As Cyrus struggled to catch his breath, the Emperor's sly smile grew wider. He leaned in closer, speaking in a tone that was both gentle and persuasive.
"Now, now, Cyrus. I know this might come as a bit of a surprise, but it's for your own good. You're already nearing your thirties, yet not once have you ever gotten yourself a partner. Even your dad married your mom when he was 24!"
Cyrus finally managed to swallow the water in his mouth, clearing his throat with some difficulty. He was too late. The Emperor knew his goal from the start and even managed to let their guard down.
'I underestimated him...'
He glanced at Derick and Yuno, who were still bickering, blissfully unaware. Yuno's sharp eyes finally caught the tension in Cyrus's demeanour. His brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't say anything-Yuno knew better than to pry in front of the Emperor. It would only backfire on him, and he'd rather go on another war than also have an arranged marriage.
After some time of friendly debate, the uncle-nephew duo finally settled to talk in the Emperor's office.
Cyrus begrudgingly sat across the Emperor, his earlier attempts to escape were futile as the guards were already stationed on every exit, successfully blocking him.
"I'm not accepting the marriage." The Emperor who was halfway through filling a cup of tea, looked at his nephew with amusement. Rarely does the other make the first attempt at a conversation; mostly, it was the Emperor who had to coax his nephew into saying a few words. Seeing his nephew being assertive for once and for the reason of cancelling an arranged marriage, the Emperor couldn't help but think of his lifelong friend.
'Sigh...he really took after his father. Oh, Kaiden, you stuck-up bastard. It's a good thing I'm here or your son would end up as a virgin till death. Tsk, tsk.'
'What is he doing?'
While the Emperor was busy insulting his late friend, the General was carefully watching his every move. He already let his guard down; he's not making the same mistake again.
As Cyrus waited for the Emperor's reply, he quickly tried to stitch up the remains of his previous plan. Since the topic of marriage was brought up first, he already lost his momentum. Still, he can turn things around if he manages to convince the Emperor about his return to war.
A cup of tea was placed in front of him. Cyrus warily watched it before looking at the Emperor who was drinking with a carefree expression.
"So..." The Emperor gently placed the cup down, making a small clank noise before meeting his nephew's determined eyes.
"I planned on not asking this question at all since it seems to be a waste of time. But seeing as you're so eager to explain-which makes you cute, this humble one shall ask the General. Why do you oppose this Emperor's attempt to have you marry?"
The Emperor asked with a playful tone. Cyrus remained unfazed. It was no doubt that the Emperor probably had his plan all figured out.
'Still...I can't accept the marriage that easily.'
Cyrus promptly stood up, he straightened his stand before bowing his head in front of the Emperor. "I, Cyrus Gharshen, humbly request the Emperor to allow my return to war."
The Emperor was momentarily surprised, but nevertheless, he decided to play along. With a wave of a hand, he dismissed Cyrus from bowing, and the General was forced to sit back down again.
"As His Majesty knows, I was forced to retire early from war because of my injury-"
"How cruel, General; you know me, and little Yu was only concerned for you, right? We wouldn't have forced you if you willingly wanted to recover from the start."
"..."
Cyrus was stunned. He didn't know whether his uncle was pointing at his stubbornness or he was playing another trick to guilt trip him. Seeing the smile on the Emperor's face, Cyrus faked a cough and decided to divert to the original topic.
"Ahem, ahem...well, I've already finished my three-month recovery period with even an excess of one month. I'm already qualified to return to war and aid the imperial prince in subjugating the West."
"Ziel is almost done though. In his last report, he wrote that he's already subjugated Lefen. It wouldn't take long before he moved to Isher next. He also said to say hi to you and to make sure you take your meals on time."
'Ziel...I appreciate the concern, but what in the world are doing?'
Seeing the bewildered look on his nephew's face, the Emperor couldn't help but laugh.
"Hoho, you must be surprised. Those two might not have told you, but Ziel was the one who volunteered to replace you in the war. He was quite determined to find whoever poisoned you that day. Even his vassals failed to stop him, those old crooks were desperately clinging to his trousers, sobbing like babies. It was quite a fun sight to watch."
"Still...as his sworn brother shouldn't I help him."
"I think we both know the answer to that."
The Emperor smiled and Cyrus could only sigh for the umpteenth time. Although Ziel was the imperial prince and mostly focused on his studies, he was still taught how to fight. Cyrus was the one who personally trained him, so he knows better than anyone else that the prince can handle his own in this war.
"Even so I should-"
"Cyrus." The General closed his mouth. Though he was speaking to his uncle, he was also speaking to the ruler of the nation.
"You aren't going back to war. That's final. You've already suffered enough so it's time that you loosened up a bit -'He's gonna bring it up again, isn't he.'-and maybe, finally start a family of your own."
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, Cyrus quickly responded with a "No."
A normal Emperor would have kicked him out and had his tongue cut, but Harold did neither and only coaxed him further.
"Just give it a try. The Yerin King and I already made preparations for you to meet up. They've even sent a portrait of the third prince as a gift to you." The Emperor motioned for the servants to bring the portrait and Cyrus could feel a headache resurfacing.
The contents of the book were slowly happening. He really had to stop this right now or else he'd turn out like his book self.
"Why the third prince though?"
The Emperor raised a brow and looked at Cyrus with a puzzled look.
"Isn't that your type?"
"Huh?" It was now Cyrus's turn to look at the Emperor with a quizzical look. He was quite lucky that he didn't drink the tea or else he might have spit it on the other's desk.
"You've probably heard about the rumours about you-"
"The 'cold-hearted General' one?"
"Yes that and..." The Emperor paused, unsure whether to continue or not.
"And?"
"You're gay."
"..."
"Of course, it was only a rumour."
"And you believed that rumour?"
"Well..."
"Uncle?"
"Well...I..."
"Uncle."
"You see at that time, all my matchmaking attempts to get you a lover seemed to fail. Even when I threw you Duke Rugher's daughter-which is the nation's second beauty-you still refused to be wooed. So at that time I really assumed that...you know, you swing that way."
"..."
Cyrus didn't know what to say, so he just closed his mouth and stayed silent. Luckily, the Emperor continued to speak so as not to make the atmosphere awkward. Of course, as one might try to imagine, it only gets worse.
"Cyrus, you might not have the same taste as your father; know that if he was still here, he would support you no matter what. And besides, the third prince is an omega. Whether he's a guy doesn't matter, you can still give me grandchildren!"
"Your Majesty, the portrait."
"Bring it here!"
With a nod, the servants brought the portrait. The Emperor was quite excited, while Cyrus was still a bit lost.
"Come General, let me show you your fiancé's face."
Cyrus let himself be dragged and positioned in front of the covered portrait. Slowly, as to create suspense, the Emperor lifted the piece of cloth before finally revealing the entire frame.
A man-no,a blonde boy sat on an overly decorated chair. His blonde hair was styled messily, a red eyeliner painted from below his golden irises. A small blush was present on his seemingly soft cheeks and his lips were pinkish. He was wearing a scandalous outfit, which would probably make Yuno say something like 'Are they a bunch of perverts? Of all the gifts they could give, it would have to be this half-nude photo of a prince. At this rate, they're just shameless.'
Luckily, he dismissed the two before he went to the Emperor's office. If he didn't then things would have been more chaotic than it is.
"So, have you taken a liking to your fiancé's face?"
"No." Cyrus still refuted. Though the prince in the picture was...something else, he still remembered the contents of the book and how the same prince stupidly gave the ML his location, which resulted in his death.
'Not only did he cheat, he even had me killed. No way I'm marrying someone like that.'
"Sigh, oh well. I'm sure you'll grow fond of him once you meet." A resigned sigh escaped from the Emperor's lips. Though his nephew was stubborn like his father, the two would still end up marrying and thanking him by the end.
"And if I don't?" Cyrus persisted
"Then you'll probably grow fond of him once you're married."
"If I become impotent after marriage though?"
Slowly, the Emperor turned to look at him. A rare serious look was plastered on the old ruler's face.
"Are you?"
"Not yet."
The Emperor's brows furrowed. "Not yet?"
"Yes-"
Suddenly, the windows rattled open, and the intense cold wind entered the room. The servants made quick work to close the windows, yet the wind was getting stronger and stronger making them open again.
In the end, Cyrus stepped up to help. Though autumn was already ending and winter was approaching, cold winds were expected, but 'why so intense?'
Cyrus shivered as the cold wind tickled his skin. He looked outside the window where the trees were swaying uncontrollably, servants quickly retreating to find shelter while the guards continued their best to patrol; there was even an umbrella flying randomly and a slightly familiar book that looked like the novel was coming straight his way.-Wait what?
.
.
.
"Hey, was he pretty? You sure took your sweet time looking at his portrait. Should I just cut your d*ck off, huh?"
Cyrus just slumped on the couch, a resigned sigh escaping his lips.
'Why is it one problem after another.'