Several days later, General Lin arrived home from work with a letter clutched in his hand. Oliver was still sleeping as he was due to work the night shift. Mai served up dinner for her husband as he perused the letter with a discerning smile.

"I am being called to the capital," he said.

Mai placed the two plates of food down on the table and sat down.

"To Redport?" she asked.

The General folded away his letter and picked up his fork.

"Yes, of course. I will be away for a few weeks."

"Who has called you there? I thought General was the highest rank?"

General Lin sighed.

"The Emperor himself. Well, the Empress on behalf of the Emperor. But that is only because he is too busy to write to me himself."

Mai's mouth fell open.

"What do you think they want you for?" she asked.

"I have no idea, but I imagine it is of great importance. I will leave at first light tomorrow."

"Do you want me to get anything ready for you?"

"No. I am capable of packing myself, thank you. I will leave this house under your charge. Keep Oliver in check for me. That boy needs some guidance."

Mai frowned but did not say anything. Instead, she ate some of the casserole she had prepared. The fact that her husband trusted her to look after the house made her happy. But the fact that he put Oliver down most certainly did not.

Oliver was a year her senior. He was not a child.

"I will pack this evening," General Lin said. "I do not expect you to be up when I leave."

"Okay."

"And keep an eye on Catherine as well. Do not tell her I have gone anywhere. She will fret otherwise."

"Why we must guard and care for Catherine?" Mai blurted the question out in a moment of boldness. The General raised an eyebrow at her and she continued, "Oliver was curious about it and it made me wonder."

"She is a citizen that needs protection. That is all either of you need to know."

Mai bit her lip, then asked another question.

"Are there lots of people who get guarded like she does?"

"Well, there is no one quite like Catherine. But yes, the country takes a great deal of interest in the safety of its citizens."

Lin finished eating and stood up. He swept out of the kitchen and Mai heard his boots on the stairs. She frowned after him for a moment, then cleared up their plates and put some of the casserole on the smouldering remains of the fire for Oliver. Just in case he was hungry when he woke.

It only occurred to Mai afterwards that that had been the longest conversation she had ever had with her husband. Perhaps things would improve as time went on. Perhaps her mother was not entirely wrong about things…

Mai had not seen her mother since the wedding. She did not want to see her. A sense of betrayal sat deep within her chest and she could not quite shake it.

But maybe time would soften that too.

The thought cheered Mai a little. She did not like arguing with her mother. Especially not after the death of her father.

That evening, Mai ignored pangs in her chest regarding her parents and began on the quilt that she had designed a long time ago but had never found the time to actually start. After finishing the curtains, she had itched for another project and had sought out the scribbled designs she had made before her father's death. After the news came of his death at sea, she had been forced to take another job. That had been when she had started working for Catherine. It had eaten into her time so much that she had not had the time to begin. Now she had the time in the evenings and money of her own to buy fabric.

Her mother had taught her to sew. Oliver had helped her carry the fabric back from the market. He had grumbled about it, and Mai had silenced him with an apple pastry. It was only going to be a small quilt, but she had to start somewhere. Perhaps if it went well, she would make another…

Besides, a small quilt would be perfect for a baby.

A baby. That would be expected of her soon, wouldn't it? That is why people married, was it not?

She lay out all the little squares of fabric and began to arrange them.

In truth, the idea of a baby terrified her. She felt she just about had a handle on looking after herself and perhaps Catherine. Her husband seemed pretty self-sufficient, bar his requests that she cook for him. And she reckoned he could do that if he wanted.

She threaded a needle, then picked up two squares of fabric and began to sew them together.

But babies were small and helpless.

A deep sense of gratitude settled in her chest that Lin had not wanted to take her to his bed straight away. Her mother had explained that to her in fine detail and she wasn't all too sure that she liked the idea of it.

"Ow!"

Mai looked down to see that she had stabbed herself with the needle.

A bubble of blood bloomed on her finger. She put the needle down and sucked at her finger.

"What did you do?"

The sound of Oliver's voice made her jump. He stood in the doorway, his long hair messed up from sleep and his uniform crumpled.

"Just pricked myself, that's all. I'm fine."

"You ought to be more careful," he scolded. He yawned. "Is there any tea?"

"Yes, plenty in the cupboard."

He sent her a pointed look.

"What did you do before I turned up?" she asked. "Who made your tea then?"

"No one. I just suffered. And so did everyone else as a result."

Mai rolled her eyes, put down her materials, and walked into the kitchen. She filled the kettle with water and set a fire under it on the stove.

"Lin is going away tomorrow," she told him. "Been called by the Emperor."

Oliver raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yes, he leaves in the morning. He doesn't want us telling Catherine so she won't worry about him being gone."

"Interesting. I wonder why he's been called."

"He didn't say." Mai paused for a moment, then continued, "He also said I was in charge of the house. And… And to keep an eye on you."

If Oliver was surprised by this, nothing showed on his face.

"Oh did he?"

"Yeah. So you have to do what I say," Mai said, attempting to insert a teasing tone into her voice.

Oliver raised an eyebrow but did not say a word. The kettle whistled a moment later and Mai made two cups of tea.

"How come you're on the night shift again?" she asked. "I swear you're always doing it."

"It pays more and no one else wants to do it. I am saving for a place of my own. It makes more financial sense."

"But the army helps you with housing, don't they?"

"They do assist, as long as you buy one of the ones they build."

"Which is most of them," Mai pointed out. "Why do you want to move out? I thought you liked it here?"

"General Lin will want a family soon if you are here. I do not want my life disturbed by children just yet."

Mai felt her cheeks flush.

"We're not—"

"Not yet. No," Oliver muttered. He downed his tea. "I have to go. Try not to stab yourself again."

Mai saw him out, washed up the two cups and returned to her quilting.


General Lin arrived in Redport five days after he left Basingold. He reported to the Palace at once and was shown into a private chamber to talk to the Emperor and Empress.

"General Lin, thank you for coming so quickly. This is the first time you have met the new Empress, isn't it?"

Ocral's leaders were sat comfortably on thrones gilded with gold and purple silk that had been raised above the rest of the room by a small platform. Between them sat a small table, where the Empress had been serving her husband tea. Much like the room, they were dressed to impress. The Empress wore flowing silk robes embroidered with summer scenes. The Emperor wore simpler clothing, but the quality was no less fine.

"Yes, a pleasure," General Lin said, bowing his head towards her.

She surveyed him with a serene smile. The servants were waved away so that the trio were quite alone.

"I trust Luella is well?" the Emperor asked.

"Yes, quite well. I believe she has recently adopted a puppy."

The Emperor smiled.

"And no one suspects?"

"She is quite safe. I have my best men looking after her."

"It is because of her that we have asked you here today."

"It is?"

"I love my first wife a great deal, General. But certain things need to be done. And well… It is a General's duty to assist his Emperor in any matter."

"I do not understand, your highness…"

The Emperor looked away and the Empress spoke for him.

"We want your assistance in producing an heir. This must be kept in the utmost confidence between the three of us. The Emperor could not think of anyone he would trust more than yourself and as you are unattached… I understand if you want to think about it—"

"You want me to impregnate you and have the Emperor pass the child off as his own?" the General asked. A flash of something like triumph flickered across General Lin's face, unseen by the Emperor.

"Yes," the Empress stated. "Not the words I would have chosen, but your statement was correct in its essentials. No one must know about this, if a word gets out, I will have you publicly executed."

The Emperor looked around in alarm.

"Madoka—"

"No, Martin, he needs to understand the gravity of the situation."

The Emperor gulped and looked away.

"I understand. And I will do it."

"Thank you, General. You begin your duties this evening. The doctors suggest the next few days would be the optimal time. If it does not work out, we will request your presence next month."

"Thank you, Empress. I will go and freshen myself."

The Empress nodded her head and General Lin left the room, a smirk dancing across his lips.


Far to the north in Eshia, the neighbouring country to Ocral, a young man shoved some meagre belongings into a canvas bag. It was still early morning, his father would still be passed out from the previous night.

If he was going to leave, now would be the best time. It was just light out, but no one would be keeping watch at this time. The soldiers were unruly and cared nothing but for violence and drink.

He slipped out into the misty dawn, wishing he could say goodbye to his best friend, but knowing it was too risky. Her father was an important man, and if he found out… Well it did not bear thinking about...

Gene snuck down to the beach. He had hoped for a spare loose fishing boat, but they had all been chained up, to prevent thievery. He wondered how many other people had tried to escape like this…

There was no choice in it. He would have to swim. He was lucky, he knew how to swim from his training. The inlet of water between Eshia and Ocral was not that wide. He could definitely make it, even with a bag. He was one of the stronger soldiers. He had to be. His father would not allow it any other way.

He squealed as the cold water crept into his boots. Gene gritted his teeth and forced himself forwards. He knew that once his head had been dunked under the water, he would feel a lot warmer.

He also knew if he hung around too long, someone would notice him.

The cold bit into his skin like a knife, but he did not relent. He had had enough of his father. He was going to find his 'no good whore mother' in Ocral, where she had supposedly run off too. Anything was better than starving in Eshia.

He also suspected he had a brother. Gene was not sure if this was idle dreaming or an actual memory. But for some reason, he was sure he had a brother. For a long time, he had wanted to ask his father about the rest of their family, but knew not how without inciting violence.

He waded out into the water until it reached his neck. Then Gene forced his head under the water for a moment before bursting back up for air. He swore as loudly as he dared, then kicked his feet off the ground. He settled into a sensible rhythm. He had spotted a barracks on the other side of the inlet and aimed towards that every time he managed to look up. Of course, when he got nearer, he would want to avoid the barracks, but for now, they proved a useful landmark.

After a few minutes of concerted effort, his arms began to ache. The tide dragged him sideways with every stroke he took and his clothes pulled him down. He renewed his efforts, kicking harder and reaching further.

Perhaps the inlet was a little wider than he originally expected. He refused to look back towards Eshia. Because Gene could not turn back. He had to go on.

He spotted a piece of driftwood and grabbed onto it. It allowed his aching arms to rest for a moment. It allowed his shivering jaw somewhere to rest. It allowed his eyes to just close for a moment…


Author's note: Would I introduce Gene just to kill him off in the next scene and have someone find his dead body? Yes, yes I would ;)

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