Sky Mesa isn’t truth supposed to set you free?

whether Cornelius knew it or not, he had always been a prince. son of the general that had led her fathers army, but a King was still a King—and Kings and Queens alike answered to Pharaoh.
Imperatorson, canyon-prince—that was Cornelius. she saw him for who he was, though also saw what he could be capable of.
there was no more Mereo. it is your father that must repay his sin, she started next, eyes upon him, but I do not think it a thing requiring blood, or servitude. perhaps, though, another outpost—one to protect the precious life within. to be sure no external threat comes to break the peace I—we—strive to create, she imagined the man hearing her proposal. imagined his rebuttal—but knew her own response to it. 
his sentencing brutal, but not unfair. you will always be Imperator.
but she listened now to his son, open to his own ideas and suggestions. perhaps Cornelius might like the idea for his own future!