17 The Imperial Dilemma

GENERAL KANGS' POV

All the generals and dukes waited patiently seated in the meeting hall. They were all engaged in small chatter amongst themselves to pass the time. I turned to look at the emperors throne at the front of the room that was empty. The emperor was late for an official meeting...again. No one knew what was holding him up but I had a good idea as to what it could be.

Honestly, if I knew this was going to be the case I would have stayed home and spent time with my wives then come later.

The palace servants had refilled our drinks muliple times already. Some of the officials were drinking alcohol if the emperor delayed any longer they were probably going to get drunk before the meeting started.

The meeting was to discuss the empires recent takeover of the Casmin territories. He and I had been doing the paperwork for the assimilation of the territory into the empire for the last couple of weeks. We were also going to discuss the future plans for the continued expansion of the empire. Right now the Empire of Turk was one of the strongest nations on the continent if not the strongest. No one wanted to challenge us.

When the Emperor finally arrived we were all so tired of waiting. "I apologize for my tardiness gentlemen." He apologized as he entered. "I was dealing with something of utmost importance."

"Of course, your majesty." We all said in unison. Its not like we could get angry at the emperor anyway.

The emperor always used to be punctual for official meetings but in the past year that hadn't been the case. There was a lot that had happened in that time.

The meeting went as planned with no other issues and afterwards we all had lunch at the palace. Then all the Generals and Dukes left to carry out their assigned tasks given to them by the emperor during the meeting. My task was to stay at the palace and help his majesty with paperwork. The recent take over was orchestrated under my command over the Imperial army which was why I was working so closely with the Emperor.

I went to work in his office with him. I wanted to go ahead and immediately ask him about the reason why he was late earlier in the morning. However we were working with company, it was the emperors' secretary, Duke Emet. I wanted to ask him this privately so I would have to wait.

When evening came and we finished for the day and the duke excused himself for the evening, my chance finally came to ask him.

"The crown prince ran away again didn't he?" I asked him as soon we were alone. Arsen who was folding away and organizing scrolls at his desk paused for a moment. He didn't say anything but from his silence I could tell I was right in my assumption.

Emperor Arsen and I had a close relationship which is why I felt comfortable talking to him aand asking him private questions. We first met when nearly 9 years ago when I joined the imperial army at 21 and Arsen was still the crown prince at age 19.

Our friendship began a few years ago when I began to rise the ranks in the imperial army right up until I was appointed General. We slowly formed a close bond in that time. Perhaps part of the reason why we became so close is because of all the officials in the high court (Dukes and Generals) we were the closest in age. Everyone else was so much older.

"Was he found?" I then continued to ask him.

"They found him this morning, he was trying to get a carriage to leave the Imperial city." He reluctantly gave the answer.

"When did he run away?" I asked.

"Two days ago." He said. "I was reprimanding him earlier which is why I was late for the meeting." He went on to explain.

No one had officially been told that the Crown Prince having gone missing this time. Like the last time he ran away, Arsen probably gave a secret order to the Imperial knights to bring . The reason being he wanted to avoid the negative reflection it would have on the Imperial family. Arsen would be criticized for not being able to control his son. Considering all that had happened in the last 3 years the last thing he needed was more issues.

"This is the third time he's runaway it's obvious he's going to try again. I've increased the number of guards in his wing of the castle." The emperor went on.

"I don't know what to do, Zaryn." Arsen called me by my first name. He had a troubled expression on his face of sheer helplessness. He turned away as went to towards the window and looked out of it. "I don't know how to get through to him."

My heart grew heavy in sympathy for the Emperor's situation. I know that day when I was talking to my secretary at my estate I said the emperor should be stricter with the prince and discipline him harder. However, in actuality it wasn't so simple.

I understood why Arsen wasn't sure what how to approach his son. Ever since the Crown Prince came to the palace a year ago he's had a hard time adjusting to life in the palace. He'd been a commoner all his life before he was brought by the emperor and so it must have been shocking change in lifestyle for him.

After every thing that happened 3 years ago with his now disbanded harem, it was going to be tough to get over it. Arsen who was once cocky and arrogant was now more reserved and serious. I know he blames himself for what happened. He doesn't want that to happen again with Crown Prince Teon. Who already resented him as is.

To be honest I didn't know exactly what to say to the emperor. I wanted to lift his spirits but I couldn't find the right words to say. "Your majesty, I know it's difficult and but the Crown Prince is still very young. I believe he will eventually come around. He just needs time. I know I don't have children of my own just yet but I know it's tough raising a son." I ended up relaying to him what my own personal assistant had told me. "But as your friend I'll tell you there's no challenge you've ever taken on that you couldn't solve. I know you can do it your majesty. You'll figure it out."

Arsen let out a tired sigh. "You're right raising a son is tough." He then turned round and made his way round his desk. "I never imagined parenting would be so difficult." He said with a laugh as he walked towards me.

Though he spoke with a smile from the look in his eyes I knew deep down the topic of parenting and children was a sensitive subject for him. It hurt him deep down inside.

He walked towards the door to leave. " I'm hungry after all that work. Lets have dinner." He told me.

"Hopefully, you won't drink a lot tonight. You know what you're like when you get drunk." I reminded him as I followed after him.

"Oh, shut up!" He yelled at me, emabarrassed. "I am you emperor remember?"

"I apologize your majesty no need to get angry."I laughed as I cowered behind him.

"So how are things at home, is Ayan still causing you problems?" He asked me as we walked towards his dining room.

In the last couple of months I had been telling the emperor about the problems Ayan had causing in my harem. I told him about how I had punished her and reduced her status to the least favored.

I would have thought talking about my harem would upset him but he genuinely didn't seem to mind listening to my stories. And so I often told him.

"After her recent punishment she's been quite well behaved actually. It's quite surprising." I told him.

"Is that so?" He asked.

"She's no longer going out of her way to get my attention I invited her to eat dinner with the other wives and she didn't cause any problems at all. I don't know lately, it's like she's become a different person." I explained.

I was shocked on the day of the dinner actually. Up until the dinner I hadn't seen her after her confinement ended. Throughout the dinner I glanced at her every now and then to see what she was doing. Usually Ayan dressed herself in very revealing clothes to show her body's curves in hopes I would pick her to spend the night but on that night she was dressed normally. Whilst all the other wives were trying to talk to me she ,however, paid no attention to me whatsoever. She seemed more interested in the food to be honest.

I knew Ayan was acting different but that wasn't quite what I was expecting. However, Despite all her actions the thing that surprised me the most was the look in her eyes. I thought to myself; has Ayan always looked like that? She had a carefree more relaxed face as opposed to the devious coniving face she had before. I thought maybe she was faking all this change but that look on her face seemed quite genuine.

"Your punishment must have been so harsh to make her change like that." Arsen joked.

"You think so, your majesty?" I asked him. "You think that's why she's changed?"

Arsen shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, but I imagine I would be terrified if I was threatened to be kicked out."

When I got married to my wives nearly 2 years ago, thinking with what's inbetween my legs like a fool I instantly took a liking to Ayan because of her body. However, her insane competitiveness/jealousy and extreme eagerness to spend time with me eventually threw me off.

I really thought I was going to kick her out of the harem but perhaps she was changing. I didn't know I would have to wait and see.