Chapter 173 - When His Majesty Had A Na (2)
Martia and the next Emperor had beco friends during the ti I was away. It was a surprise, and I was frightened by that, at first.
However, it couldn't have been bad.
I just didn't like that Martia could be involved with the Palace affairs and troubles, but she was smart. She would understand sooner or later.
In my first life, she had known first-hand how wicked the court could be, so she didn't need to explain. With so luck, she would have understood this ti too.
The easy way she called his majesty by na was unsettling, but she hadn't t him like an Emperor. Not even like a Prince. He was just an illegitimate son at that ti.
Their friendship seed to be helping both of them, so I didn't interfere. All I did was talk with Malholm and try to teach so sense to that little boy.
He listened to with so kind of wonder, probably wondering why I was teaching him all of that. Martia followed our conversations too, but she knew the reason behind them.
She just crooked her mouth and observed us in silence.
When the Emperor finally summoned , I prepared myself for the event. I was going to be sent to Polis, finally.
?You've done a good job, boy,? his majesty stated.
The throne room was dark, and a single counsellor was next to the throne. The illness must have kicked in, and judging from the environnt, it wasn't different from the last ti.
?It's ti you take your place here in the capital. People need to hear about you, to start loving you...?
The polite smile on my face froze as panic took the place of my hope. That was the opposite of what I was hoping for.
Even the gloomy aide observed on alert. I was too famous and too unpredictable to beco the next Emperor. It was the reason they pressed on my engagent out of Ethiro for the first ti.
I wasn't that worried about it since I already was on that little brat's side. There wasn't going to be a battle for the throne.
?What about Polis? I thought you needed my help, Imperial Uncle.?
?I'm tired of that city. My counsellors are preparing a treaty for that bitch. The costs have surpassed any profit we would have from the harbour.?
?That's correct, your majesty. We should use that money for sothing more profitable.?
In the end, my Queen was a good strategist. At fifteen, she managed to defeat an Empire!
?I've already summoned the youngest Grahm. I'll send him in a couple of years too. His father was the leading general, and he failed. They need to pay so price for it, am I right??
What? Why?
?Also, he's close in age with that bitch, so they'll get along.?
?Your majesty, is it wise to send the hair of one of the most relevant families in the Empire??
?Kyre is less relevant, then?? he snickered. ?Stop teasing my patience, boy. You can have any other woman. Why fixing on that one? She's insubordinate, and she'll act like a winner once the treaty is signed. She'll dare to order you around and pretend that you revere her at all tis.?
?What about my future wife?? I inquired, too impatient.
?You can choose just anyone. I can order a princess from abroad if you're into the royal type. Don't be this stubborn...?
?You're right, Imperial Uncle. I'm sorry,? I whispered. ?I'll stay in the capital.?
After all, I just had to resist for a few more months. The Emperor was going to die soon, with so luck before sending the engagent. And even if it is sent, I would simply find a way to prevent that man from being available.
?What will my tasks be, from now on, Imperial Uncle?? I inquired.
With those words, I hinted to the counsellor next to his majesty that I was ready to take over the duties of a crown prince.
If everything still worked the sa way it used to, I would be sent away once more.
I caught the glance from the aide, and I understood that the trigger was pulled. I just needed to be fast and precise in my next move. And it had to happen out of there.
?I'll tell you tomorrow. Also, I'll announce to the court that you're my official heir.?
?It's an honour, Imperial Uncle.?
?Mhm, yes, yes... Now, you can go. I have sothing to discuss with the next one.?
I bowed my head before leaving the throne room. At the door, I t Count Grahm with his son. At that mont, I realised that enemies could beco allies.
?Good day, Count,? I greeted him. ?We should have tea together when you have ti,? I muttered.
Leaving the throne room, I could sense that stare on my back. I couldn't imagine what the thoughts behind it were, but I could try to guess.
The next Emperor was already waiting for . The maids wondered why I would spend so much ti with him, talking about ruling at that.
I also talked with Count Grahm a few tis. We might have been considered friends, even if our conversations were mostly short and flat. He was worried about his son, and I selflessly empathised with his worries.
The second contact was with the Emperor's counsellor. He was a dark figure, and he was the one making decisions.
It was hard, but I managed to convince him that I was as crazy as the Emperor, but not that malleable. In the end, the exact day before I was going to beco the crown prince officially, his majesty inexplicably died.
It happened a couple of months earlier, yet a day later would have been too late.
I stood in the throne room, along with all the rest of the nobles, as the new Emperor walked towards the throne. A couple of guards stood by my side, careful about my every move. I wouldn't have hurt that child regardless, but it was fun to see how they all feared .
When Malholm arrived in front of the first step, he turned to . He was going to lose his childhood and accept the responsibility of a whole Empire.
He turned to and looked with all the surprise a kid could show. He asked , with his eyes, why I wasn't there instead of him. I just smiled reassuringly, and he returned his walk towards the throne.
When he sat, the guards around relaxed. They let take a step forward but not too close to the new Emperor.
?Alexander of Kyre greets his majesty,? I said and knelt on the ground. It was a clear signal for everyone, but rebels would have looked for regardless.
For the mont being, I had priorities. First of all, get out of there alive. Second, send Martia to Kyre.
Third, give enough reasons to those counsellors to send to Polis instead of that Samuel.
It shouldn't have been too difficult, given that I was a threat and his majesty didn't want to kill .
That ti, Martia didn't play along.
?I want to stay,? she declared.
?Don't be childish. It's dangerous.?
?It will be dangerous for you too. Also, you have to take care of Kyre until it's ti to go. I will stay here and keep company to Malholm.?
?You can't call his na anymore, Martia. He's the Emperor now; it's forbidden.?
?He's my cousin. And yours, too.?
?It doesn't change the law. Also, you might be on his good side now, but what makes you so certain that he won't change his idea? What if the aides decide that you're a threat and find a way to deal with you??
?I'm not that stupid, Xander.?
?But the Palace...?
?I'm not alone, this ti,? she whispered. ?I have friends, allies, a stable social standing... I won't beco gloomy and silent, I promise.?
She moved a lock of hair behind an ear and walked towards the garden.
?You better think of a way to reach your Queen. I heard that soone else is going to be promised to her. I can help you prevent it.?
?I have everything under control.?
?Do you??
I sighed, realising that Martia indeed wasn't a child anymore.
?I have a plan.?
?I will help you,? she smiled, strolling back to . ?I will return to you the favour I owe you. I won't ever marry out of Ethiro. No one will dare to propose it to his majesty. Not for so ti at least.?
?Don't be that sure about it, just keep in mind that...?
?Xander,? she stopped . ?I know his majesty better than anyone else. He's been alone for all his life. You should understand him, right? You've been the only one rembering a past that didn't happen.?
She chuckled when she noticed my expression, while I wondered when my little sister had ti to grow up like this.
?I will make sure those geezers don't corrupt our young Emperor. And I'll watch out for the threats that want to cut Ethiro in pieces.?
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