The sun had not yet risen when Rosalind opened her eyes. She had slept little, her mind working through the night on the Northwestern Territories challenge. Rising quietly so as not to wake Agnes, she moved to her desk where papers y scattered—maps, resource assessments, cultural briefings, and her own handwritten notes filled with arrows connecting seemingly disparate issues.

  "My dy, you're already working?" Agnes appeared at her side with a steaming cup of tea. "The sun's barely peeking through."

  "The Northwestern Territories don't care if I'm well-rested, Agnes," Rosalind said, accepting the tea gratefully. "And neither will the Imperial Council."

  She took a sip, letting the warm liquid clear her mind. The challenge before her was precisely as Adrian had warned—designed to favor candidates with traditional imperial administrative experience. Lady Emmeline had likely been trained in court governance since childhood, and Lady Cassandra's diplomatic connections would give her insight into simir territorial integrations in neighboring kingdoms.

  But as Rosalind studied the map again, she saw patterns that felt strangely familiar. The territories consisted of scattered settlements in difficult terrain, fiercely independent communities with their own traditions, and areas struggling with resource shortages following conflict—not unlike Thornfield during the flood and fever crises, just on a vastly rger scale.

  "They expect me to fail," she murmured, tracing the mountain passes on the map. "They believe only someone raised in imperial governance could possibly understand such complexity."

  Agnes looked over her shoulder. "And what do you believe, my dy?"

  Rosalind smiled, touching the wooden thornbush pendant at her throat. "I believe Thomas was right. Solutions don't have to be complicated to be effective. People are people, whether they're farmers at Thornfield or mountain vilgers in the Northwestern Territories."

  By mid-morning, Rosalind had been given a council preparation chamber where she worked steadily, surrounded by reference materials. Unlike Lady Emmeline, who had requested three clerks to assist with transcription, or Lady Cassandra, who had summoned diplomatic advisors, Rosalind worked alone.

  A knock at the door announced the arrival of a court page. "Lady Harrington, Lord Chancellor Bckwood requests your preliminary resource allocation framework by midday."

  "Thank you. Please inform the Lord Chancellor I'll deliver it personally."

  After the page departed, Rosalind returned to the rge sheet of parchment where she had been sketching a governance structure unlike anything the Imperial Council would expect.

  "This is most... unusual, Lady Harrington." Lord Chancellor Bckwood adjusted his spectacles as he examined Rosalind's preliminary framework. "You propose a yered governance structure with regional councils?"

  "Yes, my lord. The territories have five distinct cultural regions that historically governed themselves. Rather than dismantling these structures entirely, I propose we incorporate them as the foundation of imperial governance."

  Lord Eastwyck scoffed from his seat at the council table. "The whole point of integration is to bring imperial order to these backward regions."

  Rosalind met his gaze steadily. "With respect, Lord Eastwyck, I found at Thornfield that 'order' imposed without understanding local conditions rarely succeeds. These aren't backward people—they've survived for centuries in challenging conditions that would defeat many imperial administrators."

  "And these... resource allocation principles," Lady Winters interjected, picking up another document. "You propose community assessment teams rather than centralized distribution?"

  "Yes, my dy. During the field fever outbreak at Thornfield, we found that local knowledge was essential for effective resource distribution. A medicine shortage becomes catastrophic if treatments go to the wrong communities or arrive too te."

  "This all seems unnecessarily complex," Lord Merriweather said with a dismissive wave. "The imperial governance system has worked for centuries."

  "Has it worked in regions like the Northwestern Territories?" Rosalind asked quietly. "The historical record suggests these areas have resisted traditional imperial governance repeatedly. Perhaps the approach itself needs reconsideration."

  A charged silence fell over the room. Rosalind knew she was challenging centuries of administrative tradition, but she also understood what Thomas had taught her—that real leadership meant questioning ineffective systems, not just perpetuating them.

  "Very well, Lady Harrington," the Lord Chancellor finally said. "We await your complete presentation tomorrow. I trust you'll have answers for the many questions your... innovative approach will undoubtedly raise."

  As Rosalind gathered her materials, she noticed Lady Sophia watching her from the doorway, a small smile pying on her lips.

  "You've certainly given them something to discuss over dinner," Sophia said as they walked together down the corridor.

  "I may have sealed my defeat," Rosalind admitted.

  "Perhaps. Or perhaps you've reminded them why the Emperor allowed this Selection in the first pce." Sophia gnced at her. "Adrian spoke to me yesterday. He said the council fears your candidacy precisely because you think differently."

  "Is different necessarily better?"

  "When the old ways aren't working? Yes." Sophia stopped at an intersection of hallways. "My father—the Lord Chancellor—would never admit this publicly, but he said the Northwestern integration has been a disaster under traditional governance. Three administrators have already resigned in frustration."

  Rosalind considered this information. "Then I'll continue with my approach. Even if it costs me the Selection."

  "Good," Sophia smiled. "Now get back to work. You have an empire to reorganize before breakfast."

  The night passed in a blur of focused activity. Rosalind refined her strategy, anticipating objections and developing detailed responses. By dawn, her comprehensive pn was complete—radically different from imperial tradition yet grounded in practical experience and the successes she'd seen at Thornfield.

  As the pace bell tower struck nine, Rosalind finally set down her quill and stretched her stiff fingers. Agnes helped her dress in a gown of deep forest green—the color of Thornfield's fields—with simple but elegant styling.

  "You look like yourself, my dy," Agnes said approvingly. "Not like the girl who left court, and not like those other candidates either."

  Rosalind touched the wooden pendant at her throat. "Good. Because that's exactly who I intend to be today."

  At precisely ten o'clock, the Imperial Council chamber doors opened. Lady Emmeline emerged from her presentation, her face composed but strained.

  "Lady Cassandra Montcir," the herald announced.

  While they waited, Rosalind reviewed her notes one final time. The Dowager Duchess of Eastmere, one of the judges, approached her.

  "I hear your approach is quite unorthodox, Lady Harrington," the elderly woman said, her piercing eyes evaluating Rosalind. "I remember your grandmother, you know. She had simir tendencies to challenge convention."

  "My grandmother?"

  "Oh yes. The old Duke nearly had apoplexy when she proposed allowing tenant farmers to participate in estate pnning." The Dowager's eyes twinkled. "The reforms she implemented at Thornfield were considered scandalous at the time. Now they're studied at the College of Administration—though few remember it was a woman who developed them."

  Before Rosalind could respond, the chamber doors opened again.

  "Lady Rosalind Harrington," the herald called.

  Taking a deep breath, Rosalind entered the chamber. The full Imperial Council sat in a semicircle, with Prince Adrian and the Emperor observing from elevated seats. The walls were lined with court officials and nobles who had come to watch the proceedings.

  "Lady Harrington," Lord Chancellor Bckwood began, "please present your governance strategy for the Northwestern Territories."

  Rosalind stepped forward, ying her materials on the presentation table.

  "Your Imperial Majesty, Your Highness, honored members of the council," she began. "The Northwestern Territories present unique challenges that require us to reconsider traditional governance approaches. I propose a strategy I call 'Rooted Governance'—a system that grows from existing community structures rather than being imposed upon them."

  She revealed her first diagram—a tree with deep roots spreading throughout the territories, a strong trunk of imperial oversight, and branches reaching to various communities.

  "Like this tree, effective governance must be rooted in local understanding while serving the greater imperial purpose. My strategy has five interconnected components..."

  For the next hour, Rosalind presented her comprehensive pn. She outlined a yered council system that preserved local authority while ensuring imperial oversight, a resource allocation framework based on community-identified priorities with accountability measures, and an implementation timeline that began with retionship-building rather than immediate structural change.

  "The key distinction in my approach," she expined, "is that it views the people of the Northwestern Territories as partners in governance rather than subjects to be governed. At Thornfield, I learned that even the most practical farmer often understands his nd better than the most educated outsider."

  She saw several council members shift uncomfortably, but continued with conviction.

  "This doesn't diminish imperial authority—it strengthens it by building genuine loyalty rather than resentful compliance. During the field fever outbreak at Thornfield, we succeeded not by issuing commands, but by creating systems where everyone understood their role in addressing the crisis."

  Throughout her presentation, Rosalind referenced specific challenges from Thornfield that paralleled issues in the Northwestern Territories—resource allocation during floods, rebuilding after disaster, mediating disputes between different community factions.

  "In conclusion," she said as she presented her final document, "this strategy requires more initial investment in retionship-building but will result in more sustainable governance with fewer resources required for enforcement. The Northwestern Territories can become not just an obedient imperial possession, but a thriving, contributing region of the Empire."

  A heavy silence fell as she finished. Lord Eastwyck looked openly dismissive, while several other councilors wore thoughtful expressions. Prince Adrian's face remained carefully neutral, but his eyes held a spark of interest.

  "You propose significant departures from established imperial governance practices," Lord Chancellor Bckwood finally said. "What makes you believe such radical approaches would succeed where traditional methods have struggled?"

  "Because I've seen simir approaches succeed firsthand," Rosalind replied. "At Thornfield, we faced crises that could not be resolved through hierarchical authority alone. What some might call 'radical' approaches emerged naturally when we focused on solving problems rather than preserving systems."

  "And you believe experiences on a rural estate qualify you to redesign imperial governance?" Lord Eastwyck asked skeptically.

  Rosalind met his gaze. "I believe understanding people and their needs qualifies one to design governance systems. Thornfield may be smaller than the Northwestern Territories, but human nature remains constant regardless of scale."

  "An interesting philosophy," the Emperor commented, speaking for the first time. "Tell me, Lady Harrington, what do you consider the greatest risk in your approach?"

  Rosalind considered carefully before answering. "The greatest risk, Your Majesty, is that it requires administrators to value outcomes over process. Those who take pride in traditional governance methods may resist an approach that judges success by results rather than adherence to imperial precedent."

  A murmur ran through the observers. The Emperor's eyebrows rose slightly, but a small smile pyed at the corners of his mouth.

  "Thank you, Lady Harrington," Lord Chancellor Bckwood said. "The Council will deliberate on all candidates' presentations and announce results tomorrow."

  As Rosalind gathered her materials, she gnced at Prince Adrian. For the briefest moment, their eyes met, and she saw in his expression not just approval but something deeper—recognition of a shared vision that transcended the formality of the Selection.

  The following morning, Rosalind stood with the other candidates as Lord Chancellor Bckwood prepared to announce the results. Lady Emmeline looked composed but tense, while Lady Cassandra projected confident charm.

  "After extensive deliberation," the Chancellor began, "the Imperial Council has completed its assessment of the Governance Test. The scores reflect comprehensive evaluation of strategy development, practical implementation potential, resource management, cultural sensitivity, and alignment with imperial interests."

  He unfolded an official document.

  "Lady Cassandra Montcir has demonstrated commendable diplomatic awareness and cultural consideration. Her governance model incorporated valuable international perspectives. She receives a score of 83 points."

  Lady Cassandra curtsied gracefully, though Rosalind noticed disappointment fsh briefly across her features.

  "Lady Emmeline Crawford presented an exempry traditional governance structure with meticulous attention to administrative precedent and procedural correctness. Her implementation timeline was particurly thorough. She receives a score of 88 points."

  Lady Emmeline's smile was contained but triumphant as she acknowledged the announcement.

  "Lady Rosalind Harrington submitted a highly unconventional governance approach drawing from practical experience rather than administrative tradition." The Chancellor paused, his expression unreadable. "Her 'Rooted Governance' model presents significant departures from established practice while maintaining core imperial objectives. After considerable debate, she receives a score of..."

  Rosalind held her breath.

  "...91 points."

  A collective gasp rose from the assembled observers. Lady Emmeline's smile froze, while Lady Cassandra's eyes widened in surprise.

  "The Council acknowledges," the Chancellor continued, "that while Lady Harrington's approach challenges conventional governance philosophy, it addresses the specific challenges of the Northwestern Territories with innovative yet practical solutions. Her crisis management framework and resource allocation model were deemed particurly meritorious."

  Rosalind curtsied, struggling to maintain her composure. As she straightened, she caught sight of Prince Adrian, whose face now bore an unmistakable smile.

  "This concludes the second test of the Imperial Selection," the Chancellor announced. "The Cultural Heritage and Arts examination will begin in three days. Candidates are dismissed to prepare."

  As the assembly dispersed, Rosalind found herself approached by the Dowager Duchess of Eastmere.

  "Your grandmother would be proud," the elderly woman said quietly. "She too understood that true governance serves people rather than traditions."

  "Thank you, Your Grace," Rosalind replied. "I wish I had known her."

  "Oh, you do know her," the Dowager said with a knowing smile. "Her spirit lives in those journals you've been reading—and apparently in you as well." She patted Rosalind's hand before moving away with surprising agility for her age.

  Later, as Rosalind walked through the pace gardens, she found Prince Adrian waiting beside a flowering thornbush.

  "Congratutions, Lady Harrington," he said formally, though his eyes held warmth that belied the official tone. "Your presentation was... illuminating."

  "Thank you, Your Highness. Though I suspect I've made several powerful enemies on the Council."

  "Lord Eastwyck hasn't stopped compining since yesterday," Adrian confirmed with a hint of amusement. "But the Emperor was impressed. He said you reminded him of conversations he once had with your grandmother about estate management."

  "So I've been told." Rosalind looked at the thornbush beside them, its delicate flowers contrasting with its sharp thorns. "I'm beginning to think my exile to Thornfield wasn't entirely punitive."

  "What do you mean?"

  "My father could have sent me anywhere. Instead, he sent me to the one pce where my grandmother's legacy might teach me what the court never could." She touched a thorn gently. "Perhaps he saw something in me worth cultivating, even then."

  Adrian was silent for a moment. "The Northwestern Territories challenge was selected specifically because the Council believed it would favor traditional training," he finally said. "No one expected you would draw parallels to rural estate management."

  "Thomas always said that principles matter more than scale," Rosalind replied, her hand rising unconsciously to touch the wooden pendant. "People are people, whether you're managing a vilge or an empire."

  "Thomas Brookfield sounds like an exceptional man," Adrian said softly. "I wish I could have met him."

  Rosalind felt a familiar pang of grief, but it was tempered now by purpose. "So do I. But his ideas live on."

  "Clearly." Adrian gestured toward the pace. "You've introduced his thinking into the heart of imperial governance. If you continue as you've begun, Lady Harrington, you may transform more than just the Northwestern Territories."

  As they parted ways, Rosalind realized she was genuinely looking forward to the next test. For the first time since returning to court, she felt not like an exile trying to prove her worth, but like herself—a woman with unique experiences and perspectives that might actually be what the Empire needed.

  "We're making a difference, Thomas," she whispered to the pendant as she walked back to prepare for the next challenge. "Just as we pnned—only bigger than we ever imagined."