes were already busy with their work despite the early hour. The room contained around a dozen desks, all piled high with documents, while most of the original furniture had been pushed against the walls to make space. With so many men spending their entire days working there, it was hardly surprising that the room was filthy. To make matters worse, the Duke of Anjou had forbidden the servants from entering to clean, leaving the study in a state that resembled a rubbish dump. A strong, unpleasant odour lingered in the air, probably the smell of accumulated sweat from men who had spent too long working without proper ventilation.
