14

I wondered what he could of said that got that reaction out of her.

He led the way out of the ball room with me and my brother at his sides. He lead us his personal office.

After following our father into his office he told us to sit down. Me and Tim sat down across from him in.

"Would either of you like any tea or scones?" Our father asked

"No thank you." We both responded.

"Well then I'll get straight to the point, I'm not sure how either of you survived but you are the most qualified out of all of my children as leaders. I figured out you were my children a long while ago which is how you both got titles for cheap. My wife seems to be piecing it together as well. Iris I will make you queen and help you gain favor and power so Peter will need to rely on you to keep his position."

"How did you figure it out?" I asked

"It's not very hard, all of your mothers family and Allies were killed. You also look exactly like she did when she was your age. You both look like me and your mothers. I may of had more than one wife but I still remember what all of them look like. I still have their portraits in my private chamber. All I had to do was put the portraits of the two of you next to your mothers and there was no denying that you were there children and the features that don't match them match mine."

"If you figured it out why hide it?" I asked.

"It's simple once others find out there will be a fight for the throne, both of you have military power and the commoners support but neither of you would have the nobles support. I would be putting a target on your backs, for a throne I don't believe either of you want. Once you marry Peter you will both be safe since Peter will need to rely on you and your brother for military and the peoples support. I'm sure you are both already aware of this although Peter goes to the battle field he doesn't go into the front lines of combat so he doesn't have the commoner people or knights or commanding officers respect. He also doesn't have much respect within the administration where as you both will. I will teach both of you how to run the administrative office position and you will both gain there support as well. The opportunities I'm going to give you both will give you the power to protect yourselves."

"If the queen already is figuring out that we aren't just the old queens distant cousins then what if she acts once she realizes we are gaining a following?" Tim asked

" She has been embezzling funds meant for the military and to provide support to towns destroyed by wars and disasters. Tim your going to bring it up during a meeting with the administrators it will make them respect you and show them you are skilled at your job. She will then be dealt with by the process of the law. Peter will without doubt be upset about his mothers being imprisoned before her execution. Iris you will be there for him to lean on, he will without a doubt ask for me to reconsider. You will ask on his mothers behalf as well then I will simply divorce her and exile her. I will have a house set up and we will make it look like you did it with the help of your brother. Make it appear you didn't know it was the queen who was embezzling and you thought it was one of her ladies in waiting. It will make it so Iris can be able to gain Peter's ear and trust, while also keeping in his good graces and gaining the support of the administration while removing a potential threat."

We both looked at each other than back at our father.

"Why do you want to protect us now after all this time?" Tim asked.

"I wasn't able to before, but you two will be my legacy and lead this empire in the right direction. I am also your father, despite not being able to show it and not knowing either of you were alive when you were younger I do now."