Empress

The Empress of Ardeur is the standing ruler. The title has been passed down throughout the Okano family tree for generations, and is set to stay that way for many years to come. She holds absolute power over Ardeur. While she does value the opinion of The Order and the Emperor, she is the sole decision maker. Her word is law.

Overview
The Empress of the Ardeurian Empire is an absolute monarch, holding complete and total control over the Empire. Simply put, her word is law and it is to be abided as such. She is surrounded by a multitude of her advisors, more knowns as The Order, as well as her Emperor, appreciating the advice from all parties. Regardless it is up to her if she chooses to take any of their advice or points to heart. Ultimately, she can choose to ignore it all together, to make her own decisions and calls.

The Empress is the sole selector of exactly who she wants serving in her Order, as they will be the ones to have some sort of influence in her decisions, even if it is very little. She can be quite picky when it comes to these things, as for when she is not readily at the disposal, she sends her advisors in her stead. The trust she places in her advisors is like that of none of, and if it is found out that they betrayed the honor she has given? The punishments are like that of no other.

On top of this, she does hold control over the militant forces of the Empire. To keep it short and sweet, the Empress has the sole power of declaring and ending wars on their neighboring nations, as well as using the Empire's knights for whatever she so desires. Though, for the most part, the Empresses throughout history have been known to leave her chosen general in charge of running her armies. Just as many of things, she does hold the power to change any and all decisions the general has come to if she feels the need to do so.

Unlike some rulers, the Empress is always quick to hear from her people. There are meetings held within the castle's audience chamber often, opening up the castle doors to any and all who have any problems or concerns they feel need to be addressed. Of course, the Empress can't get to every single one of them, but she does her best to appear as transparent as she can with her people.

The title of Empress is passed down to the eldest child of the newest generation, following the law of primogeniture. The heir to the title is often referred to as the Imperial Princess, and is to always be addressed as such. The Okano lineage has provided an Empress for centuries, and has continued to do so. There is no sign of this coming to an end any time soon.

Empresses Throughout History
'''Seijun Okano - Year ?? to the Present.''' Current Empress.

'''Nori Okano - Year ??? to Year ???.''' Nori ruled for a shorter time than most, due to an illness that left her bed ridden. She still resides within the castle walls, and is tended to daily by the servants, as well as her daughter, Empress Seijun.

'''Satomi Okano - Year ??? to Year ???'''

Ayoma Okano - Year 85 to Year 100. Ayoma was a relatively unremarkable Empress, sticking to the things that had been laid out before her in the previous reigns.

Izumo Okano - Year 68 to Year 85. Izumo was known for her hand in bolstering the economy of Ardeur. After the war, there were a multitude of different walks of life within their borders, meaning there were all sorts of different trades and other things of the sort. Why not take this and turn it into something more? The Wavasha Markets were created during her reign, giving merchants and others a place to sell their wares.

Ogami Okano - Year 58 to Year 68. Ogami Okano was the first born daughter to Akne, starting the line of Okano women that would come to rule over the Empire. Empress Ogami had a lot to live up to in the wake of her mother's rule, doing her overall best to ensure all that her mother had done wouldn't go to waste. In the aftermath of the first war, Ogami took it a step further and prepared Imperial knights for the future. While they far better off than their neighbors, they did have a few festering wounds. Her rule was heavily focused on making sure the Empire was as prepared as they could be for the next war, if it ever came.

Akane Okano - Year 28 to Year 58. The very first Empress of the Ardeurian Empire. Her rise to power is the only example in Ardeurian history where the leader had been chosen, coming to a decision that her family would be the best to rule the land. Empress Akane, by all accounts, was said to be quite the leader, doing all that she could for he 8. She listened to their concerns and comments. When the war came, she was said to be quite the force on the battlefield, one of the few Empresses that have stepped foot into the direct line of fire. Her rule had been a great era for the Empire, setting quite the standard for those after her to live up to.