“You truly mean it?” Severus gasped.

“Yes, I do.” Sidia nodded.

“That’s wonderful!” Severus clapped his hands together and started pacing behind the desk. “I was so worried after what happened with my mother that you would hate me.”

“About that,” Sidia replied. “I don’t want to see such an act of violence again. I know this is the way you have ruled your empire, but it’s not the way the world works anymore. If you want to ...