"My replacement? I..I don't understand, am I being fired?" Amberosia spat out in a nervous breakdown type of panic.

"What have I done?" She asked.

"Breathe, girl!" The empress shouted at her.

She did as the empress commanded of her, took a deep breath and in a calm tone asked.

"Am I being fired?" 

"No." 

"I don't get it, why do I need a replacement if I'm not being fired?" Amberosia asked her with a confused look.

"Be silent long enough and I shall tell you." The empress told her before taking a sip of the pixie blend.

"You've been my apprentice for what two years now?" Ralvania asked her.

"Yes, two years next week miss." 

"Good, I feel by now you have earned a better promotion." The empress slowly told her.

"What do you mean? I'm already a sorceress." She replied taking a sip of the mug.

"Yes but what I'm offering is that you not be my servant, but my equal." The empress stated, taking a sip of the drink, added.

"I want to offer you a partnership. You'd be my business partner." She had explained to her.

"Are you sure?" Amberosia replied, a bit shocked.

"Yes I'm sure. If anything ever were to happen to me I want you to continue my life's work. I wish for the dragon and the gargoyle to always have a home here." She instructed.

"Of course." 

"Once we find your replacement as my servant, you'll no longer wait on me but be waited on." Ralvania informed her.

Amberosia sat there for a moment, letting it all sink in. She still couldn't believe it, she hadn't seen this coming. Over-joyed but she still couldn't believe it.  No longer a servant, she was important. She would one day, long from now be the empress of sorcery. it was a lot to think about.