The emperor's office
The emperor's office exuded authority and opulence, its high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings that mirrored the imperial seal. Damian Orion Lyon, Emperor of Agaron, sat behind a grand mahogany desk, his posture regal but deceptively relaxed. His golden eyes, a symbol of the imperial bloodline, flicked over a document as the soft chime of a clock echoed throughout the chamber.
Edward Stanford, the Emperor's personal butler and confidant for nearly two decades, knocked on the ornate door with an elaborate brass knocker. The man exuded a quiet authority, his brown hair streaked with silver and his light brown eyes sharp with observation.
"Your Majesty," Edward began, his tone formal yet familiar. "Before you leave for the court hearing, there is something that needs your attention."
Damian sighed, leaning back in his chair with a faint groan. "This better not be another one of your lists, Edward. Today isn't a good day for a new lecture." He knew his butler would strategically choose his timing whenever he felt Damian needed a scolding. He needed to ensure that his target did not have time to flee. There were only thirty minutes until the hearing, and Edward was likely to take at least half of that time.
"Would that be only a list?" Edward replied, his tone dry. "Unfortunately, it seems another of your fleeting companions has come forward with a rather... delicate claim."
Damian groaned audibly, dragging a hand over his face. "Let me guess. She's pregnant, and I'm the supposed father?"
"Precisely," Edward said without missing a beat. "Lady Rosaline of Trennova, the daughter of a minor noble family, recently settled in the Norave. She insists the child is yours."
Damian rolled his eyes. "Of course she does. You would think they would have thought of something more creative by now. I am curious as to why I am the father and not her new husband."
Edward folded his hands behind his back, his expression as controlled as ever. "The protocol will be the same as always, Your Majesty. She will be cared for by imperial doctors until the pregnancy is confirmed, at which point the fetus will be tested for imperial blood. If the claim is proven false, she will be quietly dismissed."
"Perfect," Damian said, leaning forward with a smirk. "You've got this down to science, haven't you, Edward? I'm impressed."
"Years of practice, Your Majesty," Edward replied, his voice laced with subtle sarcasm. "Though I must once again remind you that your... indiscretions invite unnecessary complications."
Damian laughed, his gold eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ah, and there it is, the lecture. If I did not know better, Edward, I would think you enjoyed chastising me. But don't forget that the court wants an heir. I do what I can." He shrugged lightly.
"Someone must scold you, Your Majesty," Edward replied, his expression unyielding. He refused to address the second part of his master's replay. He was not sleeping with women for children, but rather for pleasure. "And it seems no one else in the palace has the nerve."
Damian grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Touché. Fine, I'll consider your advice. Eventually."
Their exchange was interrupted by a knock at the door. A guard stepped in, bowing briefly. "Your Majesty, Maximilian Thornwell has arrived at the palace."
Damian's expression shifted, warmth softening the sharp edges of his features. "Maximilian," he murmured.
The guard bowed again before stepping out. Damian turned to Edward, his expression contemplative. "It seems like George is moving faster than we thought. Their decision is on today's hearing schedule. "It will undoubtedly be an entertaining day."
"Indeed, Your Majesty," Edward replied. "But Your Majesty has to be cautious. Even if the adoption of Maximilian as an heir to the Claymore name and title seems to be in our favor, I have my doubts about the current duke's intentions."
Damian's jaw tightened slightly. "Max is a good man, too good to be a pawn in George's games. He's earned his place here on his own merit. This adoption... is unnecessary. George has a son and heir. "
Edward's gaze softened, a rare expression of understanding crossing his face. "Your concern does you credit, Your Majesty. Maximilian values your opinion above all others, even if he doesn't always say so. He knows George better than anyone."
Damian allowed a faint smile. "He's my brother, Edward. If George is setting him up for something dangerous, I'll tear apart whatever scheme he's plotting and him with it."
"But I fear that George is still mad that Maximilian refused to be a candidate to the throne in my favor." He laughed bitterly. "Should I tell him that I have no problem with that?"
Edward did not want to respond; he knew both men from their childhood and could tell Damian was the better choice. He was able to take action and make decisions that others couldn't.
Damian rose from his seat and, with the hearing schedule in his right hand, looked outside. He destroyed the palace of the old dynasty and built another one, even greater on it's ashes and dead bodies of the former imperial family. His office was on the third floor of the palace, and his window provided a perfect view of the people entering the public areas.
After a pause, Damian's expression grew thoughtful. "Edward, let me ask you something. Is it possible for an alpha to sense the pheromones of a marked omega?"
Edward blinked, startled by the abrupt shift. "Under normal circumstances, Your Majesty? No. A marked omega's pheromones are suppressed to all but their mate. Why do you ask?"
Damian's tone turned light, though there was an underlying seriousness to his words. "Oh, just idle curiosity. Let's say I wanted to confirm a few... anomalies. Hypothetically speaking, of course."
Edward narrowed his eyes, his brow furrowing slightly. "Hypothetical or not, it's unusual for you to entertain such curiosity. Is there something I should know?"
Damian waved him off with a chuckle. "Nothing worth troubling yourself over, Edward. I was just testing a theory."
Edward didn't look convinced but chose not to press the matter. Instead, he straightened, his tone returning to its usual professionalism. "There are only fifteen minutes until the hearing. Should Your Majesty prepare for leaving?"
"Yes," Damian said firmly. "And have a report on Gabriel von Jaunez ready by the evening. I want every detail. If George is positioning Maximilian for something bigger, Gabriel will be his key player. I need to know what kind of man he is and whether he poses a threat."
Edward nodded, waiting for the Emperor to put his ceremonial robe on.
"Edward," Damian said, his tone lighter. "Do you think my marriage will make your life easier?"
"If Your Majesty were to settle down, it would certainly reduce the volume of claims I have to investigate. However, I suspect you'd find new ways to complicate my life."
Damian laughed; the sound was rich and genuine. "Fair point."
Damian stood from his desk, shrugging on the dark red imperial robe draped over a nearby chair. The rich fabric, embroidered with golden threads that mirrored the seal of the empire, settled over his broad shoulders as Edward moved to smooth out a minor crease at the hem. Damian waved him off gently.
"I can manage, Edward. It's not as if the court will notice a wrinkle."
"They would notice if you arrived without the dignity expected of an Emperor," Edward replied dryly, though he stepped back, his hands clasped behind his back.
Damian chuckled softly, adjusting the robe's clasp at his neck. His golden eyes flickered toward the window, the pale light of midmorning spilling across the office floor. The view is sprawling with courtiers and petitioners entering the public areas below.
Edward stepped forward, offering a final inspection of the ensemble before bowing. "You look every bit the ruler they expect, Your Majesty."
Damian smirked. "Good. Let's see if it's enough to keep them silent today."
Edward approached the desk and took out a black leather folder. "The agenda for today's hearing, Your Majesty. Everything has been arranged."
Damian gestured for Edward to hand the folder to a nearby attendant. "Good. Let's see what George's next move will be."
As he stepped into the corridor, his face became impenetrable, and his eyes lost the mischievous glint he had with Edward. The rhythmic echo of his elegant shoes on the marble floor filled the air. Guards stood at attention along the walls, their expressions stoic. Courtiers and officials bowed as Damian passed, their murmurs trailing behind him like whispers in the wind.
The grand hallway leading to the hearing hall was a work of imperial architecture; its arched ceilings were painted with scenes of Agaron's victories, and magical enchantments were in place to add to the scene when significant events occurred in the Empire. Damian's eyes barely flicked over them. His focus was ahead, on the double doors of the hall where the fate of his younger brother's future would be debated.
Edward kept pace beside him, his voice low. "Your Majesty, a reminder: the adoption hearing is the third item on the agenda. Prior to that, there is a matter concerning the coming of age ball, the start of the social season, and Taloma Pass's relationship with Donin Republica."
Damian nodded. He already knew the agenda, but he liked Edward's enthusiasm.
The doors to the hearing hall swung open as Damian approached, the guards on either side saluting crisply. The murmur of voices within fell silent as the Emperor entered, his presence commanding the room.
Damian's golden gaze swept over the gathered nobles and officials before settling on the seat at the center of the room. With measured steps, he ascended the dais and took his place, his expression calm but resolute.
"Let us begin," he declared, his voice carrying authority that left no room for dissent. And so, the game of power continued, each move calculated, each decision a ripple in the grand tapestry of the empire.