Tyran approached his Knight and placed a hand on his shoulder teleporting them to the emperess's quarters.
He pulled down the barrier before they stepped into the well lit bed chamber,drawing the attention of both princes who were playing by the barrier's entrance.
General Ren sat with a flexed knee in a corner,Carolene was nowhere in sight but he could clearly smell her from the hallway.
They both threw their arms around Tyran's leg but he crouched to face only his younger son,rubbing on his hair.
He turned to face Ruel who stood an inch away watching them then averted his gaze back to his younger son.
As Ruel drew closer and Ramses moved a step backward for him and Tyran's face twisted into a frown.
He made no move to touch him.
"Fa...father!"Ruel managed to say,his eyes sprinkled with a long desire for a father's warmth.
"Ren!...why is he here?"
When Ren only raised his head to glare at him,Tyran forced a smile at his older son before pulling the younger closer into his arms.
His face was laced with displeasure as he stared at Ruel whose tiny arms were clasped together.
'You are his father too'
Ramses said through his head and Tyran eyed him, bewildered.
'How can you use telepathy?'
'I don't know I just did,maybe cos am mad at you!...show him some love, he's also your son'
Tyran rose to his feet, locking eyes with his younger son.
'Unfortunately....even as your father and the emperor,I will not be able to give you all that you ask of me—'
Tyran didn't finish when the link was severed.
He tried establishing another but it had been blocked,he was shut out.
He crouched low again glaring at his son who returned the glare with a frown.
"You did that on purpose didn't you?"
Zero had been watching them before his eyes settled on the older son who walked over to him and handed him a gold elephant toy.
He wasn't even hiding his hatred for his younger son,he had heard was the child of a maid servant who had sinned by drugging him into laying with her
Such was the root of power struggles in royal families,he would grow neglected and come to despise his father,not that he cared.Unfortunately he was just another child who would bear the weight of his family's sins and die by his hand.
He felt to trace of pity for the child although he would choose him over the silvered haired brat anytime.
"What is your name?"Ruel asked and Zero bowed before crouching low with a wide grin,his long black hair gracefully falling down his shoulders.
"It's Zero...your Highness..."
Ruel retuned the smile,his hand moving to pull out a small lock of the Knight's hair.
"Your hair,black....shinnyyy...pretty".
Ruel's eyes twinkled excitedly and Zero grabbed his small hand rubbing on it .
"You flatter me your highness".
"What are you... pretty man?"
"A knight who now lives only to protect your father....who would both live and die for the imperial family".
Tyran rolled his eyes before they settled on him as he rose to his feet.
Really....
"What is the imperial family?..."
"Uhhh....well—"Zero's voice trailed off.He let out a soft chuckle then moved to pat on his head,locking eyes with the emperor as he did so.
The way Tyran's brows twitched from irritation only fueled his excitement as his hand switched from patting to rubbing gently on the little prince's head a little longer than he should.
Giving him that which his father refused to comfort him with.To Tyran he was clearly mocking him on purpose.
Ramses approached him asking for a head pat and Zero did the same, with no objection.
When Tyran flashed a malicious grin,his smile disappeared immediately dreading the emperor's next yet unspoken words.
"Ramses...I brought you both a friend who is amazing with children,he's going to watch over you for the rest of the day".
"Huhh!..."Zero raised an inquisitive brow,taking in the emperor's words.
When he realized what he meant his eyes widened.
"No your majesty...you...you can't do this to me"
He rose to his feet.
"Why?...why can't I?...do you by any chance mean I should add another day?"Tyran placed a hand under his jaw pretending to think it through.His voice was different—softier and saturated with mischief.
Ren suddenly raised his eyes before shutting and reopening them as his palm slammed against his forehead.
Tyran had finally lost it.
"You will remain here till tomorrow"Tyran said.
The knight clenched his fists with a cocky grin as Tyran backed him to leave.
"Are you sure?....are you not frightened I would do something delightfully—unexpected?"Zero's lips curved into a smirk.
"I am rather positive that you would exceed my expectations"
Zero's eyes drifted to the scarlet prince and his face contoured into a deep frown.
"Carolene!"he called out and the door leading to the chamber's hallway flew open.
"Your imperial majesty!". Carolene bowed slightly,carrying the prince's change of clothes.
"He will watch over Ramses with you, ensure he assists you in seeing to the Prince's wellbeing,tonight he will both feed and clean him and you three...will sleep in this room...report to me if he objects or refuse participation.You know what it means if you don't!"
He turned to eye the general whose head was lowered,gazing at the marble floor.He was certain had been listening.
For him he had no instruction.
He knew better than to leave the prince's side or take his eyes off Ramses for a second.
Tyran grabbed Ruel's hand and walked towards the barrier's entrance.
"Your majesty....I beseech thee...look upon me with favour just this once... I'm not in the right outfit your majesty,this is official wear".
His Knight pulled on his shirt,his eyes bulging in despair.
"Well what do you mean?...it is an official duty...bearing an imperial command".
Tyran flashed a broad smile as he walked out the open barrier leaving the knight slumping down to his knees.
******************************
"I know you all planning something real big and I want in"
Lord Tydor wordlessly watched Athena who sat comfortably on the seat his maid servant had offered her.
He eyed her suspiciously for a while then proceeded to take a seat from across her.
She had cut off from the rest of them after Gerald died so why now, and so suddenly.
He couldn't shake off the feeling of ingenuity in her request.
Lord Tydor placed the tea pot on the table before pouring her a drink.
He watched her,she hadn't blinked since she made that statement,her eyes clad with the kind of readiness he had never seen in her before.
"Why now?...I heard you loved him"Lord Tydor finally said as he dropped his tea cup.
"I did...but I didn't come here to discuss that...I want in and I have my reasons".
"What are they?"
"My duty to the empire". Athena muttered,she observed his eyes was laced with doubt.
Was she not trying hard enough to convince him?she had to try harder.
"You don't strike me as someone with Delvin s concerns at heart".
"Why do you think I joined in first place?...to rebel against the empire...you think I find treason intruiging?"
"That's not what I mean—"
"Lord Tydor I am dead serious... and I have a plan to get rid of the cursed prince". Athena cut in leaning in,
The Lord didn't look interested infact he
"No need,we have plans of our own".
"What if it fails?, everything so far to get rid of him has"
"Then we will deal with it ourselves".
"May I know what this plan is?"Athena asked and Tydor eyed her, the distrust in his eyes more evident than ever.
"No!...not until you prove your loyalty".
"What would you have me do!"
Athena gaze was unwavering,her eyes clad with the same seriousness in her tone.
"The Emperor's Knight.....bring me his head!".