The Goblin Emperor

Several weeks into his reign, Maia struggles with the cold weather and the pace of his duties. His days are filled with learning court customs. He receives an overly formal letter from his betrothed, Dach’osmin Csethiro Ceredin, accepting his proposal. In a subsequent audience, Maia meets Csethiro and her father. Csethiro dutifully accepts when Maia officially asks for her hand.

Maia grants an audience to Arbelan Drazharan, his father’s first wife. He surprises and pleases her by giving her the honorific due to her, as his father’s wife. She agrees to become a confidante. After hearing rumors that some courtiers favor his young nephew Idra to become emperor, Maia takes the boy for a walk, establishing a peaceful understanding.

Soon after, Maia and Csethiro formally sign their marriage contract, exchanging iron oath rings. Frustrated by rumors implicating him in the crash of the Wisdom of Choharo, Maia rebukes Thara Celehar for the investigation’s lack of progress, then quickly apologizes. Later, Csethiro quietly warns him that Min Vechin is using her proximity for social advancement. Surprised by his pragmatism when he acknowledges this, Csethiro realizes she may have misjudged him. She reflects that he likes Min Vechin because she does not frighten him, and she promises Maia he has nothing to fear from her.