Life fell into a dull routine. He woke in the morning and went to his new job. He was surrounded by what he loved but he couldn't take any part in it.
Fun.
Aliya had been avoiding him since that day. He had tried to call her to his office many times but she always sent back some excuse about her classes or previous meeting arrangements.
He "advised" many students. Not just Academy students but Royal Academy students. At first, he'd been surprised to see them show up in his office but he soon realized that the Emperor's plans were broader than he had first assumed. He did his work passably well. He introduced the academic students to different faculty who might be useful to their development as well as people in greater society when the situation called for it. With the Academy students, he did an assessment of their skills and then recommended job-specific classes that he thought would best bring out their talents.
He was bored.
Until a young man burst through his door that is.
"Big brother!" Lou almost screamed when he saw Tate behind the desk.
Tate jumped and the papers in front of him flew into the air.
He clutched at his chest, his heart racing, and glared at the guest.
"Oh, sorry did I startle you?" Lou asked with a mischievous grin. He had grown a lot since Tate had last seen him. He was a tall and muscular man now, bigger than Tate physically, but his expressions and mannerisms were the same.
Tate schooled his features, " Of course not. How are you?"
Lou beamed, "Lancec and I are good. I'm sorry I wasn't able to greet you sooner but we just returned."
"What unit have you joined?" Tate asked while standing up. He motioned for Lou to sit and went to a side table and poured them both cups of water.
"Shadow."
Tate's hand spasmed when he reached for the cup but he forced a smile on his face before he turned back to the young man.
"Shadow huh, it's a good unit."
Lou accepted the cup with a grin. "I pushed for it and succeeded. I wanted to join your old unit at all costs."
It seemed Lou couldn't read Tate's face well enough to see how wooden the smile was.
"You know I used to think when I joined the Shadow that I'd get to hear all the stories, but they don't talk about you much unless I bring it up."
Tate made a noncommittal sound in his throat.
"Ike did say that he wanted to see you but that you never visited them."
"Well, as you know Shadow is gone much of the time and when we have been in the capitol at the same time since I left the Corps it just hasn't worked out."
Lou was kind and a bit naive and took Tate at his word.
"So when can I meet the little girl you trained? I want to meet the kid who was lucky enough to have you as their private teacher for five years. I would have loved that."
Tate laughed. "No you wouldn't you didn't like me too much at first, or don't you remember?"
"I do remember, but now you are my 'big brother." He beamed at Tate.
Tate laughed inwardly, this kid never changed, it was nice to see. He had been one of the people Tate had missed when he was away. He couldn't pinpoint when it had happened but at some point before he left his job as an instructor the kid had become someone he looked forward to seeing, someone he missed.
"Do you remember what you told me when Lancec and I failed to defend against you?"
Tate shook his head.
"You said only great Dragon Riders can stand on their own two feet beside their dragon. I've tried to live up to that and I hope I'm someone you can look upon proudly."
Tate's face had softened. "I appreciate that but my opinion shouldn't really count for much. I am not a Dragon Rider."
Lou didn't answer but just looked at Tate with continued admiration. "You know you've been like that ever since I've known you." He finally said.
"What do you mean?"
"The way you talk makes it seem like you aren't anything special, but you can't hide it, sir." He surprised Tate with the formal address. "You will always be someone I and many others respect and admire, you're a legend, sir."
Tate's hands almost curled as he cringed. "Uh, don't say stuff like that."
Lou laughed. "Okay, okay, big brother, be shy all you want it doesn't change what you are."
Tate chuckled at his incorrigible former student.
They talked for a while longer before Lou had to go. He had until that night to finish writing up a report about their mission and submit it to his superior.
After he left Tate felt like all the color had drained out of the room. He sighed, it had been good to see that kid.
======
Two nights later Tate and his entire family were summoned to the palace. They met at the gate with kisses from his mother and a hearty hug from his brother. His father shook his hand once the others released him and they went inside in good spirits.
They were led to the dining room where they found that they were not the only ones in attendance. Jillian and her family were there as well.
Dian lit up immediately and went over to his fiancé and kissed her cheek. "What a nice surprise why didn't you tell me you were coming too?"
She smiled at him sweetly, "I didn't know until I got home from work today. My parents practically threw me into my room to change and rush over here. The Emperor's note had been misplaced and were had to rush."
Dian pulled out the chair next to her and sat down. The two began conversing about everyday matters. Their happy faces made Tate smile. Both sets of parents were also watching the couple fondly. His mother and father greeted Jillian's mother and father with the warm affection of people who were soon to be in-laws and were quite delighted by the idea. Lastly, everyone greeted Tate.
"How is the new position going, Tate?" Jillian asked.
Tate shrugged. "Quite well, it's been an interesting challenge." He lied through his teeth but as always he must have been pretty convincing.
She beamed at him. "That's wonderful to hear, I worried that it would be too tame for you. I think it's wonderful that the Emperor pays you such attentions and knows you so well. I would have never thought of you in such a job but it seems he knows you best."
Mask firmly in place Tate nodded with an easy smile. "Yes, I am eternally grateful for the Emperor's continued interest in myself. He has always been too kind to me, ever since I was a child."
The Emperor entered not long after to the buzz of conversations. The families were so engrossed in each other that a servant had to clear his throat for them to notice the new addition. They all stood and stammered greetings with chuckles and smiles. Almost as one they bowed and curtsied to their absolute ruler.
"Greetings to the Son of the Empire."
The Emperor smiled at his subjects, his friends, and motioned them to rise.
"It is good to see you all, thank you for attending me on such short notice"
They all nodded and no one would dare think the thought that they didn't have a choice, it was better to pretend that this was all voluntary. After all those present did have a personal connection to the man, the Emperor before them, in one way or another.
Once he sat at the head of the table the dishes were served and the meal passed pleasantly. When they were almost done the Emperor brought up a new subject.
"Lady Jillian, I want to commend you on your work at the Academy these past five years."
She grinned in delight. "Thank you, your majesty. It means more to me than you know for my work to be recognized."
"I keep track of all exceptional talents in my Empire. How could I not know of your contributions to the next generation."
Jillian glowed under the praise. Tate smiled looking at the pair before him. Dian was so pleased with the compliments, which weren't even meant for him, that he was grinning like a fool at Jillian. Tate found them unbearably cute, a word he didn't use often or lightly, it was almost painful to look at.
"Did you know that Tate endorsed you for that job?"
Jillian looked up with mild surprise. She looked at Tate and smiled gratefully at him. "I didn't know that, thank you for that Tate."
He shrugged. "I knew it was what you wanted and I was leaving a position open. When I was asked what could I have said but the truth, you are exceptional."
"Thank you." Her eyes sparkled.
"Yes, yes you two have long been complimentary of each other. This leads me to the reason I have called you all here today."
They all looked at him in anticipation.
"Dian, I'm very sorry but I regret to inform you that I withdraw my previous consent for you and Lady Jillian to marry."
The air left the room and the table went silent.
The Emperor looked at Tate and dread washed over him. "Tate I have decided that Lady Jillian will be your wife. I think you two are the best match for the good of the Empire."