Within the halls of the European Magical Commission. In its prestigious halls, thousands go in and out as it continues to be the nation's heart, beating and churning to protect its people.
Its grand magnificence protected my magic circles of such size. Few would even dare, nor bother, to discern its complexity and with the history it holds, fewer could even have the strength.
"Ah! Lady Elena! It is good to see you so well! A true delight." A man spoke up with a smile, waving at a woman walking through the hall.
Her eyes then brighten. "Ah, Lord Hedwig. Thank you." She walks to his side. "I was wondering where your charming smile went. How is the lady?"
The man chuckles. "She has been well. Though she misses your company."
A golden-haired young man then runs through them, his face haggard as he ran through the halls. The two noticing the time as they follow, large doors opening for another council meeting. Revealing a room so vast, a thousand could sit in utter comfort and still hold room to spare.
The golden hair young man then sat, his eyes swimming across the halls as he shakes in excitement. His first time within this hall will determine his political career. This chance given to him by his father isn't something he plans to waste, his job as the representative of House Valois.
He closes his eyes and just the thought of wide debates and powerful speeches, it all left him breathless. The fact that he could partake in it makes him smile.
Two people then sat beside him. His eyes widening as he bows to them in apology. The leaders of the most powerful party in the EMC "Ah, Lord Habsburg, Lady Medici. I apologize for my behavior."
The two just smiled at him as he scooted over, the woman chuckling. "It is alright, Lord Valois. If anything, we should thank you for the remind-"
The world then explodes as a voice rips through the halls, "Hear ye! Hear ye! Stand up in attention! The Grand Wizard, Lord Councillor and the Supreme Magic, Merlin Emrys, enter the hall."
A man then walks forward, fleeting through the halls. His footsteps reverberating as the room drops to a silence, his presence alone forcing around him to lower their heads.
Though through it all, Henry Valois couldn't help but look. Only to be met with silver hair, purple eyes locking onto him, leaving him mesmerized as Merlin smiles.
His heart beating quick as he forces his head down, Elena Medici chuckles beside him as she whispers, "You liked what you see." Her eyebrows dance, teasing him further.
Henry reddens as he holds onto his chest, whispering back to her, "Was that really him? He looks so beautiful. Will he be angry? He's so awesome."
Charles Habsburg chuckles, nudging him with a smile as he whispers, "Don't worry, fan boy. He isn't angry. If anything, your illusion will break as soon as that mouth opens."
Henry gapes, his face filling with indignation. "Lord Habsburg, that is no way to speak about Lord Merlin," He then mutters, "The best of the Immortals."
They glance at one another. "Just watch." The three of them turn to the voice as the steps stops, Merlin standing in the middle of it all, sitting atop the hall's highest point. His throne.
Merlin then spoke, everyone around him sitting. "Then let us begin with the first agenda of this meeting." He pushes up his glasses, "What do you do when a dead man betrays you?"
Henry just gapes at him. "What?" The question processing into his mind.
Charles stood up. "Sir, I think it would be best if you move on from this pain. There's no one left to apologize, no one left to make you better. Any answers you want won't come."
Merlin nods, the other councillor nodding along with him. "I have thought of that, actually. But what if this person is just so important to you? Just the thought of it gives you heartache?"
A man then spoke up as Henry turns to the voice, his eyes watching the gruff man, he shivers. He was Conrad Hohenstaufen, the terrifying leader of House Hohenstaufen.
A man draped in mysteries whose rumors connect him with the darkest of deeds. A man whose ruthlessness was renowned throughout the EMC as he wipes out families, without a single thing tracing back to him.
And a man that says, "I know it is painful for you to deal with betrayal. Even with my experience in dealing with it, the thought of someone I love to betray my trust is unthinkable."
He then slams his hand on the table before him. "And I know it tainted those memories you once hold dear, tainted with a simple betrayal. But the fact remains, those memories remain for you to cherish. It might hurt, but forgive them, forgive them and hold those times close to your heart."
Henry had to hold up his jaw from falling off, his eyes tearing up from the man's stupendous and heartfelt response as he whispers to himself, "What is happening?"
He looks to Merlin, to see him tearing up. His smile charming, "I know, I know. It's just that Arthur was important to me. And just the thought that he hid so much. It makes me tear up."
Elena smirks as she whispers, "Gotcha. So that is what this is." She then wipes her eyes as tears appear, hand over her chest as she shouts in a voice filled with grief. "But Lord Merlin!"
The hall turns to her, her eyes teary as she shouts. "Arthur was your child! A child which you have raised. His achievements are your achievements, his virtue is your virtue!"
Tears fall as she holds back a sob. "He loves you so much, so much that he couldn't allow you to see this side of him, the bloody side which he used to conquer Britannia!" The men around her cheers.
She then forces a smile through the tears, "And look what he has truly become, the man you had raised. A knight! A king! A legend! Your SON!"
Merlin holds his chest, tears falling through his hand as he chokes back a sob. "I see, I see it now, Lady Medici. Your words have touched my heart. " He then gives out another sob, "But I'm sorry, I can't do this right now."
He then points to Elena. "I'm giving Elena Medici full executive powers! She'll hold this meeting for me while I visit my little boy's grave!" He then disappears with a soft cry, "Arthur!"
The moment he left, Henry just gapes as the halls explode into a fervour. Two sides erupting into insults and mockery as Elena walked between the hall.
Her middle finger raised against Conrad's bristling expression and his angered party of mages before she sits on Merlin's throne, the power flowing through her veins.
With magic being thrown around, she roars. "Shut up!" Magic erupts from her throne as she smirks. The power getting into her head as her party members cheer.
"Now, now. Motherfuckers! Let's get this meeting started! You are all my bitches now!"
Henry just sat, his heart stopped beating as he laid dead. Charles chuckling as he nudged the unconscious young man back to life, "Welcome to politics, kiddo."
"What did I get myself into?"
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Remulus watches through a screen. "You know what they're doing? Right?"
Merlin wipes the tears from his eyes. "Oh yeah, definitely." He then shrugs, a small smile on his face. "But they really give good advice, and I guess it's better this way. They get turns, you know?"
"Aaaaaah, you just hate politics?" Remulus nods.
Merlin nods. "I really hate politics."