The Tiger Within

The Emperor need not have worried for, Lady Evelyn had not forgone her son . She simply had two points to make, and to her both were equally important .

"Clovis made that decision for the happiness of his sister this is true . Yet it was not the only reason or even the main reason . He sacrificed his right to the throne in order to protect the kingdom from war . Knowing he would have to live beneath the heel of one of his brothers, he gave it up to keep the marriage on track and in doing so war off the table . He formed an alliance so strong that to this day we have had several amazing accomplishments with the Shadow Veil Kingdom . " Empress Evelyn continued her speech as though she had never paused . Her point was clear and yet Fae stood up from her chair .

"That is not true, the trade routes and good connections with Shadow Veil has . Been tended to by my daughter and Bastil . Your son merely opened the door . We set the bridge in place . " Fae pointed out and Mordrin chuckled .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"If your daughter had not been vouched for by Clovis and my Wife she would have ruined the opportunity the day she stepped foot on my land . Kerna was a beautiful face with no understanding of our culture yet she wished to be a amba.s.sador to us . " Mordrin replied without hesitation . His words quickly becoming sharper as he began to toss his normally rough manners to the side for the sake of bluntness . "In the end this doesn"t matter . Clovis did right by your kingdom last time, and he has done well by Shadow Veil . As far as I am concerned he has the support of Shadow Veil . " Mordrin sighed and looked at his wife and nodded at her . A subtle nod returned to him and he gently wrapped his arm around Vella . "My Wife is tired . I am taking her to rest . This is no longer our concern . " Mordrin replied offering a hand to Clovis, wich he took and pulled him into a hug . "Be safe . "

"You as well, My Brother . Take care of my sister, my doors are always open . " Clovis replied and they split apart . Mordrin bowed his head to the Emperor and lead his wife away . The Emperor looked at the harem, his eyes pa.s.sing between his women and his children before meeting the eyes of his Empress . It was clear she had very little expectation of him, and in those eyes that once lit up for him he recognized the fear of disappointment .

He then looked at the tree, and waited several moments before making his choice . He reached into the tree and hooked his crest over the branch . Taking a deep breath he turned back to the waiting family . There were many blank and careful faces around him and a few smiles .

"I think Prince Clovis deserves recognition for what he has done . My son, may you make our bloodline proud . " The Emperor decided and nodded at everyone . "Now that this has been handled I expect you all to go about your lives . As for me I have court . " he ordered turning to walk back inside .

Clovis walked to his mother and wrapped his arms around the Empress . "Now the game begins . " He whispered into her ear softly . The Empress nodded and hugged him tight .

"Yes, it does . " Eve agreed before handing him a doll . The same one she had with her the day she had been sent to the cold Palace . "Give my Granddaughter my love . " The Empress and her son parted at the gates . The soft doll still in his hands . He looked down at it and gently caressed it .

"Empress…" Clovis called out and the Empress stopped glancing behind her to show she heard him . "She"s found a Zither Player within . " He saw the smile on her lips before she continued on her way to the secluded palace .

Clovis turned and looked toward the sun . He still had time . "Where would she be…"

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Near the Fairy River

"Careful Raina, those rocks are slippery . " Kyera warned as she and Mally sat beside the river weaving strands of silken string into braids . Slipping beads into the weave along the way making a pair of beautiful belts carefully woven . Raina looked back and nodded .

"Yes, Warrioress Kyera!" Raina replied while watching her steps as she balanced on the rocks, keeping her body close to the ground like Kyera had taught her . Mally chuckled as she watched Kyera continue to weave, but her eyes kept flicking back over to the little princess .

"You let her call you Warrioress?" Mally asked with a giggle and Kyera nodded, with a small smile on her lips .

"Yea . I know . Not something I would have tolerated back home but if it makes her smile then I am fine with it . " Kyera replied offering a small sigh .

"Ky, I can"t tell you how much I appreciate that . She deserves to have someone she feels she can be herself with . I mean she adores me, but I answer to her father . You answer to no one . " Mally replied her voice warm as she finished tying off the end of her braided belt .