The old emperor made a declaration. Whoever could make Catherine the queen pregnant first, would win the throne. The best candidate, Prince Edward, had fought in many wars and was tired. He would not participate in the folly of competition for an empire he cared nothing for. Catherine remained childless. She wanted badly to be pregnant and become empress. There was an uprising by the ministry of Batogol. War was not done with Edward, and he was to depart for the front line. Catherine foresaw a long and bleak season of loneliness. For better or worse she decided to go to the imperial capital and find a man. Any man to make her a baby.