Goodbye, Crossroads

"That's basically it." Akiko said, taking a sip from her glass of blood wine.

She and Ezra were sitting in her office, enjoying a drink as they conversed. She watched the deep red liquid as she swirled it expertly, her attention split between Ezra and the drink.

She needed to get closer to him. Maybe, just maybe, he'd give her a child of her own. She exhaled, enjoying the quiet around them.

"What about operations?" Ezra asked.

Akiko took another sip of wine before setting her glass down. "The Monarchy operates differently than the Society." She said. 

"As I'm sure you're already aware, the power structure here is based on autonomy. We ceded from the Society because such strict rules are like confining a predator to a cage. I mean, what's the beauty in doing that?" She laughed.

"Here, the princes and princesses govern their own territories, appointing Overseers who manage the different regions under their rule."