Somewhere deep within the heart of the Imperial Palace in Rivierberg, a candle was burning into the night. The room itself was modest, and in truth, few people even knew how to find it amongst the winding corridors of the palace, but it had once served as a playroom for the same three men that now sat within it. Arch-Duke Jean-Baptise Dervau glanced up from his cards and allowed himself a slight smile. The three brothers had played cards often in their youth, but as they grew older, and their respective responsibilities continued to grow, it was rare for them all to find themselves in the capital at the same time. 

Charles spent most of his time in the province of Eeksen, or even in his wife's home of Asmont, and he had a young family of his own now, but he had taken the opportunity to personally accompany the recent delegate from Asmont, arriving the night before. Marc-Antoine on the other hand had just returned from his tour of the empire's colonies in Americas. But it was arguably the fourth figure sitting around the table that made Jean-Baptiste smile the most. On another night, it would have been his son, Christophe, who took the final chair, but he had already set off for Arhan. Instead, it was Juliette, his daughter, who joined them as their game continued into the night. She met his gaze and smiled in return. She was winning. Easily. 

Charles laughed as he threw his cards down on the table, shaking his head in disbelief. 

[b]"I would much rather we were playing your brother, Juliette. He was never any good at cards."[/b]

Juliette smiled as Jean-Baptiste also threw down his cards, before Marc-Antoine reluctantly followed suit. The young woman collected the discarded cards, shuffling them with a practised ease. 

[b]"I am sorry to disappoint you, uncle. Another hand?"[/b]

Jean-Baptiste glanced over his shoulder at the grand clock that stood in the corner of the room. He was surprised to see how late it already was, the evening seeming to have dissapeared in the blink of an eye. He turned back to the table in time to see Charles stifling a yawn, and the Arch-Duke smiled again. 

[b]"I think not. Besides, you have a long journey ahead of you tomorrow, and plenty more time to beat your uncle at cards."[/b]

Charles audibly groaned, holding his head in his hands for a moment at the thought, before a smile broke across his face. The four figures rose to their feet, saying their goodbyes before making their way towards the door. Before he could leave though, Jean-Baptiste caught the shoulder of his youngest brother. 

[b]"A quick word?"[/b]

Marc-Antoine nodded as the other two filed out. Juliette turned at the door, before giving her father a knowing nod and pulling it closed behind her. Now that they were alone, Jean-Baptiste gestured for his brother to take his seat again, before making his way over to the small cabinet that stood against the wall by the door. Reaching inside, he withdrew a bottle of wine and two glasses, taking them over to the table before sitting down himself.

[b]"I'm sure you don't need me to tell you what I wanted to talk to you about, brother. I trust you have what we discussed...[/b]