Sometimes, Sydney wondered if being in the Royal Family was a curse.
Normally, he'd think it was a blessing. Basic survival was not an issue as long as you managed to garner the interest of the King. Naturally, with power, you receive many benefits along the way from the people below the social ladder, who look at you as an object to pander to.
The entire social network is a spider web of games. It is fortunate that the King made it clear to only hold his official Queen to her position and power, while diminishing the status of his concubines to mere service providers. The Queen, naturally, had her own ways to enforce the equilibrium, for she had her own stings as well. Sydney looked at the woman who had birthed him with both fear and love. He knew very well what he would have become if his parents had not put in place the protective measures to ensure the wellbeing of their children.
But in return for the advantage in birth, he also lost a family. And naturally, the man who gave him life was a King before he was a father, while the woman who held him for nine months was more of a distant guardian than someone capable of loving him.
Sydney's face remained impassive as he stood on the precious red carpet in the middle of the elongated hall, head bowed in submission as he bore the gaze of the cold man sitting on the throne. Even though he was his father, that gaze was one of a ruler, an emperor and a God.
He should not have expected more from the man who swore by the rules in the book. The room was empty, and the gravelly voice of the King echoed in the large chambers.
"I hear you have been hanging around the girl from the Merveille House."
"…Yes, My Royal Father."
"What do you think of her?"
Sydney thought carefully. He wanted to make sure that the King thought of Libitina fairly, even better if he thought of her well.
"She is very intelligent and bright. Although just nineteen, she holds much potential to contribute to the kingdom and in creating dynamism within the economy."
The King leisurely rested his face against his finger as he played with the ring on his other hand.
"I see. What is your view on the Bill passed on the trade on Magical Tools?"
"You have endorsed the Bill, My Royal Father."
"Indeed, I have."
Sydney paused and struggled to understand what the King wanted to hear.
"It is an innovate approach to spreading the use of magic to the commoners and increasing the productive output of the country, for its betterment. There will not be such a heavy responsibility for the Royal Family in funding the Magic Tower, our closest ally, while enhancing the prestige of the Royal Family amongst the commoners."
The King did not reply immediately. When the silence stretched until Sydney felt his stomach hurt from the pressure, the man gave a low chuckle.
Was it of laughter? Or some other emotion? Sydney held his breath and maintained his composure with difficulty. He hated this. He wanted to go to Libitina and have some of her soothing cookie cakes.
"Tell Lady Merveille to come visit We when she next visits you. She seems like an interesting woman who has many stories to tell."
Sydney jolted and looked up to stare at the King's smiling face, the wrinkles around his eyes crunching together into an unreadable expression.
"Yes, My Royal Father."
"You are dismissed."
"Yes, My Royal Father. All hail the Kingdom of Wit and glory to the Empire of Words."