"The crown prince of Cordenia has arrived." The Emperor turns his neck to see Eden escorted with a number of Knights.
"How was Pomeria ?" Eden shrugged. "The people were interesting. They forbid polygamy and concubines are taken in secret. I heard the Emperor of Pomeria has three secret concubines. I would not blame him, the women were indeed are beautiful. He should just drop the bullshit and have as many concubines he pleases.. " Eden looked to his father with a smug look on his face. "Just like you, father." The Emperor's expression could barely hide his amusement.
"You seemed to have had fun in Pomeria. After all this is over, should I get you a bride hailing from there ?"
"Oh you're too kind father." Eden bowed pleased to hear his father's proposal. "Ah but weren't you supposed to come on the 18th ? " The Emperor finally realized the prince was a week early.
"That was agreed upon but I got home sick. I returned immediately, does my return displease you father ?" Eden muttered as the Emperor shook his head.
"If anything you would be more prepared to attend Ezra's wedding." Eden also came back after hearing his brother was away and won't be back until the night before his wedding. He didn't have to worry being beheaded by Ezra in the mean time. "Oh I met lady Anthonette."
"You did ? How is she ? Horrendous right ?" The Emperor spat in disgust. To Eden she was the most beautiful woman in the entire Kingdom. "I failed to see why she is labelled an enemy to the Imperial family. She doesn't talk much and Ezra has her strictly guarded."
"Has the crown prince been hexed as well ? That woman does truly practice witch craft."
"Father if you asked her for an audience you'll understand the hype around her. You could even make her one of your concubines."
"And welcome death with open arms, I think not. The concubines I have are enough it's not good to be too greedy. That is why Ezra is hard to control, if I wasn't greedy I wouldn't have had that bastard." Eden knew the story quite well, how his father's greed made him take the previous Duke Maikailsom's wife and murdered him in cold blood.
In the end he tossed Ezra's mother aside when she was pregnant with Ezra. Ezra was born without the love of a father and quite frankly was denied the title of prince.
As compensation the Emperor bestowed the title of the Duke to Ezra with regards to his mistress, Ezra's mother dying wish.
But the thing was the apple never falls far from the tree. Prince Eden didn't only inherit his father's looks, he as well inherit his father's greed.
"But father that only happened because you were lenient with Ezra, if you didn't turn a blind eye to everything he did till now, things would have been different." The Emperor wasn't a fool he understood the prince had also taking a liking to the lady, he wished he had murdered her when he had the chance.
"Of course I was too lenient but you know I want the best for you. I don't want you repeating the same mistake I made with that harlot. The Duke is fond of the lady, you should avoid her or else we'll be going to war." Prince Eden was even more excited.
What are the odds.
The odds the duke was fond of someone other than his late mother. The odds to have a chance to ruin that thing, the odds that that thing could bring ruin to the kingdom if tried.
Was it abnormal to claim Something that didn't belong to him ?
He saw this as nothing but a challenge and the risk all the same made it exhilarating.
"You are going to ignore my advise." The Emperor shook the prince back to reality. He adjusted in his seat. "The way you put it father, it's offensive. I'm just going to do what I want."
"Don't you care to examine the risks ?"
Prince Eden stroked his chin meticulously, abruptly absorbed in a fit of laughter. His eyes met the emperor and the Emperor understood that look. The look of a man who didn't care about risk.
Risk to those who have this look, really risk was nothing but a game to them.
"Father don't you think I should have the woman who poisoned me when we were kids ?
Ezra as well is acting untouchable, if I claim her won't he run mad with rage."
"That's what I'm trying to avoid Eden. If the Ezra finds out he will kill you."
"But the deal was if you kill the lady I would pay with my life. There wasn't anything condoned if I were to have her in my bed." The Emperor looked over to Eden.
He wondered how much he spoiled Eden for him to end up like this. He couldn't refuse this dear son of his. He was as well bought by Eden's logic.
He wondered what reaction could stir Ezra if he truly was fond of the girl he could use her to his advantage and finally put a leech on Ezra.
"Do what ever you want, but do not kill her." Eden bowed smiling at his father's compromise.
"Very well father the girl will not die.