†Yuen†
Lailen Kesaryen, thirty-seventh emperor of the Imperial Court, holder of dominion over all fae kind, lazily sat on his throne, head resting in his hand. Silver and iron ringed fingers tapped a cheek as he stared down his nose at his first born son. The two looked much alike, the emperor also possessing umbered skin and steely gray eyes. However his features were a tad sharper, his nose a bit longer, his hair done in smaller ropes that spilled down his body and onto the floor. The same symbolic beads of the royal imperial family clipped into the locks framing his neck. "Prioritize finding the vypnyr."
"Yes, your majesty." Yuen politely bowed for the third time before his father.
"The vypnyr do not know we have been holding one of their own. Best to retrieve him. It's hard to judge how they'd react if they found out. From what I understand he is a nobody amongst their people. But his connection to the Palovs-" He hissed the name with a nasty look, "and the secrets they keep in that castle of theirs, will most certainly cause some form of trouble." Discovering the Palov secrets had been why they'd originally captured the man. His father was using the opportunity to find fault in him. He could see it in the cold flash of his eye and how he frowned at Yuen. Lips drawn at their corners more than usual.
And despite his mean glare, Lailen's demeanor and drawn out lilt reflected a deeper disinterest in the situation. He was entertained to spit at Yuen and nothing else. He did not truly fear the Palovs or the vypnyr. Angus was nobody and the man had confidence that even if it upset the Palov brothers, the rest of the lot would be unfazed.
The emperor, for the most part, had set himself up as a figurehead, delegating most of his work load onto Yuen, advisors, and delegates. More often than not he partook in politics only when it entertained him or he wanted to veto something directly. Or to shame his son. "If you fail to catch the vypnyr it will be your responsibility to repair our diplomatic relations with their kind…" He paused then coyly continued, digging into his son, "since it was under your supervision that the prisoners escaped to begin with. Perhaps some of those street vermin guards of yours need retraining?"
"Understood, your majesty. I have already begun to arrange for some hounds to be sent out. And under your guidance I will increase the training of my men." Yuen politely bowed a fourth time. He was relieved that his father had given no indication that he may suspect him for releasing the assassin. Well after all she was sent (set-up) to kill Yuen. He imagined his father cared very little or– if anything, was disappointed the weed of a woman had not succeeded.
Yuen's heart had been strumming steadily and now it slowed in its frantic dance a little. The affirmation of getting away with his secret transgressions eased some of his anxiety.
"And what of Esali?" The emperor thrummed his fingers along the armrest of his throne and he shifted in position.
"Still in the Eastern Courts, your majesty. He speaks of returning soon but fails to specify a date." Yuens' hands tightened at his sides. Of course Esali was the real reason the Emperor had summoned him. All of this was pageantry and could have been handled by Advisor Skom, General Allun, and Yuen with a simple note carried to Lailen so he could toss it aside and continue chasing whichever consort was his flavor that week. But the emperor was curious about the whereabouts of his crown jewel and the inheritor of his throne. Any other imparted words were just a show of authoritative control and subtle mockery of Yuen.
Lailen let out a long sigh, gracefully crossing his legs and moving his resting head from one hand to the other. "He fails to heed the summons of the Emperor but still finds the time to correspond with his brother. I wish to be insulted, but you two are such good brothers, I can't help but be pleased you don't fight over the throne."
To an ill discerning ear, the emperor's words were gently endearing and spoke of a bond between siblings. But to Yuen it was layered in alternative meanings. Lailen was constantly feeling out his first born and his motives. Always alluding to the fact that Esali was the crown prince to see if Yuen would fail in his subservience to the empire.
A cynical man, Lailen found his son to be a little too inquisitive and curious. Somewhere along the way he had begun to notice how Yuen's gaze became hard when he looked upon him. The young fae, trained in etiquette, whose eyes never matched his docile attitude. Pairing his moral character with the crafty nature of a fae made the emperor not trust him one bit. He blamed his mother.
In some dark corner of Lailen's heart he would have killed him, a potential threat to the throne and the Power of the Emperor. He would have gotten rid of the child just as he had gotten rid of any daughter born amongst his harem. They were threats to his heir. But Yuen had been a son. A son born in a sea of dead daughters. He was his first son and the time it took for ill will to settle in his heart towards the boy had been too long.
Over the years Yuen's charismatic and likable attitude had yielded him wealthy connections and many allies, so Lailen sealed those exterminating thoughts beneath layers of faux familial loyalty. The seat of an empire was changing behind closed doors and Yuen had amassed enough power to pose a real threat within the court. It left a bitter stain on the emperor's spirit.
"I would never covet Esali's position, Father." Yuen kept his eyes downcast, his head continually tilted ready to bow, a noble picture of humbleness and unadulterated loyalty.
Inside he smirked.
He knew his father thought of him as a threat. He was only thought of as a hindrance and not as a loyal and powerful ally because Esali had failed to garner power. Steadily over the years Yuen had gathered the support of subjects of the courts and it was only by his own graces that that support was granted to his brother. Esali could easily be the crown that Yuen spoke through, a fancy and powerful puppet for him to master.
But he didn't have to pull those strings because most importantly his younger wild brother adored him.
Lailen knew that if his first born so dared to make the request, Eslai would hand the throne over to his brother gilded in all the empire's riches and jewels. Traditions and power be damned. Esali, though he was lazy, lascivious, and opposite to Yuen in most things, looked upon his brother with bone deep admiration. Esali loved him. It was Yuen's most powerful asset and he wielded it like a knife.
Lailen smiled down as his son, coy as a fox. "I know Yuen. You are a loving brother and a studious son." Those last two words flowed off his tongue with a rattle shrouded in pretty flowers. Then more level he continued, "I only wish your brother was born with some of your tenacity."
"Perhaps there is still time to impart some of my influence on him." Yuen said with a flourish of politeness, playing the perfect part of a dedicated teacher. But his words were double edged and two frigid gazes of liquid metal clashed like two calculating swords.
It was a moment shared by father and son alone.
Yuen had bowed his head the fifth time but his eyes did not depart the emperors.
"Yes." Lailen smiled at his son. Their play of falsities had neared its end. "Continue to serve him and my empire faithfully and I do not doubt he will become a fine emperor."
"It is my honor, your majesty." The sixth bow, Yuen smiled as he dipped and no one saw.
"You are dismissed."
The seventh bow, deep with dramatic flourish, and he was gone from the throne room.