'Okay, you have your assignments. Dismissed, ' the Emperor declared.

The room cleared out quietly. Ah Duo leaned back and sipped her wine. Suiren spared one last glance as she ushered Chue out and shut the door behind herself. There was a long silence as they waited for eavesdroppers to depart. The sigh was heavy and long as the Emperor's shoulders dropped, 'I know what you 're gonna say. '

'Oh? And what 's that? ' She took a sip of wine.

'He 's been trying to get out of succession for years. '

'And? '

'To the point of wounding himself. '

'And? '

'I should find other ways of fielding all the work he and I have taken on. '

'Oh

hell

yes, and? '

'I need to consider what to do if he 's ACTUALLY found an out that makes him happy. '

She took another sip and smirked, 'So glad I didn 't have to say anything. '

Perhaps he figured out the life I wanted for you and I, he looked sadly at his best friend.