“I will always be here for you,” Mika said as she held the princess close. Noriko wasn’t a royal right now—simply a girl keening into her friend’s shoulder at the loss of her family.

Mika glanced toward Dija on the gangplank, the old cat eye looking somber as tears began to blur the handmaiden’s vision.

Dija nodded, not as a mark of approval, Mika knew, but for solidarity in providing comfort to their new Empress.

But an empress of what?

Her face flushed. It was strange, has Mika had never felt so saddened, and yet so angry at the same time. Looking at the older woman’s expression, she thought Dija felt some of the same emotions as her.

She put a hand atop the Empress’ head. They had to protect her.