Caesar

CHAPTER ONE • DESPERATION

Deyuny the capital.

A yellowish orange light escapes from an open door which opens into a bright room. Various candles are lit thus supplying the room its bright light.

The light escapes into a dark passage and a silhouette walks slowly through the darkness. The little light reveals the stature of the silhouette. Little strands of hair escapes from his packed up hair which falls down his back as he walks. His black body fitted clothes emphasises his broad chest and extremely tiny waist.

He moves into the bright room closing the door behind him.

In the room, another man stands facing a huge window. The window is open and he looks out of it, happily humming a song. He backs the door which Caesar comes in through.

Immediately he hears the footsteps, he turns back revealing a set of perfectly white teeth then bows down.

"Hwansu, it seems you forget that our meeting time should have started 30 minutes ago."

He speaks out. His hands are on his waist as he moves towards Caesar who sits down lazily on a black king sized leather couch.

Caesar picks up a slice of chocolate cake, he takes a little bite out of it and drops it down.

"So do you intend to waste more valuable time pondering over lost time?"

His face is strong and fierce looking with an expression which ends the conversation of his lateness.

"No Hwansu...The priest's heir is back. I hear she's powerful, her appearance at court will reduce your dominance and sway your allies..."

Caesar's face remains calm as he takes various sips at intervals staring at nothing in particular. The flames of the candle's fire visible in his light brown eyes as his curled ebony hair cast a strand of shadow cast on his handsome face.

"What do you intend to do?" He stares at Ricardo still slowly sipping from the cup.

"I think we attack...the Priest is already a problem. If he secures his place at court by proclaiming an heir, it would be terrible...We would have to strike..."

"No! we observe!" Caesar speaks out immediately silencing Ricardo.

Caesar picks up the Queen piece from the chess board which is on the table, his long fingers hold it as his eyes stare down at it.

"Hwansu, he's going to proclaim her as 'his heir' at the Emperor's meeting only few days from now! We must..."

"Leave it to me." His voice has finality which ends that conversation.

Ricardo moves away from the window and stands before Caesar who plays with the chess board idly. The 'clicking' sound of the pawns and the crickets is the only sound heard in the quiet night.

Ricardo breaks the silence.

"The Emperor is just a puppet! Too stupid to even realise that, he is hosting a meeting because the Priest told him to."

"It's rather stupid to underestimate people...they are like waves, unpredictable They can rise in anger and fall steady and calm!"

"People are unpredictable and cruel...but you are different, you are a friend, true at heart!"

His eyes stare up at Ricardo as the yellowish light dimly portray his dead expression. His tone reduces as his stare becomes more hostile.

"Believe what you must, provided it makes you more efficient." His lips touches the tip of his cup nonchalantly pausing to feel the heat on his face. His eyes observe Ricardo's disheartened face.