The Emperor gets his Empress (Conquest of Noone)

The reports were received, and the House of Spears had been defeated, joining the House of Swords. The first was the House of Knives; they fell within just a day. This made the Head of the House of Magic and Artillery, Lady Arcane, anxious, as she knew hers was next. She looked over maps, trying to gauge where the best place to put everyone would be, while ensuring the safety of the next generation. She knew if she wanted to survive, she'd need to do something drastic, something different that the other houses didn't do. Then an idea came to mind. She then discussed the plan with her court, and they hammered out the details. They would send Evony to the warlord's camp, allowing him to walk into the House of Magic and Artillery with just a few of his most trusted servants, but no weapons. From an overhang near the ceiling, Lady Arcane would create an illusion of herself as a decoy and talk to the warlord and his escort, and collect as much information about him as possible, and then would send the escort away into a nearby room, where they would be ambushed by several magicians. Once they were dead, the house would surround the warlord and kill him, ending his campaign in one swift strike.

Warlord Noone of the House of Swords, the conqueror of the House of Spears and the House of Knives, received the invitation. He concocted his own plan. Within a couple of days, he and his small escort made it to the House of Magic and Artillery, and they were led to the throne room where Lady Arcane sat on her throne, casting a gaze upon them. After introductions, Lady Arcane asked to be alone with Warlord Noone. Several guards led the escort to a nearby room. The magicians attack.

Meanwhile, Lady Arcane was alone with a very visible, very nervous half-orc male in front of her. (Her illusion magic had gotten so good that she could see what her illusion sees.) However, she was surprised by the lack of confidence being displayed by this male. "Do you feel weak with your escort, Warlord Noone?" she asked. "No, madam. I'm just nervous that without me being there, my soldiers are going to make a much bigger mess than they should," said the warlord. "What do you mean by that?" asked a perplexed Lady Arcane. "Well, madam, I...just don't feel like I'm unworthy of being here, that's all. I know that you've laid out a trap for my soldiers, and they're walking into danger while I stand here making a mockery of myself, talking to a fake version of you. I can't help but feel like I'm going mad," said the warlord. "How did you know?" asked Lady Arcane. "My warlord knew your plan the second you sent an envoy. The 'no weapons' rule not only raised suspicion but also gave his warriors a challenge. Now they're probably fighting with their bare fists, proving that they don't need weapons to kill," said the fake warlord. "That's not...Then what is your purpose? To keep me occupied and expect your lord to walk out of the room alive?" asked Lady Arcane, now angry and shocked. "No, madam. My goal was to bite the bait and see what you would do," said the fake warlord.

Then Lady Arcane felt a piece of cold, sharp metal touching her throat from where she really was in the overhang. "You used a decoy as well?" asked Lady Arcane. "You used one, why couldn't I?" answered a sarcastic voice in her ear. "What are you going to do, kill me?" asked Lady Arcane. "Oh no. You're one of the few nobles who actually care for your servants and people. I intend to keep you alive; you also have a pretty face, however, it's not nearly as appealing as your heart and soul," said the voice. The blade was removed, and Lady Arcane slowly turned around and saw the real warlord, the real Noone, standing in front of her. He was covered in blood and looked tired. "I didn't kill any of your guards; however, I can't say that same mercy was shown by all my soldiers," said warlord Noone. "But they did put up a fight, didn't they?" asked Lady Arcane. "Some did, though I can tell they're not used to being charged at. Now I formally ask for your surrender and that your house submit to mine," ordered a tired Warlord Noone. Lady Arcane was impressed with him. He managed to reverse the trap on her.

After signing the surrender treaty, Warlord Noone then asked, "I've been having trouble finding a female who can help me give ideas, keep me in check, and manage things while I'm on campaign. I'm wondering if you would accept my offer to be my wife. Then, when I unite the rest of the houses, I can begin to form the vast empire that many have been waiting centuries for, and you'll be my empress, and we'll have a dynasty that lasts longer than elves live," said the Warlord, who was awkward but confident. Lady Arcane couldn't believe what she heard. Marriage? Empire? This half-orc was ambitious, yet he seemed capable, as if he was trying to fulfil a destiny that he and he alone could and would fulfil. "Yes. I accept your proposal. I will become your empress, I will become your wife, and I will birth a dynasty that will last until this world dies. Just let the remaining houses live, that includes the nobles. I wish to have final say on their executions," said Lady Arcane. "It shall be done," said Warlord Noone as he gently grabbed her hand, lifted it to his mouth, and kissed it. "Too soon, my emperor," said Lady Arcane, giggling. "Emperor? It's too early for that," said Warlord Noone. "If you wish to be emperor, then you must start by accepting the title and getting comfortable with people calling you that. My dear emperor," said Lady Arcane this time, smiling. Warlord Noone then wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. "Well then, you have to get comfortable getting kissed, my empress," and he kissed her.

That was roughly 60 years ago. Now that confident warlord had conquered the continent, he united all races and countries under one banner. The Nocee Empire was formed and is now being passed on to the next generation. Empress Arcane looked at her dead husband lying in his coffin. He had spent 20 years forming his empire, and nearly twice that long ruling as the first emperor. He got comfortable with the title; she got comfortable getting kissed. While he burned, she built. While he fought, she debated. While he led, she raised. While he left, she stabilized. They held each other up, carried each other through with letters, words, and kisses. Though they spent half their marriage apart, they got to spend the other half together. They made their family, and now he lies still, a faint smile on his face. Empress Arcane was brought back to reality, and while weeping, kissed her husband's head one last time. He was buried, with her following just days later.

Their coffins are displayed in the Tomb of Emperors, midway between the House of Swords and the House of Magic and Artillery. They are side by side with their heads facing each other, always looking in the direction of the other. Their love always alive, even in death.