"Your Majesty? Your Majesty, are you alright?"
Tesarius held himself back from flinching, trying his best to pretend like he hadn't just spaced out for a minute there as he stared out of the massive window overlooking the lush garden of the Palace. The sun was finally showing, casting its glittery rays all over the greenery below Tesarius after all the gloomy rain that lasted them a week.
Clearing his throat, Tesarius turned back to the Chancellor, his hands folded behind his back. "Quite alright, thank you. So, what does the Empress Dowager say about this?"
Tesarius, although had spaced out briefly, had a clear idea of what the Chancellor was talking about, which had actually been the reason behind his trance. It was the issue about the Royal Concubines he was to take in, and at the mere thought of bringing in more wives, a certain girl filtered his thoughts, making his heart clench.
Chancellor Barns looked down at the papers before getting back on track. "As you know, Your Majesty, the issue of Royal Concubines is of great importance at the moment, for taking in the right ladies would ensure your stability to the throne. So, it's natural for Her Highness the Empress Dowager to show her support for it."
Tesarius scoffed, making Chancellor Barns raise an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware I needed multiple wives to keep my throne, Chancellor."
"Well, it is more of-"
"And the Empress Dowager will never support this unless she has her own motives." Tesarius cut in, taking slow steps towards the Chancellor as he stared the man down. "So, tell me, Chancellor. What is my Grandmother really thinking?"
With every ounce of his energy, Barns tried his best to avoid meeting the King's eyes, but just because he avoided eye contact didn't mean the question had disappeared. Tesarius was still standing there, waiting for a response.
"W-Well, it's…"
"Speak."
"Her Highness seems to have a candidate of her own, Your Majesty."
Out of reflex, a smirk built on Tesarius's face, for this was exactly what he anticipated. His grandmother, or more like step grandmother, detested the very sight of him since he was but a child. And that hatred only grew in number when Tesarius had exiled her one and only true grandson after his father had staged a coup to overthrow Tesarius for the throne.
Having had taken the role of Emperor of Lanterbur at the mere age of fifteen after the untimely death of his father, Tesarius did everything to survive under his uncle and cousin and of course, his sweet grandmothers torment. Had it not been for his mother, Tesarius would have been a lost cause. Sadly, Empress Alicent passed away during the coup, where she was murdered by Tesarius's uncle who he later slayed for treason.
"Of course." Tesarius chuckled darkly, looking out the window again. "She wouldn't show her support without reason."
Chancellor Barns made no more comment, inwardly wincing to be in the middle of this family drama before Tesarius turned back to him again, startling him. "Well, do tell me. Who is this gracious lady chosen by my grandmother?"
"There are six chosen Concubines in total, Your Majesty." Barns begin, grateful to have a change of topic, although not literally. "First is Duke Lambort's daughter, Lady Jenivive Lambort. I had chosen her after clear inspection, for Your Majesty needs powerful people like Duke Lambort on your side."
"Next." Tesarius just wanted to know who his grandmother had chosen, so he could be aware.
Clearing his throat, Barns begin again. "Second is Lady Janna Jenkins, Count Jenkins second daughter. Count Jenkins had personally informed me about his intentions to let his daughter be of aid to Your Majesty and-"
"He wants to be in-laws with the Royal family. That is all." Tesarius shrugged it off carelessly. "Next."
"Next is-"
"Next is Lady Madeline Mormont, my sister."
At the sudden intervention of the familiar voice, a smirk lifted atop Tesariu's face as he turned around to find Marquis Edward Mormont, his closest ally and friend stalking inside the room with a smile of his own. While Barns held back his irritation for being interrupted over and over again, Edward seemed the least bit interested to care as he offered Tesarius a solemn bow. "Marquis Mormont at your service, Your Majesty."
"I can see that. You invited yourself in without my permission, why bother informing about your presence now?" If this was anybody else, Tesarius would have been more serious and reprimanded them for their disobedience. But this was his friend, Edward, the only one he was ever comfortable with inside the Palace.
Edward laughed, giving a shrug for a response. "I heard Chancellor Barns informing Your Majesty about the Concubine selection, so I thought I might tell you about my own dedication."
"Dedication?"
"Yes, my sister. Madeline. She's the third Concubine." Edward said all of it with a sincere smile, but all Tesarius could do was bark out a laugh. "Are you trying to become in-laws with the Royal family as well?"
"Okay, first of all, that was offensive." Edward remarked seriously, to which Tesarius only chuckled. "Second, Your Majesty does know the Mormont's have Royal blood in their veins too, don't you?"
"I do."
"See? Which means my only reason, or more like my sister's reason, is because of her devotion to Your Majesty. We mean only to strengthen our allegiance." Edward smiled with sincerity at his friend, but Tesarius already knew that. He had never doubted Edward, and always trusted the Mormont's ever since Edward became the Marquis. They were his strongest ally, with or without Madeline.
Which brought Tesarius back to the matter at hand. "Now we know Duke Lambort and Count Jenkins are our people. We have Marquis Mormont as our inside person as well. Who are the remaining three?"
Both Edward and Tesarius turned to face Barns, who patiently waited for his turn to speak. "The fourth Concubine is Lady Laira Salista, daughter of Baron Salista."
"A Baron?" Edward asked incredulously to which Barns nodded. "Indeed. It seems like Lord Salista had come to an agreement with the Lamborts of some sort. Either way, they are safe."
"Next."
"Princess Amalia Henning, daughter of King Driliss of Andrasia. I believe he wishes to show his loyalty through his daughter."
"Understandable." Edward agreed with a nod, his chin resting on his fingers as he thought out loud. "The Kingdom of Andrasia and Rovamer are the two vessel Kingdoms under Lanterbur. It is only natural for them to show their loyalty."
While they all nodded in agreement, it was only then did Edward's words seem to hit them at full force. Making the said man whip his head towards Barns in lightning speed. "Wait, does that mean…"
"Princess Aurora Evanov, daughter of King Henricus of Rovamer is the last Concubine. Also, the one chosen by the Empress Dowager."
No…
While Tesarius scoffed for the second time, Edward remained rooted to his spot, all the playfulness and mirth disappearing from his face which had suddenly gone ashen. He couldn't believe it. It wasn't possible.
Aurora…is the Empress Dowager's pawn? How can this be?
No…there must have been some sort of mistake. No, this isn't possible. This is-
"Edward? Are you alright?"
The voice of his friend Tesarius calling out to him in concern was what brought him back to his senses, as he flinched at the sudden attention directed towards him. "H-huh? Oh, I'm… I'm alright. I just… if you'll excuse me."
Offering a curt bow, Edward silently walked out of the Emperor's office while Tesarius stared after him. Once he was gone, the King turned back to Barns. "So, is it final then? These are the chosen ones?"
"According to the Empress Dowager and the Empress, yes. Their Highnesses have already given their approval, now it all comes down to Your Majesty. Do you wish to make any changes?"
Do I? Does it even matter?
I just want to get away from here. And go to her…
"No, it's alright. I shall approve."
Barns offered a smile of his own, bowing slightly. "Then it is settled, Your Majesty."
"Is there anything else?"
Please say no.
"No, Your Maj-"
"Then you are dismissed. I wish to leave the Palace for some business-"
"Are you going to the slums, Your Majesty?"
Taken aback by the Chancellor's words, Tesarius all but glared at the man with murder in his eyes. "Are you having me followed, Chancellor?"
"Not me, Your Majesty." Barns swallowed the bile in his throat, fearing the Emperor's wrath. "The Empress Dowager has."
What?
The EmpressDowager… how does she know about my visits to the Rovamer slums? Has she been keeping an eye on me all this time? If so, then…
"Your Majesty knows better than anyone else what kind of person the Empress Dowager is. If there is someone you meet-"
"There is no one!" Tesarius bellowed, feeling his anger bubbling to the surface. "No one."
"I shall hope so." Barns seemed calmer than before, but Tesarius knew this was affecting the Chancellor as well. "For the last thing any of us would want is for an innocent soul to fall victim to her Highness's wrath."
That… is true.
Sadly, it is.
I may not be harmed, but she will.
Aria will.
They will hurt Aria, to hurt me.
Aria… my precious Aria.
"You are dismissed." Tesarius whispered, ignoring the latter's final remake before he sank down on his chair. His head between his hands.
It has now come down to this.
I'm sorry, my Aria. I truly am sorry.