Emperor's Reckoning



Nyi's smile slowly faded as he nervously asked Lyon, "I hope you don't take offense."

Lyon raised his brows and looked at Nyi's slightly apologetic complexion. He giggled, "If you know who I truly am, I'll be the one asking you."

"Huh?" Nyi was at a loss as he heard those words.

As Nyi tried to utter something, Lyon slapped the back of his delt with a nod before leaving him.

Lyon sighed inwardly as he was making his way back to the courtyard of the palace. A heavy burden was coiling around his shoulders to his neck, choking him as his mind muddled in it. Yet, amidst his stroll toward the courtyard, he was greeted by an unlikely figure.

"Ah, Lyon," a melodic voice made him look up. 

"Oh, Madam Isabella?" Lyon smiled wryly. "I thought you were enjoying the picnic with my wife and the lads?"

The Mother Queen Isabella smiled and nodded. Her steps were ever so gracious as she approached him. Her face doesn't share the aging that his husband had, her complexion was flawless.

"This mother did," Isabella answered. "However, now that I have the time to speak to you, will you be lending your ears to this no longer maiden?"

( That's... some wording... what is she implying? ) thought Lyon as he smiled outwardly. He nodded. "Well, it would be a sin, to not listen to your wisdom, Your Majesty."

"Fufufu," she laughed bashfully. ( Now, you address me royally ). 

Lyon smiled in response with a hint of an apologetic tinge.

"So," She clasped her hands. "I see that you are getting along well with my son, and your dear wife and I have a little talk."

"E-En?" Lyon raised one of his brows, unsure of the lady's intention. He kept in mind that the lady in front of him was a prolific figure in Elyrianth, her vision might be much vaster than that of her son or her husband.

"Can I ask you to be, his wingman?" asked Isabella with a radiant smile. Her eyes were dilating as if she was a pro at this kind of negotiation.

"I... what?" Lyon was lost. "I'm afraid, I don't get what you mean."

"A wingman, as in, you help him to woo a woman," said Isabella.

"I know what a wingman is, but... who is the woman?" asked Lyon. "Does he has a particular liking already? Is it one of the maids?"

Isabella shook her head, "No, but I've heard that Selena has a sister." She nodded repeatedly with a smile full-on radiant. Her eyes brightened, alight to hope before she suddenly sighed, "I'm afraid, that my son is going to stay single all his life, what tragedy— let me tell you something, back in the days when Leander was looking for marriage, he was the idol of the whole Elyrianth, and I need to compete with the other girls— albeit secretly— but I triumphed! Thus Nyi was born... however, it seems like things had taken a slightly different turn this time."

"My son is so bright, that all the other nobles in the kingdom were inadequate in his eyes. What a dilemma, it's like suffering from success," said Isabella with an apparent tinge of woe. She looked up at the sky as if praying with her eyes closed. However, one keen eye could see that she naughtily opened one of her eyelids to see if Lyon was going to answer or not.

"Let's not go there," said Lyon as he put up his hands and showed both palms above his chest.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that," Isabella blinked rapidly whilst still facing the blue sky.

"You don't want to go there, Your Majesty," said Lyon.

Isabella turned and revealed her frown. She stepped forward with her hands by her waist. "Why not?"

"Let's just say that woman is not his focus," said Lyon with a wry smile.

"That's the problem," said Isabella. "He is not focusing enough to see the future of the kingdom, that, he will not going to rule Elyrianth forever, right?"

Lyon nodded. "That's true, but marrying my sister-in-law won't change the underlying problems that he's facing.

"Underlying problem?" Isabella furrowed her brows.

"My sister-in-law condition aside, Nyi is facing quite a tribulation, tremendous even," said Lyon.

"What tribulation?" asked Isabella with a tinge of curiosity. However, she was immediately met with a shake of Lyon's head.

"The tribulation must not be mentioned and only be shown," said Lyon firmly. "He must receive no help, especially from— my apologies — you and your husband."

"H-How could you say that?!" Isabella was taken aback. She never thought that Lyon would say such a horrendous thing. "It's a parent's job to help their child, is it not?"

"The question is, until when?" asked Lyon. 

Isabella was further flabbergasted by Lyon's ridiculous question. "Until when? Of course, until I can't breathe anymore."

"That's not wrong," said Lyon before smiling. "Though is it the best for him?"

"I..."

"Mother?" Nyi called out.

"Ah, Nyi..." his mother responded.

"W-What's wrong?" Nyi furrowed his brows, worrying about the unsure and hesitation that her body hinted from her body language.

"Well, it seems like my wife is looking for me," said Lyon as he excused himself. He gave a meaningful smile at Nyi before leaving the mother and son alone.

Nyi was about to call out Lyon and stopped him however, the latter moved so fast yet looked so slow. He was flabbergasted before returning his gaze toward his mother. "Mother, what, what's wrong? What happened?"

"Oh, Nyi... nothing is wrong, my dear," said Isabella as she caressed her son's cheek. 

"Did he say something ill?" Nyi furrowed his brows.

Isabella shook her head, "No, no, he is saying nothing wrong."

"Then... why are you looking sour, Mother?" asked Nyi with a tinge of concern.

"Because he said that you are now facing a tribulation," said Isabella as she pulled her hand from her son's cheek and turned around.

"Tribulation? I-I don't understand, my cultivation is growing nicely if that's what he meant," said Nyi.

Isabella turned and looked at his son, "Perhaps it's not about the cultivation he spoke of."

"Not?" Nyi frowned. "Then what is it?"

Isabella shook her head, "He said that this tribulation, you must face them alone... and... I think I agree with him."

"You... agreed?" Nyi was sinking deeper into the confused realm. "I... I do not follow, Mother."

"I will take some refreshments," said Isabella as she left her son.

"M-Mother?" Nyi frowned as he looked at his mother going toward the grand hall of the palace.

Meanwhile, Lyon had returned to the courtyard and immediately his presence made eyes glancing. The three students were already standing in a parallel manner with bows taut. Rew, the instructor that was tasked to tutor the three, gave Lyon a bow of respect.

Lyon nodded in acknowledgment of the respect before sitting down on the picnic blanket with his wife by the side. He looked at the students' training and missed the targets. The scenery was rarely peaceful, despite Reinhard's occasional loud mouth. His eyes slowly got tired before his right cheek was greeted with a soft palm.

Selena tenderly cradled Lyon's head against her thigh, a gesture filled with affection and care. Lyon's gaze shifted from the picturesque scenery of his students engrossed in their diligent practice to the loving expression on his wife's face.

Selena gently brushed Lyon's hair with her fingertips, cherishing this quiet moment of solace and connection. Lyon, feeling the warmth and love emanating from her, closed his eyes, allowing himself to be enveloped in her embrace. The sounds of laughter and the rhythmic movements of his students' training became a comforting backdrop to their shared intimacy.

As Nyi returned, he quickly found Lyon and wanted an explanation. "Ly—"

Nyi's voice caught in his throat as he caught the sharp glare from Selena, a silent command to preserve the tranquility of the moment. He understood the weight of her gaze, recognizing the importance of allowing Lyon to find solace in this rare moment of respite.

Instead of breaking the silence, Nyi offered a small smile to Selena, a silent acknowledgment of her protective gesture. For as he knew, the woman showed no mercy for those that ticked her off. He was, let live.

Nyi silently excused himself from the serenity that Selena crafted. He didn't want to disturb the two and left into the palace's main building.

As the sun began its descent, casting a warm glow over the courtyard. Selena allowed herself and her husband to bask in the beauty of the moment.

Meanwhile, inside the chamber of the High King Leander, the man stood with hands trembling slightly at the unfolded paper. His thought was interrupted by a sudden knock.

"Father, you said you wanted to see me?" Nyi entered the chamber before he was handed over the paper.

Leander nodded with his sharp gaze, "The first round of war, are you ready?"

Nyi's hands trembled as he read the content of the paper, "The Summit of Second Heaven."