The attack to the Shanmai Empire was not something kept secret in the high ranks of the military and among the other royals. Both empresses were trying to persuade the emperor to stay and leave the rest to his generals. But the emperor was hard-headed. He was not going to let his men die on battle while he was drinking tea on his mighty throne.
Prince Qui knew that his father was not going to die. He knew that he was formidable. It was like he was the only one not worrying if the emperor was going to return safely.
The emperor whisked everybody away from his throne room, pushing the empresses to the doors, and pulled his other children who had been clinging to his legs and feet with tears streaming down their faces.
Without a mother to push him to, Prince Qui was left with the emperor.
"Should I leave, Father?" he asked, his voice soft and quiet against the open and high-ceilinged room.
