Spark King sat on a metallic chair in his largest office. He had finished most of his duties as King and was now having a meeting with the highest authority over criminal-related aspects.
The Spark King was large, over 2 meters tall while standing on his feet. This height, when his head was curved downward as a bipedal lizard, made him look enormous even among his brethren. While sitting, he placed his elbow on the armrest, bringing his hand up to hold his large, red-skinned lizard chin securely.
"How did it go? Did he say anything?"
The female lizard at the side lowered her body as she answered. "We've placed Tornak in confinement as the law speaks. Following such, we've also stopped him from visiting Lord Spark King to utter excuses."
Spark King nodded, confused. "Still, what happened? The army that he took has returned mostly intact. Besides a few deaths due to the long journey, there are zero fatalities due to combat, right?"
The female lizard answered, her head still lowered. "This one thinks that Tornak decided to retreat due to fear. Nevertheless, we will only know for sure once we ask the rest of his army."
After she said that, the female Ember Salamander sneered inwardly. 'That woman's son has finally encountered a setback, right in my jurisdiction as well. Tornak, Tornak, I'll make you pay for the sins of your mother! The next time, let's see if that slut steals my position again. I've waited decades for this sweet revenge!'
Outwardly, she showed nothing out of place, though. The Spark King sighed and nodded. "Who would've thought that my child would become what I detest the most? I really want to strip away his rights to become my successor, even when he is the most promising one among all my children."
The female salamander raised her head slowly and asked, curious. "Lord Spark King, may I be a bit rude now that we are both alone? Since you've brought that up, I have a presumptuous suggestion."
The man blinked, turning his head toward the female by his side. "What is it? You've been serving me loyally for many years, so a bit of disrespect is not a problem."
The female nodded and cautiously approached, showing her neck's smooth scales and wagging her tail seductively. "That… Since Tornak ended up as such, have you thought of creating a new progeny that you can raise properly? Tornak was born during the last few years of the war, so Lord Spark King was unable to guide him since he was a child. With the new peace, Lord Spark King can create a King of Kings by focusing your attention since they are a child."
The Spark King's ember-colored eyes flickered as his mouth arched. "And who do you recommend as the mother between my females?"
The female elder walked up to him, lowering her head and body to show submissiveness. "The ladies would probably protest if you chose any of them. Therefore, I think that raising a child from someone outside Lord Spark King's harem is best."
"Heh." The Spark King laughed once, stretching one hand toward the woman. The woman was delighted and placed her chin on his extended palm, her eyes glowing with elation.
The man grasped her chin tightly, raising her face by pulling her towards him, and squinted. "This is indeed something disrespectful and rude to ask. Are you asking this King to become a second-rate male who has children behind his females' back?
The woman panicked for a second, but she quickly steeled her mind. If it were before Tornak was jailed, she wouldn't have dared to pull today's stunt. Now, though… "I… do not ask for Lord Spark King's love. I also promise to take care of the child without disclosing his origin. This female only desires to give birth to your majesty's child."
Showing a weak side while not resisting the tight pull of the King, it allowed her to make the Spark King waver slightly. Their society didn't have a monogamous culture, so it wouldn't really be a problem for him to add another female to his harem.
Nevertheless, he and his concubines had been together since the War. Without their help, the Spark King doubted that he would achieve the level of success he currently enjoyed. Therefore, after the war, he refrained from adding a new female to his harem.
Sadly, during the last few decades, his females seem to have turned against each other, sabotaging whoever was pregnant. 'They think I don't know that they are playing tricks, but how could I not know what is happening in my backyard? As time passes, they are becoming increasingly ruthless and vicious… Sigh.'
With some tiredness behind his eyes, the Spark King glanced at the woman wagging her tail and lying limp in his hand. 'I told them to stop playing tricks, but they just won't listen. The latest miscarriage happened just over 6 months ago…'
With his wealth, strength, and the beauty of his wives, he naturally wanted to have a whole castle full of children. Spread his bloodline far and wide, becoming a King to be remembered through the ages. Regrettably, the strong personalities of his wives were making it impossible. At least, they stopped trying to kill each other after that one time.'
There was one time when one of the wives fell victim to a poison scheme, eventually dying. At that time, he was furious to the point that he dragged the culprit and all her servants to be beaten to death in front of the rest of the wives and servants. That day, everyone in his residence trembled in fear, thinking that they would all be slaughtered.
Since then, they all understood where his bottom line was. 'Not dying during the war but back at home? How could I allow something like that?' The miscarriages hurt him at a soul level, but at least the women he cared for remained healthy afterward. Only, their psyche was crumbling down, something even he was unaware of due to the lack of culture regarding mental health.
After mulling over it, he looked at the woman and thought about her. 'I was meant to marry this one as my first wife instead of the Queen, wasn't I? Only, things seemed to have twisted at some point. I am glad they did, as my Queen has been nothing but exceptional. Still…'
"Alright. Let's see if you will truly pull through your words, Rhazkara Embermaw."
"Kyan!"
Rhazkara screamed coquetishly when the Spark King pulled her towards him. Then, the relatively empty study room was filled with sounds that would make one blush.
***
Around two weeks after that, Rhazkara finally gathered all the news about what happened in front of the Divine Beast Forest. Looking at the reports, she was honestly startled. "This…" Her hand went to her stomach, rubbing it with concern. "If Lord Spark King gets to know about this, Tornak will not be punished but rewarded, won't he?"
Rhazkara was torn at that moment. On one hand, she wanted to continue to be loyal and report the truth. However, the last two weeks had been so happy that she was reluctant to end them as they were.
'If… I delay… Hm.' She lingered on those thoughts and frowned. 'That wouldn't really work. On the contrary, not reporting as soon as I get to know this will only make him suspect that I purposely placed Tornak in jail so that I could have his affection. Now that my pregnancy is still not confirmed, executing me wouldn't be too hard. Doing so, he will also bury all his mistakes with me…'
Rhazkara scratched her neck, her mind going as fast as it could. 'But… What if I am not pregnant yet? I don't think that Lord Spark King will continue mixing with me if he knows, and my only chance in decades to get back at that annoying woman will disappear.'
"Lady Rhazkara, can I enter?"
Hearing someone call her snapped her out of her thoughts. "Come in."
A brown-colored male Ember Salamander entered the room, his body reaching around 175 centimeters tall. He was only slightly taller than Rhazkara. "Lady, when do we send the report to Lord Spark King?"
Rhazkara's tail slapped the ground a few times in annoyance. "Wait for a bit… Let me organize everything before we report. We can't do it half-heartedly."
The salamander man frowned, confused. "Isn't this news too important to delay?"
Rhazkara, already carrying tons of anxiety from receiving the reports about Liu Shu, became angry and shouted. "I said to wait! Now leave me alone!"
The man jumped in fear, scurrying out of the room as fast as he could.
After screaming at him, some of her messy thoughts relaxed. The urge to just hide it went away as she sighed deeply. '...Was it not meant to be in the end?'
If she hid it, there was a chance that the being described with the ability to crumble mountains would eventually destroy their empire. She was willing to sacrifice many things to be with the King, but she was intelligent enough to maintain her current position with ability and competence, without resorting to tricks. So, eventually, she picked everything she needed and made her choice.
Back in the palace, the Spark King was spending time with the Queen when a servant arrived. "Lord Spark King, Lady Rhazkara is asking for your presence. It seems to be something urgent."
The Queen's smiling expression faltered, her red-colored eyes squinting at that information. 'Is that woman planning something?'
She knew what she did when they were younger, so she had always been a bit on guard against her. Nevertheless, she didn't take her seriously at all and ignored her for all this time.
Only lately had she noticed that Rhazkara was visiting the palace much more often and even managed to keep her child in prison. So, to say that she was angered would be an understatement.
Spark King tilted his head, not recalling any report that she needed to deliver. 'Is she getting greedy?'
While he suspected her, he didn't dare show anything outwardly. He knew very well how intelligent his wives were. "Alright, tell her to wait. I'll be there soon."
The Queen waited for the servants to leave before speaking. "Lord… how about you try and convince her to let our child free? If he is imprisoned for too long, it will affect his future position as the King."
The King glanced over at her and smiled. "I will try my best. However, we can't make exceptions for our royal family. Otherwise, our other officials will get strange ideas as well. Only by the very top maintaining the rules alive will the rest follow."
The Queen nodded, but she added. "Even then, I do think that Rhazkara's actions are a bit too strict. Some leniency on the royal family is needed. Otherwise, how can we govern during the hard times?"
Before they continued, a voice interrupted. "Lord Spark King. Excuse me, but the report is truly important. I can't wait for you to finish your tea with the Lady."
The Queen glared over and shouted. "Insolent! You will be demoted!"
Rhazkara snorted and ignored her, walking over to the king and placing the reports on top of the table. The Spark King was always looking at Rhazkara, trying to see if she was doing this out of spite or jealousy. His wives had accustomed him to doing so after so many decades of conflict. Strangely, while he saw some disdain in Rhazkara's eyes, there was nothing too obvious other than a hint of reluctance. 'Reluctant? Why?'
"Wait, Queen. Let me read the report first."
Ignoring the unsatisfied expression of the Queen, he read the reports. The Queen thought that it would be nothing, but the more the Spark King read, the more his facial features changed to those of shock. "...Rhazkara, come with me. We will go and see Tornak right away. Servants, send the Queen back to her sleeping quarters."
The Queen was confused, but before she could ask, she noticed the man and woman leaving at a hurried pace.