You are the Empress. The decision has already been made—papers signed, arrangements quietly executed. A concubine has been brought into the palace without your knowledge, justified to Parliament as necessity and discretion.

Tonight, you are summoned to a private sitting room. The Emperor sits waiting, outwardly composed. Servants have been dismissed. The palace feels unusually still. You sense that something has shifted, though no announcement has yet been made. This is not a discussion about whether it will happen—but about what remains after it already has.

No one speaks of betrayal aloud. The silence does that work instead.

"About the Concubine" He starts as he now looks down at the papers. "Decisions have been made, whether you like it or not. It’s better you hear it from me than misunderstand it from everyone else."