Within a few weeks, Ariel and her committee had eliminated most of the applicants who came in person, as well as a majority of those who had sent envoys to represent them, and had sent out invitations to those who sounded promising to come and present themselves at the Imperial Cairn.
Each night, Ariel reported on the progress her committee made that day, and Aedan was impressed. A huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
On occasion, Michael would inquire as to how things were progressing, but by and large, he was content to leave things in Aedan’s hands and let him oversee the work of the committee. He seemed neither anxious nor particularly interested, which puzzled Aedan somewhat. For as long as he had known him, which had been all his life, Aedan had never known Michael to show much interest in the fairer sex.
If he had any experience in matters of the heart-or of the flesh-he had conducted himself with such discretion that Aedan was unaware of it.
Of course, Aedan realized with some embarrassment, he himself had hardly been a good example to the emperor in that regard. Michael had known of his affair with Laera, and though he had never brought it up again, he had alluded to it once-when Aedan’s betrothal to Ariel had been announced.
“I approve,” he had said, nodding with satisfaction. “You had given me some cause for concern about your judgment in such matters in the past, but I am pleased to see you have learned from your mistakes. My congratulations, Aedan. I am sure the two of you will be very happy”
Mistakes, thought Aedan. Plural. It was the only time Michael had ever given any indication he knew of his involvement with Sylvanna, as well.
Ultimately, Aedan had decided Michael was simply too preoccupied with his plans for the empire to give much thought to women. He preferred the company of men, but not in any way that led Aedan to believe his appetites might run in that direction. He was polite but cursory with all his ‘ mm isters except Lord Korven, whom he treated like an uncle.
Korven was growing too advanced in age to serve as a general in the field, so instead had been advanced to the post of minister of war.
And Michael dearly loved his troops. “My boys,” he called them, fondly and with great pride. Each day, he drilled 38?
with them and always brought back a few, regardless of their rank or social standing, to share supper with him in the palace, so that he could solicit their opinions, which he often gave more weight than those of his ministers.
The energies and feelings that made most men’s thoughts turn to women were, in Michael’s case, expended in the physical exertions of combat, strenuous training, and making plans for further conquest. He simply had no time for women, became impatient in their company because he did not understand them, and was only interested in marriage because Aedan had convinced him of the necessity of producing an heir.
It made Aedan wonder what sort of woman would appeal to him as a bride.
Through Ariel’s committee, he would be able to make some recommendations, but the final choice, of course, had to be Michael’s.
Unless, perhaps, Ariel were wrong. It could be that Michael would be perfectly content to have the choice made for him. And if he was truly that indifferent, Aedan felt sorry for the woman who would become Empress of Anuire.
In an attempt to achieve some greater understanding, he sought an audience with the old empress, Michael’s mother, Raesa. Having tired of life in the palace, Empress Raesa had retired to a walled estate on the east side of the city, where she lived with several of her ladies-in-waiting and was protected by a detachment of the house guard.
They met in the immaculate gardens within the walls of the estate, and Aedan was surprised to find the empress pruning the plants herself.
She greeted him warmly and led him to a bench by the fountain.
Aedan had not seen her in quite a long time, as she no longer chose to participate in any official functions, and he was surprised at how young she still looked. She was not many years older than he, and there was no gray in her long golden hair, as there already was in his.
She was still attractive, and her eyes sparkled with vitality. It was obvious her new life away from the palace agreed with her. He commented on that fact.
Raesa smiled. “It does agree with me. I never liked living in the palace. It was too cold and drafty. I was forever coming down with the sniffles. I much prefer living here in the city.”
“Do you not get lonely?” Aedan asked.
The empress laughed. “Oh, hardly. I have my friends here with me, and there is no shortage of gentlemen who come to call. I am a woman of wealth and position, and still young enough to look reasonably pleasing to the male eye. My social life is busier now than when I resided at the palace.”
“You have suitors, then?”
“None that I would seriously consider,” she replied. “I enjoy the company of men, but at this stage of my life, I have no desire for any involvement deeper than friendship. I married very young and began to have children soon thereafter. And while Hadrian
