A Reality better than the Dream

21.- Clearing the things

 But the world matters demanded his attention, too. Now that the situation in King Karendim's kingdom had been arranged and Kandik had been exiled, it was time for the emperor to act in the rest immortal kingdoms and destroy the corrupted net, before the war, so that the traitors of every kingdom cannot help the barbarians behind the emperor's back. In Iris's kingdom her grandmother handled the situation with the important help of the emperor. He had sent there very skilled men to protect Lady Amary, since loyal General Sheng was absent, and other faithful persons to help her in administering justice and clear the kingdom. The corrupted ministers and officers were exiled and lost their properties. Minister Singe, in the end, understood that the queen was not stupid and incapable, on the contrary, she was so wise as she was in the strategics. It was the first time he had met a woman who combined beauty and intelligence. He made this conclusion, because the elements Lady Amary had presented against the traitors were those old ones, which he was fearing that would be found and which Iris had obviously kept secret. His punishment would be the severest, because he had exposed the people into starvation danger and had co-worked with the barbarians, enemies of the kingdom. He had been already thrown in jail waiting for justice to decide his fate.

Only in Iris's paternal kingdom there was a problem: King Azan had made a further investigation, with proofs emperor had exposed, and her father, Prince Antarn, King Azan's nephew, had been found guilty for corruption against the throne and he would be, most probably, exiled. The king wanted to keep good relationship with Queen Iris, so he could not decide to kill her father. Anyway, Antarn had not such a power to endanger the king himself. Oren did not know how Iris would feel about it. She hated her father, but she was also soft-hearted and perhaps she would feel vulnerable towards him. He sighed heavily. He had to face this complication. He invited General Sheng in a private discussion.

When Sheng learned the news he didn't know how to react.

G.Sheng: Iris cannot be so vulnerable towards her father... She respects the laws and, anyway, he had behaved so badly to her mother and is so cold-hearted that she will not try to persuade you to save him. You must ask her what she has in her mind.

Oren invited her urgently in his study. Iris came in. She did not know how to behave towards him, because she felt anxious. He had helped her kingdom, he had saved her from Kandik, he had tolerated her problems and her presence, he would accept this presence even more the next indefinite period of time... how could she face him?

He saw her hesitance and wondered about the reason.

Oren: Why are you so hesitant? Has anything happened?

She explained to him and he laughed.

Oren: At last... you must believe me, that nobody can impose his or her presence on me, if I am not willing to accept it. So, don't feel inconveniently.

Iris: Really!?

Oren: I wanted to discuss with you the known matter about Kandik and that corrupted net. I have news.

He explained with few words everything and that all this happened in this very short period of time, so that Kandik could not act fatally against the empire. Almost all the kingdoms were now cleared of his influence. One of the reasons he wanted her in his palace safe was that this Kandik was an abnormal person, not a common arrogant with extreme wealth.

Oren: I know him for long. He is an awful person. His way of thinking is "if I cannot have her, then nobody will have her!". You are in danger. I have already told you that his passion might have made him uncontrollable.

She turned red of her shyness, due to the reference to a man's passion. He sighed seeing her reaction, but said nothing.

Iris: But, Emperor, why did you not inform me about the whole thing? I should return to my kingdom, be with my grandmother and...