"So was the Emperor's assassination by palace conspiracy," Elara replied. "So was discovering a Harem of enslaved women. So was the Crown Princess attempting regicide. This entire situation is unprecedented. We adapt or we collapse. Those are the options."
Minister Garen—one of the senior bureaucrats who'd worked with her closely—stood. "Your Highness, what you're proposing is essentially permanent regency. That requires legal framework beyond existing protocols. We'd need to draft new imperial codes, ratify them through proper channels, establish succession contingencies if you become incapacitated—"
"Then draft them," Elara said. "Assemble a legal committee. Create the frameworks. Build the codes. But do it while I continue governing, not while we throw everything into chaos trying to crown someone who doesn't exist."
She looked around the chamber.
