Denoutment, or, Her Majesty's a Pretty Nice Girl
And soon, early that evening, Phoenix is at the palace, about to depart but discussing the case a little with Aurelia and Erasmus, surrounded by their respective security details, and one or two secretaries.
"So her trial's next ninedays, and he's going to be charged as an accomplice and of course they're looking into any evidence of smuggling snakes into the palace," Luc says.
"It's still so shocking," Aurelia says, although she looks more weary than shocked. "I mean, it isn't the first time we've both been targeted of course. But...a complicated conspiracy to poison multiple people because her husband had a few setbacks in the council is just horrendous, and so abnormal. Women poisoning people for indirect political gain is something you read about, not something that happens in Arista."
"I couldn't agree more, dear," a rich but slightly hoarse voice says from the nearby stairs. "Why, it's downright unpatriotic."
The secretaries stand up a little straighter as everyone turns toward the small figure being supported by guards as she comes down the step.
The guards in the room all immediately drop down to one knee, hands over to their hearts. Interesting little difference in tradition, there.
Well, Phoenix, you were aware that your Aristan aquaintances were a bit authoritarian. Meet the Authority.
The Empress, naturally charismatic as she is, is also obviously frail and considerably shorter than the son who is hurrying over as she gets to the bottom of the stairs. The guards on their feet due to necessity -- the others get up soon -- are almost worried he'll knock her over hugging her, but fortunately, Erasmus is a total sissy.
"So her trial's next ninedays, and he's going to be charged as an accomplice and of course they're looking into any evidence of smuggling snakes into the palace," Luc says.
"It's still so shocking," Aurelia says, although she looks more weary than shocked. "I mean, it isn't the first time we've both been targeted of course. But...a complicated conspiracy to poison multiple people because her husband had a few setbacks in the council is just horrendous, and so abnormal. Women poisoning people for indirect political gain is something you read about, not something that happens in Arista."
"I couldn't agree more, dear," a rich but slightly hoarse voice says from the nearby stairs. "Why, it's downright unpatriotic."
The secretaries stand up a little straighter as everyone turns toward the small figure being supported by guards as she comes down the step.
The guards in the room all immediately drop down to one knee, hands over to their hearts. Interesting little difference in tradition, there.
Well, Phoenix, you were aware that your Aristan aquaintances were a bit authoritarian. Meet the Authority.
The Empress, naturally charismatic as she is, is also obviously frail and considerably shorter than the son who is hurrying over as she gets to the bottom of the stairs. The guards on their feet due to necessity -- the others get up soon -- are almost worried he'll knock her over hugging her, but fortunately, Erasmus is a total sissy.