Collaterals

You, Too, Shall Be.

He'd not seen her since. Not been able to, the Princess having refused his every inquiry for an audience.

"...or is that not to your liking?"

"Hmm?" Khaled looked to mother, blinking. He brought his tea to his lips, "No, that is agreeable."

"Really?!"

She was excited enough that Khaled paused, setting the tea down, "I... yes?"

Mother rolled her eyes, "Honestly, Khaled. Now is not the time to lose your bearings! If the council does not hear you now, what hope do you having of claiming you seat back on it!"

Khaled rolled his head back, "Mother. It is a governmental seat, there is no official claim to it by inheritance—."

She leaned forward as she spoke, the words quick to rush out from behind grit teeth as she clutched the coaster of her tea with both hands, "You do not wish for a throne, you do not wish for a governmental seat, tell me, boy, what do you wish for?!" 

"Her!" Khaled straightened, holding his mother's steely gaze. "You ask me to think of inheritance. Of power. You ask me to secure my future, mother, but she is  my future!"

Mother took a moment to look at him, her wide eyes reverting to their normal nonchalant as she frowned, her bottom lip ever so slightly pursed. She clicked the spoon onto the edge  of her teacup before setting it down, "She is either loyal enough or dumb enough to stand trial as champion; we cannot know, naturally, as she also refuses to speak. Either way, she is a fool. A fool who will end up dead."

The words pinched his heart. Even still, he argued, "The Three Day Trial is performative, mother. You know that well as I. No one has dared duel that family in generations."

"That is true. I know of not one person who would question the claim of a fire wielder to the throne. But remind me, dear son, since I have grown so old you think my council obsolete: does the Boy Prince wield fire?" 

"Leila does. And she is champion."

Mother raised a brow, "Her Highness is a mere representative of her brother, now: his champion, yes, but no more. If the Almighty does not wish her brother to seat the throne, then she will be struck down by the sword of he who is worthy."

Khaled stayed silent as mother cocked her head to the side, the way she did when she knew she was right. Her words were said with boredom,  "Then her brother will be dethroned. Or perhaps he will abdicate first, go lick his wounds somewhere private. Either way this whole farce will be over." She moved her tea to her mouth before pausing, "Or, well...Perhaps poor Boody will be given a champion. Perhaps he will need a regent." Her eyes flashed in false surprise, "More likely that regent will be someone from the council. Oh, but, what fools they all are...If only there was someone on it who was worthy of such an honor."

The silence after was tension packed. Mother took a sip of her tea, finally, letting her words make their way into Khaled. 

But all he did was shift in place, cross a leg atop the other, "She will live. And I will wed her, mother."

She set her teacup against its coaster. "Then a fool you, too, shall be."

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A/N: I hope these shorter updates are not too frustrating! You can expect a second update this week, though!