Empire

When Victoria walked into the study with its dark blue velvet carpet, she was suddenly struck by a sense that the stars had shifted and the world had changed.

The first time she had entered this place, she had been with her father. Led by the previous Duke of the Northern Territory, she had met the still vigorous Francis II here, as well as the young Wales Moen. Back then, she had still been a girl with a trace of innocence left in her, while this country had continued to run as steadily and dully as it had for centuries, as if nothing would ever change.

The last time she had come here was on the eve of departing for Giantwood Pass. Wales Moen, newly returned to Silver Castle, had been sitting behind the desk. The kingdom had been splitting apart, while a terrible crisis that no one had anticipated was brewing on the Holy Spirit Plain.

Now, after surviving a near-fatal crisis, she was facing a turning point in this country's fate. The master of this place had become that duke who had returned from the dead. She vaguely felt as though history itself was gradually converging upon this room, and she... was living through it all.

"Sit. Make yourselves comfortable," Gawain said casually as he stood beside the desk, watching the two Protector Dukes enter the room and the attendant close the door behind them. "We need to discuss this country's future."

"Yes... Duke," Baldwin said with a nod, finding himself a seat. He still addressed Gawain as "Duke," because Gawain had neither been crowned nor finalized and announced the country's future structure. For now, Duke was the only title he could use.

"Wait a moment. There is one more participant," Gawain said, pressing his right hand downward