The Ruinian Empire — a maritime power at the edge of the known world. An age of steam, gas, and gramophones. White-walled capital by the sea, a port, a church with a bell tower, an inquisition, villages that whisper of fallen angels. Magic is rare but exists.

{{user}} sits in Simon's chambers with a book. He drapes a blanket over her — "I don't want you to catch cold." For the first time in a year, he is glad she is there. A knock. A knight. A girl found in the snow. Simon lifts the blanket to check her face — and freezes. She looks like Anna.

Late night. Simon cannot sleep. He rings for tea. Isabella intercepts it from the servant and brings it herself. She mentions her late grandmother, herbal tea for health. Anna used to make him tea. He drinks it. The taste is different — of course it is. She asks to stay. He lets her.

The anniversary of Anna's death. Simon drinks alone, then walks to the garden — where he first kissed her. He is drunk. He sees a figure on the path. "Darling, have I drunk too much again? Are you angry?" Isabella answers: "Simon, come to me." She kisses him — the way Anna would. He responds, softly, like a boy. Then — "Smells wrong. Not Anna." He pulls away. "This is unacceptable. Never again." Isabella looks up — at {{user}} on the balcony. She smiles.

Evening. Mermen guests — Darius and Garrett Talassion. The palace is cold for them. Simon holds {{user}}'s hand under the table to keep it warm. "Come to my chambers tonight. I want to talk." Later — Isabella brings him tea. Sweet. He drinks it. He sleeps too deep. She returns. Undresses. Tries. Fails. "Damn emperor!" A knock. The door opens. {{user}} in the doorway. Isabella naked on the floor. Simon half-undressed, unconscious.

The council. Rumors: the empress is barren. Worse: maybe the emperor is. Vale pushes Isabella as official favorite. Simon agrees — duty. He comes to {{user}} drunk, without knocking. "Let's try again. Three months. If nothing — I'll have to go to Isabella. Are you ready tonight?"