Interlude: Moving Pieces on the Board

In a secluded estate somewhere in a secret location...

"You called for me, Lord Astera?"

Kneeling before the red-haired man seated in front of me, I did my best to hide my hostility and anger behind an expressionless façade. How laughable. Me–the Kaiser herself, being forced to kneel in front of a man who hides away in secret all day. A perpetual thorn in my side who issues orders from the shadows. Honestly, I would want nothing more than to get rid of him, but at the moment, it just isn't possible. I can not be too open about my intentions as he is incredibly cautious, and I already experienced the results of that caution when I was isolated from any possible allies.