"That’s outrageous!" a merchant shouted, "You can’t control nature itself!"

"I can when I want to, especially with the likes of you," Evelina replied. "Because I am the only one who knows how to make it flow. It might be free for anyone but for you, it’s not. If you don’t like it, build your own. Oh, wait... my Chief Architect is under a life-term exclusivity contract."

She looked at Harris, who was shaking, "The meeting is over. The next time you come intending to humiliate or scam me, the price will double. Oh, sign the royalty agreement by sunset on your way out, or the price goes up to 20%."

Ace stepped forward, hand on his sword, "You heard her. Out."

The merchants scrambled out, their dignity in tatters.

Ace had a proud smile on his face, "They can’t sleep tonight."

Not only did they not manage to make the huge profit they were dreaming but they were even charged with a royalty for nothing.

Evelina was composed, "In business, you don’t negotiate with thieves. But rather... youmake them into customers."

The victory was sweet, but short-lived.

An hour later, a royal messenger arrived. He carried a scroll of heavy purple vellum, sealed with the Empress’s private signet.

Ace took the scroll, his face darkening. He looked at Evelina, his eyes unreadable.

Ace said, "It’s a Royal Summons. But it’s personal."

Evelina took the parchment.

To the Duchess of the North, the ’Water Goddess’ whose name rings louder than temple bells.

I am intrigued by a woman who can command both the earth and the Inquisition. I shall arrive at the Alvarez Estate in three days to witness these miracles myself.

Prepare a seat for me, Evelina.

—Empress Aelia

Evelina stared at the letter and fell silent. She hasn’t heard of or seen the Empress after the Midsummer’s Tea. Despite the chaos brought by the drought, the Empress hadn’t showed up or tried comfort the crowd.

Empress was a mystery, rarely seen but an always felt power behind the throne. Unlike the old and weary Emperor, the Empress was rather unpredictable.

"If it’s annoying, I can make arrangements to not let her come," Ace suddenly said.

Evelina was startled. She looked at the man in speechlessness. What did he mean he would not let Empress come if she found it annoying?

"No," Evelina said, regaining her composure, "She’s coming to see if I’m an ally... or a rival who needs to be removed."

Evelina looked out the window.

She had defeated the Church and the Guild, but now the most powerful woman in the world was at her door. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Although the Empress had shown her favor in the Midsummer’s Tea, it was simply a momentary gain of her attention because Evelina managed to play her cards well.

Evelina wasn’t foolish enough to think that Empress Aelia’s kindness that day had extended into a long-term friendship.

...

The arrival of the Empress was heralded by a fleet of sleek, silver-white carriages gliding toward the Alvarez manor under a canopy of fluttering phoenix banners.

The air in the North was gentle and cool, a stark contrast to the dusty heat that still gripped the South.

Evelina stood at the gates, Ace at her side. He was dressed in his full ducal regalia, the dark fur of his cloak catching the light, but his hand never strayed far from Evelina as well as the hilt of his sword.

It looked like the moment anybody pointed a finger at Evelina, he would chop it off.

The lead carriage door opened. A woman stepped out who seemed to radiate a cold light.

The Empress was older than Evelina, but her skin was as smooth as marble, even more so than the last time they had met. She didn’t look someone who had even come close to suffering a drought.

She didn’t look at the flowers but her gaze was fixed instantly on the massive iron structure vibrating in the distance.

The Empress stopped dead in her tracks.

"So," Empress Aelia whispered, her voice like velvet, "These are the monsters that have replaced replaced those religious geezers."

"They aren’t monsters, Your Majesty," Evelina said, stepping forward with a perfect yet shallow curtsy, "They are merely tools to help us humans survive the crisis."

The Empress turned her gaze to Evelina. For a long moment, the two women stared at each other.

Empress’s eyes flickered, likely re-assessing the woman she had met at the Midsummer’s tea months ago. In a matter of months, Evelina had completely upended the Empire’s social order.

The Empress then looked at the prestigious Duke who was standing aside like a guard. It seemed like he didn’t even want his presence to be acknowledged. Because his entire focus was strained on the woman beside him.

The Empress’s gaze flickered.

"You speak with a boldness that usually gets people shortened by a head, Duchess," the Empress noted, though a familiar intrigued smile touched her lips, "Show me how this thing works..."

The tour was an exercise. As Evelina explained the mechanics, the Empress remained silent. She touched the cold iron of the pipes and watched the workers... who were neither slaves or serfs, but paid laborers. Or as what Evelina described them.

Finally, Aelia gestured toward the manor, "A private word, Duchess."

Ace stiffened, his eyes narrowing.

"Sure, the Duke is not afraid that I might harm his wife?"

Ace didn’t look he could take a clue. And even if he did, he pretended not to because he stayed still in his spot, looking like he would follow Evelina like a shadow.

A hint of displeasure crossed the Empress’s eyes.

Ace’s face turned cold.

At this moment, Evelina looked at Ace and nodded once.

Despite barely looking convinced, Ace took a small step back.

The Empress and Evelina retired to a secluded place, where the scent of blooming jasmine from the northern gardens filled the air inside the room.

The Empress walked to the window, looking out over the green expanse of the Alvarez territory, "The Duke seems to be smitten with you.’’