191 Chapter 174.5 - Tales From the Empire

---Sorry for the longer than expected break, lost a bit of progress when mother got sick and have been struggling a little with depression, just annoying things like that recently. Also, this story seems to be getting harder to write as we go into the latter stages but thankfully, the chapters I have written are REALLY long so it silver linings lol. Wait for the wedding arc bit and you'll see what I mean...

---Just a quick reminder for this chapter since it's been a while, the dragon Esmerelda uses 'one' for herself and 'thou' for others.

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(Temporary Perspective Change)

"You dare hide from one Des!? Don't think you can become part of the shadows in here!"

Storming through the castle like the true empress she is, Esmerelda the dragon has finally found where her husband is residing after my failed attempt in calming her down, 'hiding' in the throne room currently handling some advisors. Except, she isn't one alongside me while storming into the room basically dragging the wrist of a barely dressed woman along with her. I'm playing this down slightly, this woman is completely naked.

"I'm currently working Es; can't this wait another time? What is she doing here with that woman Jekyll?"

"Not getting involved in this your majesty"

"Not when one keeps neglecting his duties. How many times does thou need to say that this isn't okay?"

'Oh God, not this again...'

You may be thinking, that scum of an emperor must've been sleeping around with a harlot for something like this to be happening, right?. Except, this is far from the truth, there's no chance the bastard would ever be disloyal to his wife. Even the advisers around here know the truth behind what this is, third time this week the Empress has been dragging naked women around the palace.

"Is thou struggling to perform or is it this concubine is ineffective as well? One can always find another that shares even more similarities to one"

Despite being a captain and basically Desmond's most trusted adviser at this point, even I'm struggling to not find this situation humorous. The fact that Esmerelda is the one to keep pushing this brings a nice change to the mundaneness of the palace at times.

"How many times have I told you already Esmerelda!? I'm not sleeping with a concubine, end of! It doesn't matter if you can find one that's enchanted to look like your twin, it's not happening!"

"Thou needs an heir and since one is unable to provide, this must be done. This is one of the burdens an emperor must face to keep the bloodline pure and consistent"

(Concubine) "Your majesty, I can try to mimic the Empress if that'll make this easier. I'm unsure how she moans but I can try"

"*Sigh*... NO! Will both of you just leave? I'm working on important business here!"

This is something that has become the main issue regarding Desmond's rule, what happens with an heir? The royal family's blood line has always been consistent and kept partially pure, it's the reason for the stunning blonde hair they all have, but how would a child be conceived between a dragon and a man? It simply doesn't, hybrid species have never been able to be born.

It reminds me of an old wife's tale about an elf and human having a child together but such a thing turned out to be a complete hoax. It's pretty cruel if you think about it since elves, beastfolk and human fall in love together all the time but the fates of the world dictate it to be an impossibility.

"Look, this conversation has already been answered weeks ago, we'll just adopt someone! I'm telling you Esmerelda; this isn't a fight you can win"

"Thou must otherwise bloodline will not be remain pure, Des knows this yet allows emotions to get in the way. One will never hate Des for doing such a task"

This really should be a private conversation between the couple but everyone around the castle has heard about this pressing issue, this is just another working day at this point.

"Damn it Esmerelda, just look at what pureness has done to this empire and dragons already! Drop this now Esmerelda or we're going to have serious problems, and not the kind that can be solved through combat"

"Everything can be solved through combat Des, but if thou feels so strongly on this, then one will leave it... for today at the very least"

'Great, that means she'll be dragging in a different woman tomorrow'

...

Trying to get past the now awkward atmosphere inside the throne room, Emperor Desmond tries his best at regaining control but that's a little difficult when the empress and rejected concubine are still standing there garnering attention.

"Now, where were we again? Ah, we were discussing the tax goals for the current year... Can someone do the lady a favour and get her some clothes? And presumably pay her off so this wasn't a complete waste of time for her"

(Jekyll) "Of course your majesty..."

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"You know she's got a point Desmond. The remaining nobles in particular that supported you in your claim, they would be even more supporting if they knew everything wouldn't crumble with a single death"

"We could just kill them like we did the rest if they prove an issue Jekyll"

"It's always an option, just that the majority that remain aren't corrupted. A long-lasting empire is a massive appeal to anyone under your thumb"

Currently sharing a drink with the emperor after a long, annoying day of work, we're both in the study and he's asked me to speak my mind on this future heir situation.

On one hand, I completely understand his frustrations but at the same time, something like this is unavoidable. Every leader needs an heir, even if it's not done via conventual means. Unlike his dragon partner or other being like elves, us humans don't have the benefit of such a huge lifespan.

"So, you're planning to side with the empress then? Considering our history, I'm disappointed in you for such a betrayal"

'This little bastard has always had a way with words, it's a good thing I've known him since he was a toddler since he's always liked the sound of his own voice'

"No Desmond, we both know this isn't a time to pick sides. The succession needs to be decided one way or another. If that involves you having to sacrifice that fierce loyalty of yours, then that may just have to happen"

Instead of responding to my statement, I just get an eyeroll from the emperor. He's not going to come around to this and I'll always support any decision he makes, just this problem does need solving sooner rather than later.

I do wonder how Petra and Ikarus would go about deciding such a thing, on who would take over if something were to happen to the queens. Something like adoption is partially our back up plan but my best guess is that they've planned differently, maybe a long list of successors like the other phoenixes, the Magi guild master or that adviser of theirs? That's if they've even thought about that yet...

"How did the last emperor decide on this? Actually, I'd rather know what Alistair's potential plans were as he always seemed better at planning rather than the execution. My father was the opposite"

'He wants to know about his brother's ideals instead? Maybe it's a bitter taste talking about the old emperor, he did kill his own father after all'

"Alistair's plan was to find any suitable noble who could be controlled but, without having to apply the slave crest since he started growing tired of the mage. After that, make the fool fall in love with him and play on those heartstrings as an excuse to skip certain duties. Think of things like 'accidental' food poisonings and incurable illness to her, it would've given him an empathetic side to the public despite your brother causing the problems himself"

As much as the prince and mage were seen as the great rulers of this continent before Desmond came around, he never could fully control her which obviously led to how both of them perished. I almost feel a little sympathetic for the witch strangely enough despite my hatred of her, she was basically enslaved like everyone else under the old empire's rulership. Any potential bride would've suffered terribly around the prince as well.

"Brother wanting to control and manipulate someone, tell me something new Jekyll. This is a problem with no perfect solution though, my mind will never change on this"

Pausing for a second to pour another glass of this whiskey we've nearly gotten through, I can't help but think how much better off this empire is now. A male leader that doesn't have concubine's, it really is something I've never heard of.

"Don't take this as me kissing your ass Demond, but this is the exact reason why you're perfect as the emperor. There hasn't been a single leader I can recall that hasn't had extra marital affairs on the side"

"Yeah, don't be doing that, ass licking really doesn't suit you, captain. If I wanted that, I'd make Nathan come back from whatever journey those lot are on. At least he'd agree with my blind loyalty towards Esmerelda though"

"Guess you've got a point; the knight is surprisingly loyal considering how flexible he can be"

Still resting around and finishing off another glass together, Desmond seems to have a glint in his eye as if an idea has come up. I guess getting through most of the bottle has that sort of effect.

"Just give me some time, get my wife off my back and I'll come up with a solution. I'm being serious Jekyll, any more naked women parading around the palace and there will be actual fighting again"

"I'll keep that in mind, we've already spent resources enough repairing the palace already"

At first when they took over, the married couple would refuse to fight in public and used to sneak off at night to do that 'sparring' of theirs. After the demonic invasion and Esmerelda's species was known to the world, both no longer cared about the fighting being known about. There's been multiple occasions of the dragon switching form within the palace and it always ends up with broken glass and blood ruining the carpets. At this point, we might as well just put in marble all around.

"If Es does decide to bring another lady back Jekyll, why don't you take some time off and see if you can woo her? I'll give you the week off if needed, you've only got to ask!"

...

"I think you've drunk enough for tonight your majesty, clearly your decision making isn't up to standard"

"You really were always boring, I suppose, even back when we first escaped the capital together..."

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"Attention everyone! I've come up with a solution to the problem regarding the heir to the empire! Take this list and pass it on as the next law"

'Okay, that was quicker than I expected'

The following morning, Emperor Desmond has called for all his most trusted advisers, generals and the wife and we're all around expecting great things. Any solution is better than nothing by this point.

He gives the list to an unnamed general who takes a quick glance, has no reaction and then passes it on, eventually ending up going past a few others.

'That was strange, no one seems this bothered. Has he really come up with something good this quickly?'

Eventually as it gets passed around a few more times, it makes its way to me and the empress. Both of us get a good look and unlike the ass lickers inside the palace, our reactions are a little more pronounced. The bastard is really playing with fire here if he thinks this is a good idea, literally I might add.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, your majesty? This seems like something that is bound to piss off a lot of people"

"One agrees with captain, this seems like Des is playing an unfunny joke. Who's to say thous will even accept it?"

Despite giving our real concern, all he can do is smile back on that throne he sits upon. He's made up his mind, despite the fact sleeping with a concubine would've been much easier.

"They have to accept it; it'll be written into law. You two wanted a solution and I've now given one, what goes around comes around and all that. Those two both brought up the idea of taking the mantle of emperor, if I just happen to drop dead, then they can have a go as well"

He makes it sound like it's a nothing job ruling the empire. Sure, the queens have experience in managing their own little bit of land, but there's clearly a huge difference compared to three islands over an empire spanning a continent! I reckon they'd do a good job but still, mainly because I can already tell they wouldn't want the burden and are really going to be pissed receiving the news they've been written into royal succession.

"They're going to kill you if they find out about this. I can understand the longevity aspect of the choice, pretty much everyone on this list can live longer than normal humans but still your majesty. Your brother used to play with fire "

"One thinks the population won't take too kindly to this news as well, it seems awfully risky when the alternative was so simple"

The list itself doesn't only contain the next leaders if both Desmond and Esmerelda were to perish, it also has other scenarios in case things were to happen to the two phoenixes. There are quite the few dragons on the list as well, even Charlotte and Nathan are listed if you go down far enough. I understand why I'm not on it though, it would defeat the point considering how grey I am nowadays...

"Esmerelda, you forget just how popular the two queens really are, we don't even need to use spies anymore considering how quickly news travels around. Jekyll, I know they'll dislike it and I know it's a risk, that actually makes the decision even more appealing..."

It's obvious the emperor is clearly trying not to laugh now, I guess it won't matter much about pissing off the phoenixes if he's already dead by then.

"...I've just thought of something even funnier, you all heard the news of the two queens getting married, right? I've got the perfect wedding present..."