Chapter 34: Chapter 34 - Harlow’s loss
In a room that was only accessible by the highest of officials, sat three men. The room was the probably the safest room in the palace and many didn't know it even existed. It was sound proofed and had many exits and tunnels running through it, yet they were all knowledge beyond most people.
The reason why no one would ever suspect that there was a room in this area was because it was near a place nobody would even dream that the most prestigious people in the palace would gather there. It was near the dungeons and well below it.
The man clad in the finest clothes, his face impeccably handsome and marred by a newly acquired scar, glared at the table decorated with photographs and descriptions about a range of men and boys. Their ages ranged so far he crumpled up whatever picture he found of a man near his age or far above.
"This is ridiculous", he cursed aloud.
At his right stood the Duke Harlow, who wasn't sure what to make out of what he saw. The pictures didn't surprise or bother him, what made him confused was the Emperors reaction.
'He's never thought so carefully about marrying off anyone for political gain… what makes her so special?' He had someone in mind for the princess, however, seeing the Emperor so close to having a fit he decided it was best to keep it to himself.
Opposite them sat Duke Arian, who was in the same situation as Duke Harlow.
'If he cares so much then maybe my useless brat won't even have a chance' he felt his mood plummet at the thought of his son. He had missed the boy during war, he wasn't at all sure why because when he finally laid his eyes on him the only feeling he could even recalls was the hate for his wife murderer.
Yet, that boy had definitely changed.
He used to avoid him. Shake in his presence, but yesterday he was bold. He called him 'father' a word that should've been beaten out of him, but for some reason that cold look in his eyes when he called him shook him. He didn't care… that boy no longer cared for his affection. It seems someone had replaced him in his heart.
He felt a tug at his lips as he instantly knew who.
The Emperor gave an annoyed huff that bought back both men to the present moment.
It seemed all the other candidates had been disposed of, except three:
Edmund Arian.
Raphael Harlow.
Luka Brennus.
"Now that I've disposed of those other bugs… I'm left with three bigger ones…" he growled furiously.
Neither of the dukes bothered to disagree that their sons were anything other than bugs, however Duke Harlow spoke up.
"Your highness, please pardon me, but where is Dain's picture?" He regretted asking when the emperor gave him a chilling glare.
"Your first born came out of the war traumatised…" the emperor could barely control himself.
"But he contributed more than anyone else has-"
"I won't deny that! But I will not give my daughter to a man not only fifteen years older than her but also badly traumatised from war! How could they ever have a chance at being happy together…." He sighed frustratedly as the other two men double take.
'He wants her to be happy?….' They both thought, stunned.
"Please forgive me your highness…" his plea was ignored.
"Now.. let's narrow this down…" he tapped his finger on the table, glaring at each boy. His gaze went to the black haired child with striking red eyes.
Luka Brennus. He was talented, even among the Brennus. He could shapeshift at a young age and participated in the war. Somehow he kept that childlike innocence even during the war, but knowing the Brennus they could've easily turned what could be a nightmare to anyone and made it into the illusion of a fantasy.
But would she be happy?
"He would result in an alliance between the two of us, Brennus and Blackburn", Duke Arian spoke up.
The Emperor gave a laugh under his breath, "there's no need for an alliance. As you might know, my talented daughter is someone the Brennus dearly respect, regardless of whether she's their princess or not".
Duke Arian recalled how the Brennus King himself had threatened the Emperor about him ever hurting or mistreating his own daughter. Whatever the princess had done, it must've been great.
"He called her by a name didn't he?" duke Harlow mused.
It was quite a name at that.
"Hero", the Emperor smiled as he spoke and as always he couldn't hold himself back, "you know, she was only one year of age when she got that title. They praise her as the one good thing the Blackburn line had ever produced", he had this proud laugh that was rarely ever heard.
'Good grief, I can't hear this tale again. Let's distract him' Duke Arian nodded at Duke Harlow as they both thought exactly the same thing.
"And what of the Brennus boy, then?"
"We don't require their marriage for alliances. And although they have a good relationship and no doubt will she be treated dearly in Brennus… I must reject their marriage. The princess will not be happy having to study being a queen and it will only bring her hardships. Even the Brennus can't deny an extra bride if it means more heirs and I don't think anyone woman could ever be compared to my princess", he wasn't even embarrassed by his words.
Duke Arian and Duke Harlow both gave each other a look that expressed how strange they found this.
The cold emperor, known for killing people and rejecting his own blood was completely smitten for his daughter.
Heck if she asked him to jump of a cliff he would do it and then ask if she wanted him to do it again…
The emperor crumpled up Luka's picture with a triumphed smile. And then as if to enjoy the feeling he placed it over the candle light and watched it burn with a laugh so sinister it gave the other men shivers.
And then there were two.
Their own children. Neither of whom were loved, but both couldn't help the greed that swelled in them. If their blood married into the royal line… they would have closer relations to the palace which meant more power for them.
They gave each other a tight lipped smiled as the Emperor looked up at them.
"Well… the Arian brat…to start with was incredibly rude a few years ago, however he seems to be doing great as my daughters guard. That boy is definitely a diamond in the rough", the emperors words sent excitement coursing through Duke Arian's veins.
"Thank you, your Majesty. He doesn't deserve such praise", he couldn't help the smug smile on his face.
"On the other hand, Raphael Harlow… I must say I quite like him. He's skilled enough to not only be a great chancellor, but as you might know he's a skilled warrior of the night as well", At the Emperors words, Duke Harlow flinched at the unexpected information.
"You don't mean- he- he's part of the!", he began to splutter, causing the Emperor to look at him in disgust.
"If you had raised him properly you would've clearly seen his worth. Not only that, but I like him more than Arians brat, no offence", the Emperor gave duke Arian a wave of his hand which the Duke replied bitterly with.
"He is much older…" whether it was a compliment or insult, nobody truly cared.
The Emperor frowned as the decision was clear to him. He hated this.
He barely met his own child and now he had to designate her a fiancé? He imagined Archie's neck in his hand and clenched his hand together with enough resolve to let loose a deadly amount of bloodlust. He caught himself when he felt his companions flinch.
He had no intention of picking Edmund in the first place. Edmund would take on the dukes title. He had enough prestige based on blood alone that a marriage with him would be hard to control or break off, if necessary. Once they married, she would be at his mercy and the Emperor could never allow that.
That's why Raphael was just perfect.
With him there was no worry of a lack of control or prestige, because Raphael Harlow, as an illegitimate child was close to nobody. If it hadn't been for the princess requesting him to offer the boy an apprenticeship he would never have took note of him.
Their marriage would only ever be at the Emperors mercy, because Raphael had gained a title after all these years, 'the Emperors shadow'.
"Then the decision is made. The fiancé is the Duke Harlow's, second son, Raphael Harlow".
There was no party. No applause. Because everyone in that room knew full well what type of marriage this meant.
Duke Harlow knew he ought to be happy, but would this marriage even benefit him? If what the emperor spoke of was true about Raphael being a warrior of the night, then he must have cut ties with the Harlow family or at the very least, plans to.
Duke Arian grit his teeth. He knew there was no one to blame, but he still felt mad at Edmund. If only he wasn't useless.
He knew well that if the princess asked, the Emperor would allow their marriage, so he could only hope that her mind changes in the future.
"Well… is that settled?"
Both men gave a, "yes your majesty".
And the three moved onto other troubling problems.
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