I quickly settled into a routine in the weeks that followed. The projects were progressing well. They already built telegraph lines, and the factories were starting to take off. The speed impressed me, even if I knew that they’d started working before I returned from the sect. But having cultivators probably sped up building times a lot. I continued working on the projects, keeping my excitement for more mad science-y pursuits in check in favor of practical applications to help the Empire’s progress. Besides that, I spent a lot of time cultivating. After all, I still had that deadline to worry about, and my cultivation was still going very smoothly after the soul journey.

Sometimes, I felt disgustingly adult. Funny since I’d ‘come back’ to a younger body.

At least being with my younger siblings was fun. True to my word, I taught Xiaodan to play chess. She was hilariously bad at it, of course, and only showed interest in the game occasionally. Well, she was only eight. If she continued like this, she’d become a great chess player in time.

Then, of course, there were Mother’s meetings.

They didn’t go as badly as I feared. The gatherings she had invited me seemed informal, just Mother, a few advisers, Kariva and a few other people in important positions, plus whoever was needed that day. We discussed what was going on in the Empire recently, and any concerns or issues that had been brought up. Mother acted surprisingly hands-off here. After a bit, I realized these meetings were mostly meant to keep each other up to speed. They were hardly the only governing she did.

I learned a lot about the Empire and the way it functioned. The structure was not very centralized in most aspects, probably a necessity for such a large nation that encompassed so many provinces and people. Local governments, nobles, city mayors and the like took care of many problems. The Imperial government and its bureaucracy controlled all of them. The army handled other sorts of issues. But even dealing with other countries and strife between different factions in the Empire took a lot of effort.

“Inaris, do you have any comments?” Mother asked.

I started and shook my head, looking to the previous speaker in today’s meeting. I’d paid enough attention that I could have recited the minister’s words, but I hadn’t worried much about them. “No, Mother, I don’t.”

She’d begun asking for my impressions and opinions, but at least she didn’t chew me out if she didn’t like them. I felt like I was in class sometimes, but I knew my job here was to learn.

Mother nodded, then turned her gaze back to the others.

I looked around the room. Aside from wall hangings and carvings in the entranceways, it contained no decorations. In the middle stood a conference table and an assortment of chairs. Layers of qi covered the room, woven through the walls, floor and ceiling. They isolated it from the rest of the palace. Together with the strength the attendants exuded, it made me feel like all the qi pressed in on me. At least the cultivators, all stronger than me, did me the courtesy of suppressing their auras.

The next speaker started talking. This one was reporting on the state of the southern border. I paid attention and did my best to make sense of what he said. A few times, I had to stop myself from interjecting with a question. It felt weird to hear the intelligence people talk of powerful spirits as sources.

Of course, we had little contact with the nomads or the Dominion. There was no trade, and this world didn’t take the concept of embassies and ambassadors as far as Earth. We still knew something, of course. If nothing else, both sides could send a powerful cultivator to the border, or out at sea, and have them fly really high up, then look over with the equivalent of a telescope. Not as good as satellite imagery, but better than nothing. And of course, there were always spies, or bargaining with spirits.

I looked at the map decorating the table. In the south of the Central or Sky Continent, it narrowed until it reached a landmass connecting it to the Storm Continent. A bit like the Sinai or Mesoamerica, maybe, but shaped differently. From there, the Zarieni nomads launched occasional raids through the border at the Empire’s southern regions. One reason this area proved a constant headache for Mother and her predecessors.

“Unfortunately, the recent difficulty in the Pit means we won’t be able to send many reinforcements south,” Kariva commented. “Given this new activity, I’ll pay increased attention to the southern border. We should also check all the ports in the southern side of the continent and maybe call a few more ships up. This wouldn’t be the first time the Dominion took advantage to bother our shipping.”

I continued pondering the differences this world presented to Earth, particularly the different inhabitants. Increased attention probably meant sending and asking them. Even Greater Spirits could be bargained with if you made it worth their while. Kariva had mentioned something about an agreement Mother made, but maybe I was misinterpreting. They would certainly be able to tell you a lot. I didn’t quite know how to handle the fact that we dealt with entities worshiped as gods, but I’d also done my best to avoid religion.

“How’s our relationship with beasts in the sea?” I asked.

Mother smiled at me. “Quite good. We have a number of agreements with powerful ones. I hope to send you to negotiate some in time. Given your research and knowledge of psychology, I expect you’d do well.”

I nodded. “I should.”

One of the others raised an eyebrow at that, but I didn’t care. I saw no need for false humility.

“Is there anything else we need to discuss?” Mother asked.

No one spoke. I glanced at each person in the room. The officials sat down the table from Mother, who had me at her right hand, and all wore ornate robes or what might have been suits under all the decoration. Seven of the ten people in the room were men, not counting us.

Mother let the silence linger for a bit, steepling her fingers. I sat up straighter, realizing where this was going now.

“It is time for me attempt my breakthrough,” Mother said. “I don’t need to tell anyone this, but remember that it is a very delicate endeavor, and a distraction at the wrong moment could ruin everything. Therefore, I will be in seclusion. We’ll head there now.”

She paused as if to invite questions. A few people exchanged looks, but no one spoke up. Mother nodded, and dissolved the meeting.

I couldn’t help but feel like the day had grown darker as I followed her out of the room. Having her gone would take away a bit of my security, both in my physical safety, a concern given my bad premonitions, and the matter of responsibility. But more than that, I realized I didn’t like the prospect of not seeing her for the time she remained in seclusion.

Mother headed out of the palace. In silence, she hurried through its grounds towards the mountains. I followed her, along with Kariva and a few people from the council. Two advisers and the chancellor. A number of guards surrounded us, ranging ahead and behind. They were out in force today, and I assumed they would keep watch over Mother the whole time.

It didn’t take long to reach the location. Apparently, a cave at the foot of the closest mountain. It hid under a rocky outcropping, although my senses told me there was a naturally formed shaft leading down from the surface, allowing light to enter. The whole area positively brimmed with qi. I felt the hairs on my neck stand up just being close to the entrance. The guards took up positions around it.

“If I’m lucky, this should only take a month, maybe two,” Mother told me. “Although it might be more if there are complications.”

I nodded, frowning. “Who’s going to run the Empire in your absence?”

“It’s mostly going to run itself.” She smiled reassuringly. “The ministers and other officials will handle anything that comes up within their sphere. A few months isn’t enough for the Empire to get unstable without a ruler. And the nobles know better than to try something. Otherwise, Gen will deal with the administration.”

The man bowed. At least he couldn’t see me side-eying him.

I would have said some joke about going off into a cave on her own if we were alone. Instead, I simply smiled and wished Mother luck. Everyone hurried to follow my example.

She lingered for a second, looking at me. Then she turned around and entered the cave. Just like that, Empress Acura of the Empire of the Sky was now on hiatus.

I sighed and looked for Aston, who was standing a bit to the side of me. He smiled supportively. I was beginning to think his role as bodyguard was a front for a different job.

I turned away and shook out my sleeves. “Well, let’s hope her success comes quickly.”

Gen smiled. “Of course, Your Highness.”

I had to force my expression to remain polite. Maybe it was my imagination, but I didn’t like the way he smiled at me, like he was indulging a kid. It made me want to challenge him.

It probably would have been smarter to stay silent, but I spoke anyway, wanting to hear his answer to my question. “What do you intend to do about that that activity in the Pit? It could be some powerful new beast moving in and pushing out others. The towns in the region might be in for a challenge.”

He waved a hand. “I will let the Imperial army handle it. After all, that’s their job, Your Highness.”

I narrowed my eyes. “And if the generals want to transfer more troops to the region, you’ll support that decision?”

“Any requests for logistical assistance will of course be given the proper attention. I assure you, Your Highness, we have things well in hand, and there is no need for you to worry about anything. We are more than capable of carrying the burden of governing so that you can focus on your cultivation.”

I gritted my teeth. While I couldn’t argue with him about the matter, I didn’t appreciate his tone or the way he smiled at me again.

I exhaled, pushing out my frustration. I knew better than to let it loose. “Very well, Chancellor Gen. I will leave you to your work. You are dismissed.”

His face tightened a bit, but he bowed and took his leave.

I stayed and watched the officials go. Although only Gen and the advisers left. I’d lost track of Kariva. When I turned around again and saw her standing at my side, I almost jumped, but managed to control myself just in time.

“Don’t mind Gen, my lady,” she said. “He’s good at keeping everything together, but not the kind who likes to act quickly.” She looked after them and frowned for a moment, before she turned back to me. “I doubt it, but if he becomes troublesome, the matter will be handled.”

I shook my head. “Do you try to sound like that on purpose?”

Kariva smiled. “Sometimes. I meant it, though.”

“Hmm.” I gave her a closer look. Even though we’d met in the meetings, I didn’t know much about her. “So you would back me against him if it came to a conflict? Even with underhanded means?”

“Well, of course.” She raised an eyebrow. “You’re the crown princess of the Empire, and the heir of the family. Our Young Miss, if you will. In the absence of the Empress, it is only right that I answer to you. So long as it does not go against her orders or our interests, of course.”

I crossed my arms, staring at her with a challenge in my eyes. “And if I wanted to have you whipped for talking to me without the proper respect?”

She answered promptly, her tone and expression unmoved. “I would strive to take the punishment with grace, of course, Your Highness.”

She didn’t seem bothered at all. It could be because she knew I was only testing her. But still. Is she a psychopath or just a fanatic?

At least she seemed to be on my side. I’d just have to be careful. It looked like if I wanted to have someone assassinated or whatever, she’d have no problem actually doing it.

“Well, tell me if there’s anything I need to know,” I ordered. Then I hesitated for a moment. I didn’t trust her enough to tell her how I might have bad premonitions yet. But I could at least say something. “And I need you to be especially careful, until further notice.”

Kariva bowed her head. “Of course, my lady."

With that, I turned and walked away. The back of my neck itched, but I didn’t look back to see if she was watching me.

I had work to do. I should keep focused on that.