Chapter 208 --208
"So was the Emperor’s assassination by palace conspiracy," Elara replied. "So was discovering a Harem of enslaved women. So was the Crown Princess attempting regicide. This entire situation is unprecedented. We adapt or we collapse. Those are the options."
Minister Garen—one of the senior bureaucrats who’d worked with her closely—stood. "Your Highness, what you’re proposing is essentially permanent regency. That requires legal framework beyond existing protocols. We’d need to draft new imperial codes, ratify them through proper channels, establish succession contingencies if you become incapacitated—"
"Then draft them," Elara said. "Assemble a legal committee. Create the frameworks. Build the codes. But do it while I continue governing, not while we throw everything into chaos trying to crown someone who doesn’t exist."
She looked around the chamber.
"I’m not claiming the throne. I’m not demanding coronation. I’m offering to continue doing what I’m already doing—keeping the empire functional—while you figure out whether there’s a better alternative. If someone identifies a superior candidate with legitimate claim and proven capability, I’ll step aside. But until then, I govern. With your consultation. Under your oversight. Within frameworks we build together."
"And if we refuse?" Duke Harren asked quietly.
"Then you’ll need to remove me by force," Elara said flatly. "Which means deploying military assets against the acting regent, fracturing Beast Knight loyalty, destabilizing administrative structures, and probably triggering civil conflicts. Is that your preference, Duke Harren? Civil war over ceremonial titles?"
The Duke’s face went red. "Your Highness, I’m not suggesting—"
"Then what ’are’ you suggesting? Specifically. With actionable details. Not ’we should follow tradition’—give me an actual plan. Who governs starting tomorrow morning? Through what authority? With whose support? How do you prevent the three-month transition chaos that historically follows contested successions?"
No answer.
Because no one had a plan. They just had discomfort with a Fourth Princess effectively claiming power.
Elara waited.