"DOES the first Empress selection begin now?" Emperor Kallixto inquired while busy scribbling on the papers. He was not present on the first day of selection, but he let the trusted palace attendant carefully eliminate those ladies who were incapable of continuing the process.
"Truly, Your Majesty, however, one candidate was missing," Shun said.
"Then, by decree," Kallixto's voice, devoid of glance, declared, "that lady shall vanish from all recompense."
A feigned cough, a subtle plea, from Shun's own throat did softly steal, "But your majesty, a name unwritten is Lady Psycheberg."
With a sudden jolt, the Emperor's head rose to seek the truth within Shun's faithful eyes. "No breath of falsehood from your lips. Repeat your words," he urged.
"The former Duchess, absent from the first
