The Empress Dowager paced her chamber, her eyes ablaze. "You should have told me sooner about Cassiopeia's claim to the throne of Cassiana," she snarled at the Commissioner, who stood by the door.
"The information was not confirmed, Your Majesty," the Commissioner retorted, barely hiding his irritation.
"You are supposed to confirm such things!" she snapped, her voice dripping with disdain.
"You're the one who planted Croasia in the palace," he shot back. "If anyone should have found out, it should have been her."
The Empress Dowager's eyes narrowed. "Don't you dare question my plans."
"Your plans?" the Commissioner raised an eyebrow. "From where I stand, they have been nothing but a series of failures."
The Empress Dowager's nostrils flared. "You impertinent fool! You forget your pl
