Larus’s smile brightened. "Why is it unusual for soone to want to marry Her Majesty? She’s brilliant, accomplished, powerful, beautiful—honestly, I would think the unusual thing would be ’not’ wanting to marry her."
The logic was so straightforward and innocent that it took them a mont to process.
"That’s not the point—" Raphael started.
"Isn’t it?" Larus asked, tilting his head. "Because it seems like you’re suggesting there’s sothing wrong with wanting to be her partner. But I can’t imagine what that would be."
Damien’s eyes narrowed. "The point, Prince Larus, is that most n of pride and status wouldn’t be so eager to beco part of such a... complicated arrangent."
"Oh!" Larus said, as if suddenly understanding. "You an because there are already five of you?"
"Precisely," Adrian said coldly.
Larus nodded slowly, then smiled even brighter. "Well, that’s actually what makes it easier for ."
They all stared at him.
"Easier?" Kieran repeated.
"Of course," Larus said cheerfully. "You see, I was worried at first—what if I wasn’t enough? What if I couldn’t provide everything an empress needs? But then Her Majesty explained that she already has five brilliant husbands helping her. So the pressure is off! I can just focus on being useful in whatever way I can, without worrying that I’m her only support."
The innocent explanation hung in the air.
"That’s... not quite how that works," Raphael said slowly.
"Isn’t it?" Larus asked, looking genuinely confused. "Oh dear. Have I misunderstood sothing? I thought the whole point of having multiple consorts was that everyone contributes their strengths. Like a team."
He looked at each of them with those warm, puppy-like eyes.
"Isn’t that what you five do? Work together as a team to support Her Majesty?"
The silence was deafening.
"It’s more complicated than that," Adrian said finally.
"Oh, I’m sure it is," Larus agreed readily. "I’m still learning about imperial politics. It must be incredibly complex. That’s why I’m so grateful Her Majesty is willing to teach ."
He smiled warmly.
"She’s been so patient. Spending ti explaining things, working with on docunts, helping understand the empire. She’s really an amazing teacher, isn’t she?"
The reminder that Heena was spending so much ti with Larus landed like a stone.
"How... dedicated of her," Damien said, his voice tight.
"I know!" Larus said enthusiastically. "I feel so lucky. Just the other night we worked together until dawn. She’s so passionate about good governance—it’s really inspiring."
Kieran’s jaw clenched. "The other night?"
"Oh yes," Larus said innocently. "So nobles had sent over docunts to review. Her Majesty asked if I’d help, and of course I said yes. We went through everything together. It was actually really interesting—I learned so much about tax structures and trade regulations."
He bead at them.
"Do you often work through the night with Her Majesty? It must be wonderful, having that kind of partnership."
The question was so innocent, so genuinely curious, that it took them a mont to realize what he’d just done.
He’d reminded them that he’d spent an entire night alone with Heena. Working on docunts. Docunts she apparently didn’t trust to them.
"We have our own responsibilities," Adrian said stiffly.
"Of course, of course," Larus agreed quickly. "Everyone’s so busy. Though I have to say, I was surprised Her Majesty hadn’t asked you five to help with those particular docunts. They seed important."
"What docunts?" Damien asked sharply.
"Oh, just so tax records and property transfers," Larus said casually. "She found all sorts of interesting discrepancies. Seventeen cases of fraud, I think? And twelve property manipulations? I might have the numbers wrong—it was quite late."
He smiled brightly.
"But she said it was important to review everything personally rather than delegating. She’s very thorough, isn’t she?"
The five consorts exchanged glances. Those were the revenge docunts the nobles had dumped. Heena had actually gone through all of them?
"That must have been... tedious," Raphael said carefully.
"Oh no, not at all!" Larus said with genuine enthusiasm. "It was actually fascinating. Her Majesty explained how to cross-reference different records, how to spot inconsistencies in handwriting, how to trace money flows through shell companies—she’s absolutely brilliant at this kind of analysis."
He looked at them with admiration shining in his eyes.
"You must all learn so much from her. Being married to soone that intelligent and capable—it must be incredible."
The innocent statent sohow made them all feel inadequate.
"Prince Larus," Kieran said, his voice controlled but cold. "You seem remarkably... comfortable here. For soone who’s only been in the empire for two weeks."
"Oh, do I?" Larus looked pleased. "That’s so kind of you to say. Her Majesty has made feel very welco."
"Has she," Adrian said flatly.
"Yes," Larus said, his smile softening into sothing gentler. "She’s been wonderful. Very kind, very considerate. She always makes sure I have everything I need, that I’m comfortable, that I’m not overwheld by all the new customs and protocols."
He looked down, almost shy.
"Honestly, I was nervous at first. Coming to a foreign empire, eting all these important people, trying to learn everything. But she’s made it so easy. She actually... cares. About how I’m doing, what I think, whether I’m happy."
The soft, genuine emotion in his voice was impossible to fake.
"It’s nice," he continued quietly. "Being with soone who actually wants to know you. Who asks questions and listens to the answers. Who values your opinions even when you’re still learning."
He looked back up at them, his eyes warm.
"I imagine you all know what that’s like. Having that kind of connection with her."
The implication was clear: ’Do you?’
Lucian spoke for the first ti, his voice quiet. "You seem quite taken with Her Majesty."
"I am," Larus admitted readily, his smile genuine and unguarded. "How could I not be? She’s extraordinary. And she chose ’’. Out of all the possible alliances she could have made, all the political arrangents she could have pursued—she wanted ."
His voice softened further.
"Do you know how rare that is? To be actually wanted? Not needed for political reasons, not tolerated out of duty, but actually ’chosen’ because soone sees value in you specifically?"
The question hung in the air, and none of the five consorts could answer it.
Because the truth was, they didn’t know. They’d been married for political reasons, maintained for political reasons. None of them had been ’chosen’ the way Larus was describing.
"Anyway," Larus said, his bright smile returning, "I really should go. Her Majesty is waiting, and I don’t want to be late for our dinner."
"Dinner?" Damien repeated.
"Mm-hmm," Larus said cheerfully. "We’re having a proper date tonight. No work, no politics—just the two of us spending ti together. I’m really looking forward to it."
He started to walk past them, then paused.
"Oh! I almost forgot. Her Majesty ntioned sothing about a week? So kind of decision you all need to make?"
Five pairs of eyes turned cold.
"She ntioned that?" Kieran asked, voice dangerous.
"Just in passing," Larus said easily. "I didn’t pry—it seed private. But whatever it is, I hope it works out well for everyone."
He smiled at them with genuine warmth.
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