"Perhaps." Elara looked back at him over her shoulder. "But it won't be you. You'll be somewhere else, living quietly, with nothing but memories of the empire you built and lost because you made the mistake of trying to stop me."
She left.
The doors closed behind her with a heavy sound.
Outside, Dimitri was waiting by the carriage, looking shaken. "Your Highness... that was..."
"Efficient," Elara said. "Three local threats neutralized in four days. Kessler fled, Marrs withdrew support, Carver destroyed." She climbed into the carriage. "The message is clear now. Opposing me costs more than tolerating me."
"But Carver was right about one thing," Dimitri said carefully as the carriage started moving. "You're making enemies very quickly. And you're still in the succession battle with princesses who have far more power than local nobles."
