A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.1***
"Welcome back, Emperor Maxism!" The servants greeted him tearfully as he walk past them.
The Emperor waved his hand at them and laughed. He's on his way to see his youngest now. He first went to his room but he's not there, so he's probably there.
And he's really in the training grounds.
"That's not how I taught you to swing a sword,"
The sword slipped from his strong grip as soon as he heard the voice he missed.
Emperor Maxism walked to him with a smile and placed his hand on his shoulder. He took a good look of his youngest and favorite son; he looked not so handsome anymore because of stress and depression. His little sunshine is a bit gloomy. The rain must go away, so his son can shine again.
"Daddy's here,"
Prince Maxigaufeas's uncontrollable tears poured from his eyes at the same time he collapsed to his knees. He kept on asking for forgiveness, taking all the blame to himself---because it's his fault. Everything was his fault even though he didn't do it himself but his other self.
He's been loathing and hating himself ever since. He wished it never happened at all. He wished that they returned to their Empire with his Kuya Claxiord, too. Then they wouldn't have met the child. They would've prevented it. It never should've happened at all. But if it didn't happen, their mother won't be with child. The miracle will not happen---they wouldn't have blended.
"I-I'm very, very sorry!"
Emperor Maxism pulled his son up and gave him the tightest embrace he can give him because he needed him, he needed it. Prince Maxigaufeas bawled his eyes out, relieving all his pent up emotions. The Emperor is patting his back, swaying gently side by side.
"There's nothing to be sorry about, my boy. None of it was your fault. Then and now, it's valid why you became like that. I don't blame you. I told you, haven't I? I'd rather shoulder the pain because I'm strong. Because I know I can handle it. While you, my boy, you may not know how yet. Because we raised you in a peaceful environment. Nothing but peace and love and happiness. I promised you I will come back, and I'm back."
The Prince's cries became louder. But as loud as it gets, the better he feels.
"I love you very much, Dad! I was so scared! I'm sorry it happened to you! I love you so much! I thought I'm going to lose you! I was so scared!"
Emperor Maxism smiled and kissed his face.
"I love you, too. Free yourself from the self-blaming and self-loathing. There's nothing I won't do for you. I'll take more than a bullet for you and come back stronger to protect you better. See, I'm the greatest Dad in the world. Even that bastard Liorei has no say to me. Because I'm the bestest and greatest Dad ever."
"Yes. Yes you are, Daddy. You're the bestest and greatest Dad in the world," Prince Maxigaufeas agreed between his hiccups.
He smacked the Prince's back hard.
"Alright, enough with the tears and look forward to the bright future ahead of us! What's done is done, past is past! I told you, I will hang that kid upside down outside the window once I see him, right? I will spank him many times! I will do it the Asian way. I got you, son! I will handle that little shit, but for now, let's test our skills. It's been so long. Let me see your skills, or I'd see it rusting now?"
Prince Maxigaufeas wiped his tears and smirked.
"You wish. I'm better and faster than you now."
Emperor Maxism accepted the challenge.
"Oh, I will make you eat your words."
And so, they settled it by who's the fastest to assemble disassembled guns with blindfolds on. Their skills was there. Even though it's been a while, they still have it. Who knows if it's just muscle memory or they're just pros?
In the end, Prince Maxigaufeas is still inferior to his father. As his punishment for losing, the Emperor sentenced him to a hundred pushups while sitting on his back.
"D-D...ad, you're sssso heavvvy~~~"
"When I was your age, I could carry a truck on my back. Come on, you can do it! It's just me!"
Prince Maxigaufeas didn't believe him.
At the end of the day, they dine altogether. Emperor Maxism became the path for the mother and sons to forgive each other, tell their feelings to each other, and became the perfect family that they were once are.
"Uh-huh. That's right. All is well that ends well," Emperor Maxism nodded as he try to look wise.
"Shut up." Empress Clastigaufeas rolled her eyes and looked at the food, "I don't like it."
"What do you like? Do you like me? Stawph, wife~ The kids are here~!" He squirmed in a high-pitched voice. Crown Prince Claxiord covered his ears while Prince Maxigaufeas was laughing at them.
"C-Can you just not!? You make me sick!"
Mila, the Empress's trusted servant, served the Empress the dish she liked with an appetizer.
Everything is going well. Everything is perfect and turned out the way he wanted it to be, but he forgot about one thing.
"A-Aviana is missing---!"
The Emperor bolted out of his seat as soon as Duke Paris relayed him the bad news. He exercised his power and sent out the knights to look for the Duchess. There's no corner they didn't look into. They looked for her everywhere in the Palace, until she was found in the throne room.
Emperor Maxism fell down to his knees as he stare at the body of his sister.
Duchess Aviana hanged herself in the throne room. There's a knife below her feet, her wrist is open and blood had gone cold and dry. Written on the floor were the words in her blood,
"I will never give you peace, Kuya."
Her death was not just a tragedy; it was a message for the times he failed her. She had taken her own life in the very heart of his empire to ensure he would be haunted by the guilt of forgetting her, of not being there when she needed him most. He was there for everyone but not for her.
He had promised to be her shield, but instead, he had become distant, engrossed in the affairs of the empire, thinking she would be safe in his shadow. But shadows are cold, she's been in the shadow all her life, and in that coldness, she had despaired.
Colt Forest, just then, lost his life one more time to be with his wife.
This was no longer about politics or power or whatever the motive for this is. For the Emperor, it was personal. The force that had taken his sister from him had unleashed a wrath unlike any the world had ever seen. And he would not stop until they were utterly destroyed, regardless of the cost.
"Please, one last chance. Give me this third, last chance, Aviana. Please..." The Emperor gently clutch the Duchess in his arms. His eyes had gone cold, but his tears were as warm as his taste for vengeance.
"I'm sorry if I'm lacking when it comes to you. I'm sorry for not being there when you needed me most. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but I can't lose you just yet. You're my precious baby sister. Baby girl,"
He forced a smile on his lips. His body convulsed as a laugh break out from him. A laugh between the lines of insanity and grief. And when both emotions hit the same point...
"I will hunt down the dogs who dared bite you, Aviana."
In the same day did Azarese open her eyes. Just as she absorbed the Empress did their appearances merged. Her eyes like the golden sun in the middle of the dark night skies. Her hair is of gold and gray. And now, her skin is sparkling, too.
Ever since she woke up, they haven't heard her speak. Prince Valerian expressed how happy he is now that she's back, but upon not receiving answers from his mother, it made him sad. Did he do something wrong? Was it because of his secret? He don't know. Is his mother mad at him? He don't know.
So, the wise Ki'zaar told him to give his mother space for now. The Prinsiaze is smart and obey his father. He didn't lose heart. He will wait for the time his mother will love him again like before.
"Where is...Maximilien?"
The Ki'zaar looked at her they're at the balcony, feeling the cool air of the night.
"I...haven't found him yet, Mi'zaar. Please forgive me, but I'm still trying to look for him."
Azarese closed her eyes. Something about her changed and they couldn't tell what. And when she looked at him,
"I don't want to see you lacking, Valtyremius. Don't disappoint me. You're better than this." And she left him there.
Lord Feryzen, who's standing by the door way, bowed to her and opened the door for her.
"Follow me, fool."
The Lord and the Ki'zaar looked at each other. The Ki'zaar smiled wryly and nodded, so the Lord bowed to him and followed her.
They went down and made it to the patio. Azarese brought a bottle of champagne for herself and a glass.
"Were you really this shameless, Feryzen?"
"P-Pardon?"
Azarese opened the cap and pour the champagne in her glass.
"I'm saying how you never asked for my forgiveness after offending me. Have you forgotten? Do I have to remind you? How do you think Valtyremius will react if I were to tell him about what you called me?"
Lord Feryzen was shaken. She's threatening him. There must be a reason why they're talking, just the both of them. She didn't call him just to threaten him. She want him to do something.
"What... What can I do for the Mi'zaar? What must I do for the Mi'zaar to forgive my mistake?"
Azarese smirked before drinking.
"I know where Maximilien is," she said. Lord Feryzen gulped.
She knew? Then, why does she want the Ki'zaar to look for someone who's already found?
"I don't want to interact with his soul. I want to give him a body. Going in and out of their door every time is exhausting and such a hassle, don't you think so? I want him to play with his brothers. I want him just within my reach. I want to feel him, to sleep with my sons in my arms... Sentiments of a mother. I'm so emotional."
She placed her empty glass on the table and crossed her legs. Lord Feryzen could not dare look into her eyes. He's shivering and he doesn't know why. The unknown scares him.
What...does she want him to do?
"Do you know how to freeze time? Even for a moment?"
He was taken aback.
He gulped, "I...may have. For...what, M-Mi'zaar?"
Azarese smiled sweetly at him for that.
"Great. I want a body for my son Maximilien. A vessel for his soul to reside into, a body that will adapt to the shape of his soul,"
Lord Feryzen wished that she killed him instead after hearing more of her wishes.
"---And I want Clastigaufeas Vernignac's child to be the body he needed, Feryzen."
Later that day, Celia from the Other Side finally presented herself to her. She was so moved that it brought her to tears. The Empress she's been looking out for grew into a formidable character, one that won't be pushed aside anymore. One that cannot be bullied by anyone, untouchable, and ruthless. Yes, this is the best character for Azarese Elyzena Dragunovv-Warlock. They can't hurt her again. She won't let them hurt her again.
Azarese reached out for her face to wipe her tears. Celia, shameless she may be, wrapped her fingers around her wrist to feel her cold touch more.
"You're like a mother to me, Celia."
It warmed her heart. She didn't deserve it. She didn't do much. It's not enough. She's still lacking, but she's grateful that her shallow efforts were recognized.
"I'm sorry for not doing enough, Empress."
Azarese smiled at her. It didn't even reach her eyes. Is it sincere? Is it genuine? But for Celia, does it matter if it's not. The Empress smiled at her. That's all that matters.
"I still need you, so get stronger. You've been loyal to me all your life. So, I want to hear it from you. Do you want to stand behind me, follow me everywhere, anywhere, to only obey me, to only serve me truthfully, until the day you return to the skies?"
Celia nodded and kissed the back of her hand.
"Empress, my life is in your hands. I am yours."
That's when Azarese's smile grew wider.
"Good. Now, where's the soul of my son?"
***
Watts understood Emperor Maxism's request.
"You haven't met the Princess yet, and it makes me anxious, Uncle. Are you sure you want to meet her? The Ki'zaar is wise, very logical. He will definitely help you...but the Princess?"
"Do you not trust me, boy?"
Watts sighed, "It's not the matter of trust, Uncle. We're talking about the Princess here. She's not... She's not easy to convince."
To which everyone agreed.
"And she's ruthlessly as fuck. Just talk to the Ki'zaar. Negotiate with him. The girl will only listen to you after tormenting you. If it's the Ki'zaar, surely, he won't mind lending you his power." Duke Paris shared his insight about the matter
"Did you think she doesn't have her fingers wrapped around him? She ordered him to destroy the Wall! She won't let us approach him, and he won't see us without her approval," Franchetti Xerene.
"That's why I need to see them both. She's the mother of my grandchild, that little shit. I just need to play my cards right. You only need to stand watch while I do the rest. I can do it. I know I can."
They couldn't believe that he's still pushing it. What can they do? It's his decision. They trust Maxism and his skills with tongue, but he can only be this confident because he's yet to meet her. It's because he have no idea about her atrocities. No, even after telling him the things she did, it didn't changed his mind at all.
"Then suit yourself. We warned you already, Max. The girl is the worst news. You may come out alive, but you may die shortly after you're out. That's how dangerous she is and we're not bluffing. It will be hard. But we wish you goodluck."
They just couldn't imagine how chaotic it will be. Their chests are already filled with anxiety. It's hard to breathe. They fear for what will become of Maxism. He just woke up after meeting her son. What more the mother itself?
But it's Maxism Ford Lee already. Maybe... Just maybe, it will work out. They wish it will.
And if it happen that they came to a conclusion with minimal damages, then there would be nothing but mad respect for the Emperor.