Hey everyone! This chapter is dedicated to @siriuslysarcastic. They make some really great graphics. Check them out if you have the time!

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Being the new Empress hasn't been easy. This past week has been nothing but stress. Ever since I became Empress, people have been lining up by the hundreds asking me if the rumors are true. If I'm Kollyn Summer's daughter. Of course I'd tell them the rumors are true. But even then they still keep asking question after question. To be honest, I understand their curiosity. After all, a new Empress has just been elected. It's understandable for people to want to know more about it. But at this magnitude, their curiosity is pretty disruptive. I haven't been able to get any of the official paperwork done. Man, at the rate I'm doing things, the paperwork will never end. Goodness. Suddenly, a loud knock sounds from the outside.

"Come in" I say, not bothering to look up from my paperwork.

"You majesty, I have the document you request." A short man quickly gave me the paper and went to walk out. However, before he was completely out, I stopped him.

"Are you sure this is the document I wanted? It doesn't have a lot of detail. Nor does it have the number of prisoners." The man nods and turns to face me.

"Yes, your majesty. This is the document you requested. Your predecessor Thomas never went into detail about the prison. He only put down the basic facts and left it at that. He wasn't a man of detail." I see. Thomas didn't put detail into his papers. Yet he had the time to put detail into his traps. Hmm, the irony stings a little. Not because of the irony itself but of the events of last week. Yeah, let's not think about it now. I have work to do. The man nods and goes out the door. When he's gone I take a look at the document before me. This document details the prison. It's hallways, passwords, and cellblocks are all detailed here. Yet, it's prisoner numbers are never mentioned. Hmm, this isn't going to be easy. With what I'm going to do, I'll need the prisoner numbers. I don't want to go in there without a specific number. Or at least, an approximation. Well, I'll guess I have to see when I get there. Swiftly, my body bolts up from the desk. My mouth immediately opens.

"Steven! Get a couple guards! I'm going to the prison!"

After assembling several guards, we journeyed to the prison. The walk there was filled with silence. None of us spoke as made our way there. When we finally made it, I told the guards to be weary of the monster's there.

"Roger, your majesty!" They all said in unison. The guards and I continued towards the stairwell. When we got there, I began to issue orders.

"Alright men. This is what I need you to do. Go to every cellblock and free the prisoners. And if you come across any monsters, destroy them immediately. Don't let a single one leave. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am!" They all said in unison. Soon, we were off. I followed the guards to every prison block and helped free the prisoners. To be honest, it was a joy to see how happy people were to be freed. These people must have been kept here a long time judging from their happiness. Once they were freed, many immediately wanted to join me. Of course, with so many offers, I couldn't refuse. There were some even willing to be my butlers. However, I gave them different jobs instead. The butler job is reserved for only one person. A special person who saved my life last week.

"Your majesty" a guard said behind me. Quickly, I turn around and ask what he wants.

"We've found a boy that refuses to leave his cell."

"Lead the way" I said. The guard led me to cell block D. Making a few twists and turns, he finally lead me to the cell. When I got there, my eyes were glued to the boy. Shock and surprise washed away my calmness. Richard? Richard looks up at me. His face full of mockery.

"So, I guess you're the lady in charge of this huh? The one they keep referring to as the Empress?" Immediately, I nod.

"I am." Does he not recognize me? How could that be? Maybe it's these expensive and fancy cloths I'm wearing. And also the fact I'm not covered in mud.

"So, I see someone finally disposed of crazy ole Thomas huh? About time. Figured he would be disposed of sooner or later. Although, to be honest, I thought it would be later. But I guess sooner works."

"Richard, do you not recognize me?" I ask, my voice giving away the small amount of hurt inside me. Richard looks at me for a minute. His eyes carefully scanning my face.

"Maybe a little. Why?" He asks me. His question pierced a dagger of hurt inside me. Its pain beginning to fill my being with hurt. So he really doesn't recognize me. Oh well, I guess I'll have to fill him in. You know, maybe I shouldn't feel too hurt. After all, we only knew each other for a couple minutes. It would be different if we were friends.

"I'm here to fulfill the promise I made to you last week. I'm giving you your freedom." Richard's look of mockery continues.

"Promise? What promise? I don't remember making a promise with you."

"You may not have heard it, but I did make a promise to free you. Take it or leave it. Your choice." Anger begins to bubble up inside me. It's fury beginning to seep into my words like venom. Richard looks at me, his eyes giving a look of challenge.

"I'll leave it. No way am I taking an offer from a leader like you. It could be a trap. Or worse. So just leave already." He says.

"Fine Richard. I could careless what happens to you. I was simply trying to pay you back for saving my life. The life of Kit Par... I mean Summers. And this is how you pay me back? Spit in my face and compare me to Thomas? Forget it. This was a waste of my time. Do what you like." Quickly, I turn my back towards his cell and begin to walk away. However, before I could completely walk away, a voice called me back. Swiftly, I turn around and walk back to his cell.

"What?!" I ask, my voice growing dark.

"You're Kit? The girl I met here last week? But how? You look... different."

"Yeah, that's what happens when you become an Empress" I say, anger still in my voice. Richard stands up and walks over toward me. His expression no longer one of mischief. Instead, it is of sadness.

"I'm sorry Kit. I didn't mean to insult you. I didn't know you became the Empress. I thought it was someone else. Can you forgive me?" He asks. Immediately, I nod.

"It's okay. I guess I was kind of unrecognizable with all these fancy cloths." Richard looks at me. His expression beginning to lighten.

"Yeah" He replies back.

"So, are you still staying or...?"

"Since you're a friend, I'll listen to what you have to say. Then tell you what I want," he says. Okay. I proceed to tell Richard about the butler job. After listening, Richard spoke up.

"So, you want a butler? Well, normally I would say no. But then again, I'm starting to get tired of this dirty prison cell. Not to mention I'll actually have something to do. Okay, I'll join you." Since then Richard has become my most loyal butler. And also a great friend. With him, I finally made a friend at this place. And with me, Richard finally began to live his life outside a prison cell. Things were going well. However, nothing lasts forever. At the time, I didn't realize the tasks I would face. Nor would I realize the foes I would encounter. Those tasks, on their own, seem insurmountable. But with the right friends, I would come to face them head on.