THE TYRANNICAL EMPRESS & THE PRIESTESS

Out with the old, in with the new

THIRD PERSON POV

~ Sarasvati Imperial Palace War Room, Sarasvati Empire ~

“Her majesty is late. Did something happened to her, dame Mira?” Mira decided to keep her thoughts to herself. The elders who support Freya as the reigning empress kept their mouths shut when Mira ignored them. The elders know better than to question the dame any further.

When Freya finally arrived, Mira noticed that the empress seems to struggle to keep her eyes open. Although the empress did a great job hiding the truth of her current state, nothing can get past the dame’s eyes.

“It’s nice that you finally decided to join us, your majesty.” Freya takes a seat on the very end of the table before turning her attention to the elder who commented on her tardiness.

“I am a mother who misses her children after months fighting for the empire’s glory. It’s a given that I would spend my morning with my children before coming here and witness how you old bastard arguing with each other.” The elders' faces turned red after hearing such remarks from the empress.

“Now, let’s begin.” Freya reached out to read some of the papers that are in front of her. While the empress reads, the elders begin to informed the current situation in their respective areas.

“Hold on- what do you mean there is still traces of those who supported the former emperor? That man is dead and buried deep in the imperial catacombs. Why are there still people who believe that that late emperor will rise from the dead? My father might be a talented mage, but he’s not that talented.” Freya noticed a bunch of new elders had joined the meeting as she looks up from the papers.

“Just because he was my father, that doesn’t mean I have to respect him. I have my view on things, and you have yours.” Freya placed the papers down before leaning back to her seat.

“Your majesty, what do you suggest that we should do to those who oppose the new power?” Freya thinks for a minute before sighing.

“What more can we do? It’s their choice to choose whoever fits to rule over them. But as of now, I am in power, and the empire belongs to me. Keep an eye on those who still support my father’s faction. I’m sure those who support that old dead man are trying to make my brother the emperor.” The elders nodded as they agreed with the empress's suggestion.

“Excuse me, your majesty. May I say a few words?” Freya turned to a young man before nodding her head.

“I apologized if my words seem harsh, but what does the empire tend to do with those who were taken from their home? The people who reside in the village near the border were neutral until the allied kingdom take their freedom away. Does that mean the people is now a citizen of the empire, or will the empire keep them as prisoners?” Freya was impressed by how bold the young lord was as he questioned a member of the imperial family.

“Please forgive this young and reckless man, your majesty. My son doesn’t know how to conduct himself yet, and I thought bringing him to the meeting would open his eyes. Please forgive him.” Freya doesn’t lower her gaze from staring at the young elder who was rude to her.

“State your name.”

“I am Edward Ferron.” The young lord stated.

“Count Ferron, you raised a rude son. Is that how the Ferron household educates their youngsters? I am fairly disappointed. But since the young lord willingly sacrifices his life, I will entertain him just this once. The men, women, children, and the elderly who were taken from the village shall be given a chance to choose whether they wish to be a citizen of the allied kingdoms of the empire. If they decided to be neutral still, the empire would provide them a piece of land far away from any power struggle to continue faring for themselves. Is the young lord satisfied with that answer?” The young lord nodded.

“Do you have any more rude remarks?” The young lord shakes his head no.

The meeting continues as the elders summarise the outcome of the recent battle with the Allie kingdoms. The empire may regain a new piece of land, but with success comes a more dire situation where the empress has to watch.

“There have been acts of rebellion made by some aristocratic party which will harm the empress reputation in the long run. We must take action now and obliterate any form of treason. Punishing the nobles who see the empress as an eyesore is a must!” Freya remained nonchalant while the elders discussed the consequences of letting the aristocrat faction do as they please.

“Currently, there are three powers that the empire needs to be aware of—the aristocrat faction, the crown prince faction, and also the empress faction. Although we have no problem dealing with the crown prince faction since we share the same ideal, it’s different for the aristocrat faction. We need to let them know that we are not someone to look down upon, your majesty.” Freya suddenly chuckled. Mira, too share the same amusement.

“There is four power we need to be aware of, gentlemen. We have been investigating the possibility that the commoners might rise to power since the empire is now under the empress’s command. Before you go spouting nonsense about whether we should punish the nobles so that you all can monopolize the economy all on your own after the empress gets rid of the aristocratic faction, you should keep yourself in check. The empress is not blind.” Dame Mira warned the elders.

Seeing how the elders decided to keep their thoughts to themselves, Freya decided to conclude the meeting as it is. As the elders leave the war room, they couldn’t help but talk behind the empress's back.

“Who would have thought that woman inside that war room is the same woman who had never care about the empire political struggle ten years ago? The death of grand duke Mateo was the last straw. But the former emperor is now dead. The empress had finally avenged the death of her husband and now take his place as the ruler.” The senior elder shakes his head as he thought of the dowager empress.

“The dowager empress is rather quiet nowadays. Is it because of the imperial children?” The other elders shrugged their shoulders.

“I wonder,”

***

~ Dowager Empress Palace, Sarasvati Empire ~

“Children, what do you think of this painting?” The dowager empress, Hazel Sarasvati, asked prince Elias, Ezra, and princess Eliana as they came to the dowager empress palace for their usual bonding time.

“Should we be honest, or would you like to hear good things, your majesty?” The dowager empress chuckled as she turned her attention to the painting.

“Please be honest.” The princes look at each other before telling their sister to say something. Princess Eliana placed her cup of tea down and smiled.

“It looks full, your majesty. This painting- it doesn’t have any artistry at all.” The servants serving the imperial family were shocked when the princess uttered such harsh words about the painting that the dowager empress had painted.

“Is that so?” The dowager empress finds it amusing that such a cute little girl is growing up to be the exact copy of her mother, the empress.

“I wonder what kind of i***t creates such a dead piece of art.” Princess Eliana chuckled as she takes a sip of her tea.

“That i***t is me, child.” The princess almost chokes on her tea when the dowager empress reveals the creator behind the painting. Eliana’s eyes widen before turning to her brother, who avoids looking at their little sister.

“Your comment was quite eye-opening, princess. Where did you learn how to utter such a word?” Eliana’s hands started to tremble from fear.

“I-,” the dowager empress raised an eyebrow.

“There is no need to lie to me, princess. I can see right through it.” The dowager empress smiled at the princess.

“I- I heard her majesty the empress talks to dame Mira. Please forgive me, your majesty.” The princess looks down. Hazel chuckled at the sight of the princess.

“What should I do about the empress? That girl needs to be careful when she utters such unkind words. The empress used to be a princess who is an example for all noble ladies, but now- that woman is nothing but a tyrant.” The dowager empress sighed.

“That is not true.” Prince Elias's words gained Hazel’s attention.

“Care to elaborate, my dear prince?” Elias nodded.

“The moment her majesty the empress took the throne, she had unified several other countries that weren’t under the allied kingdom and turned them as the empire’s vassal. Even the former emperor couldn’t do this, let alone protect the empire at the same time. From what I learned, the empire has been in war with multiple enemies at the same time since the former emperor sat on the throne.” Hazel shrugged her shoulder.

“I can’t say that it didn’t happen. I am intrigued to know more. Would you mind telling me what other achievement the empress had made?” Hazel smiled at the imperial children as they talk about their mother’s successful endeavor as the empire's ruler.

Although the dowager empress was against it at first and wanted to make her son, the crown prince to be the emperor, even Hazel couldn’t look down on Freya’s achievement alone as the ruler. At that point, Hazel had deemed her son as incompetent.

Ten years ago was a breaking point for the imperial family when the former emperor decided to kill grand duke Mateo, Freya’s husband, because of his growing influence. The emperor was living in his delusional world where he thought that the grand duke is aiming for the throne. Hazel tried to stop her husband, the emperor, from assassinating the grand duke, but it was all vain.

After Hazel heard the death of the grand duke, the dowager empress had decided that a new ruler is needed. At first, Hazel wishes for his son but seeing how the crown prince is following the emperor’s teaching, she had lost her hope for a better future. That was when Freya, the former grand duchess, announced that she is after the throne.

The emperor was not happy and tried to plan another assassination attempt on his flesh and blood. But little did they know that the youngest princess of Sarasvati is more than a decorative item for noblemen to have on their side.

“Excuse me, your majesty. But it’s time for the princes' administration class and the princess's economic lesson to start.” The nanny who is in charge of the imperial children's schedules informs the dowager empress.

“I see. Well, off you go. Study well, my princes and princess. May the Goddess guide you well.” The imperial children get up from their seats before bowing at their grandmother.

“We shall see you at dinner, your majesty. Have a good day.” Hazel watched as the children leave her drawing room with a smile on her face.

“Who would have thought that those children would be the reason for me to continue living. Anyway, did someone finally found the crown prince? If so, where is he?” The dowager empress asked while she’s enjoying her tea.

“It seems he is still pursuing that woman from the tavern. The guards found him in one of the small inns in the countryside, far from the capital city. That explains why the crown prince manages to go around without anyone noticing his identity.” The dowager empress sighed.

“Do we have any other information about that woman besides her workplace?” The butler nodded.

“That woman's name is Anna, and she is the same age as the crown prince. Miss Anna doesn’t have a family because she was raised in an orphanage operated by the church. When she was old enough to find a job, miss Anna decided to travel to town and find a job at the tavern. The crown prince was doing his inspection when he first met Miss Anna, and he fell in love at first sight. Since then, he has been neglecting his work that the empress entrusts him with.” Hazel shakes her head.

“Tell that son of mine that if he wants to be with Miss Anna, he needs to bring her to see me first. Say, it’s almost time for spring- and I always host a tea party so that we could enjoy the sight and scent of the palace blooming flowers. Tell that man to come home with his love interest to see me.” The butler nodded.

“Yes, your majesty.”

***

“What is it, Mira?” Freya asked the dame when she didn’t leave the empress's office.

“I just wanted to inform the empress that the priestess will be here by the day after tomorrow.” Freya looks up from the work she was doing.

“The priestess? So the high priestess finally letting her disciple to our side?” The dame shakes her head no.

“It’s more like a deal between the high priestess and the empire.” Freya placed her quilt pen down and told Mira to speak.

“What I’m trying to say here is the priestess will be receiving our protection from the empress of Sarasvati Empire. Do you get what I’m trying to say here?” The empress shakes her head no.

“I never agree to this. When did I say that I will protect the priestess and from who?” Freya leaned back to her seat.

“The mad king of Balthair Kingdom proposed to priestess Aphrodite Maroth and asked the priestess to be his concubine. The bishops tried to protect the priestess's honor, but because they agreed to be under the influence of the allied kingdom, they couldn’t say no to the king’s request. That is when high priestess Soleil strikes a deal with us. If we agreed to direct the priestess, the priestess would use her power to heal your mysterious illness.” Freya couldn’t believe her ears.

“Dame Mira, I have never agreed to be someone’s protector. Why did you agree to take the priestess if this action could lead us to another war with King Alaric?” The dame bow.

“Please forgive me, your majesty. I was only thinking of your well-being while making my decision. Because you’ve been suffering from this mysterious illness, perhaps the power of those blessed by the goddess could help you.” Freya pinched the bridge of her nose.

“So how are you supposed to bring the priestess to the empire without raising any suspicion from the mad king’s spy?” Dame Mira smiled.

“I will kidnap the priestess and one of her maids.” Freya once again questioned herself if making dame Mira the overseer of the knights is a perfect choice.

“You will kidnap the priestess? Did you at least inform the high priestess of this plan of yours?” The dame shakes her head no. The empress sighed.

“What if the priestess had a heart attack from this?” The dame smiled.

“The priestess is a well know healer of the Holy Land. I’m sure she can heal herself well.” Freya massaged her temple before telling the dame to keep her insanity to a minimum.

“Don’t worry, your majesty. I will make sure to bring the priestess here safe and sound.” The dame how before excusing herself.

“Aren’t you going to make sure that everything won’t lead to another war with the Balthair Kingdom, your majesty?” Freya suddenly heard a voice speaking to her while she is alone in her office. Not until the empress turned her attention to her swords that were placed on the desk.

“I trust the dame. Don’t you?”

For those who don’t know about the swords, people would deem the empress to talk to herself. But for those who do, people would praise the empress for obtaining Sarasvati's most prized treasures from one of her expeditions through foreign lands.

“I have never trust dame Mira since the day you introduced us.” Said the holy sword while the demon sword keeps its thoughts to itself. Freya continues to do her work while her blades argue about the dame’s decision to kidnap the priestess.

“I blame you for this since it is your fault that our master is sick. The roots only appear after she wielded you!”

Freya sighed while massaging her temple.

“Please stop arguing. I am in the middle of reviewing this report. If you two wish to continue this absurdity, I can always throw you two outside from the terrace. I wonder which one of you will suffer the most damage.” After hearing Freya’s threatening words, both the holy and demonic swords keep their thoughts hidden.

“Those who wish the power would die to have you two by their side. But in my eyes, you two are nothing but decorative items, which helps me look good. And I only contracted this illness after I killed the former emperor. It has nothing to do after I wield the demon sword.” Freya continues to do her work until it’s almost dinner.

After the maid informed the empress that dinner is ready, Freya gets up from her seat and goes to the dining hall, followed by several maids and guards.

“Good evening, your majesty.” The dowager empress bow upon seeing the empress walking into the dining hall.

“Good evening. I heard that the dowager empress is not feeling well. There’s no need for you to travel to my palace if you’re not well.” The dowager empress shakes her head no.

“I have to be here, your majesty. Besides, after seeing the children, my health seems to be a lot better.” Freya kept a stoic expression as she took her seat at the end of the table.

“Are you well, your majesty?” Freya nodded her head while keeping her arms hidden by pulling the sleeves. The empress doesn’t like to worry the dowager empress and her children. After the empress is seated, the kitchen maid proceeds to serve the imperial family their meals.

“How many servants were killed today?” Freya suddenly asked.

“Five, your majesty. We have apprehended the new cook for trying to poison the imperial family.” The dowager empress wanted to stay something, but after noticing the children seem unfazed by what they heard, Hazel let it go.

“That cook- feed him with the same poison he had put in my meal. After that, hang his body in the middle of the city square so that everyone can see what happened to those who tried to kill me.” Once again, Hazel wanted to say something, but prince Elias beat her to it.

“I don’t think that’s wise, your majesty.” Freya raised an eyebrow.

“Explain.”

“Because it will make the people of Sarasvati fear you even more. With that in mind, there will be a lot of rebellion among the aristocratic and commoner faction. Not to mention those who still support the crown prince will find a way to force him to be the next emperor.” Freya cackled after she heard what prince Elias had said.

“It seems you’ve been listening in your classes, children.” Freya turned to the maid.

“Feed the cook the poison and dispose of his body.” The maid nodded.