Frowning, he rapidly circled various numbers written on the paper in hand.
A paper containing the number of things inhabiting inside the royal treasury.
Things were missing, more than he thought possible in years filled with war and bloodshed.
And the one responsible almost had it's name written upon with bold black letters.
It seems he would have to update the proof of embezzlement he had previously written.
He sighed and just at that moment the door opened without a knock.
''Your majesty, Lord Hawking's has come to visit.''
His servant didn't leave him time to prepare, didn't let him mutter a complaint or a simple command to let him in.
He moved and in his wake Hawking's entered with grace.
And there in his hands, he held a paper he had carefully crafted, torn of the royal sigil.
''How do you have that!?"
He had stood, palms hitting his desk harder then intended and voice echoing around louder then he thought possible.
''I visited the Queen, she had some interesting things to say.''
Zephyrus, he had taken to the name as it was now his own, faltered.
Aware of the implications of said words as a smirk lingered on Hawking's lips, the words had left him easily.
As if now he had backing, as if the conversation had enlightened Lord Hawkings and left him unafraid of anything.
''Leave.''
He commanded tired but there was no doubt in Hawking's eyes, he knew it wasn't him, he had said the command too.
''You, leave.'' his finger pointed, glare accusingly as if it was all the others fault, to the servant.
''Your majesty...?''
''Once more, leave.''
He did, finally.
''So your majesty, it was a surprise to see her majesty.
The walls were empty, it was all but an invitation.''
Both didn't move but the power play was very much present, very much suffocating.
But he was getting used to the feeling and went with it.
''She invited me to stay for longer, we drank tea together, the expensive kind.
The one you especially order apparently.''
Hissing Zephyrus played the game. ''what are you getting at!!??"
With the changing of vibe, lord Hawking's screamed, in a way that still made him look composed.
That made him, the emperor, look as if just childsplay.
''How long were you gonna play pretend!?
Acting so mighty when your just a puppet on a string!''
''You dare-""She told me all about it.''
He did dare, dare to interrupt him.
A surge of arrogance or something swirled inside him and if he didn't make the other regret, he would burn the world instead.
''The way you cowered when your brother's blood tainted your hands, the way you let your nephew escape with his head attached.
The ways you failed and keep failing to break free.''
With a thud layered with glee, the paper landed in his desk.
It seems his words, had made a very strong impression upon his sister in law.
''She was most displeased when she recieved this.
It was almost fate that I happened to pass by today.''
Fate?
He decreed what it would mean.
''She is expecting you.''
Stunned, he looked at the paper, his handwriting staring back at him, as Hawking's turned and walked like the almighty.
Believing and reveling in his schock.
''Oh right before I forget, she demanded you to stop playing silly games without an ending.
Just stick to the puppet playing your string.
Or it won't end with your brother's blood coating your hands.''
Oh goodness, that was....deserving of a breakdown.
Screaming curse after curse as soon as the door closed, which didn't lessen the sound at all, he threw whayever he could get his hands on roughly at the door.
Having a reason to throw things and not have to clean it up himself was weirdly motivating.
Smiling softly, he calmly looked out his window, at the calmness he found outside of it.
Finally things were moving.