SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY THE NUMBER OF VICTORIES. / A CHILDHOOD PLAGUED WITH DEFEAT, BUT NOW THER IS RESURGENCE OF POWER. there it is again, the arrogance of boyhood resurging fiercely through him. yes, he would have answered right on the spot as though it were the simplest answer. as though he intends to storm the richly decorated corridors, swing the heavy chamber doors open and make his uninvited presence known to the throne room. he has earned the authority to do so, technically speaking.
( and emperor iedolas grows madder with each day, the servants whisper frightfully. he hears voices and sees faces whrre there are none. if ravus were to storm in, would the ghost of the king consort of tenebrae take his place before the emperor's eyes? )
❝ either i succeed or i cripple his majesty's full military forces which he has so gracefully gifted to me. ❞ this is perhaps the first time in years in which he has spoken words that hold a vague air of treason. the implication of potential sabotage could cost him his head should the wrong ears overhear. when glauca fell, there were hisses amongst the jealous crowds who still suspected the former boy - king held lingering loyalties of his kingdom of ash. bestowing his oppressor's military with such a heavy title was akin to giving him the keys to the kingdom. he would bring ruination, some claimed, but their concerns were waved away. those few were right to suspect and fear. this decision would be their own undoing.
even in this moment of anger though, he retains common sense to not elaborate any further than that. he intends to have this mattered settled at once. but lunafreya -- frustratingly stubborn & self - sacrificing as always is she -- stands before him, the obstacle to her own salvation.
❝ lunafreya, ❞ a warning edge to his tone, exasperation and frustration which are merely extensions of his love. ❝ stand aside. i am ordering you as the high commander, not your brother. ❞
┊ ˚˖↷ @slainstar / this old thing.