The Advisor simply hummed at his complaints. "You know very well that my words were only meant to lead you to the grander picture. I know it was not what you wanted but look at where you both are now. He produced sons who have both been essential in their own ways. One has literally expanded your empire and the other is slowly creating great positive change in the judicial system. That would not have been the case if you had kept him locked up like an exotic animal."
Kiy refused to respond to that.
"You said when you entered the room that you wanted to know more about the end. Why are you asking about that now, has something happened that I'm unaware of?"
"Aren't you supposed to be aware of everything?" He snapped.
"Fine, as for the fate of Tate Delmont, even I do not know. It's unfortunate but he has served his purpose. As I'm sure you've already done there are other avenues for our experiments. Your son and the young girl will do fine as a start. Tate is not much of a loss at this point."
"What about Akir, though, this whole business has made him angry with me."
Even though he couldn't see or hear it the Advisor ground his teeth in frustration, but in the calmest voice he could muster said. "Give him time, I have already told you that he will be by your side in the end. When the next great age is ushered in the two of you will be the two pillars that hold up this great empire against the coming storm."
"How can I trust him if he questions me so?"
"Do you need to trust him? I know you'd like to be able to trust Akir Delmont but he will fulfill his part with or without trust. Whether you believe it or not, his loyalty is to you, he values you for you are the Empire, and the Empire is you. If this were not the case he would not have made the decisions he's made in his life. You speak of him like a rebellious dog, but I'm sure you're aware of the many many times he's chosen you over his family."
This reminder satisfied Kiy a little bit.
"Tell me again what you think will happen."
"What I know." He corrected, "It is simple to know since a human is a predictable creature."
"You speak as if you aren't human." The emperor probed nonchalantly.
As always the Advisor acted as if he'd not spoken at all.
"What I know is that if you continue on the path we've worked so tirelessly to lay out you will one day be the supreme lord of every man woman and child in this realm. You will stand in a place of glory unmatched by any man before you."
"What about this recent incident with Lord Kiln and his followers? Why didn't you tell me about that?"
The Advisor shrugged. "It wasn't something I had enough evidence on to bring to you. They acted before I'd finished gathering enough intel. I did see it as a possibility that they may try some desperate attempt to disgrace you but I never imagined they'd move so quickly."
The thing was Kiy didn't quite believe him. He'd always seemed to have intelligence on a matter before the people involved even laid their plans. How come this time was the only time he was behind their adversaries? He let it go not because he wasn't curious but because he was right in a way. As much as he had a fondness for Tate it did simplify things for him overall when he was gone. He hadn't realized how much pressure he'd felt to make sure Tate was provided for and had someplace to contribute. The marriage had been part of the advisor's suggestion to breed better dragon riders and Tate had just been the most convenient subject. His loss to the project was a little regrettable but by no means detrimental. He'd speak to that girl Aliya soon and let her know that she would be participating in the experiments as well. Of course, he wouldn't word it like that. He was fairly certain she'd give him no trouble with the idea of the arranged marriage. She had to feel some indebtedness towards him for supporting her living and education. She had also been essentially raised by Tate, who would have taught her the same loyalty and devotion that he'd also lived by.
He came back around to his main concern, no matter how much it annoyed the advisor he still only wanted to know one thing. "Akir will forgive me, right? Just standing next to me is not enough. I want him to be happy."
Again he could feel the Advisor's irritation but he didn't care.
"I think he will forgive you in time, Your Majesty. All I can advise for now is patience."
Kiy took a deep breath and let it all go. He took up the teacup and downed the rest of the beverage. He felt a pleasant buzz spread through his body.
"Would you like more tea?" The Advisor asked, again appearing close to him so suddenly Kiy had not seen him move. He was already holding out another full cup.
Kiy smiled and took it. He drank that one quickly as well.
Kiy felt boneless and content. Akir would come around, of course, he would.
In a completely different voice than the one he'd been using the Advisor came up behind him and whispered in his ear.
"Go back now, Your Majesty. Continue on with our plan and all will be well I promise."
Kiy nodded slowly and stood. He left the chamber without a word. The Advisor watched him go all the while and the room faded into dark obscurity behind him.
He made his way back into the sitting room and as soon as the passage closed back, the stones blended seamlessly into the wall. He heard the lock of the outside door click and disengage.
Sleepily he went to the nearest settee and collapsed into it. He fell into a deep sleep.
When a servant poked their head in a few minutes later what they saw was the Emperor passed out in his settee and a nearly empty decanter on the floor next to a hand that was hanging down. Seeing that the king had clearly drunk himself into a stupor in the middle of the day they closed the door and summoned the guards to stand watch.
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Forty Years Ago
The room was dark and stifling. The small child wondered when he'd be allowed to go outside again. He just wanted to go out and play but his father had locked him in here a long time ago. His stomach cramped painfully and his tongue felt dry and heavy. How long had it been? Would anyone ever bring him food and water?
The only window in the room had been covered with shutters that didn't allow a bit of light in. He was lying on the opulent bed too weak to do much but long for the sun. He'd always liked being outside in the sunshine. Even now as he was being actively starved to death and his body was covered in gaping sores and bruises going outside was more important to him than food or water.
Outside, in the gardens, there was always food and drink. That's why his main concern was returning there. If he went outside into the light then someone would see his injuries and attend to them. Also in the gardens was the only place he could find his friend. He'd found this friend quite by accident months ago. He'd been desperately trying to hide when he'd slammed into a boy who was bigger and taller than him. From his place sprawled on the ground, he'd looked up in terror at this giant. The boy had held up a hand and asked if he was alright.
"Are you okay?" The question echoed in his head constantly, even now lying on the bed recalling it was the warmest he'd ever felt inside. It was the first time in his life anyone had asked him that. Suddenly the boy in front of him hadn't seemed like a terrifying giant but was instead transformed into a being of light and goodness.
"I-I'm fine." He'd hesitantly answered.
The boy had looked around uncertainly. Then he'd leaned down close to whisper. "Are you the prince?"
He'd nodded and the boy's face had taken on a funny expression. After a long pause where the other boy chewed his lip until he thought he would start bleeding, he'd looked him straight in the eyes. "I'm here to play with you?" He'd worded it like a question. Kiy had stood up at that statement and stared at the other boy. He was here to play with him? It was a question to him too. At five years old he'd never been sent another child to play with. "I'm Akir." The boy said quietly looking away as if unsure of what to do now.
Lying on the bed in as much pain as he was that was all he wanted. He wanted to go outside and find Akir.