The palace’s ballroom was packed with nobles from across the whole Empire. Although the Night of Long Knives had removed many of them years before, they always found ways to return. Surviving families took up free land and installed new nobility to run it for them or the crown doing it itself. With the Safrid Lands, although another purge was prepared, it was never on the same scale taken in the original Ammary Lands. Most nobility had been allowed to live, or too many issues would have arisen from the land.

Issac stood with Johanna just outside the double doors. "Now Entering, Prime Minister Issac Flanders and his wife Johanna Flanders." Walking out, he moved to the edge of the balcony with his wife and looked down at the gathered nobility. It was the place Alfred would usually take to stay away from any banquets he had to host, but Issac found it quite nice. To look down on nobles and show you were superior.

"Thank you all for coming," Issac said politely. Now, I know you are all wondering why I decided to host such a feast, especially during a time of war. There is one reason. It can proudly announce to all of you that within a year and a half, the Empire will introduce a new form of governance. The People’s Courts will be a time for the common folk to finally have a say in matters and bring their complaints forward to the crown."

Issac leant forward and saw the one person he wanted in the crowd. Esmond looked up, and the two shared a small nod, with Esmond looking around with hawk-like eyes. "I trust there is no one who disagrees. After all, this is the work of the Emperor and Empress." The crowd all made sure to happily agree, but Esmond caught a few who couldn’t even bring themselves to do that and made a mental note.

Issac leaned back with Johanna, who looked at him strangely. "Does His Majesty really care about the commoners? To even give them official powers. Isn’t it dangerous?"

Issac smiled and led her down the steps. "He does care about them, but not enough to do this. He is just making it so they stay in line and think they have power." Issac chuckled a little as he thought about it. "His Majesty and Her Majesty are quite sinister. They created the blueprint for this so that the commoners have no real power, and anything they do will be bogged down in administration."

"This only applies to places where we can get away with slow administration. In places like Far Mile, we had to ease off. But the reality is the mayor has all the power, followed by the military. The noble shave nothing really other than wealth."

Issac pointed across the hall at a man who sat on a table alone, writing. "I got someone to come and write about this announcement. Will spread thew word soon."

"Is there any point? The Commoners will find out eventually."

"Two. First, it gives them time to prepare an actual group of people who can do the job, not some random peasant who can’t even read. Second, it boosts morale across the nation. His Majesty understands the power behind the news and what it does to people. For two years, he has made them look forward to war, but the reality is they will become tired of it once food becomes more expensive. This will give them something else to look forward to, and hopefully, when problems start, they won’t be as bad."

"They will think, ’In a year’s time, we will have a say. Just hold on’ It’s all a matter of controlling what they think. Lucky the Palace is the only place that has the power to mass produce such things" Issac paused and saw an older woman surrounded by ladies.

"Catherine. I didn’t expect you to be here." Reaching out, he grabbed her hand and gave it a light kiss. Catherine smiled, not doing anything to embarrass Issac.

"Well, I’ve done everything I needed. It’s all up to Abu to make sure the boats get where they are needed." Looking at Johanna, she smiled. "You look stunning. The pregnancy seemed to have no effect on you."

Johanna smiled. "Compared to yourself, I have a long way to go. But I am surprised aswell how well it went. My mother made me worry so much."

"She was just looking out for you. But have you thought of having another?" Johanna’s face flushed, making both her and Issac laugh.

"Of course, Duchess," Issac answered for them. "But it makes me wonder. What about Sasha? She’s not getting younger."

"ahh. Don’t get me started with that girl. But I know what you mean. I have to force her to marry soon. Or it will be too late."

Issac smiled. "Let’s be honest, Catherine, he won’t marry for love or anything like that. She is so duty-driven that having children will be a mission for her. So why not marry her to someone who understands." Catherine squinted dangerously, looking at Issac.

"Who my daughter marries is not your concern, Issac."

"I meant no disrespect." Issac ignored Catherine’s mood and smiled playfully. "I just meant she needs someone worthy of her status but also understands her. I can think of two people." Raising her eyebrow, it was obvious she wanted him to continue. "First is Charles. Whilst he is happy not to marry, he knows he needs a kid to carry on the Raven name. The other is Marcus."

Catherine sighed, but the more she thought about it, the more she agreed that they were good matches. "I need to think about it."

"Get back to me before the war ends. It will be very easy to use Sasha as a reward for good performance by the two. They may not like it, but they need to carry on the family name. Best part. Her daughter takes the Godwin names, and any son can carry the fathers."

Catherine nodded and picked up her glass. "I must see other people, Prime Minister." Issac nodded and made room for her to walk past. Looking at his wife, he could see she was confused about why he was so interested.

"We need to keep power with just a few of us. Sasha and Marcus. In the future, they will be very powerful people. If we can keep two Royalists together, we are fine. Charles was just thrown in because that bastard needs to get married soon." Despite his remarks, he smiled, thinking about Charles’s situation before suddenly freezing, ’Maybe he’s gay. He doesn’t even talk to women during banquets.’ The strange thought came to his mind, but he pushed it aside.

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The door opened, and Piast froze, seeing Lena sitting next to a maid. Her eyes were glued to the book, not daring to look up as the maid mischievously smiled. "Close the door, Marquess." Horace didn’t hide his voice and spoke normally. Piast eyes went wide as his fist curled, but seeing this, Horace gently touched Lena’s neck with a single finger, stopping him from acting.

"Why don’t you sit? We have a lot to discuss." Horace looked down at the book and turned the page for the two of them, ignoring Piast until he did as told. How long had he dreamed of the day when he would finally have his hands on the man who put him, his wife, and his entire family through such misery?

But seeing Horace now gently stroke Lena’s neck with one finger, he couldn’t do anything. If he called out for his guards, Lena and he would die before they could even enter. Taking a seat, he took a deep breath. "Who are you? Jozef was a fake identity like the one you’re using now?" Horace didn’t answer and continued to read the book with a small smile. "AWNSER ME!"

"Shh. Not another outburst." Horace put his finger over his mouth and heard a knock on the door. Piast realised his mistake.

"DON’T ENTER!" Piast stopped whatever was happening and looked at Horace. "You’re with the Empire. Aren’t you."

Taking the book from Lena’s hand, he closed it and put it on the table. Reaching his arm around her, his fingers gently curled around her throat. "You finally found out." The congratulatory tone in Horace’s voice was genuine, only making Piast more annoyed.

He looked at Horace’s hand. His fist had long gone white from how tight he was squeezing. "Don’t hurt her."

Opening his mouth wide as if offended, Horace reset his hand over his heart. "I thought we knew each other. How could you even think I would hurt her?" Horace moved his hand around her throat, grabbing some of her hair. "This is because of you, Piast. I don’t know how you will react. It saddens me to use Lena like this when she is so lovely, but I must. Because of you."

Piast opened his mouth a couple of times but stopped as Horace moved his hand back around her throat. "What is it? If you want to kill me, you already would have."

Horace took a deep breath and leaned back. "The Commonwealth is doomed. His Majesty had already decided that when he ordered the pirates to invade. I’m surprised it took this long."

"Can you get to the point?"

"Patience Piast." Horace bounced his finger on Lena’s artery. "I’m sure you figured out how much we’ve done to cause things right?" Piast nodded, deepening Horace’s smile. "So, I have a one-time offer; why don’t you join us? Obviously, some trust will have to be built first, but it’s a waste of your talents not to."

Piast didn’t expect a job offer but couldn’t help but think it was a trick. "Can I have time to think?"

"No." Horace looked at him blankly. Piast stared back, and although he knew what he should have said, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. To work for something so despicable. Something that toyed with his homeland and family just for its goals. Was he a hypocrite? Yes, he had done similar things. But who was she aswell?

The head of the noble faction. The man who fought for years to ensure his fellows kept the way of life they were entitled to. And what was the empire? A place that systematically destroyed the nobles’ very way of life. A place that toyed with his family and made his wife into a shell of her past self. A place ruled by a tyrant who somehow tricked his people into thinking God blessed him.

Piast looked at Horace, his eyes going cold, and Horace knew instantly what was happening. He was betting everything on this. His left arm flicked, and a blade fell.

"GU.." Before Piast could even finish the words, Horace chucked the dagger straight into his chest. Lena froze at the sight, her breathing getting heavier. He could feel she was about to scream and tightened his hold over her neck, choking her.

Getting up, he dragged Lena over and stood over Piast. He was still alive but clutching his chest. Blood was filling his mouth. Horace lifted his foot and slammed down on the blade, pushing it deeper into his body. Bending down, he pulled it out and quickly plunged it into his throat.

The guards finally reacted, and the door opened. Pulling Lena in front of him, Horace looked at the two. "Walk in slowly. Pull your weapon, and I’ll snap her neck." The guards looked at one another before looking at Paist’s body. They could see he was dead.

In just a few minutes, the lord they had served for years was gone, replaced by his son. They didn’t know what to do, but seeing Lena’s terrified appearance, they decided to do as said. "Walk over to the wall, face it and don’t turn around." The Guards did as Horace said and watched every second.

Peeking outside, he saw that there were no guards and knew he had a small window to escape. Closing the door behind him, he pulled Lean with him. Looking at the door, he was just far enough so they could hear what he would say.

"I’m sorry, Lena. I don’t particularly like this filthiness. But he should have accepted His Majesty’s offer." Horace quickly stabbed his dagger into her throat and tightened his grip, not letting her make a sound. Making sure she was dead, he happily nodded and took off the shoes he was wearing before dropping his dress and hiding his footwear.

Braking out into a near sprint, he ran towards the staircase before fixing his appearance and quickly went down it. It wasn’t fast enough to show he was running, but he would definitely raise an eyebrow. Horace didn’t care, and despite hearing people call for him, he ignored everything and threw open the front doors. Running as fast as he could, he saw the two guards at the gate waiting.

Stabbing himself under his sleeve, he cried and looked at them. "Please let me through." His appearance was pitiful and made the guards feel like they should help. "I didn’t want to do it, but he wouldn’t leave me alone. Please."

Looking behind, they saw some people watching Horace strangely, but unable to tell what actually happened, they opened the gate. Horace thanked them and ran for his life to the carriage. Halfdan saw him coming and quickly opened the door before slamming his fist on the wall, telling them to leave. A couple of minutes later, the alarms went off, and a full lockdown started in the Piast Manor.