Chapter 444: Duke Adrian Almaris

"Edward." Sameul came over, with a bright smile and took a seat next to the young Prince. Edwar noticed the strange glances the other students gave him and looked at his friend with a questioning gaze. "I got into a fight with Balder." Samuel meekly said, showing an embarrassed smile.

It was news to Edward, and looking at the boy, his eyes narrowed, wondering why he would think to do so. After a second, he realised, his mouth falling open, "Did you.... did you do it after I left?"

"Yep." With a happy tone, Samuel nodded over and over, "Father grounded me for two days because of it, but His Majesty made sure I wasn’t punished too badly." Samuel looked around and leaned closer to Edward’s ear, "Did you know, your father hit Balder?"

"What?" Edward leaned back in surprise and stared at Sameul. In silence, he kept looking, trying to see if he had lied, but with Samuel’s mischievous smile and pure eyes, Edward could only believe it was the truth. "Why? Father has never hit any of us before."

"I don’t know." Smauel leaned back into his chair and sighed, "Maybe he was mad." Edward tried to think about it, but shrugged when he couldn’t think of an answer that was good enough.

Samuel looked around the room and saw Astrid taking peeks towards the two. "Why does your sister always watch you?"

Edward’s lips curled without him realising. "She is really nice." Samuel was shocked. It was the first time he had heard Edward talk with such emotion, the love in his voice blatantly clear. "She lets me play with her and other things." Edward sighed, however, "But I don’t think she actually likes me."

"Why?"

"Because she acts like mother. She lets me win at some games, always makes sure I am safe before doing anything, and other things. I..." Edward paused and looked at Astrid, giving her a small fake smile. Astrid smiled back at him and finally turned around to focus on her own thing, "I’m older, but she acts like the older one. It’s really annoying for some reason."

"Isn’t she just worried?"

"No." Edward shook his head, "I don’t like it when they let me win. When she makes sure I’m safe, it’s fine, but letting me win isn’t." Edward frowned, "I hate it. They treat me weird." Samuel stayed silent. His eyes peeked down at his legs, and he understood that it was the reason. He just couldn’t understand why Edward didn’t say anything.

"I won’t let you win when we play then." Samuel teased, making Edward smirk.

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Adrian fixed his appearance and waited for the throne doors to open. Issac had hastily summoned him to the Palace, and while he didn’t understand why, he knew it had to be important, given how quickly they wanted him. The doors opened, and Adrian made his way down, fiddling with the mask on his face, to make sure he didn’t show any of his disfigured appearance.

Taking a step before the throne, Adrian placed his hand over his chest and fell to his knee in one graceful movement. "I greet the Emperor."

"Rise, Adrian. Or would you prefer Lord Almaris?" Alfred asked with a soft voice and slight smile. Adrian didn’t have a last name before becoming Duke and decided to adopt the name of the city where he had spent his whole life, much like Desomnd when he took the last name Mile.

"Adrian is fine, Your Majesty." He said happily and looked straight at Alfred, "May I ask why I have been summoned?"

Alfred wasn’t the one who answered, as Issac took a step forward. "You have come for one simple reason, Adrian. We need you to meet Emperor Cyrus of the Lisaponic Empire. I am sure you have noticed in your lands that we have begun mobilising."

Adrian nodded and stared at Issac, "Forgive me then. Whilst I am honoured to be given such an important role, is it not better to send Marquess Raven for such an important mission? I know that compared to him, I am not trusted as much."

Issac and Alfred both chuckled. "In usual circumstances, we would send him for such an important task," Isaac carried on, "But for two reasons, we can’t. Firstly, we need him to prepare the Unyeillding. Secondly, Cyrus is a petty man. Sending Charles may be seen as an insult after the previous interactions with Cyrus. You, on the other hand. You have the rank not to be seen as an insult and are trusted enough to do this, unlike those in the Livonik lands. Desmond would be perfect if he didn’t have the matters to attend to."

"I see." Adran took no insult to Issac’s words and thought about it. "What would you have me do?"

Issac smiled and looked at Alfred. With a nod from the Emperor, he knew he was given free rein to let Adrian in on everything. "Three objectives. First, make as much of a public display that the Empire is meeting with Cyrus. One that the Severians can’t ignore. We need them on edge. Secondly, to fix the perceived slight Cyrus suffered. A gift has been prepared for you to take to him. Finally, try to get Cyrus to attack Severia."

Issac walked down the steps and stood before Adrian, "The main reason we are having you carry out this task is because we know what type of man you are. You patiently waited years for revenge, and enacted it in a fabulous way that saw the Empire’s interests met. I don’t need a Duke or a polite envoy. I need a snake to drip poison into Cyrus’s ears. Make the invasion of Severia his idea. Leak what you need as long as it doesn’t harm the Empire."

Adrian took a deep breath. "I need information. Anything you have regarding what Severia plans, as well as a reason to make invading our lands seem foolish. I need to turn Cyrus’ attention away from us."

Issac nodded in satisfaction and looked up to Alfred. "Anything you need will be provided. I can’t let you in the full details, but I’m sure you have some idea of the secret we have been guarding for a while now." Adrian nodded, making Alfred smile, "I won’t let you know what it is until it has been unleashed on the world, but you may drop hints. Make Cyrus believe that the Empire is confident in the future."

Alfred paused and tapped the armrest. Looking down at Adrian, although he didn’t trust him completely, he had enough in him. After all, the two had worked together years ago to fulfil each other’s desires. There was no reason for either side to let go of the other; instead, it was better that they tightened the bond.

Adrian also knew this. The Empire had given him everything he wanted and more. He had no desire to betray it and instead wished to climb up and solidify himself in the elusive inner circle Alfred had around him. If he could, he could have a say in the Empire’s future itself, not just his lands.

"You may also create deals on behalf of the Empire as long as they don’t promise me or my family anything. The same is for Issac, Marcus and the Godwins without their approval. Any other deal that can be struck using the people of the Empire is fine." Alfred paused and took a deep breath, "Also, do not make me look weak. Do not forgo the culture of the Empire to appease a man thousands of kilometres away." Alfred leaned forward, "Am I clear, Lord Almaris?"

"Of course, Your Majesty." Adrian bowed, and Alfred nodded. Getting up from the throne, he left the room, leaving the two. Issac took a deep breath and looked towards Adrian.

"This mission, Adrian, is vital. Severia must believe that an attack through the land is an impossible task. Failure is not an option. Am I clear, Duke?" Isaac sharply said, looking down at the small man with piercing blue eyes.

"Of course, Prime Minister." Adrian placed his hand on his chest and bowed. When he looked back up, he had a frosty gaze. "Am I under the impression that these goals must be achieved by any means?"

"By any means that do not hurt the national interest of the Empire nor the Emperor himself." Issac sighed and fixed his sleeve, "I would like to carry this out myself to ensure its success, but I can’t leave. Do not fail. Head to Far Mile within the week. Once you have the gift prepared for Cyrus, you may leave. I will have the material you want ready for you by the day."

"I understand." Issac nodded and walked, following the way Alfred had left. Adrian stared at the throne for a few seconds and deeply smiled at himself before turning around and leaving.