To the Emperor of the Empire

"Fighting? So you came home on leave because of a fight?" Francis asked instead.

"Yeah. At yesterday's Senate session, the Suluustian senator wanted to beat up Shu Mai, the chairman of the Merchant Guilds, and it turned into a brawl. More than thirty senators got involved, so I took the opportunity to come home on leave," Claire Underwood said.

"What was it over?"

"The Republic 18th Army's siege of Suluust. The Merchant Guilds refused to send additional reinforcements, saying they had already lost too many fleets to the 18th Army."

"Sounds like an opportunity for us."

"What, someone beat up you, the Chancellor, and you're still worrying about the country?"

Francis Underwood touched the bruise on his neck, his expression complicated. "Tang Xiao."

"He actually strangled you? Frank, just how badly did you two fight? I can picture you rolling around on the ground, grabbing each other by the throat." Claire Underwood found it strange.

"Thirteen years ago, when he invited me out of retirement to help him, he was still just a green young man. He told me many things. He promised me many things..." Francis took the wineglass from Claire's hand and drank from it himself. "I could feel that he was wary of me, even somewhat afraid. Of course, he had no choice but to be afraid, because the stage he was about to send me to was far greater than Dawn Star Planet—the Galactic Republic, the Republic Senate Building."

He set down the glass and let out a long breath. "If I had any other ideas, a few words in the Republic Senate might have plunged Dawn Star Planet into eternal damnation. Those immature performances of his still seem as vivid as ever."

"He's different now. At least now he dares to hit you." Claire smiled.