The early morning light filtered through the tall windows of the Empress's chamber, soft and pale against the drawn curtains that swayed gently in the cool air.
Ines was already dressed, dark fabric falling neatly around her, intricate patterns catching the light as she moved.
She sat at the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on the figure resting there.
Zarah slept peacefully, her breathing slow and even.
For a moment, Ines simply watched.
Her eyes drifted lower, catching faint traces left behind the night before, subtle marks against Zarah's skin.
A quiet flicker of satisfaction passed through her expression.
Her hand lifted, fingers brushing lightly against Zarah's cheek before tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
This was new.
She had never left her mark on anyone before.
And yet...
something about it felt… right.
She leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Zarah's forehead.
Zarah stirred slightly, a faint smile forming in her sleep.
Ines stilled.
Something warm settled in her chest, unfamiliar, but not unwelcome.
After a moment, she drew her hand back and rose to her feet.
Her expression shifted.
Colder.
Sharpened.
The Madam would pay for what she had done.
Ines stepped out of her chamber, pausing briefly at the door.
"Bring her warm milk when she wakes," she said without turning. "And… some cake today."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the maid replied with a curtsy.
Without another word, Ines walked away.
She made her way to her study and entered, the door closing softly behind her.
With a sharp snap of her fingers, an attendant stepped forward at once.
"Send word to Lord Nolan," Ines ordered. "I want him here immediately."
Before the attendant could leave, another voice sounded from outside.
"Your Majesty, His Grace, Duke Zepher, and Lady Vernon request an audience. His Grace states the matter is urgent."
Ines's lips curved slightly.
"How timely," she murmured.
A faint smirk followed.
"Let them in."
Soon after, Nolan entered, Diana following a step behind him.
He bowed, and she dipped into a curtsy.
"Blessings and glory upon the brilliant light of the Caelthra Empire, Your Majesty."
Ines flicked her wrist in acknowledgment.
They rose.
Her gaze shifted briefly toward the attendants.
That was all it took.
They bowed and withdrew, leaving the room in silence.
"Your Majesty—" Nolan began.
Ines raised her hand.
"Later."
Her voice was calm, but firm.
"What you have to say can wait."
Her eyes darkened.
"First, the Cerulean brothel is to be investigated immediately."
A pause.
"That place is no longer what it pretends to be."
Nolan stared at her for a moment, caught off guard, before inclining his head.
Zarah.
She must have told her something.
His jaw tightened slightly.
If only she had come to him first—
"I had already sent Diana to investigate," he said, regaining composure. "She has returned with findings that… require immediate attention."
At his gesture, Diana stepped forward and presented the ledger with a slight bow.
Ines took it without a word.
Her gaze moved across the pages.
Silence stretched.
Then,
her expression shifted.
Not shock.
Not quite.
Something colder.
Disgust, tightly contained.
She closed the ledger with deliberate care and looked up.
Nolan didn't need to ask.
He already knew.
The look on her face mirrored his own thoughts.
And it took everything in him not to act on them immediately.
"Lord Nolan," Ines began, her voice cold and steady, "you will take the Imperial Guards and proceed to the Cerulean brothel."
"All individuals in positions of authority are to be detained."
She continued without pause.
"The women working there are to be transferred to medical facilities. Ensure they are properly examined and treated."
"The children are to be placed in state care, see that they are enrolled in academies and given proper education."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Nolan replied with a bow.
A faint, dangerous smile touched his lips.
He would drag the Madam back himself if given the chance.
"And the Madam…" Ines tapped her fingers lightly against the arm of her chair. "What was her name?"
"Rosetta Smith, Your Majesty," Diana answered.
Ines's gaze darkened.
"Bring her to me."
A brief pause.
"I will handle her personally."
Nolan stiffened slightly.
Part of him wanted to deal with the woman himself.
But if the Empress had claimed that right,
then the Madam's fate was sealed.
"As you command, Your Majesty."
He bowed once more before turning to leave.
Diana moved to follow, but Ines's voice stopped her.
"Lady Diana."
She turned back at once. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Inform the Chancellor to prepare the necessary decrees."
Ines's expression did not soften.
"The Cerulean brothel is to be shut down permanently."
"There will be no further need for Flower Maidens. The ritual ends here."
Diana's eyes widened, just slightly.
She had expected punishment.
Reform, perhaps.
But this—
This was eradication.
"As you wish, Your Majesty," she said, lowering into a curtsy before departing.
And truly...
who was she to question the Empress?
For corruption like this…
it was not enough to cut away the rot.
The roots had to be torn out entirely.
Ines tapped her fingers lightly against the desk, her gaze fixed on the open file before her.
But she wasn't reading.
Her mind drifted,
to the scars on Zarah's back.
Her hand stilled.
Then tightened.
The memory of Zarah's voice, quietly speaking of burning coal, echoed in her head.
Her jaw clenched.
She hadn't even seen Zarah's feet.
But she didn't need to.
She already knew.
"Simon."
The name came out sharper than intended as she rose abruptly, her hand striking the armrest with enough force to leave a faint dent.
The servant entered at once.
"Blessings and glo—"
"Is Zarah awake?" Ines cut in.
Simon faltered slightly.
"Your Majesty—"
"Is she awake?" Ines repeated, her tone colder.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Lady Zarah is awake."
"Where is she?"
"In her chambers. Lady Iris is with her."
A pause.
Something flickered in Ines's expression.
Iris.
Again.
Her fingers curled slightly.
"…Very well. You may go."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Simon bowed quickly and left, far faster than he had entered.
Silence settled once more.
Ines exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through her hair.
"Compose yourself," she muttered under her breath.
"You are the Empress."
She closed her eyes briefly.
This wasn't about irritation.
Or pride.
It was something else...
something far more unfamiliar.
Her fingers tightened again.
Zarah.
The thought alone was enough to stir that same heat in her chest.
"…Focus," she said quietly.
There were more important matters to attend to.
The Madam.
That woman would answer for what she had done.
And Zarah...
Ines's gaze hardened slightly,
would be safe.
No matter what it took.
With that, she called for her attendants and began preparing for the day ahead.