"Uh…"
Aaran sat up, clutching his head. It felt like a thousand skewers had been shoved into his skull. While it was annoying, the yelling outside the door was even worse.
"How dare you stop ?" Analeis yelled. "Prince Aurelia is my master. I have the right to tend to him."
"His Highness is in no condition to talk with you," a knight explained. "You can et him if he wants to et you."
"That's so bullshit, and you know—"
"What's going on here?" Aaran yelled, opening the door.
Just as he did, Analeis shoved the knights aside and pulled Aaran into a hug. It wasn't how a maid should behave, but Analeis didn't care.
It had been two weeks since she last saw him. The servants and knights kept saying Aaran was ill and needed rest, but Analeis didn't believe them.
She had even sent countless letters to Aurelia for the king and queen to intervene, but all her requests went unanswered. That's why she was determined to see him, even if it ant getting executed later.
"Go inform His Majesty that the prince is awake," a knight said.
One knight left, while the other thought about how to separate the maid from their master. In the end, he couldn't and just waited for the Emperor to show up, which he did in a few minutes.
The Emperor frowned upon seeing Analeis next to Aaran. For two weeks, he had put Aaran in an induced coma, slowly overwriting his will. Today was supposed to be the last session, but Aaran woke up before he could do anything.
However, the Emperor had a way to test the fruit of his labor.
"It's good to see you awake, son," he smiled, ruffling Aaran's hair. "You had us all worried."
"My sincere apologies for worrying you, Your Majesty—"
Aaran stopped all of a sudden. His mories were foggy. He rembered addressing the Emperor formally at all tis, but for so reason, it felt strange now.
"Son, are you alright?" the Emperor asked, looking worried.
"Yes, I'm fine… father."
Father.
The Emperor smiled the mont he heard that word. He had been worried when Aaran began addressing him formally. Thankfully, it was just brain fog.
As for Aaran, even he felt strangely comfortable addressing the Emperor as his father. Analeis was the only one shocked and even attempted to subtly correct his mistake.
"Your Highness, that's the Emperor," she said. "It's disrespectful to address him without proper—"
"Did I allow you to speak in my presence?" the Emperor glared at her. "How Aaran addresses is between the two of us. You have no right to interfere, insolent fool."
"My apologies, Your Majesty."
Analeis sensed sothing was off with Aaran. He would never address the Emperor as his father of his own will. It was important to stay by his side to figure out the truth, and that's why she apologized, hoping the Emperor wouldn't see through her act.
Unfortunately for her, the Emperor was no fool. He saw right through Analeis.
"You disgust . Throw her in prison. Donovan, summon the ministers. We'll hold a trial and execute her!"
The knights moved to restrain Analeis, and Donovan nodded.
Analeis looked around. Aaran was right next to her. She could grab him and flee the scene. However, she wasn't confident she could fight her way through while protecting Aaran.
Moreover, they were in Velrune. Thousands of soldiers were stationed there, ready to move at the Emperor's command. As such, getting out of the city was impossible.
The more she thought about it, the clearer it beca.
The Emperor wanted her dead to suppress the issue of Aaran's strange behavior.
I have to inform Queen Amara about this. Even if it ans sacrificing my life.
Analeis was ready to fight her way out of Velrune alone, but then sothing strange happened. Aaran bowed before the Emperor.
"Father, it's my fault for not teaching her," he said. "If you want to quell your anger, direct your rage at . Do not let her filthy blood dirty your hands."
Everyone was taken aback by Aaran's words. To Analeis, it seed Aaran was saving her, and to the rest, it looked like he sincerely believed he was at fault.
Either way, the Emperor was pleased.
Aaran was under his thumb, and that's what he wanted. As for Analeis, since Aaran had taken the bla on himself, the Emperor no longer wanted to punish her.
Well, he was the Emperor—he could do anything. But his control over Aaran was still fragile. The Emperor didn't want so traumatic event to trigger Aaran's mories and make things complicated.
I can have the assassins eliminate her later. For now, Aaran's mind is more important than the maid's silence.
The Emperor was lost in thought, his gaze shifting between Aaran and Analeis.
"Fine, I accept your apology," he said, looking at Analeis. "However, you have disrespected , and I can't let it go unpunished. You're relieved of your duties. Leave Velrune and never return, or else I won't be so kind."
Analeis couldn't accept that but clenched her fists and bowed profusely, praising the Emperor's generosity through gritted teeth. After a last look at Aaran, she left, escorted by the knights.
"I wanted to thank you, son," the Emperor said, embracing Aaran. "You saved Eleanor… even at the risk of your life. I know no matter what I give you, it won't be enough, but I can't let this go unrewarded."
"Father, I did what any son would. We might not be blood-related, but for , your words and wishes are absolute."
The Emperor could barely hold his happiness. He had the son he always wanted. The Empire's future was secured, but more importantly, the Trantua lineage could carry on.
"I must have done so good deeds to get a son like you," the Emperor smiled. "However, you deserve a reward, and I won't take no for an answer."
With that, the Emperor took his arm, and together, they walked toward the treasury, where Aaran's reward awaited. anwhile, Donovan left to execute the Emperor's will and silence Analeis.
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