The older guard stared at me. "Grand Duke Konstantin," he said slowly, "with respect, you cannot claim imperial authority."
"I don't need imperial authority to prevent a prince from dying in a locked room."
His face changed, fear giving way to calculation. He glanced at the younger guard, then back at the warded gate, just as another sound reached us from inside, a woman's voice this time.
The Empress. "Adrien. Look at me. Do not answer."
The gate trembled, and the older guard made his decision. He reached beneath his armor and produced a small key.
"Her Majesty ordered the gate sealed," he said. "But she didn't order it impossible to open."
A wise man. Some people were wise, some were otherwise.
