IN A QUIET PARLOR WITHIN THE ELECTRUM PALACE.

Thank you for your time, I understand you are both very busy. Would you mind taking a seat and answering some of the questions we've received from the citizens of Silverwood and Electrum..?

Lord Rhenac: As long as my darling has no problem with it.

The Electrum Tsar: I don't mind. I imagine they're a little curious about us...

Since the war has come to its end between Silverwood and Electrum, many people are wondering what would happen if the er... relationship between you fell apart. Would the nations be at war again?

LR: There is no chance of that happening. If anyone thinks his majesty and I could bear to be separated, that there would be any chance of us-

TET: Peace would continue. Whatever transpires between Lord Rhenac and myself, we would not allow it to disturb the happiness of our people.

LR: Darling... even entertaining the idea is too much! We should let them know that we are deeply in love and that-

TET: There is no risk of war in that event. Please move on to the next question.

Ah, as you wish, your majesty. So would it be fair to say that there are no plans for a Tsarina to enter the picture?

LR: Next question.

Oh. Then, has there been any discussion between you about the future..? Would you wish to adopt a child to succeed you? Or have either of you fathered an... um... heir we may not know about?

TET: Neither of us have children. In the event that I should pass away without naming a successor, I have advised the newly established parliament to elect a suitable candidate to replace me.

But, your majesty! How can just anyone be fit for such a role? You are the giver of life, the-

TET: I am a ruler that seeks the continued peace and prosperity of the Empire. I do not give life, nor do I take it away. My only wish is that our present harmony can continue, regardless of who, if anyone, finds a seat upon the golden throne. Even an innkeeper's son would do, so long as his intentions were honorable...

Well, I'm not sure things would go that far, your majesty! And Lord Rhenac..? Surely the Northern Faction will require a legitimate heir!

LR: If I die, Count Brac will continue to run Silverwood as he does now. It will be up to the council to elect his replacement. However... if his majesty wants a child then we would certainly adopt. My darling would make an excellent father.

I see... so you're both happy to let your legacies end? You are both much admired by the people, I think they would be saddened to hear that...

LR: Our legacies are the peace we have brought, the relationships we have fostered with our neighbors, and the continued advancements we bring to our citizens. What better legacy can we possibly leave? A great leader is not defined by the blood that flows through their veins, but by the efforts they make to ensure the blood of their people is not spilled.

And, your majesty? I see you have taken Lord Rhenac's hand. Does that mean you agree with his statement?

TET: I agree. But please, move on to the next question. I would rather talk about the present.

Ah, alright then! Since the restrictions have been lifted, there has been somewhat of a boom in terms of noble children being born in both the north and south. Aren't you worried about the balance of power? What if there are children born with immense capabilities and despicable motives?

TET: Such children were born many years ago. It is why we were at war in the first place.

LR: We can only try to teach the next generation to wield their power responsibly, and set the best example we can. We are already seeing greater acceptance of the commonfolk, and they are surely the most vulnerable among us.

To that end, we have seen higher numbers of commonfolk arriving in the city for the Lunis Festival. Is it important to you, your majesty, that Lunis 's children receive greater freedoms within the noble cities..?

TET: If the children of Solaris really descended from the heavens... then wouldn't that make the earth the domain of the commonfolk..? Until the day we ascend, we should not take their land for granted. We walk together towards the light. Each step closer to equality.

That's quite a new take on things, your majesty! I suppose since Countess Vandac and her daughter Lady Serida are commonfolk, the court has seen some changes... Speaking of change, there have been many rumors about the new 'peace window' in the throne room. Is it true that it contains a depiction of Lunis?

TET: Yes. It is the first appearance of Lunis in the palace.

LR: Darling, why don't you tell him what else it depicts?

Your majesty? Is there a reason why you're blushing..?

TET: I have said all I intend to say on the matter.

Very well. Regarding your relationship-

TET: No more questions about the window.

Oh... Right. Well... Regarding your relationship as I said, and with no mention of the Lunis window... The citizens are curious about your first meeting. How exactly did you meet? And how did the kidnap of the Crown Prince turn into a love between two noble leaders?

LR: I happened upon his highness as he was then, purely by chance, and fell instantly in love with him.

So it wasn't a kidnapping..? Your majesty, did you leave the palace with his Lordship willingly..?!

TET: Lord Rhenac would not have tied me to my horse had I left with him willingly. However, we happened to grow closer during our time together in the north. Only in peace did we mutually reconcile our feelings for one another.

So it's safe to say that Lord Rhenac was the first to become attached... How did you woo his majesty? Gifts? Poetry..? Was there a period of observed courtship before you confessed..?

LR: Er... Darling? Which of my romantic overtures won your heart..? In terms of 'wooing' the Tsar... I er... gifts?

TET: We were friends. It was a natural progression without the need for courtship.

I'm not sure if Lord Rhenac seems to agree with you on that point. Which part irks you, your Lordship? That you were friends, or the lack of courtship..?

LR: I have never regarded his majesty as a friend. From the day I set eyes on him it was love. As to the courtship part... well, I'm realizing just how lacking I have been. There is much to make up for! I need to start planning...

TET: No need. Really, my love, anything more than you do now will be excessive. 

LR: In terms of poetry, I think there are reams that I could write about your but-

TET: Let's move on.

How would you describe the current state of your relationship? Are you both satisfied with the level of care and attention you receive from your partner?

TET: We are content. Everything is fine as it is.

LR: And as to gifts... no the windows are not enough. I should think towards a statue to really capture the beauty of your legs...

Lord Rhenac? We're onto the next question. How would you describe your current relationship? Are you content with his majesty?

LR: Of course! There is none greater than my darling. I would follow him everywhere if he would allow it.

Yes, Lord Rhenac has often been referred to as the 'Tsar's shadow'... Would you prefer to have more alone time, your majesty?

TET: Just a few more feet between us would be fine, I think.

As to the sleeping arrangements at the palace... Is there a reason why Lord Rhenac has not occupied the Tsarina's chambers if there is no intent to fill that role with another..?

TET: The Tsarina's rooms are in use. Count Jirac and Countess Vandac make better use of them than Lord Rhenac ever would.

LR: I wouldn't be able to sleep alone... it's much more convenient that his majesty and I stay together.

And um... does your majesty get enough sleep, having to share your quarters with Lord Rhenac?

TET: No.

LR: At least once or twice a week his majesty sleeps undisturbed.

TET: Eventually...

You are known to often travel between Silverwood and Electrum City on the Grand Plains Road. Is it true that the former bandits that used to operate in that area were hired for its construction?

TET: That is true. We were thankful to find a workforce that understood the difficult terrain and were in need of employment. 

Did you trust that they would be able to complete the work without causing trouble..? Their pasts were evidently none too clean...

TET: Those men were driven to desperate means. I do not approve of the methods they used to terrorize the Road to Famine, but it is important to remember - they were only trying to survive. 

LR: That's the man I fell in love with...

Regarding other characters of previous ill-repute, there was some interest recently in the pardoning of the late Madam Kaliya and her associates; executed by the previous Tsar for their role in your majesty's kidnap... among them was Madam Emida, thought to still be living. Is there a reason she has yet to return to the capital?

TET: Madam Kaliya was innocent. As were Madam Terina, Madam Sina and Madam Dila. The criminal Ironac sought to hide his own failures behind their tragic demise. We can never repay them for the injustice they have suffered. When I visit Silverwood I call on Madam Emida. She is well, but has no plans to return to Electrum; the city serves as a painful reminder of her sisters' fate. The faults of the Empire are many. It takes time to right them, but they have not been forgotten.

LR: Isn't he wonderful?

The Tsar is wonderful indeed. There was talk recently of a Lord from the Romdel Islands that had also been quite taken with his majesty...

TET: Lord Rhodac..?

LR: Him again?! Darling, you know I don't like it when you mention his name.

May I ask what happened when Lord Rhodac visited the palace?

TET: Nothing much. His Lordship came on behalf of Count Alkal, since his health had been poor as of late. We signed a trade deal for materials... we talked a little, and he went back to the south to deliver the news to the Count.

LR: Hah! Talked a little? He was all over you! 'Oh your majesty likes books? As do I! Your majesty has an interest in crafts? Here, let me show you this blasted keepsake I made!' Terrible, toadying man. If I hadn't had that window made to show him you're spoken for, the next time he came I'm sure he would have found whatever excuse he could to be alone with you!

TET: Lord Rhenac.

LR: Er... that's not why... 

TET: Excuse us for a moment.

...

Is everything alright..?

TET: Fine.

Lord Rhenac?

LR: Lord Rhodac and his majesty have a purely professional relationship. Any other assumption would be um... 'stupid and thoughtless'.

I see. Are there plans for the Romdel Islands to join the Empire? I know there had been some suggestions that your majesty, and previously, even Lord Rhenac, could be united in marriage to Count Alkal's daughter.

TET: The girl, I believe, has devoted her life to the worship of Solaris and forsaken men. 

LR: Quite.

TET: She seems very bright on that front. Should she change her mind and wish to marry, I hope she can find a more suitable partner than either of us. And as far as I understand, the Romdel Islands are more than happy to retain their independence. That said, they would be more than welcome to join the Empire without the need to marry off their unwilling daughters.

As to marriage, your majesty...

TET: I think we've probably come to the end of our interview.

Ah! Well... thank you both so much for your time. I won't keep you any longer. It seems that Lord Rhenac is growing somewhat restless...

LR: Darling, I know I've been thoughtless. Of course I trust you. But I can recognize when men look at you with desire... I know because it's how I look at you every day! I won't say another word on the matter. Darling? Let me make it up to you... My mouth can do so much more besides saying stupid things..!

END.