Chapter 108: This Inquisition was Unexpected.
Cardinal Pujols was pushed into a dark room when all of a sudden a panel on the roof opened allowing a single beam of blinding sunlight in right on his face. Two strong knights held him under the ray of light when a man started to speak, "Albert Pujols, you have been charged with heresy and blasphemy. On the charge of heresy, you have been known to be spreading the word of a young woman from the north responsible for breaking the taboo on black powder and science. You have also conferred upon this woman the title of Empress and allowed her to expel the true Church of the Risen Son and replace it with this, 'Our Lady of Connaissance' which proposes to make her into a figure chosen by God as was our Lord Léon Jean Reno.
On the charge of Blasphemy, you have stated that Lord Léon Jean Reno has given you a vision that this young woman, daughter of the known heretic William Smith, is the second coming of Lord Léon Jean Reno. Do you deny these charges?"
Cardinal Pujols said nothing casing one of the two knights to strike him hard to the body knocking the wind out of him. He struggled to breathe until coughing out, "She is another Lord Léon Jean Reno!"
Several older male voices came in a circle from the darkness, "Guilty."
The voice of the man who spoke first came from the darkness once again, "Albert Pujols, you have been found guilty of heresy and blasphemy against Lord Léon Jean Reno, you shall be burned at the stake alive for your crimes. Should you wish to confess now, we will spare your eternal soul from the fires and allow you to die by the sword, what say you?"
Albert sat upright using his full dignity as a cardinal of the Church, "I never expected to be brought before the Inquisition for merely speaking the truth. Empress Connaissance is going to lead our people into the future just as Lord Léon Jean Reno brought us into the age of steel! As for this sham trial, Lord Léon Jean Reno will protect my soul, you may kill my body but I will live on in Heaven! You men who hide in the dark fighting against his will? I'll pray for your souls!"
*****
Grace couldn't help facepalm at Empress Teslaimia she sighed softly, "Your Majesty, I admit I don't know Her Majesty Emily well enough to say this for certain but are you sure this is an appropriate birthday gift?"
Teslaimia made a face, "Why are you asking this now?"
Grace rubbed her temple and then replied softer, "There is still time to get her a traditional gift, if we go now. In fact, I'd be happy to personally do the shopping so it isn't traced back to you, keeping it secret. Maybe some jewelry? Even some of our lingerie here from the store might be more appropriate, don't you think?"
Teslaimia frowned and then turned to the other women, "None of you like my gift?"
The other women looked away pretending that they were not involved.
Grace cleared her throat and replied for them, "It's not that it's a bad gift, it's just..."
Teslaimia frowned and looked at her gift, "Emily is the hardest person in the world to get gifts for because she doesn't want anything. She only cares about work. Even when we go out to have fun, she manages to turn it into work."
Grace nodded and said, "But why would you think she would want... That?"
Teslaimia walked over and ran her hand over the gift, "There are only two things I have ever seen her remotely passionate about... Me and exhibitionism. Well, and her dream of the future her father spoke about."
One of the other women in the office spoke up, "It's a very good likeness, Your Majesty, the sculptor did really good work."
Grace shrugged helplessly and shook her head, "Where would she even display this, Your Majesty?"
Chas coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty, it truly was bold of you to have this made, but I have to agree with the others. I think you might also want to give her a more traditional gift publicly and save this gift for a private showing."
Teslaimia looked at it again, "It took a long time for the artist to make it, you ladies really think she won't like it?"
Grace looked around for support from the other ladies when Victoria spoke up timidly, "Your Majesty, it isn't that she won't like it. It's that erotic art like this is meant to be kept private. It's such a large heavy piece, will it even fit in your private quarters at the palace?"
Teslaimia turned and looked at the bronze statue of herself and said, "Oh, I didn't really think about where we would put it..."
*****
"I look like a princess!" Wendy twirled around in the new gown that the tailor had made.
The tailor chuckled and retorted kindly, "Or a Duchess, Lady Baronsdotter. This young lady I have as an assistant here today will help with your hair and makeup while I gather my tools."
Wendy smiled and asked, "Does His Grace see many other women like this?"
The tailor and the young assistant chuckled before the tailor spoke softly, "I shouldn't gossip, but you're likely to hear this anyway. You are only the second woman he has ever shown any interest in besides Her Majesty Empress Emily, who as you may know is Sapphic."
Wendy's eyes grew large, "Then coming to this dance with me will be something of a social event won't it?"
The tailor chuckled, "Many ladies of the nobility will certainly begin to gossip. I won't be shocked if many of the young lords start to take notice of you as well."
Wendy frowned a little bit, "I didn't know it would be like that."
The young assistant chuckled, "His Grace is known as the most eligible bachelor in the Empire, it would strange if you didn't cause some jealousy, envy, and attraction from men who'd see you as a prize to compete with His Grace over."
"Will I be ok? I used to get picked on all the time my first month of school, will it be like that all over again?" Wendy looked troubled.
The tailor thought for a moment and then said, "My guess is that you were singled out because you had no backing. Your mother was only a commoner, your stepfather is a knight and your estranged father is only a Baron from a falling house. His Grace on the other hand is a Duke from one of the three strongest families. His backing will cause most families to back off, in fact, I think the only family that might cause any kind of problem for you would be House Harmon." He chuckled, "And they have no unmarried young ladies."
"Did you say, House Harmon, as in Count Harmon?" Wendy looked a little concerned.
The tailor nodded and smiled, "His Grace and his late brother caused some trouble for Sherrif Harmon and the Count. The really didn't mean any harm, they were just fighting the system to help the poor commoners. They ended up starting a small feud with the Harmon family, which has lead to tensions for the last ten years or so between the two families."
Wendy looked troubled again, "I may have made a mistake." She sighed, "I agreed to go for a walk with Lord Harmon this Sunday because he wanted to ask me to the dance and I had already agreed to go with His Grace."
The tailor looked a little shocked, "Young Lady, could it be that you are already caught in the middle of the feud?"
*****
Andrew sat across from Emily who didn't look up from her work and only replied to him, "You need to go to the old capital to check on your grandfather's estate?"
Andrew nodded, "I haven't been back since I returned from the war, I know that your order doesn't allow me to leave through the city gate, I would like to know if it's possible for me to return there for a short time."
Emily stated softly, "No. I have already taken possession of everything, what you seek is no longer there. Even the house was resold."
Andrew went pale and asked, "It's sold? Including the old palace?"
Emily nodded, "You are worried about the gold the Cardinal buried under the house? Don't worry, it has already been confiscated. How did you think we managed to fund the war effort and build those ships so quickly?"
Andrew looked like his entire world collapsed. "Was it Asoka that told you?"
Emily chuckled, "You still don't understand, do you? I was already pulling strings behind the scenes in the Kingdom even before you and your Grandfather made your move. I only regret not planning for you to have betrayed him. I took you for a genuine knight who would stay true to his oath and to his family. You broke my heart when you turned on him. That was the last time I ever truly trusted anyone. I am allowing you to continue to act in a role that suits you because you are useful. When the day comes that you stop being useful, I will reevaluate your status. You aren't a free man, Andrew."
Andrew stared at Emily as if he had no idea who she really was and then asked, "Why did you give me Danny?"
Emily started writing and mentioned off-hand, "You are more effective when he is there to call out your weaknesses and remind you that you aren't infallible."
Andrew frowned and then asked, "Do you think you are better?"
Emily stopped writing and looked up, "Better? No, I don't assume I am better than any other person, which is why I am careful. For the times I am not careful, I put people around me that will say no when I need it."
Andrew stood up and then sighed, "In consideration that I am your uncle and one of the few family members you have, may I please borrow some money, preferably borrow the money interest-free?"
Emily looked at him and tilted her head, "Are you still interested in buying me a gift, even though I just said all of those hurtful things?"
Andrew's brow twitched, "You knew that's why I needed money?"
Emily nodded as she went back to her work, "My people give me reports about your activities, of course, I know why you would need money."
Andrew clenched his fist, "In some ways, you are even crueler than Asoka was to me."
Emily nodded, "Mm, well you didn't kill Asoka's parents, did you? I don't need any gifts from you, Andrew, just work hard for the Empire. That's all I need from you."
Andrew walked to the door and started to turn the doorknob stopping halfway, "I have made three critical mistakes in my life, and all three times I chose to ignore Danny's advice. I'll pay more attention to him, Your Majesty. Thank you for your time."
Emily waved her hand dismissively. As Andrew left Teslaimia came floating in with a bright smile on her face and took a seat on the couch. Emily chuckled, "You're in a good mood this morning, Mia."
"Mhm, I just love to plan parties." Teslaimia started to read through the newspaper and gasped, "What do you think of this ownership market Katarina is opening?"
Emily thought for a while and then said, "I think it has promise, but I fear that it will create more problems than it solves. Her Dane East Injia Company will raise huge amounts of liquid capital this way, but I fear that this will entice people who are gamblers to turn this into a new kind of wealth making game. Which means people will end up losing. It is certainly a creative way to make back the lost gold from the Kreussian trade deal that we stopped."
"Then you think they will sell all of these shares?" Teslaimia looked interested.
Emily nodded, "Yes, because I am planning to buy them all. I met with one of the largest shareholders already and he has agreed to let me buy his twenty percent"
Teslaimia's eyes opened wide, "I thought Katarina was your friend?"
Emily looked at Teslaimia and asked, "Why should that matter? I need access to the Dane East Injia Company board room for two reasons, the new continent and they have already shown a willingness to work against my Empire for financial gain. If I need to, I'll simply buy enough people out that I can take a controlling interest."
Teslaimia shook her head, "Do you have fun when we go out together?"
Emily looked hurt, "Of course I do, what makes you ask such a question?"
"You just don't ever seem to let go and act like a girl. Even when I think you are being free, there turns out to be something you want behind it. Is there anything that we do, that is simply for fun?" Teslaimia looked a little sad.
Emily thought for a moment before she answered, "The theater."
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