Twelve families. Eleven consorts' households plus the Empress Dowager's primary family branch. All processed through the formal channels, all given the three options in writing, all given thirty days to respond.
The language had been Elara's. She had written it herself, four drafts before she was satisfied.
' The regency offers three paths. First: full departure from palace residence with settlement funds, honourable release documents, and permanent severance of formal imperial connection. Second: retention of title and residential status with complete severance of political function, active signing of the inheritance restriction covenant, and transition to private household management under standard noble protocols. Third: continuation of current status under renegotiated terms subject to regency review — available only to those whose household conduct review returns a clean assessment.'
Clean. Uncomplicated. Three doors.
