"We're ten days from the election for the members of the People's Council. It seems we've had a proliferation of candidates in the past few days despite the dramatic events. As a result, I'd like to host a town hall in five days time, where each candidate can answer questions that the public proposes. These questions will be crowdsourced and then filtered for content the previous day." Melia said, folding her hands in her lap. Dunban had been impressed with her decision to reinstate the People's Council. It wasn't a popular decision with her cabinet, those that supported her efforts day in and day out, but it resonated with the people. Already he had heard whispers of excitement and praise from those laboring in the fields to those working in the clinics.

The cabinet looked at her with varying expressions of astonishment, save for Songya, who looked rather amused, and Kiefer, who always appeared stone-faced. Dunban suppressed a chuckle as the questions hurled towards Melia.

"Do you think this is wise, Empress? Especially given the nature of the last town hall?" Shalen asked.

"Crowd-sourcing questions, as you call it, may lead to embarrassment, regardless of what censorship precautions we take." Jarrack added.

"And why should we leave it up to the people? We should be the ones to create those questions!" Camar demanded.

"I did consider all of those things. But the topic of this town hall is entirely different. It is about the people evaluating their candidates and learning what their true priorities are. I don't believe we will encounter those same problems. But we will need to consider what problems there will be and how to mitigate them. I am not delusional that we won't run into some sort of chaos." Melia said, leaning back in her chair. Dunban watched her intently, observing her attitude. She seemed so calm, as if the past few days had had no effect on her. It was as if the assassination attempt never happened; that her optimistic attitude was untainted by the potential end of her mortality.

"We will need extra security." Kiefer interjected.

"I think that there should be some sort of moderator for the town hall." Songya added.

Melia nodded, jotting down the notes. "Anything else? This is new for all of us, so any and all thoughts are welcome."

"How many candidates are there?" Miriall asked.

"Serenity?" Melia turned to her timid assistant.

Startled, the young Homs Entia flipped a few pages in her notebook, frantically searching and stopped. "There are four Homs Entia and five Entia. So a total of nine candidates."

"Nine candidates for four positions," Kiefer mused.

"It could get heated between the candidates when answering questions. Otherwise...well all bets are off." Songya pointed out. "I doubt there will be much interaction between the Homs Entia and Entia candidates, since they're vying for different positions, but who knows if tensions run high as the anticipation increases."

"We should lay out some ground rules. Of who will be allowed to talk and when." Melia noted.

"That, and even thinking forward to the election itself. We've got to have a plan of action for actually placing votes. A system where they won't be prevented from voting, or from voting more than once."

Dunban saw Camar roll his eyes out of his periphery vision. Camar was most certainly not a fan of Songya.

"Good point. Songya, I'd like you and Kiefer to take point on this. I'd like to see a security plan for both the town hall as well as the election in a few days." Melia directed. "Miriall, I'd like you to personally brief each of the candidates on the rules of the town hall once they are drafted. And Jarrack and Shalen, I'd like you to draft a plan for soliciting and collecting the questions from the High Entia." Dunban continued to watch her, taking charge of the situation. She did it so naturally, one never would've thought any amount of fear or insecurity lay beneath that confident exterior.

"What about me?" Camar interjected.

"I'd like you to focus on the technical aspects of the town hall. I want to make sure every word is heard, every sound is amplified, and everyone on stage is seen. Can I trust you with that?"

Camar shrugged and nodded. "Should be easy enough."

"Good. I will outline the agenda for the town hall and create a structure for the evening." She paused, making a few notes to herself. Looking up, the Empress straightened her back and said, "Now, before we adjourn for the day, I'd like to discuss two more things that I have neglected but been meaning to bring up. Kiefer, your reports have indicated most of our systems within the city are up and running without too many problems these days. Is that correct?" Kiefer nodded and Melia continued, "I would like to then shift your focus from utilities maintenance to building a school. Nae'ell brought me the suggestion and I think that should be our next focus. The previous school was destroyed during the invasion, and it should become a priority as we do have many children in the city. A formalized educational system will also provide more jobs. I wanted to bring this up now so that you all would be aware of the next big project following the election."

Murmurs of approval were heard from the cabinet members. Dunban observed that each face, with the obvious exception of Camar, light up in approval. There was something hopeful about the idea of creating a school. Perhaps it was ensuring the success of the next generation that cast it in such a favorable light. It was a smart move, no doubt. And it would certainly draw approval from the rest of the High Entia. It seemed Melia's luck might be finally turning around.

"And finally, I wanted to bring up the topic of vacation. And I deeply apologize for not having done so sooner." She stood and gazed at each person thoughtfully. "You all have dedicated each second of your time to this city and its people for the past six months. Tirelessly, you and your teams have worked and answered every request I have made of you. Obviously, things are still far from finished, though we've come quite a long way, which I would like to commend all of you. I'd like to propose that there be a rotation of time off. Each week, one team will be excused from work, so it does not impede the general progress, but provides a lengthy breather. If you will agree to this, we will start right after the election with Kiefer's team."

Heads were nodding enthusiastically and Melia smiled. "Wonderful. That's settled then. Meeting adjourned. I will see you all tomorrow."

As he left the Great Hall, Dunban reflected on Melia's actions during the highs and lows of the past few days. Despite the recent attempt on her life, Melia continued to push forward, as evidenced by her commanding presence at the cabinet meeting that very morning. The Homs Entia woman had not hidden in the shadows, driven by the fear that her life would be taken. No, she continued unaffected, though with certain precautions (obviously). It made him admire her. But he knew what swam below the surface: fear, stress, despair, and sadness. Dunban had seen behind the mask of the Empress. He had seen the weight she carried upon her shoulders. How long had she been over burdened? Most likely since she had brought her people together. But something in him said that was not right. No. She had borne the weight since her father died, almost ten months ago, knowing she would have to take up his mantle and lead her people through the darkness.

He empathized with what she was feeling. Dunban had been there himself: all the Homs' hopes and dreams of defeating the Mechon as he wielded the Monado. Somehow he got through the fear and the stress. Hopefully she would too.


When he walked into her suite later that evening, Melia was out on the balcony, looking into the dark night. He cleared his throat to make her aware of his presence, but she did not turn to greet him. Instead, she said, "Camille did not commit suicide. Or at least...I don't believe she did. I think someone murdered her."

"What?" The news of Camille's suicide had been released the previous day, after she had been found in her cell. Or so he was told in the official report. Why hadn't she mentioned this to him last night? "Did you learn something new?"

"Not today, no. When she was found yesterday, Elrich and James noticed there were irregularities about the body. That and the fact that the two guards on the night watch were drugged and fainted for a short while."

"Why haven't you said anything about this? Publicly?"

"Because I believe that someone in the palace is responsible." Melia turned to him, a weary look on her face. "And the guards that interned her swear that she was thoroughly searched and had no weapon."

"So someone had her killed because she knew something important." Dunban inferred.

"Yes. My guess is that it was to protect the identity of whoever gave Camille the idea to murder me." Melia said as she walked back into the apartment and took a seat on the sofa.

Dunban followed her inside and took a seat in the armchair across from her. Bluntly, he said, "I think someone is trying to sabotage you. Two assassination attempts so close together seems to be less coincidence and more of a coordinated effort." Melia remained silent, waiting for him to continue. "I'm aware death threats can be not unusual for a ruler, but actual attempts? It takes more than anger to carry out a premeditated murder."

"Would you like some tea?" Melia rose and ambled over to a small cart by the wall.

"No, thank you."

Melia was silent as she poured tea into a cup.

"That day in the fields, someone had deliberately severed the irrigation pipe. It was cut in a way that would delay the burst, making it look like an accident, but it was intentionally cut nonetheless. Someone is trying to create chaos."

Melia returned to her seat, looking a little paler. "Perhaps we should postpone the election until we figure out who the culprit is. They may decide to strike during the town hall."

"It's a possibility." He leaned back, watching her intently.

But she shook her head. "No, the people are counting on it. We will just have to take extra precautions." She winced as she set down her tea cup, rubbing her arm instinctively.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. It stings but it's fine other than that."

"I meant otherwise. I know you've had worse scrapes than that." He gave her a wry grin.

"Right you are," she smiled mischievously back at him. He liked that smile. "That was something I meant to address this evening. I'm...sorry if I put you in an awkward position a few nights ago. The stress of the day overtook me."

"There's no need to apologize, Melia. You needn't hold back your true thoughts and feelings from me. I'm not going to share them with anyone unless you give me permission to do so. As I said before, and I'll say it again. You can trust me."

"My father said a ruler could trust no one outside of his own family."

"Do you agree?"

"I was thinking today about who would benefit from my death," she said, changing the subject. He would not pry. He had no desire to force her to question the teachings for her late father. "It isn't clear cut. If I were to die, it would fall to the cabinet to lead in the interim, and then host an election to appoint a new leader."

"The only one who seems to benefit from that would be a member of the cabinet."

"No, I don't think it's one of them," she dismissed. "None of them volunteered for their positions. In fact, I had to convince most of them to take the positions at all. Miriall was the only one who accepted my proposition when I first asked."

"So, no clear motive."

"It seems not."

A silence fell over them and Dunban waited to see if she would fill it. She did not, sipping her tea instead.

"Well, I shall take my leave. I'm sure there will be more to discuss over the next few days with regards to the town hall." He rose and headed for the door.

"Alright. Have a good night, Dunban," she stood and followed him to the door.

Before he exited, he turned to her and asked, "Why did you tell me the truth about Camille?" Melia hesitated, sorting her thoughts. But he knew what she was thinking. Why she hadn't answered his question before.

"This is...new for me, Dunban. My guards, I trust them with my life because it's their duty. I trust my advisors to be honest with me about their opinions and information regarding the restoration. But I have never been in a situation where I can trust someone with the truths of my mind and heart, someone I can trust with secrets that must stay buried. The only person I came close to a relationship like that was my mother, but she passed away early in my childhood, when I was not mature enough to consider such things."

He laid a hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner. "The choice is yours, Melia. I just wanted you to know that I am here for you as a friend."

A flicker of disappointment crawled across her face, but it was gone. He wasn't sure whether he had seen it or imagined it. "Thank you, Dunban. I will certainly try."

He nodded and departed, feeling as though something were amiss. Unsatisfied, he turned the conversation over in his mind, trying to pinpoint what left him unsettled, but he could find nothing glaring. Perhaps, he was just disappointed. She had put so many walls up, she didn't know how to take them down. He wanted her to feel comfortable around him. Maybe she just needed a sign of good faith. If he shared with her something of the personal nature, maybe that would give her the courage to do so in kind. Yes...of course. Trust, after all, was a two way street.


A/N: Thoughts? Comments? Let me know what you think! Reviews are highly motivating for me :)