The bright, sunny morning was giving way to clouds, and the rising wind promised a storm. Alexia knew this was entirely her fault, but she couldn’t find the energy to make it stop.

She sat alone in her private garden. The entire court was abuzz with rumors of what had happened at her estate. Tōru had taken charge of the clean-up, of controlling how the information got out, but even he couldn’t keep everything quiet. Not forever.

Alexia had to face the fact that much of this was her fault.

She owed Kristoph an apology. He’d seen the truth so clearly, and she’d responded by pushing him away. The way she pushed everyone away.

Vik, her brother. How much of this because Alexia had so badly neglected her own family?

Being Emperor meant she could touch every single person in her Empire, but that made it so easy for them all to blur. Alexia cared about them—she did—but in a distant, removed sort of way. The individuals…

Soon-mi had been her friend, Alexia thought. So much for the quality of her judgement.

But if she didn’t get close to anyone, didn’t let herself know anyone…

Didn’t let anyone know her.

It was so safe to be the Emperor. A game that she always got to win. Until her blindness had made it so she almost lost.

Now Vik was gone, Soon-mi was gone, Corinne was gone. Who else had she lost without even noticing? Who else could she lose if she wasn’t careful?

She would apologize to Kristoph. Next time, when he chose to speak, she would listen.

And Corinne had said she would be back.

Patient. Alexia could be patient. In the meanwhile, she her own mind to figure out. And an Empire to oversee.