After Vaelorian's triumphant reunion with Riven, he knew he couldn't linger long in the Ashbourne's manor. His disappearance had been noticed, and the Emperor would be waiting for an explanation of his son's conduct—and his immediate future. With one last fierce kiss and a shared promise of seeing each other soon, Vaelorian teleported back to the imperial Palace.
Vaelorian found his father, exactly where he expected: in the private study, reviewing the finalized annulment papers. The Empress was also present, offering a silent, steady pillar of support.
The Emperor looked up, his expression unreadable, a mixture of political fatigue and displeasure.
"Vaelorian, you missed the celebration of your freedom. Where were you?"
Vaelorian stood tall, discarding his usual frivolous demeanor. He looked exhausted but resolute. "I was celebrating my freedom, Father. And I was confirming the strength of my political choice. I have come to tell you the truth."
The Emperor set down his pen. "I assume this concerns Lord Riven of House Ashbourne?"
"It does," Vaelorian confirmed, meeting his father's gaze without flinching. "Mother has already explained my strategy: that my disastrous behavior was designed to end the betrothal and prevent a diplomatic crisis. That strategy was executed for one reason: I am in love with Riven, and I will not marry anyone else."
The words hung in the air, blunt and unequivocal. The Empress offered a small nod of acknowledgement to her son.
The Emperor leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the desk. He did not explode; he simply analyzed.
"I surmised as much. The desperation in your sabotage was too potent to be mere acting. This is a considerable complication, Vaelorian. Not because of his gender—in this age, that is a secondary consideration—but because of his standing."
"He is the heir of Duke Ashbourne and he has proved his competence every day since I met him." Vaelorian countered, ready for the argument.
The Emperor paused. "I already have a measure of respect for the boy, I will grant you that," he admitted, a grudging note entering his voice. "It was young Lord Riven, during his time at the camp, who was able to bring the corruption and treachery of Duke Morwyn to light, because of his fearlessness and cunning. He displayed a loyalty to the Crown and a keen mind for justice that I have not forgotten. He is not a weak-willed boy."
This admission was a colossal victory, but the Emperor quickly returned to the central, unavoidable hurdle. "However, I have just dissolved an alliance and risked war because of your... affections for him. I must now secure our bloodline. The primary issue, Vaelorian, remains the heir. If you marry Lord Riven, who provides the successor to the Crown?"
Vaelorian had anticipated this. He maintained his composed posture. "Father, medicine has come a long way thanks to the efforts of our gifted doctors. There are solutions, and various worthy cousins in the line of succession. I'm not blind to the fact that my current instability has already risked the throne. However, I need Riven by my side to guarantee my full focus and devotion to the Empire. We must prioritize the future emperor's stability over the future empress's womb."
The Emperor sighed, a deep, tired sound. He looked from his son to his wife, seeing their unified front. He recognized the political truth in Vaelorian's words: a stable, focused emperor, even without an immediate heir, was far better than a miserable, rebellious one.
"Very well," the Emperor conceded, his gaze sharp and final. "You may pursue this. But I warn you, Vaelorian. Lord Riven will not be treated as a consort of lesser standing. He will be expected to produce results. I will be watching the Ashbourne estates. You have guaranteed his political value; now he must prove it. Ensure your love does not compromise the Crown's stability."
The Empress smiled, and Vaelorian felt a wave of profound gratitude. The most difficult battle had been won, not with swords or secrets, but with honesty and political pragmatism. The path to Riven was now officially, if conditionally, clear.
The next morning, Vaelorian was so excited he practically vibrated across the Palace grounds, desperate to tell Riven the good news and lay out the next step. Vaelorian didn't even bother knocking when he teleported back outside the Ashbourne study. He found Riven and Barron elbow-deep in maps and financial scrolls.
"It's settled! He didn't forbid it!" Vaelorian announced, sweeping a pile of charts off a chair and collapsing into it. "My father is fine with... us. Mostly. He accepted the betrothal is over for good!"
Riven pushed his hair back, a wave of relief washing over his face. "Seriously? Just like that? No banishment? No tower?"
"No banishment, no tower," Vaelorian confirmed, grinning. "Just one condition: stability. He needs you to be an asset, not a liability. He needs proof our relationship won't destroy the Crown."
"We're already on it," Barron interjected, pointing to a map. "We're setting up the Northern Garrison supply contract. Economic proof."
"Excellent!" Vaelorian clapped his hands. "But I need one more thing. Something that will really seal the deal and make my father trust you completely." He turned to Riven, his expression turning serious.
"What is it?" Riven asked, feeling a prickle of caution.
Vaelorian looked him straight in the eye. "I want you to accept the position as an Emperor's Knight. You earned that commission, Riven. It puts you directly under the Crown's banner and shows my father you're committed to service, not just land management."
Riven stared, then let out a sharp, incredulous laugh. "The Knight Squad? Are you kidding me? The very thing I refused out of pettiness because I wanted nothing that reminded me of you and the imperial Palace? You want me to go back and wear that uniform? What will they think?"
Vaelorian looked sheepish but honest. "Yes. I know it's a huge thing to ask. But, it's the smartest political move. But honestly," he paused, turning to look at Barron before deciding to use telepathy. "I admit it, I want to see you in the uniform. You looked so fierce and sexy when you trained. I've been dying to see you in that uniform and also... It's the only way to make up for the months of agony I caused you."
Riven tried not to blush as Barron looked between them, probably wondering why the Prince stopped talking as he felt his resolve waver at the raw honesty and shameless flirtation, a grin fighting its way onto his face.
Riven decided to torment Vaelorian a bit. "So, you betrayed me, almost made me castrate you, and now you want me to wear the knight uniform because you want to see how sexy I look in it?"
Barron's reaction was priceless when Riven said those words out loud meanwhile Vaelorian just smirked.
"It is a truly beautiful shade of Imperial blue, you can't blame me for wanting to see what it'll look like on you." Vaelorian pleaded his case, fluttering his eyelashes dramatically.
"Okay... I think that's my cue to leave!" Barron exclaimed loudly before dashing out.
Riven rolled his eyes, but his voice was firm when he finally spoke. "Fine. You're right. I accept it's the smartest move even though I know it's your horny side speaking. A Lord who is also a Knight is twice the asset. I'll accept the commission. But you owe me so much wine for this."
Vaelorian surged forward and hugged him tightly. "You're the best. I'll send the request immediately!"
As Vaelorian teleported away to handle the official Knight commission, Riven turned to Barron who'd come back after the Prince's departure, the excitement quickly settling into sharp, strategic focus.
"You heard the Prince. The Emperor requires stability and commitment. The goal is twofold now: Lordship and Knighthood," Riven stated.
Barron nodded, folding the maps neatly. "Perfect. You'll be doing the ceremonial duties, but we keep the main focus here. The Emperor can't fault you for prioritizing economic growth."
"Exactly," Riven affirmed, slamming his hand on the desk. "Vaelorian is free, but we are not free from the Emperor's expectation. We have to secure that North Garrison Supply Contract, Barron. That's Phase Two."
Riven spread a new ledger sheet. "Vaelorian may be free from Lyra, but he still needs to prove he chose someone worthy. We use the revenue from this contract to not only improve our lands but the lands of our neighbors. We show the Emperor that our relationship benefits the entire empire, not just Vaelorian's heart."
"Operation divide and conquer is officially on," Barron summarized with a grin. "You have the full support of my house. We'll need to leave for House Veridian first thing tomorrow. You handle the negotiation, I'll handle the muscle and the security escort. Let's show the Emperor exactly what kind of indispensable asset he's gaining."