Dayamati's eyes swept over the assembled group, lingering briefly on Jolthar with an expression that was assessing and slightly predatory. Then Rani gestured to the central seating area—a mattress that was elevated slightly above the others, clearly in the position of honor.

"Please, Your Majesty, if you would grace us with your presence at the central seat."

Dayamati moved to the elevated mattress with elegant grace and settled onto the cushions with the ease of someone who expected comfort wherever she went.

Only after she was seated did everyone else resume their seats.

The two women who had entered with her took positions slightly behind and to either side, close enough to be included in conversation, but clearly in supporting roles.

"For those who don't know," Rani said, her voice carrying to the entire hall, "may I present Lady Verawati—" she indicated the woman "—advisor to the Empress and overseer of the eastern trade provinces. And Lady Anchali Ch'alera—" the other woman "—master of intelligence networks and personal protector to Her Majesty."

Both women bowed slightly in acknowledgment. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The seating arrangement had settled into a clear pattern.

Dayamati at the center is on her elevated position.

To her left sat Rani and Jazmin, close enough to be part of the central conversation.

To the right sat Jolthar, Milan, and Andrion.

It was a deliberate arrangement, Jolthar realized. Two groups flanked the empress, one of established power brokers in the capital's social sphere and the other of rising or unconventional powers.

"Now then," Dayamati said, her voice cutting through the residual movement as people settled. "Mistress Rani has promised me an interesting evening discussing interesting people. She specifically mentioned—" her gaze settled directly on Jolthar "—Baron Jolthar Kaezhlar of Tekkora. The young man who defeated my husband's daughter in combat."

The statement hung in the air, neither accusatory nor approving, just factual.

"Your Majesty," Jolthar said, bowing from his seated position.

"I'm honored by your interest, though I hope my reputation hasn't been exaggerated beyond recognition."

"Oh, I doubt anything could be exaggerated beyond the reality of what you've accomplished," Dayamati replied with a slight smile.

"Defeating Princess Tamnarasi, defying the imperial court… these are not the actions of a typical baron from a border territory."

"No," Jolthar agreed.

"But then, I've never been particularly typical."

Dayamati's smile widened, showing teeth.

"How delightfully honest. Most men would grovel or make excuses when faced with imperial attention. You simply acknowledge the truth."

"Groveling seems inefficient," Jolthar replied.

"And lying to someone as clearly intelligent as Your Majesty strikes me as insulting to both of us."

Andrion made a small sound that might have been a suppressed laugh or a groan; it was hard to tell which. Milan was trying not to hit his brother. Neither of the brothers has said anything or looked at Dayamati when she has ignored both of them. It sort of became their habit, ignoring unnecessary things. Almost everyone from the imperial family treats them like they are nothing. Only a few of them treat them with respect.

"I like him," Jazmin said to Rani quietly, though it was loud enough to be heard.

"He has spine."

"Spine or recklessness," Rani replied with amusement.

"Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish."

"Perhaps both," Dayamati observed, her attention still on Jolthar.

"Which makes him either fascinating or foolish. Tonight, we shall determine which."

She clapped her hands once, and immediately servants began circulating with more elaborate refreshments—dishes that were clearly prepared by master chefs and wines that probably cost more than most people earned in a year.

"Now," Dayamati said, settling back against her cushions with the air of someone preparing to be entertained, "let us talk about power, about ambition, about the future of this empire. And about what role a young baron who refuses to follow the expected rules might play in that future."

The gathering had officially begun.

And Jolthar had the distinct feeling he was being evaluated for something far more significant than simple social curiosity.

The question was, "What did the Second Empress want?"

*

The conversation flowed easily despite the obvious power dynamics at play. Servants circulated with food and drink, and the atmosphere was one of refined curiosity—like aristocrats observing an exotic animal at a menagerie.

Jolthar understood exactly what was happening.

He was entertainment for these women, a novelty. Something interesting to examine and discuss until they grew bored, at which point he would be discarded and forgotten like yesterday's gossip.

He could tell just by the way they looked at him, the way they regarded his words and the amount of interest they put in when he talked about stuff.

The thought was more amusing than insulting.

Lady Verawati leaned forward slightly, her voice carrying the practiced smoothness of a diplomat. "Baron Kaezhlar, we've heard interesting rumors about your background. Specifically, that you left the Kaezhlar clan some time ago. Is it true that you've severed ties with your family?"

"The relationship is complicated," Jolthar replied, taking a sip of wine.

"It's true that I left the clan, and I don't think it's anybody's business to meddle in the affairs of a household."

Everyone turned to him, startled. Milan was sweating and Andrion was laughing inside.

While Dayamati remained neutral, she didn't seem to mind his comment.

"How diplomatic," Anchali Ch'alera observed, her sharp eyes studying him.

"Most younger sons who leave their clans do so in disgrace or poverty. Yet you seem to have thrived. How did you manage that?"

"By not defining myself through my clan's reputation," Jolthar said simply.

"The Kaezhlar name opens doors, certainly. But I prefer to walk through them on my own merits rather than on my family's legacy."

Dayamati smiled, clearly enjoying the response. "Pretty words. But surely you must have used your family connections to establish yourself in Tekkora."

"Actually, I arrived in Tekkora as little more than a capable swordsman," Jolthar replied.

"The barony was dying under Baron Rothgard's mismanagement. I helped Lady Cleora transform it into what it is now—not through family connections, but through competence and hard work."

"And romance, apparently," Jazmin interjected with a knowing smile.