The heavy wooden doors creaked open, and Darius strode into the Emperor's private chamber. Smelling incense mingled with the thick tension that hung in the room. As always, his father's back was turned to him, staring out of the arched windows that overlooked the vast expanse of Caelora.
"Disappearing again," Emperor Ebonmere's voice was low, cutting through the silence without the need to face his son. "Wandering where you shouldn't be. It's a habit I'm growing tired of."
Darius said nothing, his face calm but his mind churning. He'd heard this lecture a hundred times, the disappointment etched in every syllable. He could predict every accusation before his father even spoke it.
"You think I don't notice? Or perhaps you think I don't care?" The Emperor turned, his pale blue eyes cold and appraising. "There's no end to the rumours about you."
Darius smirked, a bitter edge to his lips. "Rumours? I thought the court had better things to gossip about than my every move."
His father's stare hardened. "Don't be flippant, Darius. You've never understood the weight of your position. The responsibilities you so carelessly avoid."
Darius felt a familiar surge of frustration. "You want me to attend more councils, Father? Is that it? Sit and listen to the same tired men drone on about things we both know you've already decided?"
The Emperor's fingers twitched, but he didn't take the bait. Instead, he stepped forward, his presence as suffocating as the crown on his head. "You are the heir, Darius. But I doubt every day whether you're fit to wear the mantle. You've always been too… indifferent."
Indifferent. That was the word his father always used, as if Darius lacked the ambition to rule, as if he wandered the streets of Caelora out of boredom or rebellion. But they both knew the truth was more complicated.
"I do what's necessary," Darius said, his voice softening, the steel beneath hidden. "You think I wander because I don't care about the throne? You think I'm indifferent?" His jaw tightened. "I've seen things in Caelora that you refuse to see, Father. Heard voices you'll never hear."
"You believe your absence helps this empire?" The Emperor's voice rose, the words cut deep. "No. You disappear for your own gain."
For a moment, Darius's calm facade faltered. His father was closer to the truth than he realised, and that stung more than the usual criticism. But he couldn't admit it. He had to maintain the illusion.
"I do what I have to ensure I'm ready," Darius said, his voice steady, though there was a tension in his words. "This world isn't the same as it was in your time. Instead of another emperor who only sits on a throne, oblivious to events outside his castle, the people require something different."
The Emperor's gaze darkened, the insult clear in Darius's words.
"Do not presume to lecture me on rulership, boy. You don't know what it means to carry the weight of this crown. Does roaming the streets and mingling with peasants prepare you to lead an empire? You lack understanding of the necessary sacrifices."
"And you think locking yourself away here has prepared you any better?" Darius shot back, his voice rising, the frustration he had buried for years bubbling to the surface. "You've surrounded yourself with advisors who tell you what you want to hear. I've seen what's really happening—how the people struggle, how they fear the future."
The Emperor's lip curled into a sneer. "What you've seen are distractions, meaningless in the grand scheme of things. You're not out there for them, Darius. You're out there for yourself, chasing after some fantasy, playing the hero in your own story."
Darius froze with a smirk on his face. His father's words hit closer to home than he cared to admit. There was a part of him—perhaps more than he liked—that was out there for reasons that had nothing to do with the empire. Reasons that were personal.
"I am only doing what needs to be done," Darius said, his voice quiet but firm.
The Emperor shook his head, his face hard with disappointment. "No, Darius. You refuse to face the truth. You think that by disappearing into the streets you can escape what's expected of you. But this empire won't wait for you to find yourself. You are your mother's son—lost in your own world, never understanding the weight of your choices."
The mention of his mother stirred something deep within Darius. A wound that never healed. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. Father always compares him to her—always tells he is her son, not his father's. His mother, who had died bringing him into the world, leaving him to face a father who never truly accepted him.
"You think I'm running from this?" Darius said, his voice rising again, his anger barely restrained. "I'm not the one hiding behind walls of gold and stone, pretending everything will be fine if I just ignore it long enough."
"Is that what you tell yourself?" the Emperor asked, his voice low and cold, the flicker of disappointment deepening. "That you're not like me? That you're somehow better, more enlightened? The truth, Darius, is that you're no different. You run, just as I did in my youth. But while I ran toward my duty, you run from it. And you will never be the emperor Caelora needs if you continue to believe your own lies."
"If you doubt my commitment, tell me what you need from me."
The Emperor studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "There is a task," he said. "A matter beyond the council's reach."
Darius's interest piqued. His father didn't trust him easily, let alone assign him duties beyond the mundane. "I'm listening."
"There is a nobleman," he said slowly, "close to the crown. Archduke of Aleris. You've heard of him?"
Darius nodded. Archduke Aleris was a respected figure, an advisor who had served the empire for decades. A man known for his loyalty and influence.
The Emperor's gaze sharpened. "He's become a problem. Whispers reach my ears that he's planning something. I need someone to handle this situation discreetly."
Darius's lips curled into a smile, though there was no warmth in it. "You want me to spy on him?"
"I want you to ensure he remains loyal," the Emperor corrected, his voice hardening. "The empire is on the edge of war. Any sign of disloyalty could tear it apart from within."
This was different from attending councils or participating in discussions. This was an order to investigate—and potentially betray—a man who had served the empire for years. "And if he is guilty?"
The Emperor's expression darkened. "Then you will ensure that you deal with his treachery. Quietly, of course."
Darius's smile deepened, the weight of his father's request not lost on him. There was something almost... satisfying about being given this task. Not for the empire, but for himself. The chance to prove to his father that he wasn't just a shadow, and perhaps, to manipulate the situation in ways that could benefit him—personally.
"What if I find nothing?" Darius asked, his tone light, but there was an undercurrent of darkness beneath the question.
"Then you will keep watch," the Emperor said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Trust is earned, not given."
Darius tilted his head, studying his father, reading the lines of distrust etched into his features. It had always been like this between them—an endless test, a constant battle for respect that was never fully given. His father's disdain had grown ever since Darius's birth, haunted by the death of his mother. No matter what Darius did, he could never rid himself of that shadow.
But perhaps this was a different kind of opportunity. Archduke of Aleris was a pivotal figure, and gaining leverage over him could change more than just the Emperor's view. It could change Darius's standing, both in the eyes of the court and the empire itself.
"I'll handle it," Darius said, his voice carrying more weight than before. "But when I succeed, you will recognise that I'm more than your wayward son."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Darius saw a flicker of something—doubt, perhaps even fear. "Do not mistake this for more than it is, Darius. Prove yourself worthy of your title."
Darius inclined his head, but the fire inside him only grew. "Understood."
He turned to leave, his mind already turning over the possibilities. This wasn't just about uncovering a traitor. This was about power. His father had underestimated him for too long, but soon enough, he would see just how far Darius was willing to go.
As the door closed behind him, Darius allowed himself a moment of reflection. Was he doing this for the empire, for his father, or for himself?
Or was he lying to all of them—including himself?
Beneath the pressure was a spark of intrigue. His father had given him a task that mattered, something that could shift the balance of power. The Emperor saw it as a test of loyalty, but Darius saw it differently—an opportunity.
"Archduke Aleris…"
Darius moved swiftly through the palace, the grand halls echoing with his footsteps. Rylan fell into step beside him without needing a signal, his presence a steadying force amid the turmoil swirling in Darius's mind.
The knight had known Darius for seven years, a bond forged in shared secrets and silent understanding. Rylan's keen eyes were always observing, always calculating, making him an invaluable ally.
"Is it settled then?" Rylan broke the silence, his voice low and measured.
Darius nodded, his expression neutral. "It is."
Rylan's gaze flicked sideways, assessing the prince's demeanour. "The Emperor expects swift action," he noted, a hint of caution in his tone.
"He does," Darius replied, irritation creeping into his voice. "He's concerned about Archduke Aleris."
Rylan's brow furrowed slightly, his understanding evident. "Aleris is unpredictable."
Darius clenched his jaw, the thought of Aleris's potential betrayal gnawing at him. "Which is why the Emperor wants him closely monitored," he said, the edge in his tone sharpening. "I'll handle it myself."
Rylan paused, weighing his words. "You'll need to be discreet," he reminded, his voice steady. "We can't afford any missteps, especially not with the council watching."
"Of course," Darius replied tersely. "I've been playing this game long enough to know the stakes."
As they approached a window overlooking the city, Darius looked out. "I need to gather information," he muttered, half to himself. "But it's a delicate balance—one wrong move, and Aleris could sense the pressure."
Rylan's voice cut through the haze of Darius's thoughts. "Then you must play the part of the dutiful son, even as you investigate. Maintain the facade."
Darius turned his head slightly, meeting Rylan's unwavering gaze. "I'll do what needs to be done," he said, conviction lacing his words. "But I won't sacrifice my integrity for it."
Rylan regarded him thoughtfully. "Integrity can be a burden, Darius. Sometimes, you must be willing to bend if you want to survive in this court."
"Bending and breaking are two different things," Darius countered, frustration simmering below the surface. "I refuse to become a puppet."
Rylan studied him, recognising the fire in Darius's eyes. "Then you will need to be clever. Aleris is a master manipulator, but so are you."
Darius smirked at that, a flicker of amusement breaking through his tension. "Flattery won't get you anywhere, Rylan."
"It's not flattery if it's true," Rylan shot back, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Just remember that your charm can be a weapon, too. But let's shift gears for a moment. How do you feel about sending Victor to the battlefield?"
Darius's expression darkened at the mention of Victor. "He's just another pawn in the game."
Rylan studied him intently. "But underneath all that bravado aren't you worried?"
Darius clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Why should I care? Victor's always been a thorn in my side. He deserves this if he's too weak to stand against his father."
Rylan pressed. "His absence will change things for you, whether you like it or not."
"Good riddance," Darius snapped, but the words tasted bitter on his tongue. Deep down, he felt a pang of uncertainty. "He's a rival, and I've always wanted to beat him. But this… it's different. He's being sent to the battlefield like some expendable soldier."
Rylan's gaze softened, the concern in his eyes palpable. "You can deny it all you want, but it sounds like you're conflicted. Maybe it's worth examining why you feel this way."
Darius's frustration boiled over. "I don't need your armchair psychology, Rylan! The sooner he learns that power comes with sacrifice, the better."
"Just remember, the game is never just about power," Rylan replied, his tone growing serious. "It's about the choices we make and how they define us."
Darius bristled at the wisdom, unwilling to admit that there was any truth in Rylan's words. "Let's focus on what needs to be done," he said curtly, eager to change the subject.
"Fine," Rylan relented, but the concern lingered in his gaze.
This wasn't just rivalry; it was a game of survival, and he couldn't let emotions get in the way.
They walked in heavy silence for a while. Then Rylan spoke again, his words carrying a hint of caution. "You're not just here to do your father's bidding. And neither is this about keeping an eye on Lord Aleris, is it?"
Darius's jaw tightened slightly, though he gave nothing away. "What do you mean?"
Rylan sighed, his tone softening. "Sam," he said, and the single word hung in the air between them.
"I know about your visits to the church. You don't need to hide that from me."
Darius stopped again, his body stiffening as Rylan's words struck closer than he liked. He turned to face his guard, his expression guarded. "And what is it you think you know, Rylan?"
Rylan met his gaze evenly, unflinching. "I know that you're not out there just to gather information or play the role of a prince. There's something more driving you."
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Darius felt the weight of Rylan's insight pressing down on him, the uncomfortable truth that his guard could see more than anyone else.
"You always did know too much," Darius said softly, his voice lacking the usual bite. "But you also know not to ask too many questions."
Rylan smiled faintly, though there was no humour in it. "I've never needed to. I just follow where you lead."
They continued walking through the palace corridors, the air between them thick with unspoken words. Rylan had been by Darius's side long enough to know his role went beyond being just a knight. He understood Darius's secrets, and the weight placed on him. He didn't need everything spelt out.
As they approached Darius's chambers, Rylan spoke again, his tone calm yet pointed. "Will you be visiting the church again soon?"
Darius stopped at his door, his hand resting on the handle. He glanced at Rylan, a brief flicker of recognition passing between them. "Perhaps."
Rylan nodded, stepping back slightly. "I'll be ready… And remember, not all connections are beneficial. Choose wisely."
"Always," Darius assured him, grateful for his friend's support. "Thanks for looking out for me. It means more than you know."
"Just doing my job," Rylan said, a flicker of warmth in his gaze. "And my duty as a friend."