Chant Of The Twilight

Chant XXVI

Chapter 26: A Wall She Cannot Penetrate

Napahilod sa kaniyang noo si Rhysand habang pinapakinggan ang komento ng mga vassals na kausap ngayon sa kaniyang opisina. The vassals that are here are on his side. Mga vassals na sumusuporta sa kaniyang posisyon. In other words, his allies.

"What's the point of this agenda when I'm not going to participate? Lunar Nights or whatever the fuck is that... I won't participate," naiiritang pagtanggi ni Rhysand sa pinag-uusapan ng mga vassals.

"Your Majesty, forgive my insolence, but if you're not going to attend to the Concubines during the Lunar Nights, the temple won't let you slide this time. Lunar Nights is a sacred tradition for them. They will use your absence to accuse you of negligence of duty. Despite having His Highness Ishan, the number of Prince and Princess to be born in the palace are not limited to only one," one of the vassals argued.

"One more thing, You Majesty, your in-laws are already preparing their petitions to comfort your Concubines as they are heartbroken for your negligence to them and for giving your sacred body to Viscountess Darcey even though you both are not married and she's not even your Concubine to begin with."

Dumapo ang masamang tingin ni Rhysand sa huling vassal na nagsalita. Agad na napaiktad ang vassal at yumuko upang makaiwas ng tingin sa Emperor. Ngunit wala itong balak na bawiin ang sinabi. Deep inside, Rhysand can also understand their point.

"Y-Your Majesty... We're begging you. Your absence at the Lunar Nights might threaten your position. Sa inyo na rin mismo galing, these past few months, the temple together with the few noble houses are acting weird. Isa lamang ang konklusyon natin sa nangyayari... They are for sure gathering forces to seize the throne," naglakas ng loob na ang isa pang vassal.

Napapikit si Rhysand.

Fuck it. Fuck those customs and system. Fuck those greedy bastards!

"Before that... Your Majesty, if I may ask, are you planning to marry the Viscountess and make her the Empress?" nag-aalangang tanong ng isang vassal.

Binalingan siya ni Rhysand, bahagyang nakakunot ang noo, "Isn't that obvious? The preparation for the new law regarding the abolition of the Concubinage System are already under process. After that, I will marry Achlise and give her the seat of the Empress. I am also considering of making my son, Ishan, the Crown Prince. But I'd have to talk to Achlise about that matter."

The vassals sighed, as if they already expected the Emperor's answer, "If that is Your Majesty's decision, then, we will support you. But as long as the Concubinage System is still in effect, your enemies will use that system to tie you up. This tug-of-war might also pin down the Viscountess and His Highness Ishan."

The last sentence of the vassal pinched Rhysand's chest. Alam niya sa sariling may punto ang kaniyang mga vassals. The Temple and his enemies knows very well that they cannot touch him that easily, so it is expected that they will revert their threat to Achlise and Ishan. Lalo na at alam ng lahat na malaki ang pabor na ibinibigay ng Emperor kay Achlise.

Napalingon ang kanina pang tahimik na si Rafian sa pintuan ng opisina ng Emperor. Tahimik na pumasok doon ang isang maidservant. Yumuko siya saglit bilang tahimik na pagbati sa Emperor bago ipinasok ang dalang cart tray na may mga refreshments. Hinayaan na lamang ni Rafian ang maid na gawin ang kaniyang trabaho at muling itinuon ang atensyon sa meeting.

"Let's leave it for now. I still need to talk to Achlise but if she ask me not to go, then I'll fuck that system up. Let's proceed to the next agenda..." Rhysand sighed before reading a document on the coffee table.