The Empress's Children

The Imperial private salon was one of many scattered throughout the Imperial Arena, reserved for members of the royal family. 

Aether paced the length of the room, his usual composure shattered. "It's not possible," he muttered, running his hands through his perfectly styled hair. "He's supposed to be a failure. A disappointment. Not... not this."

Lyanna lounged in a velvet-upholstered chair, seeming almost bored as she watched her younger brother's distress. 

She absently traced the hilt of her sword, a habit she'd developed years ago. "You're overreacting, brother dear. So the little bastard can throw around some magic. It changes nothing."

"Changes nothing?" Aether whirled to face her, his voice cracking. "Did you see those mana circles? The precision of his control? That level of basic manipulation... it's beyond anything I've achieved, and I'm supposed to be the family's magical prodigy!"

"Supposed to be," Lyanna echoed with a slight smirk. "Perhaps that's the problem. You've spent so long being the 'magical prodigy' that you forgot others might actually have talent too."

Aether's face flushed with anger. "This isn't about talent! This is about everything we've built, everything we've planned. If he's this powerful, if he's been hiding this much..."

"Then what?" Lyanna interrupted, finally showing interest. "What exactly are you afraid of, brother? That he might actually be competent? That perhaps Mother's assessment of him was wrong?"

"I'm afraid," Aether said through gritted teeth, "that we've underestimated a potential threat. You saw what he did to Bartholomew. Our dear brother is permanently crippled!"

"Bartholomew was a fool," Lyanna said dismissively. "He let his pride cloud his judgment. One should never go into battle without a sword. Besides," she added with a cold smile, "why should the petty parlour tricks of a mage concern me."

"How can you be so calm about this?" Aether demanded. "Everything we've planned, every careful step we've taken, was based on the assumption that Mikhail was weak, controllable. But this..." he gestured helplessly, "this changes everything!"

"Does it?" Lyanna's voice took on a dangerous edge. "He's still the bastard son of a common whore. No amount of magical talent changes that fact. I would love to see that trash challenge me to a duel!"

"The nobles might be impressed by his little display today, but they'll never accept him as anything more than a curiosity.", Lyanna concluded.

"You're underestimating the political implications," Aether argued. "House Draconus is already showing interest. Did you see how close he's gotten to Valerie? If they form an alliance-"

The door opened silently, admitting Empress Camilla. Both siblings immediately straightened, years of training taking over.

"My dear children," Camilla said softly, gliding into the room with ethereal grace. "I could hear your discussion from the hallway. Such passion... it warms a mother's heart."

"Mother," Aether began, "about Mikhail-"

"Yes," Camilla interrupted, her voice like silk over steel. "Our little surprise. Tell me, Aether, what troubles you more - his display of power, or the fact that you never noticed it developing?"

Aether flinched as if he'd been struck. "I... I should have seen it. All those tutors he drove away, the tantrums over lessons... it was all an act, wasn't it?"

"Of course it was," Lyanna said, rolling her eyes. "The question is, what do we do about it now?"

The Empress moved to a small table where a crystal decanter waited. She poured three glasses of wine with precise movements. "What we've always planned to do, my dears. We merely adjust the timing."

She handed a glass to each of her children before taking her own seat. "Aether, your concern does you credit. It shows you understand the delicate nature of power. But you forget - power without legitimacy is meaningless in our empire."

"But Mother," Aether protested, "his control over basic magical theory... it's far beyond anything we could have conceived. The nobles are already whispering about his potential."

"Let them whisper," Camilla said, sipping her wine. "It makes our next move all the more effective." She turned to Lyanna. "Speaking of which, my dear, we need to accelerate our timetable."

Lyanna's hand stilled on her sword hilt. "You don't mean..."

"I do." The Empress's eyes glittered. "The Plan must be initiated before the duel's aftermath can solidify any new alliances."

For the first time, Lyanna's composure cracked. "Mother, that's... we haven't prepared enough, Vesper has said the chalice is incomplete. The pieces aren't in place. To do it now would be..."

"Necessary," Camilla finished firmly. "Mikhail's display today has forced our hand. We cannot risk him building a power base among the noble houses."

Aether looked between his mother and sister, confusion evident on his face. "What plan? What are you talking about?"

"Best you don't know yet, dear brother," Lyanna said, her voice strange. "Plausible deniability and all that."

"Lyanna," the Empress said softly, "can you do what needs to be done?"

There was a long moment of silence. Lyanna stared into her wine glass as if searching for answers in its depths. Finally, she looked up, her eyes hard. "Yes, Mother. Though I never thought it would come to this so soon."

"None of us did," Camilla agreed. "But we adapt or we perish. That's always been the way of our family." She turned back to Aether. "As for you, my son, I have a different task in mind. One that will help remind everyone why you are considered our family's magical prodigy."

Aether straightened, eager to prove himself. "Anything, Mother."

"Good," Camilla smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Because after today's events, we can't afford any further surprises. Everything must be perfect."

She rose, moving to the window that overlooked the arena below. "The duel will begin soon. Lyanna, you know what needs to be done. Aether, stay with me - we need to discuss your role in what's to come."

Lyanna stood, squaring her shoulders as if preparing for battle. "If we're really doing this... there's no going back, Mother. Even for us, this is..."

"Extreme?" Camilla finished. "Perhaps. But that bastard's display of power today proved one thing - half measures will no longer suffice." She turned back to her children, her face set with terrible purpose. "The time for subtle manipulation is over. Now, we act decisively."

As Lyanna left the room, her steps heavy with the weight of what was to come, Aether watched his sister's departure with growing unease. Whatever this plan was, it had shaken even the unshakeable Crown Princess.

"Mother," he began hesitantly, "what exactly are we planning?"

Camilla's smile was beautiful and terrifying. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with yet, my dear. Just focus on your part, and let your sister handle hers. After all," she added, her voice dropping to a whisper, "some tasks require a special kind of devotion. The kind only a true daughter of the empire can provide."

The implications hung in the air like poison, unspoken but deadly. 

Below, the crowd's roar grew louder as the time for the duel approached. But in this luxurious room, three glasses of wine sat forgotten, their contents darkening like blood in the fading light.