“We’ve always been cornered, without our Devil."

Éclair sat before a council of noblemen. The Empress of Alphia called a meeting of the leaders, Vengeance kept at the prime minister's side. The council hall was vast and circular, tables upon which laid names and affiliation. A holographic display at the center displayed the Alrosian crest. Chatter and whisper were common – the vastness drowned the otherwise 'rude' interjections. 

 "On behalf of me and Alrosia, I'd like to thank you for the swift call," she took center stage, "-on the matter of foreign policies," she glared the various opportunist nobles, "-on request of Pope Carrigan II, Duke of Kreston, an independent faction from the Wracia Empire, I propose the following," she said bearing the same authority as the emperor, "-inclusion of Kreston as a council member of the Alrosia Empire."