A Bird Among Serpants

1.19 (part 1 end)

The portal closes, my last change of escaping the conventional way disappearing with him. I know I should go with him, but I'm close to having the emperor wrapped rapped around my finger. He stopped at the lunch when a month ago he would've kept going without a second thought. Just a few more months and I think I might be able to take control of him, and in turn the country of Quena.

The door slams open as I walk away from the balcony doors, the emperor revealing himself chaotically. He normally looks a little bit tired when he comes to see me, especially lately, but this time he's well past that. His entire body is caked in sweat, his hair is unkempt despite having more than enough servants to tidy it up, and he's panting to high hell as if he's ran miles. He stands at the door for a few moments before looking at the room, freezing and collapsing on the floor once he sees me standing by the balcony enterance, "You... why did you..."

I bite my lip and walk towards him, looking over his frame with as much concern as I can muster. I'm not really feeling concern as much as confusion in this situation. He looks so traumatized and scared and yet he comes to me for.. something. I'm really not sure what I should be doing for him. I'm his slave for all he knows, a kidnapped future lord from an enemy kingdom that he torchers for fun and sometimes uses to warm his bed at night.

I think back to what the emperor said as he collapsed and help him to his feet. What was it, "why did you?". Well that could mean a lot of things. There's no way it could be referring to Tel. There's no way that he would know about the portal yet.

I calmly walk him over to my bed and lay him down as if I don't know what he's talking about then close the door behind me, "Master, your image is connected to the image of the country. If you walk around looking so disheveled, you may make your country seem weak as a side effect-"

"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT! MY MAGE WAS MEETING WITH ME WHEN HE CAME, I KNOW THAT YOU HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GO WITH HIM, WHY THE HELL DID YOU STAY HERE?"

He looks so angry, but I can't help but focus on his shakey eyes and hands. He's terrified, but I don't understand why. The emperor should know by this point that Tel and I are both no threat, regardless of if I go home to my kingdom or not. I guess this just might be as he experiences anger. But then him collapsing once he entered my chamber and saw me, could it be he felt betrayed or hurt? No, than he would be masking sadness with anger, not fear with anger. I wish I could just have it written above his forehead so I knew what to do.

I hesitantly move a hand on his head and begin running my fingers through his hair, the action seeming to calm him exponentially as the emperor nearly collapses onto the bed once again. Upon seeing this, I continue slowly, easing him down upon a pillow, "I think you need some rest, mas-"

"Cut it out with the master, you only do that when you're terrified. Just call me Kit in private and emperor Morar in public from now on."

I freeze for a small second, thinking back to him demanding I call him master on the first day. If I remember correctly, I was whipped until I said, "Thank you, master." Every time it happened. My back was so bruised that I was unable to walk for the next days. And.. after that... I was tied with vibrators, then spelled and raped. God, it's a wonder I haven't gone insane yet, isn't it? Well, best not to mention that. If he wants me to not call him by master is works for me, "Okay, Kit, you should get some rest. You look terribly worn out."

"Verett, I.." he speaks, sounding desperate and confused, "Why did you stay here? Why didn't you leave me?"

I freeze for a moment, everything suddenly clicking together. I guess I didn't think of that because I thought it would take more to wrap him around my finger. The fear in his eyes though, he's scared of loosing me. I can play him like a drum now, it'll be easy as cake, "I.. I don't know, I just needed to. I couldn't leave you."