The Warrior And His Emperors

High King

Eloy did not know what it means to be a High King. He really had no idea about his Queen mother's duties before she died. Apparently there were many.

"Apaa, I am of no royal heritage. Will the people accept-

"I am no royal either, Eloy. Royalty, it is not in the blood, but in the attitude. You handle them well and they will bow before you, listen to you," said Shikhar.

Eloy nodded.

"You will join me, won't you?"

"If you wish it. I always find such political meetings boring. But I can aid you," said Shikhar.

"The family head's duty-

"You are the family head, Apaa. I am your family member. No matter my position, that will never change. If you don't agree with a decision, it will not materialise. That can't be changed. Just because the emperors are married now doesn't change anything," said Eloy.

"I have been telling him the same. I am glad you are trying to talk sense into him," said Rishi.

Shikhar looked at Rishi who gave a small smile and brought Shikhar into his arms. Shikhar nodded to Eloy in acceptance.

Later, Shikhar told him how to hold meetings with other High Queens or High Kings, have a thorough hold on the other halves of the nobles and to keep the internal contacts to the maximum.

Rishi left for a meeting after that. Then, it was just Shikhar and Eloy.

"I know His Highness spoke to you about being in the warfront. As a warrior, I understand what you are going through. I- I had to fight him tooth and nail to be let into the warfront even though I was the best Mauraye had. Had we got married back then, I wouldn't have been in the warfront. I understood the risk during the last war. Do you remember what happened?"

Realisation dawned on Eloy. One scratch on Shikhar and all were distracted.

"I understand. They could have been killed if the war was fought with some other legions," said Eloy.

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Eloy saw his husbands busy with the nobles. He didn't want to lounge around in the garden, so he walked inside. The nobles were on their feet and, the emperor's moved making space for him. He sat down.

"We are discussing the possible ways to curb the uprising. We are sending some pacifiers in. They should be able to bring in some semblance of control before we reach there," said Mithraos.

Eloy nodded.

Later, the courtiers left.

"I want you both to walk with me," said Eloy. Both men nodded in acceptance and joined him.

"When pacifying me, your highness, you said something that need to be addressed. You said you do not know me like Emperor Mithraos. I think that applies to all of us in some way or the other. We should rectify that, at least in knowing about the past, if not in knowing one as a person," said Eloy.

The emperors looked at each other and at Eloy and nodded.

"You may ask what you wish to know, your highness," said Eloy looking at Adharva.

The man looked at Eloy.

"I have always wondered about your arrival at the palace," said Adharva.

"I was still a very young boy when my parents found a baby at our doorsteps. The doorsteps of the King's quarters. It was unheard of. Surely whoever brought him there should be talented enough to evade the guards. There was a letter. I remember it because I was learning to read then and was adamant that I will read it. My parents read it and burned it. My mother already had him in her arms and before I knew it, he became part of the family. He was a two year old then," said Mithraos.