The days following their return, the atmosphere in Vaelorian's study was filled with political restructuring. The Sovereign mission had proven their partnership was powerful enough to handle international threats; now they were turning their attention inward.
Riven, Vaelorian, Barron, Willow, and Mira Lune, Sir Eryndor were gathered, examining the detailed ledger reports Willow had quietly amassed over the last six months—the paper trail of the Senate's systemic corruption.
"We have two targets." Vaelorian began. "First: Senator Aldrin and his allies, who control the Western bloc and still resent the Breadbasket success. Second: The antiquated Imperial Appropriations Law which allows the Senate to perpetually stall any spending outside of the capital."
"That's right," Riven agreed. "Aldrin fears exposure. We break him, we fracture the Western resistance. Mira Lune, you noticed his primary weakness at the last gala—his vanity."
"Yes. Aldrin fancies himself a great patron of the arts, particularly sculpture. He is currently funding a massive, ugly public statue he believes will secure his legacy. The cost is exorbitant, and the permits were pushed through illegally." Mira Lune informed the group.
Vaelorian smiled, a devilish, predatory expression. "A perfect decoy. We'll launch a hyper-focused inquiry into the statue's funding. Willow, I want every ledger, every contract, and every inflated cost documented and cross-referenced with the Imperial Appropriations Law."
"I'll have a detailed financial history of his activities ready in forty-eight hours, complete with every standard code he has ever violated." Willow promised.
"And while the Senate is distracted defending Aldrin and his activities, we'll introduce a new reform. We need to tie essential national projects—like education and healthcare to the Crown's Authority, bypassing the Appropriations Law."
"The Crown Initiative Act. It won't be popular, but it will be legally sound. We'll use Aldrin's statue as a flashpoint for the public. The argument won't be 'Does the Crown need more power?' It will be 'Why are essential hospitals unfunded while Senators like Aldrin spend a fortune on that hideous copper bird?'"
The plan was audacious: leverage a corruption scandal to create political cover, then use that cover to fundamentally rewrite the rules of Imperial funding and seize control of critical national projects from the Senate.
Later that evening, Vaelorian was called to the Emperor's private study. The Emperor was not in his formal attire; he was wearing simple, comfortable robes, and the Empress was seated beside him, holding his hand.
"Sit, Vaelorian," the Emperor said, his voice softer than usual. "I have a decision to share."
Vaelorian sat, bracing himself for another political directive.
"Vaelorian, you and Riven have exceeded every expectation," the Emperor began. " You've unified the Great Houses, won the people, and handled the Sovereign threat with more grace than I ever did."
He looked at the Empress, who smiled proudly at her son.
"The Empire is stable. People are happy. And it has the strongest, most cohesive leadership team it has seen in three generations." The Emperor paused, taking a sip of wine. "It is time to formalize that leadership."
He fixed Vaelorian with a direct gaze. "I want you and Riven to get married. Now. Immediately. I am tired of being Emperor. I am ready to hand over the Throne to you."
Vaelorian was momentarily stunned into silence. "Your Majesty—Father—the transfer of the Throne requires months of preparation. What is the urgency?"
The Empress squeezed her husband's hand. "The urgency is simple, dear. Your father became Emperor at the age of the tender age of sixteen. He has been on the throne for nearly thirty years. He has done his duty, and he has done it brilliantly."
The Emperor finished his wine and set the glass down with a click. "I'm done. I have governed. I have held the line. And now, I want to take my dear wife and go see the world. We want to travel the Eastern Sea, see the Sovereign Empire before they rebuild their internal defenses, and maybe even visit the Northern Holds. I want to retire, Vaelorian."
He smiled, a genuine, relieved smile that made him look younger than Vaelorian had ever seen him. "You are ready, Vaelorian. The only thing missing is the formal commitment. Marry Riven, and the Crown is yours."
Vaelorian left the study, walking back to his suite, the Emperor's words echoing in his mind. Marry Riven, and the Crown is yours.
He found Riven working on the ASP strategy, surrounded by maps and ledgers, exactly where Vaelorian always found him—at the heart of their shared work.
"Riven," Vaelorian said, his voice heavy with the news. "My father just informed me that he is abdicating the throne. He wants us to get married immediately, and he wants to retire with my mother to travel the world."
Riven slowly looked up, his expression a mixture of shock and awe. "He wants to... retire? And give you the Throne? Now?"
"Yes," Vaelorian confirmed, his internal turmoil evident. "I had planned for years of transition. But if I accept, the Crown Initiative Act passes immediately. The Senate's power is neutralized with one stroke. We can finally start rebuilding the Empire without compromise. But it means the Senate battle, the political war we just started, becomes a war fought as Emperor and Consort. No more hiding behind my father's authority."
Vaelorian walked over to Riven, taking his hands. "What will I do, my love? Do I accept the Throne now, use the power to force the change we want, and become the man I've always wanted to be so soon? Or do I tell my father to wait?"
Riven looked at the man he loved—the Prince who always put duty first, but now saw the power to fulfill his vision within immediate reach.
"Your Highness," Riven said, his voice firm and steady, mirroring the strength Vaelorian always relied on. "You are ready. We are ready." Riven's gaze was gentle, loving, and entirely focused on their future. "We'll accept the Throne, Your Highness. We'll fight the Senate as Emperor and Consort. We wanted change—this is the fastest path. Let your father retire. We will handle the Empire."
Vaelorian looked into Riven's eyes and felt the last of his hesitation dissolve. The Prince was gone; in his place stood a man ready to be Emperor.
"Then let it be done," Vaelorian whispered. "For the Empire, and for us."