Chapter 132

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I nearly misspoke."

"An important announcement—what announcement, Rene?"

The Empress asked me with sudden anxiety. But that expression itself was evidence that she already had some idea what it was.

I smiled and shook my head.

"Now that I think about it, it wouldn't be appropriate to say at Her Majesty the Empress's birthday banquet."

"I don't see why not, Rene. If you put it that way, it sounds as though the Empress dislikes you."

The Emperor—who had been silent—spoke at last. The Empress turned to him with a look of unease. He ignored it and looked around at the assembled crowd. Everyone was hanging on whatever would come next.

"As everyone is gathered—this is as good a time as any. I have been thinking that it is time to name my successor."

"Your Majesty!"

An exclamation burst from beside him immediately.

"A successor? When you…