Much to his own relief, his slip of the tongue had gone relatively unnoticed.
However, one must keep in mind that the keyword within that phrase - the halfhearted ramblings that fester and remain unsaid within his unyielding internal monologue - is relatively.
From within the tension of the room, as unbreakable and strong as it is, Rudolf can feel his nephew’s anger flare up. From betwixt the melancholy and threatening tears, a truly indomitable force rises - anger, barbarous and bloody, pouring forth from the cracks left in the wake of Berkut’s disappointment with himself. It was Alm’s name that had lit the flame, and it would not be satiated until the source was extinguished.
‘i know how he fights,’ spoke the man that was blind to the fact that fate had excluded him from its horoscope. ‘i’ll end him for what he’s done,’ vowed the man that truly had no clue what this boy - this Paragon of Valentia, this Scion of Destiny - could do.
If he were to fight fate, he may find that ‘twould be akin to staring into an abyss; were he to quell the flames of destiny in order to placate his own, the flames of destiny would soon engulf him.
Upon that note, Rudolf sat; Suddenly, jarringly, as if to indicate that he was finished with their petty discourse. In direct contrast to the moment prior, the Emperor held out a hand - and another - leaving arms outstretched and open to his nephew. Somebody had to be the adult in this situation, and seeing that his nephew - in hentriaconta, a full thirty-one years younger than himself - it was most definitely not going to be him.
For once, as Rudolf speaks, his voice is soft; filled with the wistfulness of recollection and the concern of a parent.
“I believe you misunderstand me. I have a grand deal of faith in you, nephew... It is simply that you are the only family I have left. Were you to falter in battle, however unlikely that scenario may be, it would fall on me to carry the burden for the rest of the army - were you to charge out there and so selfishly die on us, have you any idea of the burden that it would leave upon myself? Upon Rinea? Upon the entirety of Rigel? For once, Berkut, think of something aside from your own selfish desires. Alm is just as competent a fighter as you are, and I certainly do not believe he would charge into battle simply to put your head upon a pike and tote it around the Barracks of the deliverance. I will say this once, so listen closely - do not kill Alm just because you can. A man, even if he is an enemy, deserves just as much mercy as your own men.”
