Editing Tytania:Volume 2 Chapter 8 (section)

=== III ===
“Lord Idris, are you not considering using the Emperor for your own ends?”

Theodora Tytania, the woman who had only recently been formally promised the title of Countess, asked this question in Idris’ ''boudoir''. Theodora was a guest in Idris’ bedchamber two nights a week. While they might well be the most ambitious couple in the universe, it did not mean that they were on the same wavelength.

Idris retorted mockingly:

“What do you mean?”

“To put pressure on the Emperor, corner him, and provoke him into hostile acts against Tytania. Then, on that pretext, you would depose him. Aren’t you considering this?”

Emperor Harsha&nbsp;VI was still only thirty-five years of age; should he be deposed, his six-year-old son would ascend the throne as a child emperor. Naturally, he would be unable to rule in person, and the office of regent, to whom full authority would be entrusted, would have to be established. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the person to assume the regency must be a member of the Tytania clan, and indeed, Idris, the Minister of Military Affairs, would be named as the most likely candidate.

Of course, Idris did not desire the office of regent for its own sake. Backed by the state apparatus and military organisation of the Vardana Empire, he sought to establish his position within Tytania and emerge victorious in the fierce competition for the next Clanner.

Ultimately, it would surely matter not if the positions of Supreme Commander of Tytania and Emperor of Vardana were both held by the same individual. Eight generations had passed since the founder Neville; it was a time when a complete fusion of substance and form might well be achieved.

However, Idris did not share his grand vision of the future with his new lover. He merely gave a cold, brief laugh and dismissed her.

“You impertinent woman.”

“Have I offended you?”

Theodora smiled. It was a radiant smile, yet it stirred a subtle sense of unease and displeasure in Idris. He could not help feeling as though she had read his innermost thoughts. Idris did not seek a bond of comradeship with women. He attached no greater significance to this affair with the woman who was to become a countess than that of simply carrying on a romantic ''liaison'' with her.

Theodora studied Idris’ expression; shifting her position on the bed, and uttered a bold request:

“Would you not be so kind as to arrange for me to inherit Lord Zarlisch’s title?”

The reply was not immediate. At least not in words. Idris’ expression as he stared back at Theodora, utterly dumbfounded, spoke volumes about his inner thoughts. For the first time, Idris had encountered someone whose ambition to rise in the world was even more intense than his own.

“What an astonishing woman. Have you not only just laid claim to the title of an count’s house? Would you rather be a duchess than a count, then?” finally said Idris, his words sharp and laced with anger. “Don’t get too big for your boots. The Dukes of Tytania are in a league of their own compared to other nobles. Even within the Tytania clan, a count is merely granted a share of glory and wealth. But a duke is something quite different.”

“I am well aware of that. The Tytania clan rules the universe, and the Five Families rule that clan. But surely, even the Five Families are not set in stone for all eternity?”

“Hey…”

“Lord Idris, had Lord Zarlisch still been alive, he would surely have stood in the way of your grand ambitions. But if it were me…”

Waving his hand brusquely, Idris silenced his mistress’ eloquence.

“If you want to become a duchess that badly, ask His Clanner Highness. No matter how much of a good word I put in for you, it will ultimately rest with the Clanner alone.”

“With His Clanner Highness…”

“His Highness may seem cold and stern, but he’s actually quite keen on the pleasures of the flesh. If you’re willing, he’ll welcome you into his concubine’s quarters. They’re far more spacious and luxurious than my own bedroom.”

With a deliberately loud laugh, Idris ordered Theodora to get dressed and leave. She complied, but Idris, left behind, remained reclining on the bed which had now doubled in size, and, with a look of unease, muttered as he gazed up at the ceiling:

“I can’t imagine that His Clanner Highness would take that woman’s nonsense seriously, though…”

A shadow of mild confusion and suspicion fell across Idris’ handsome face. What he had said to Theodora was, of course, not what he truly meant. It was merely a parting shot, intended to show her that her ambition was impossible. Yet Theodora’s ambition seemed to have been spurred on by Idris’ single remark, as if it had been given a new direction.

If Theodora were to act as Idris had suggested, and succeed in currying favour with Clanner Ajman to reap the fruits of her ambition, Idris would have effectively created a powerful rival through his own assistance. Repeatedly dismissing the thought with “Surely not”, Idris could not help but click his tongue at his own blunder: taking on an unnecessary worry at such a critical juncture.