Karis returned to his suite. He was angry with himself for not realizing the obvious. Vasco couldn’t possibly fund all of his assassinations himself. Of course Otto was siphoning funds from the Imperial treasury to pay for Vasco’s treachery. The fact that a simple servant had seen what he himself had missed was embarrassing.

“Your Imperial Majesty, you really shouldn’t go wandering without telling me,” Imre chided him as he walked back into the room.

“Imre, send a message to Tamerlan. I want to see him this evening if he is still awake.” Karis poured himself a glass of wine.

There was a moment’s pause. “He’ll be here shortly, Your Imperial Majesty,” Imre told him. “I take it there has been a new development?”

“Someone raised the idea that Vasco is getting his funds from the Imperial treasury. It makes perfect sense and explains why Otto is not willing to explain those discrepancies I noticed when I reviewed the budget before,” Karis told him, taking a large swallow of the wine. The pain over losing Tekla was warring with anger over the idea that his Minister of the Exchequer was embezzling funds from the empire itself to fund Vasco’s ventures.

“It makes a certain amount of sense, though I can’t see why we didn’t see it before,” Imre muttered.

“It was the servant of one of my courtesans who brought it up, and it was my courtesan who brought it to my attention,” Karis told him. “If it is such an obvious solution that a servant can see it, I want to know how we could miss it myself, Imre.”

“Who’s servant, Your Imperial Majesty? I will have a word with them and ask where they got the idea,” Imre told him.

“Sayana’s servants, Imre.” Karis looked at him inquisitively. “What can you tell me about them?”

Imre frowned and pulled up some information on his pad. “Three sisters from a very prestigious academy, Your Imperial Majesty. Assigned to the Imperial household based on their performance at that academy. They were assigned to the courtesan wing when you first indicated you were interested in acquiring courtesans, and Lord Arken assigned them to Lady Sayana upon her arrival. Their names are Ardatha, Vai, and Faviola.” Imre smiled. “It was Vai who delivered that message from Sayana to you right before your wedding to Lynet. Lucan has been going on about her for months now. He’s quite taken with her.”

Karis snorted. “He is quite taken with how many women right now?”

“Three, last I heard,” Imre conceded. “Vai being one of them.”

“Speak to them, Imre. Find out where that idea came from,” Karis told him. “I am curious where a servant got the idea of embezzlement from.”

“I will speak to them while you are talking to Lord Tamerlan, Your Imperial Majesty,” Imre assured him.

Tamerlan arrived and Imre slipped out to run his errand. “You wished to see me, Your Imperial Majesty?” the rather average looking young man asked. Karis smiled to himself. He knew that average exterior hid a wickedly intelligent mind.

“Tamerlan, are you ready to take your place on the council?” Karis asked him bluntly.

Tamerlan frowned. “I am, Your Imperial Majesty. I take it you are now in need of my services?”

Karis outlined what he’d been discussing with Sayana and Imre that night. “I want that stopped immediately, as well as the list of discrepancies I will be sending you addressed. Otto has refused, knowing that they would reveal his perfidy to me. I will not tolerate such blatant theft from the empire, Tamerlan.”

“Of course not, Your Imperial Majesty.” Tamerlan seemed almost offended by the thought of giving money to a private party from the Imperial treasury. “I will address those discrepancies as soon as you send me the list. It may take some time if it is an extensive accounting of issues, but I will take care of it.”

“Thank you, Tamerlan. Please be at the council chamber at eight tomorrow morning so I may finally be rid of Otto and his excuses,” Karis instructed.

“I will be there gladly, Your Imperial Majesty.” Tamerlan bowed and left the room.

Imre returned a short while later. “It might not surprise you to learn it was Vai who came up with the idea of the embezzlement, Your Imperial Majesty. I spoke with all three of the sisters, and I got the impression that Vai is fairly quiet compared to the other two. It took Ardatha encouraging her to speak up for her to even voice her opinions. She’s incredibly clever, though all three are quite intelligent in their own way.”

“Did she say why she thought of that?” Karis asked.

“It was due to a scenario she remembered from a class she took at the academy. All three sisters took a few random classes separate from each other, elective courses they each wanted to take during their time there,” Imre told him. “One of Vai’s classes was on situations she might find herself in as a servant and how to deal with them. It seems her academy covered embezzlement, assassination attempts, and blackmail as part of that class.”

“Interesting. I did not think they taught such things at an academy for servants.” Karis was intrigued in spite of his grief.

“Most don’t. I know the academy the women went to. It’s unique and we generally pull from it for the Imperial household more often than most. In fact, all of the servants in the courtesan wing came from this academy,” Imre informed him. “It’s why the women have such loyal servants. It’s a trait taught to them at the academy.” He sighed. “Her Imperial Majesty’s servants also come from that academy. I feel sorry for them, because they feel they must remain loyal to her, but they’re rewarded by being treated horribly.”

Karis sighed and rubbed his temples. He didn’t know what he was going to do about his wife. He thought of poor Tekla and his grief came crashing down over him again. His fear that it could have been Sayana overwhelmed him. His hands began to shake, and he buried his face in his hands. He began to cry softly, knowing Imre wouldn’t tell anyone. He grieved and vented his fear at the same time until he grew tired and went to bed.

The next morning, Karis entered the council chamber to find the ministers staring curiously at Tamerlan. “Lord Otto, I know of your little trick of funneling credits to Vasco to fund the assassinations I cannot prove he is guilty of, but we all know he is behind,” Karis told the Minister of the Exchequer coldly. “Including the attack on my courtesan last night.” Otto spluttered incoherently. “You are hereby released from your position on my council and removed from your place as Minister of the Exchequer. Lord Tamerlan, please take your place on the council.”

“Your Imperial Majesty must be joking,” Quillan, the Minister of Engineering, protested. “Otto has served you faithfully all this time.”

“No, he has not, Quillan.” Karis’ voice was cold as ice. “He has acted in the interests of a man who has no desire to serve the empire, only himself. I will not tolerate that any longer. Leave, Lord Otto, or be removed by the Imperial guards. Be grateful I am not leveling treason charges against you for your actions.” Otto got up stiffly and stormed out of the room. Tamerlan sat down. “Tamerlan, I will send you that list by the end of the day. I have something to take care of this afternoon.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.” Tamerlan inclined his head.

“Now, let us begin.” Karis glared at the other ministers. They got the hint and got to work.

After lunch, Karis changed into a black formal outfit and made his way out to the crypt. Lynet joined him, also in black. Karis raised an eyebrow at that. He knew she had only found out about Tekla’s death the previous night. Unless she’d pushed the dressmakers, she shouldn’t have had time to have a black gown made up.

A few minutes later, the skimmers with the courtesans arrived. They were all dressed in dark, muted colors and wore their veils. Lynet scowled as they approached.

“The least you could have done was dress appropriately,” Lynet snapped to the courtesans as they left the skimmers.

“They are dressed appropriately, Lynet.” Karis glared at his wife. “They did not have time to have black gowns made up. I am surprised you had time to have one made up, considering you did not know about Tekla’s death any longer than they knew.”

“I’ve had this dress for a while. I figured I’d need it eventually,” Lynet told him evasively.

“Why would you need it, when it was not likely that anyone you knew would die?” Karis asked coldly. “Unless you knew that Vasco was planning on killing the courtesans.”

“I didn’t know anything about this. Don’t go placing blame for it on me.” Lynet fixed him with a cold stare. “It wouldn’t have happened if you were a more attentive husband, and you know it.”

“I told you before, Lynet. I did not want to marry you. I do not want you as my wife. As soon as I can be rid of you, I will pack you off to a distant planet and leave you there to live out your miserable life.” Karis’ voice dripped with malice. “One day I will do it too.”

“You cannot divorce me if I do not agree to it.” Lynet gave him a superior look.

“I am the emperor.” Karis glowered at her. “If I say I want a divorce, no one will question my decision.”

“I’m the council’s favorite. They won’t let you divorce me.” Lynet had a triumphant expression on her face.

“You are assuming they are going to remain my council.” Karis’ tone was ice cold. Lynet stared at him in open-mouthed shock. “I have already replaced the Minister of the Exchequer. It will not be hard to replace the rest.”

“Today is not a day to argue, Your Imperial Majesties.” Arken reminded them why they were there. “Today is a day to mourn a young woman who died. You can rehash your arguments later.”

“Quite right, Arken.” Karis turned away from Lynet. “If you and the ladies will follow me, we will get this started.” He walked into the crypt. Lynet trotted along at his heels. Arken led the courtesans behind him.

Tekla’s body was sealed in an opaque canister. Flowers covered it. Three young women were draping more flowers over the canister as they entered. “We’ve just finished placing the flowers, Your Imperial Majesty,” one of them said in a soft voice.

“I am sure she would appreciate the gesture.” Karis’ voice was gentle. “Thank you.”

The woman nodded and beckoned to the other two. They bowed and slipped out. Karis stood beside Tekla’s canister for several minutes, saying nothing. Lynet sighed and tapped her foot, looking increasingly disgruntled with every passing minute.

Finally, Karis put a hand on the canister and pushed. It floated on a gravity pallet over to a row of other opaque canisters. Two of the Imperial guards maneuvered the canister off the gravity pallet and stood it with the rest of the other canisters. A name plaque was put on it and a data cube was attached to a small hookup.

“Are we done yet?” Lynet sounded angry. “I have better things to do than stand around in a stuffy old crypt all day.”

“You could have always not come, Lynet.” Karis voice was as cold as it had been earlier. “Your presence was not required for this.”

“Tekla was the only one who was in any way nice to me.” Lynet didn’t sound like she really cared. “I felt I had to at least honor her by attending her interment.”

“Well, you have done that. You can leave now.” Karis didn’t even look at her.

“Shouldn’t we leave together?” Lynet was getting increasingly shrill.

“I plan on staying here for a little while longer. Your presence is not required, and I do not want to listen to you complain for the next however long I decide to remain. Please leave if you are done here.” Karis waved his hand dismissively at her. He was incredibly tired of her already and he wanted some peace to say farewell to the young woman he’d grown to care for.

“Are you dismissing the courtesans as well?” Lynet spat out the word “courtesans,” as if it were a foul taste in her mouth.

“They are free to leave whenever they wish. I only asked them here so they could see her laid to rest.” Pain rippled through his words, and he was no longer paying attention to her.

“I want them to leave when I do.” Lynet all but hissed these words as she glared between Karis and the women.

“If they wish to leave when you leave, they will. If they want to stay to honor Tekla’s memory for a little while longer, they will. It is their decision. I will not force it either way.” Karis’ voice was quiet, and his focus was now on the canister and the pain welling up inside him, not his spoiled and petulant wife.

“Arken, you will take the courtesans out of the crypt when I leave.” Lynet’s voice was sharp, and she attempted to sound commanding but all she did was sound spiteful and petty.

“I will take the women out when they are ready to leave,” Arken told her calmly. “Not a moment earlier. As His Imperial Majesty said, they have the right to stay as long as they wish.”

Lynet left, cursing under her breath. The courtesans stayed for a little while longer before they too left. Karis remained in the crypt and grieved silently until the shadows grew long and even the Imperial guards became uncomfortable. Finally, he sighed and made his way back to the palace.

Karis did not want to go to court that evening, but he knew he had no choice. The death of a courtesan didn’t rank high enough in the minds of his courtiers to give him a reason to avoid them. He decided not to change his outfit and stay in black. He put on the everyday crown and made his way to the antechamber.

Lynet was already there. She’d exchanged her black gown for a crimson one. Karis frowned but said nothing. “Why are you still in that depressing color?” Lynet demanded.

“Figure it out for yourself,” Karis growled. He ignored her and when the doors opened, he took his seat at the high table. Lynet settled into place next to him. Karis smoothed his face into a neutral expression and soon the high lords were seated. Then the rest of the court filled the room.

Karis ate and answered a few questions sent in his direction but mostly stayed silent. After the dishes had been cleared away, he watched as the court mingled and listened to the gossip. A lord approached the high table. “Your Imperial Majesty, why are you dressed in black?” he asked.

“Lord Howland, the entire court is aware of the death of my courtesan. That should be answer enough to your question,” Karis told him coldly.

“She is just a courtesan, Your Imperial Majesty. She is not worth that much consideration,” Howland told him.

“I agree,” Lynet muttered.

“Lord Howland, you may not value courtesans highly, but I do. Please take your unwanted opinion elsewhere.” Karis’ voice was flat, cold, and full of malice. Howland left hurriedly. Karis turned a cold gaze on Lynet, though his face was still neutral. “As for you, Lynet, now I want even less to do with you than I did before.” Lynet’s eyes widened in shock.

A few other lords and ladies came up, inquiring about Karis’ outfit. Karis gave them all the same scathing answer he’d given Howland. Most couldn’t understand why he was so upset over Tekla’s death. “Why mourn the loss of one when you have six others?” one of the lords Karis did not recognize asked.

“All my courtesans hold value to me. I will mourn them all if something happens to them,” Karis all but snarled. The man paled and hurried off. Karis finally had enough and rose. He stalked out of the great hall and made his way back to his room.

“I take it court didn’t go well, Your Imperial Majesty?” Imre asked.

“No, Imre, it did not.” Karis tossed the coronet onto the sideboard. “Get me out of this outfit. I will deal with the remaining paperwork and then I will want one of my sleeping pills because I am not going to be getting to sleep tonight without help.”

“I understand, Your Imperial Majesty.” He called Adem and Lucan and together they got him changed. Karis sat down on the couch and pulled up the paperwork on his pad.

The chime went off on his door. “If it is Lynet, tell her that I will have her dragged off by the Imperial guards if she does not return to her suite. I am done with her for today,” Karis growled. Imre answered the door. He showed Arken in. Karis glanced up. “How are they?”

“They each grieve in their own way, Your Imperial Majesty,” Arken told him. “I finally got them to go to bed, but they are in a great deal of pain. I am quite worried about them.”

“Is there something you would like for them, Arken? Something we can do to ease the pain from Tekla’s passing for them?” Karis wished there was something someone could do for him.

“I would like to arrange a special treat for them, something to lighten their mood. It may not do much, but I need to do something.” Arken looked as distressed as Karis.

“What did you have in mind?” Karis asked, setting his pad aside.

“I would like to request some fruittarts for them for dessert tomorrow. It is a dessert I know the ladies all enjoy,” Arken explained.

Karis nodded. “Order the tarts and if the cook pushes back, I will step in.”

“Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty.” Arken bowed and headed out. Karis finished his paperwork and went to bed.