Janis tried not to fidget as Jay adjusted the pins in her jacket for the fourth time. "Are you quite finished?"

"Almost," he said absentmindedly. He nodded, moved one pin a millimeter, then stuck it more firmly in the fabric. "Alright, that should work."

Janis sighed as Jay helped her out of the jacket and laid it out on a table to secure the pins, grabbing a marker to note their positions.

"I still don't see why this is necessary," she grumbled. "We have bigger issues."

He shrugged. "We're going to do some diplomacy, and you must look your best. It's not my fault that your best is too soot-stained to use before it's repaired, Princess. Also, wear this."

Janis shrugged on the other jacket he pointed at, smoothing it down and doing up the buttons before he decided to do it himself. It used a row of many tiny buttons carved from amethyst, so it took a while.

"And it's not my fault that they tried to sneak an attack past our guard while I was talking to the last of these lordlings," she grumbled. "I liked that jacket, too."

The memory of Jay guiding her out of a burning building — set aflame by a misaimed fire spell from one of their own soldiers, or so they thought (he'd made everyone in the section go through additional drills for that) — felt a little incongruent with the way he looked at the fabric, shears and the angle of the light, and then turned to examine her appearance. Apparently, Jay and some of the others had taken some kind of 'training course' to help with this kind of thing: to aid when she, or one of the other VIPs they were guarding, couldn't have servants around because of security concerns and bodyguards had to step in, he'd explained. Janis suspected it was an excuse and Jay simply enjoyed the artistic side of it. He was definitely less enthusiastic about the other tasks they'd probably learned. Not that Janis minded.

"You still have to meet with that lord today," he reminded her.

"I know, don't remind me." Janis checked over the psychic link, then turned to go. Jay cleared his throat and she turned back to put on the diadem she'd almost forgotten.

As she left the room, the two soldiers stationed on opposite sides of the door snapped to attention. Janis nodded at them and waited for Jay to catch up, as well as two more soldiers to join him. They'd increased security recently. Then she set off down the short corridor.

There seemed to be an almost endless supply of small-to-medium mansions for this minor lordling or that one dotted about the Western Confederation. Whenever they took a town, it was easy to get one of them as headquarters. Of course, there were also a lot of local nobles to deal with, which often fell to her as the commander. Janis was almost looking forward to the envoys tomorrow if only for the change of pace it would hopefully be.

Right now, they were headquartered about fifteen kilometers away from the city of Pesiten, one of the biggest in the Confederation and an important strategic hub. It was the sort of target the Westerners couldn't afford not to defend. They'd slowed her down, but without letting themselves get tied down. Something that would have to stop now. Of course, it also meant the Army was pretty deep inside the Western Confederation, and if the Westerners had prepared more traps, they would be snapping shut soon.

There had been a careful exchange of messengers over the last few days, as she approached the city, and they would be meeting for a parley here tomorrow. Janis was pretty sure they'd accepted the location hoping to get more information on the Empire's deployments. For her part, she considered the extra insurance against foul play offered by having control of the site in the lead-up to the meeting worth it. Not that she expected much of the coming talks, it could easily be just a formality. It would be considered good practice to extend an offer of surrender. Janis had discussed it with Regina and would keep working on the details until tomorrow, on the off-chance the Westerners might be receptive to at least surrendering the city without fighting. For now, though, she still had to finish dealing with the locals.

Janis could sense several fellow Hive members there, including Lily, who'd arrived a few days ago after joining the Hive. She was currently talking to Ada, but they broke off as she entered. Janis nodded at the people present, then sat down on the throne they'd placed at one end of the large room and watched as the soldiers took position around its edges and the door. Jay stood in a guard position close to her.

"Go on," Janis said. "Let's see what they want."

Another soldier opened the door to let in yet another Westerner noble in fine clothing, this one dark-haired and middle-aged and walking with firm, almost arrogant steps down the room. "Announcing His Lordship Gaien Provost, Lord of Berhallow."

Janis tried not to show she was bored. If she recalled correctly, they were currently in this guy's official domain, technically, so this audience was kind of necessary. It was always easier to deal with the locals if you met them with a measure of politeness and accommodation. Also helped to show the Empire wasn't full of barbarians and cannibals, or whatever they said. This wasn't exactly formal court, but close enough for being on campaign, and she was giving the local nobles some face by letting them show up here. If only most of them weren't so sullen about it.

The lord advanced and then stopped shortly before her throne, bowing his head. "Imperial commander," he said. "I have some concerns about the treatment of my subjects at Imperial hands."

Janis slowly leaned forward, cocking an eyebrow. Her gaze darted to the others. Jay was clenching his fingers and she could tell he dearly wanted to punch the man's stupid face in, but resisted. Lily scoffed audibly.

"You are addressing Her Imperial Highness, Janis Starlit von Woltan, Crown Princess of the Central European Empire and commanding officer of the Army of the Elbe," the lieutenant stationed nearby to act as herald when required sneered. "Kneel in front of your betters, man."

The lord turned to look at him, and Jay rattled his sword-arms, while Lily stepped forward, flexing her fingers. Whatever stupid stunt the man had wanted to do, maybe making some kind of point about Janis' lack of introduction — there was no way he genuinely didn't know who she was — he was at least smart enough to drop to one knee then.

"My apologies, Your Imperial Highness," he said through gritted teeth.

Janis inclined her head regally. "We will let it pass this once," she replied. "Which concerns did you wish to raise, Lord Gaien?"

He looked like he was considering standing up even without her leave, but realized Jay or Lily might just force him back on his knees anyway. "Several acquaintances who I know to be gentlemen of honor and integrity have approached me with concerns and alarming news, Princess Janis," he said. "They spoke of Imperial soldiers ransacking their homes, intimidating their sworn men and even stealing their wives' or daughters' possessions."

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Janis regarded him silently for a moment. "This district has been placed under martial law as part of the occupation," she said. "The Imperial army is indeed requisitioning certain effects. Rest assured all such cases are properly documented and fair compensation is offered. I am sure you will have seen such writs, which may be turned in for the respective sum of Imperial coinage. As for your other concern, any allegations of theft should be reported to the Imperial military police, who will investigate them. It should be done by the owners themselves, of course, although I am sure they will appreciate your activism on their behalf." She paused for a moment. "That means said ladies themselves, if they suspect theft," she clarified, speaking a little extra clearly to subtly imply he was stupid. It was petty, but so was all this.

From his look, he caught he subtext just fine. His lip curled slightly. He really did have a very punchable face. "Surely, we are still due a minimum of courtesy, Your Highness?" he asked. "We are not ruffians hiding contraband under the floorboards. What could they possible be looking for? Valuables to pawn?"

"We are certainly not stealing such things, Lord Gaien," she replied, suppressing a sigh. It would've been stupid, it wasn't like they couldn't just Conjure gold if they needed it.

He spread his hands. "Yet I am still hearing many such complaints, Princess Janis. If I had any words of reassurance to offer to those complaining, it would soothe tempers quite a bit …"

He's probably just angling to find out what we're after, Janis considered. The answer was not much. There were a few rarer materials or alloys that would be useful. Anything with sensitive information, like up-to-date local maps. And, of course, they tended to confiscate enchanted items that could be used for warfare.

With that realization, the rest of the conversation lost a lot of interest for her. Janis still replied with some, this time more polite words, meaningless platitudes about taking their concerns seriously. And of course she would ensure that her soldiers didn't misbehave, and any such misbehavior would be punished. But he had to understand they were at war, and the Empire fought to restore its honor — "and to free the world from tyranny, let's not forget that," she added as an aside — so certain restrictions had to be imposed. It was the price of losing, she didn't quite say. She also didn't say that if the Empire kept this territory later or imposed political reforms on the Confederation, the vast majority of the people affected by the curfews and checkpoints now would be better off then. And she could hardly care less about the nobles who'd lose political power.

So many people forgot that she hadn't been born to power and privilege. Even those who begrudged her that fact, who sneered under their breath and made pointed comments like this lord's insinuations that, clearly, she didn't quite get how noble society operated — of course nobles should be treated better, "There are certain standards and expectations," he explained, "I regret the Empire's reputation will be hurt if these gentlemen see it as uncouth, and I'm certain Your Imperial Highness would not want that" — even they didn't truly remember it over the titles and the fact she was sitting here at all, his social superior. They didn't truly think of her the way they did their own serfs, but as someone of consequence. (Not that she'd truly been born an average peasant, but still.)

Why would she care more about a noble's opinions on things than any other person's, except for the unfortunate influence they had on those economically or socially dependent on them?

Janis might have gotten too comfortable in the Empire. Seeing the state of affairs in the Western Confederation had reminded her of some things. She even found herself thinking back to some of Regina's history lessons occasionally, or to the more subtle ones in conversations with Galatea. Perhaps, now, she understood more of their intentions than she had back then.

The rest of the audience was a great waste of her time, but at least it took no more than twenty minutes. At last, the lord finally bowed and walked out. Janis rested her chin on her hand, looking after him and frowning.

"Janis?" Jay asked hesitantly.

"Do you think Tia could make a guillotine, Jay?" she mused.

"… Probably. I wouldn't be surprised if she's already made some sketches, she has lots of ideas," he replied.

Janis hummed. He was probably wondering because she was still sitting here instead of leaving immediately. "It was just an idle thought, don't worry," she dismissed. "I'm not going to start trying to solve problems with mass murder."

From Jay's look, she could tell he hadn't exactly been worried. Lily looked more concerned. Faintly.

"The Principality of Ardans still practices serfdom," she continued.

"Yes, it was in a briefing or two."

Janis nodded. "I'm sure there are more complaints and requests from people speaking to our soldiers." She had issued orders to take notes of those. "Look for a few people with genuine grievances and summon them. The lower their status, the better. Especially serfs bound to this lordling. They're not obligated to come, but I will give them audiences and listen to them if they like."

Jay raised an eyebrow, but saluted. "As you wish. I'll take care of it."

She looked at him expectantly, so he took the hint and left to see to it personally.

Janis turned to look at the other young woman in the room. "Come closer, please, Lily."

The young psychic stepped forward, bowing her head. She looked curious.

"I want you to evaluate the locals," Janis said. "Try your best to get a general estimate of their state of mind and their opinions on how things are run here; before or during the war. But also pick out a few people who are either in leadership roles or smart ones we would be able to work with. Those that would make good representatives."

"Of course, Princess," Lily said. "May I ask why?"

"No need to be formal." Janis leaned back, idly waving one hand. "It occurred to me that we don't actually, really need to deal with the local nobles, we just need some kind of representative who can keep order. If we ever incorporate this area into the Empire or make it a vassal state or something, it's better that way, anyway. And if not, then giving the people here at least a taste of political participation is kind of the least we can do, right? So, I'm not sure if elections across the parts of the Confederation we've occupied are feasible to organize, but we can at least try to sound out the possibility. And if it weakens their hold over the people, so all the better. What I'd really like is to introduce more education and such, but the military government is already at its limits."

Lily nodded slowly. "I think I see. That does sound good. But ambitious."

Janis smiled wrily. "You don't think I've gone mad with power?"

She'd never had this much responsibility, this far removed from Regina and her psychic reach. It weighed on her if she let it, in a different way than simply the prospect of fighting this war against enemies supported by the gods.

"I think the Empress asked me something similar once." Lily smiled. "I've come to realize, since then, that if what you both envision is mad, I don't want the world to be sane."

Janis smiled back at her, feeling a bit touched. "That's good."

"My father died in the Cernlian civil war," Lily added. "But Fred's father died because he was worked too hard. They were tenants with a small plot. There were a few bad years, they were behind on taxes, so the father had to work more on the lord's mills. He got some kind of bone issue, they couldn't pay the healer, and they had too little food; so he died of a bad break getting infected. His mother tried to get them by with her spinning, but he lost two younger siblings, one who was just weaned and one old enough to work, and I got my suspicions about where his sister got her money from. She's left now and, last I heard, got a rogue Class."

Janis shivered slightly. "I see. Thanks for telling me." She'd heard similar stories before. It was another reminder how lucky she'd been, even before she met Regina.

"If Fred and me weren't lucky enough to be psychic, that would be our lot, too. Though, I guess with the new factories, spinning isn't bringing in enough money, so maybe we'd get work in the factories instead. At least we wouldn't lose any kids, with better healers in the city."

"There'll be free access to healers for everyone soon," Janis said absently. "Statistics say infant mortality rates have more than halved in the last few years. But I guess that doesn't mean as much as it should, right?"

"I wonder what the rate is like in the Principate," Lily said quietly.

Janis looked at the door leading out of the hall. "It's been a thousand years," she said quietly. She didn't think about how many babies were born in a year.

Lily nodded somberly. They looked at each other; Janis met her gaze and saw determination, and she knew that she understood.

Sometimes, when she allowed herself to dwell on everything she'd learned, Janis really, truly hated the gods.

Lucky they were essentially at war with them already, she supposed.

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