Emperor Tyran walked out of the conference room with his knight he hadn't seen him since when the prince went missing and Zero had arrived just in time at the conference hall the moment Tyran appeared
The look on the Knight's face throughout the meeting was of one who was prepared for the aftermath consequences of his actions.
He had only greeted Tyran who didn't bother looking his way,they had only exchanged glances when Tyran arrived.
"On your first day as my knight you failed in your duties..."
"I don't deserve to live your imperial majesty"Zero pleaded then bit his lip.
Tyran didn't answer.
He turned down the hallway towards the queen's quarters, ignoring the greetings of people he walked past while Zero hurried from behind to keep up with his pace.
He didn't sound angry or as though he desired punishing him although his actions against the emperor were what would be described as a Capital crime deserving of imprisonment or even death.
Perhaps that was what he wanted,to trap him in these chains of service and pledges and he had succeeded,as his knight his life was in the Emperor's hands.
Tyran stopped,his face curved into a rather malicious smirk.
"You are right,you don't...but fortunately for you my son is well and I don't desire to punish anyone".
Zero was sure he didn't mean these words,He must think he had something to do with his son going missing and he was taking him to the Emperess's chambers,where he heard the prince resided_but _just what was he planning?
They both stopped by a wall and Tyran stretched out a hand before a barrier came into view.
He walked through the wall with Zero following after him,the small figure sitting on the sofa next to the bed and kicking his legs held the Knight's gaze as he froze in his steps.
Ramses ran over to his father grinning widely and Tyran crouched low to rub on his head.
"I see you're as vibrant as ever".
"Papa!..."Ramses giggled as his father tickled him.
"Papa...carrr...yyy mm.."he said as he suckled on his hand
Zero watched them play,he was back,just as he suspected this monster had teleported himself back home...
Just what was he?
Back there,a child his age had controlled his body,a fully trained semonio's,whatever he was he wasn't someone to be taking likely.
And what was the normal toddler acting for?...he clearly saw for himself how fluently the child could speak.
Tyran lifted the prince as he got to his feet before stretching out a hand to introduce his knight.
"This is Zero my new personal knight...go say hi".Tyran grinned and Ramses reached out both hands towards Zero in a bid to be carried by him.
The chief Knight tried to hide the disgust he felt through a wide grin, rubbing on his head while waving the prince with the other arm.
"Oh hi there little prince"
Just what was the emperor planning by trying to hand him over to him,apparently both he and the child were in this together.
"I think he wants you to carry him".Tyran said with the awkward grin still on his face.
"Ahh...ohh really..."Zero feigned a shallow laughter which obviously sounded forced."Ah ok!".
He lifted the prince infront of him, their eyes locking for a brief moment then carried him into his arms.
Zero thought he saw the little prince flash a quick smirk before resuming sucking on his hand while rubbing his head gently on the Knight's chest as a sign of comfort.
"Is it me or does he like you"
"What!_"he cleared his throat "I mean....that's a first"Zero giggled before looking down at the prince's silver hair as Ramses tightly cupped one of his fingers into his small hands.
A moment later the prince began reaching for his father and Zero throught he saw them exchange nods.
"Summon General Rengyotsu to my study and gather the scrolls that need to be reviewed and stamped...I am unable to reach him,I will join you both in a bit".
The emperor said and Zero bowed,he stole a quick glance the prince's way before turning to leave through the barrier.
The barrier glowed again as Tyran muttered a spell to prevent further entrances inside.
He walked over to the bed,placed Ramses on it before sitting next to him.
"So?...."he turned to Ramses who nodded in affirmation.
"Those are definitely the cold eyes of the person who tried to kill me...but not the one who abducted me...He was huge with darker complexion and a scar on his face"
"Dark!"Tyran cut in clutching his fists,his gaze serious.
"Dark?his name?..."Ramses looked puzzled.
Tyran responded with a broad smile.
"Not someone you should concern yourself with".
"Who is he?"
"Just some sorcerer"Tyran responded as the smile disappeared.
"An enemy of yours?"
"Of the empire,a criminal with a bounty placed on him".
"There was another though...he was hiding in the shadows with no scent so I couldn't see or tell who he was... didn't even get to see his shadow.I think they were communicating but without words "He looked into his father's eyes"He has to be someone close to you...like someone important".
Tyran averted his gaze and considered this for a moment but no one came to mind.
A king is bound to make more than he could count but at least he was certain of two of them who might lead him to the rest.
"Can you think of someone?"Ramses asked and Tyran's eyes travelled from his son's face,down his features.
After the prince had narrated all that had transpired at the cave he had told him he needed him to identify someone he would bring with him and the child had easily recognized his attacker by his eyes, notwithstanding that was their first meeting,he was clearly smarter than most adult Semonios and when talking with him, sometimes he forgot he was speaking with a child.
"It's not something a three year old should concern himself with".
"Four in a bit"Ramses reminded.
"Still you are but a child_".
"A different kind of child"He corrected.
"Your birthday celebration shall be celebrated throughout the realm after you resume your studies at the academy...."
Ramses let out a sudden painful groan as he sunk into the bed,holding his stomach.
"But father...I just got back from a near death experience...I ache all over".He shook vehemently before faking a painful scream.
When he slowly opened his eyes and they met his father's,he shut them to resume his screams.
"I can tell you have fully recovered"
"No father...I am in paaaainss!!"Ramses cried out.
"You need to read books my boy and learn about the realm you will rule someday...don't you want to study in the same class with your brother?"
He suddenly stopped yelling to peek at him.
"The earlier you resume,the faster you catch up with Ruel".
Ramses sat up before taking his father's hands,his blue eyes twinkling with delight.
"When do I start".
Just then Carolene appeared by the door way, courtesied and both eyes fell on her.
"Your.... your majesty,there is something_I must tell you".