Maelona, Liora, Aria, and Kaelen stood before Aether, who was seated upon the grand, imposing throne of the Aerionis Zephyra Empire.
Why was he sitting on that throne?
Because, in every sense, he had earned the right to sit there!!
Aether rested his chin on his right knuckles, his arm draped over the armrest, exuding a calm yet unnerving authority. His eyes, cold and unreadable, scanned the group before him, lingering until they found Kaelen.
Under the weight of that unwavering stare, Kaelen's breath hitched, his body instinctively flinching.
"Tell ... What did we plan initially?" Aether's voice was soft yet carried an edge, the indifference only making it more intimidating.
"Our plan was—" Maelona began, stepping forward instinctively.
Aether's hand lifted in a commanding gesture, silencing her, "I asked Kaelen Darkfang"
Kaelen swallowed hard, sweat gathering on his brow. His voice trembled as he forced himself to speak. "F-First, we needed to dethrone Alaric. Then, Lady Aria and I would stabilize the Empire, secure support from as many Elders as possible, and... and f-finally, we would fight for the t-throne."
Aether nodded slowly, his gaze sharp and penetrating. His focus shifted to Aria. "Then tell , Aria Zephyr... What are you doing here now?"
Aria flinched under his scrutiny but managed to gather her composure. "Due to Kaelen's withdrawal from the fight for the throne, I was naturally chosen as the ruler of this Empire."
Aether's eyes narrowed, his head tilting slightly, "Naturally chosen? And yet, no one seems to be celebrating your ascension. Curious, isn't it?" His attention snapped back to Kaelen. "Kaelen Darkfang, enlighten . Why did you abandon the fight?"
Kaelen paled visibly, his gaze darting to his mother as if silently pleading for hel-- Find your next adventure on My Virtual Library Empire
"I asked you, Kaelen Darkfang."
Kaelen recoiled slightly before stamring, "I-It was... I... I didn't want to rule. Yes... I'm not interested."
Aether leaned forward slightly, raising an eyebrow. His voice grew colder. "Not interested? After all the sacrifices, after all the efforts? You an to tell you're throwing it all away because you're... not interested?"
Kaelen's lips quivered as he lowered his head, his fists clenching. He couldn't involve his mother. He knew if he did, sothing terrible might happen between Aether and Liora.
"Y-Yes... Father. I—"
"Enough." Aether's voice was sharp and final. He turned to Maelona and Liora. "Tell , were the Elders pleased with this outco? Are they truly content ruling under soone they've barely tested?"
Maelona and Liora exchanged glances before stepping forward hesitantly.
Maelona spoke first. "A small number of Elders have expressed dissatisfaction... their voices, though few, are growing louder."
Liora added, her voice steady but laced with concern, "So Elders hesitate to follow Aria because she's a woman. There have even been whispers of bringing back Alaric."
Aether's gaze darkened. His voice lowered. "And what are your thoughts on this, Liora Darkfang?"
Liora hesitated, her tail twitching nervously. "I... I don't know."
Aether's eyes flicked to Maelona, "Hmm.... And you, Maelona Zephyr?"
Maelona squared her shoulders, "I believe.... we must address the situation, even if only a small number of Elders are dissatisfied. Who knows what the future holds? Their numbers might grow—or perhaps not—but sooner or later, Alaric will undoubtedly exploit this opening. That's why I believe we need to act now."
Aether's eyes sharpened, his voice like ice, "Then why haven't you acted? Why are you all standing here, doing nothing while the Empire teeters on the edge?"
".... Well...." Maelona faltered, unable to answer. Just like others She too had assud Aether wanted Aria on the throne, but now...
Aether exhaled sharply, his disappointnt palpable. "I'm disappointed in all of you... but especially you, Liora."
Liora's tail dropped, a visible sign of her distress. She felt his disappointnt deep in their connection, and it crushed her.
Aether continued, "We all know how difficult it was to rally those Elders to our side. So backed Aria, others Kaelen.… Sure, they each had their own agenda, but doesn't everyone? We used that to our advantage to overthrow Alaric, and after all that effort… now you're just doing whatever you please?"
His face darkened, and his voice grew cold. "Is this so kind of sick joke?" The room fell silent as his indifferent tone sent a shiver through everyone, making them flinch.
"Of all people, Maelona, you know how hard it was to gather them. You know how ruthless those bastards are... One wrong move and Alaric will strike with everything he has!
He's no fool to sulk in a corner after losing his chance. I know that bastard better than any of you... We didn't just wound him; we shattered his pride. Do you honestly think he'll sit idly by, waiting for us to make the next move? Once he sets his sights on sothing, he'll stop at nothing—absolutely nothing—to bring us down.
Now is not the ti for gas when the throne itself is barely within our grasp!"
Turning sharply, his eyes locked onto Liora. "Look at ." His voice softened but carried a deep edge of disappointnt.
Liora hesitated, her heart pounding. Slowly, she lifted her gaze, and the raw betrayal in Aether's eyes made her chest tighten painfully.
"I know what you're thinking, Liora. I know..." He placed his hand over his heart, his voice heavy with emotion. "Do you truly believe I wouldn't care about Kaelen just because he's not my blood? Is that what you think of ?"
Her lips parted, but no words ca.
"Did you really think I'd turn a blind eye to him? That I'd stand aside and let him do whatever he wanted without caring? ? After all, we've been together? You still think that low of ?" His voice cracked with the weight of his feelings, and his lips trembled as he struggled to hold back his pain.
Yes, Kaelen wasn't his biological son, but that didn't matter. Aether had taken on that role the mont he took Liora. Accepting her ant accepting everything that ca with her, including her children!
Liora shook her head frantically. "N-No... Husband, I didn't an it that way. I-I was just..." Her voice faltered as she bit her lip, trembling under his intense gaze, unable to find the right words.
Maelona, observing the tension, sighed and stepped forward, raising her hand, "May I speak?"
Aether nodded, though his eyes remained fixed on Liora. "Go ahead."
"I believe she acted out of love." Maelona's voice was calm yet firm as she reached for Liora's hand. "Since Aria is your wife, Liora thought that by keeping Kaelen from fighting for the throne, she'd be sparing you pain. She believed it would bring you peace, that it might make you happy to avoid conflict between them."
Liora nodded hesitantly, her throat dry and tight. She had never intended for things to spiral out of control. She only wanted to protect her family—to protect Aether and Kaelen. That was all.
If Aria and Kaelen clashed, she feared Aether would side with Aria, inevitably leading to conflict. She had witnessed what power struggles did to families. Fathers and sons turning against each other, bloodshed, betrayal, and death. She couldn't let that happen to her family.... Everything she did was for their sake!
Aether arched a brow, his expression unreadable, "I see..." His gaze shifted to Kaelen. "Tell , Kaelen, what do you truly want?"
Kaelen bowed his head, his voice low. "Whatever my mother wishes, I shall obey..."
Slap!!
The sound of the slap echoed through the hall, leaving everyone in stunned silence. Kaelen staggered back, clutching his cheek in shock. Aether stood before him, his eyes blazing with fury.
Liora gasped, her lips trembling.
"Look at !" Aether barked, his voice sharp and unforgiving. "Those eyes... are you even sleeping? Do you even recognize yourself anymore?"
Kaelen flinched, unable to et his gaze.
Aether's tone softened, but his words cut deep. "I don't know what you think of , Kaelen, but let make one thing clear. From the mont your mother gave her heart, you beca my son.
Whether by blood or not, you were mine. When she entrusted herself to , I accepted all of her—including you." His gaze flicked toward Liora, stern and unwavering, "I won't go around and touch any woman I want... I will think through what I am getting into... the Mont I touch you, Liora... I decided to share your responsibility too... And I won't stand for you treating our son like this."
Turning back to Kaelen, Aether's voice grew firr, "I know how hard you've worked for this throne. I know you even tried to eliminate Aria. Don't you dare pretend it was just your mother's words that drove you? No!! That was your decision. Your will." He placed a hand on Kaelen's shoulder, his grip strong.
"You're not a child clinging to his mother's wishes.
You're not a boy obeying out of fear or duty."
Kaelen's entire body trembled, his emotions teetering on the edge.
Aether's voice deepened, his grip tightening,
"You are a man.
Think for yourself!
Decide for yourself!!
Act for yourself!!!
You can't simply beco whatever others want you to be. You'll grow into what you truly desire deep within." He leaned closer, as his fingers pressed Kaelen's chest... and said with challenge,
"It's ti to step out of your mother's shadow.
Man up, my son.
Opportunities aren't created for anyone—they exist, waiting for those brave enough to seize them."
Kaelen's eyes filled with tears, his lips trembling. Aether's words weren't just lectures—they were a challenge.
His lips quivered as he stared at Aether. The weight of his words, the fierce intensity in his gaze, left no doubt—Aether was serious about him! Kaelen Darkfang!!
"Now, tell … what do you desire?" Aether asked, his voice unwavering.
"I-I want… I want to rule this empire… to fulfil our tribe's ambition," Kaelen's voice was barely above a whisper, but it echoed in the silence.
Aether frowned, his tone sharp, "What? Speak up. I couldn't hear that."
Kaelen flinched, his chest tightening before he shouted, "I want to rule this empire!! FATHER!"
Aether nodded, a small, approving smile curling his lips. "That's it. See? That wasn't so hard." He patted Kaelen's shoulder with a firmness that conveyed both respect and expectation.
Kaelen nodded, feeling a weight lift from his heart—a burden he hadn't realized he carried until now... He said it out loud!! In front of his mother!!
He didn't die!! Fuck yes!!
Aether turned to Maelona and Liora, his voice firm. "Since Kaelen has declared his intent to fight for the throne, prepare for the necessary battle. Let the Elders witness every step of this contest." His gaze shifted to Aria. "And you… make sure they see just how worthy a woman can be... Never should those bastards think won are weak!"
Aria straightened, her expression serious. "Yes, I will."
Aether smiled, though his eyes held a deeper warning. Yet, despite the montary calm, he knew the fight wasn't over. Families had been torn apart by ambition, and thrones were often bathed in blood.
Aether smiled briefly, his previous intensity fading. But just as quickly, his deanour shifted again.. He needed to do one final thing.... He stepped closer to Kaelen and Aria, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. His eyes darkened, and his tone dropped to a chilling whisper, "One last thing…
You two are not enemies.
You're not foes.
This isn't a war—it's a contest—simple as that.
The throne belongs to whoever proves themselves worthy.
Treat it as such.
Once it's over, there must be no hatred left between you." Aether's gaze swept between Kaelen and Aria, his voice steady yet filled with an undeniable edge. Then he added, his tone darkening,
"If I sense even a shred of animosity… I'm warning you now...
I will not allow my family to tear itself apart. If it cos to that, I'll eliminate the source. You know exactly what I an, don't you?"
His voice dropped, cold and rciless, sending a wave of dread through the room. "Heheh… If there's no Empire… there's no need for a ruler, Right?" as he looked at Aria and Kaelen even Maelona and Liora too!
Kaelen and Aria felt a deep chill run through their veins, their bodies rigid under the weight of his words... Maelona and Liora gulped audibly!
Aether turned away, pointing to the throne with a single commanding finger.
Snap!
A sudden, piercing sound echoed through the hall.
SSSSsshhhhhhhhh!
In re seconds, the throne was encased in shimring ice, its majestic form now frozen solid, untouched by any hand.
"Until then, the throne shall remain empty," Aether declared, his voice echoing with a commanding finality. He turned his gaze toward Liora and Maelona. "Liora Darkfang and Maelona Zephyra will oversee the Empire in the interim. Ensure stability and watch over the Empire until the rightful ruler erges."
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