A choice.

“Hmm,” the empress sighed thoughtfully as she trailed a finger down the list of profiles before her. The parchment was illuminated only by the intricately mosaiced oil lamps hanging near her desk. The sun had set hours ago. She did her best work at night, and this decision was of utmost importance.

A fifthborn son of a marquis, rumored to be philandering. No. Absurd.

A woman with a sizable estate and prestigious dukedom, but who happened to be a fify-year-old divorcée. It wouldn’t work.

She continued down the list until her fingertip paused as it passed by a particular name. His age was agreeable. His reputation was unbesmirched. He was promising.

“This one,” she said aloud. “This one is best, Vizier Khan.”

The vizier, a relatively stout man in his forties, stepped forward from his position next to his liege and looked down to see where she pointed. “Are you certain, Your Majesty?”

“Yes,” she responded shortly. “He’s the one for the role.”

The vizier sighed deeply through his nose, but said nothing.

“Is something the matter?” asked the empress, a tinge of irritation in her voice.

“…Perhaps you ought to reconsider this process, Empress,” the vizier began hesitantly. “You are intending to wed this person you’ve never met, rule your empire with them, and live the rest of your life with them, without having even seen their face.”

“I am simply doing as the Empress Mother has done, and her father before her,” the empress said coolly. “Tradition has purpose for those willing to understand it.” She paused to lean back in her chair, turning to look at her advisor with an amused smirk. “You taught me that, Khan. I’m surprised to hear you say this.”

“I am but a humble servant, Empress Hina,” Khan said with a small laugh. “I wish to see your lands prosper, but I also wish to see you find happiness. I may have said that tradition has purpose, but times have changed. Perhaps this tradition has been rendered obsolete. Young people your age seek…romance.” He had trouble saying the word out loud. It felt strange in his mouth. It must have been because he had never spoken on the matter with the empress before. Of course not, he mused dully. I know nothing about it, how could I advise her of it?

“Romance? Romance is for children without responsibilities,” the empress waved his words away with a chuckle. Her smile faded. “I’m certain of my decision.” Her tone was firm. The vizier knew not to press any further.

“Very well,” he acquiesced as he took a cushioned seat across from the empress’s embellished hardwood desk. “This gentlemen lives at the fjords across the Darina Sea. It’s absolutely frozen solid this time of year. We won’t be able to send any of our navy, not even our cutters.”

“Find a way to bring him here. I don’t care if it’s delayed, so long as progress is made.” Her lips twitched upwards at the corners as she thought of her words. “I’m an empress and a poet, Vizier. You taught me so well of ancient Shizuna literature.”

“Your will be done, Empress,” Khan ignored her joke and shook his head as he attempted to maintain a composed expression. “What shall we do if he refuses?”

Empress Hina’s features changed from self-satisfied to baffled as she arched a dark eyebrow. “Why in Azuna’s name would he do such a thing?”

“He may, Your Majesty. He may have another prospect he is considering, or an intended contribution to his kingdom.”

“No matter. I will personally have a letter sent to him in advance, before our company arrives. Our carrier seabirds will be faster than ours ships. He will be properly informed of the gravity of my proposition, and see no reason to refuse.” She pulled open a drawer, removing a sheet of parchment from the stack within it and preparing a quill and inkpot. “I’ll finish it by sunrise, and we can have it sent immediately.”

“My liege, can you not write it in the daytime? When will you rest?” Vizier Khan dropped his formal facade and let out an exasperated sigh. It couldn’t be helped. The vizier had accompanied the empress in her office all night.

It was now the next day, and the sun would rise in a couple of hours. When will I rest? He corrected his question in his thoughts mournfully.

Empress Hina smiled warmly at her tired advisor. “I relieve you of your duties for the night, Vizier. You have worked hard. I will be here, and the stars will be my company in your stead. I will rest…when I am dead.” She giggled in spite of herself as she began writing a letter to whom she believed would be her life partner, and the future emperor of the Ravima Empire.