A hush fell over the grand hall as the first of the Top Ten Families approached the throne.
The 10th-ranked family, the rulers of the global banking empires, were first.
Their head, a silver-haired man in a dark suit that cost more than a palace, led his heir—a young man with calculating eyes—toward Anastasia.
"Your Majesty," he spoke smoothly, "we offer you dominion over the world's private banking sector."
A ripple of shock passed through the audience.
💬 "That's more than money. That's control over how money flows."
💬 "With this, she can crash entire economies overnight if she wishes."
Anastasia accepted with a simple, elegant nod.
"Practical," she said coolly. "I accept."
The 9th Family, the masters of global intelligence, followed next.
They presented control over an intelligence network that could dig up secrets even the world's most powerful men thought were buried.
💬 "She will know everything."
💬 "No ruler in history has had this much knowledge at their fingertips."
💬 "One whisper from her… and entire governments will crumble."
Anastasia took the documents without hesitation.
"Information is the foundation of power," she murmured. "A fitting gift."