Threat

The air was so brittle Ailen thought it could snap. But if it doesn't, he would.

It's pin-drop silence, a solemn atmosphere in the dining room. Everyone was celebrating Ailen's newly-discovered power. For a member of the imperial family to inherit the Niveus bond was the greatest event that could happen for the people of Vyre.

Everyone must've wondered, why wouldn't The Emperor celebrate his son's power?

For Ailen, he's not surprised.

This confirmed the fact that The Emperor, indeed, hated his guts.

The servers were expecting The Emperor to throw a grand feast instead of a small, simple dinner. Servers huddling up against the wall, eyes glancing between The Emperor and his son. They ate in silence. An eerie hush that increased Ailen's anxiety and stress.

He could feel The Emperor's intense gaze, watching his every move. Ailen's fingers trembled. The food he ate was tasteless, and his stomach only quivered when he swallowed the food.

"Ailen,"

When The Emperor spoke, Ailen almost dropped the spoon he was holding. His gray eyes nervously glanced to meet The Emperor's scrutinizing gaze.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I was perplexed when I heard the news," The Emperor finally talked about Ailen's power after ten minutes of their silent dinner. "Congratulations,"

"Thank you,"

"Do you know anything about the bond?"

The Emperor must've thought Ailen never studied since he's always sick when he's a child.

"I've read about them. From the late Empress' journal at Sapphire palace,"

"Ah," The Emperor's eyes slightly narrowed. "Yes, she kept journals in her study. Did she perhaps write a way on how to use the bond in her journal?"

Ailen immediately knew what The Emperor was thinking.

The Emperor wanted him dead. If Ailen told him that he's learning through his late mother's journals, The Emperor might send someone to destroy the journals, and Ailen wouldn't be able to do anything about it. If that happened, he would have to think about using it without his late mother's journals as guidance. Sure, Ailen learned one clue about how to trigger the bond, but he still needed those journals.

The Emperor saw him as a threat now.

"No," Ailen lied with nonchalance. "But I'm hoping I could learn a thing or two on how to use it in our ancestor's history books— if you had any,"

"I'm afraid that books regarding how to use the bond were long gone," The Emperor blatantly lied, but Ailen tried to keep a straight face. "Those books are important for our family, yes, but it's been centuries, my son. Even my great grandfather didn't have those books anymore. However, I suppose there are history books about the bond in general,"

"I see, that's unfortunate. I'll try to learn how to use it by myself then," Ailen said as he cut through the meat with his fork and knife.

"That wouldn't be necessary, yet,"

Ailen glanced at The Emperor warily. The Emperor took a sip on his goblet, eyes not leaving Ailen's.

"Why, Your Majesty?"

The servers were curious about The Emperor's words as well. Their eyes were filled with curiosity, awaiting The Emperor's answer.

"As I said before, you're not fully recovered. Using the bond when you're in the process of recovering would do you harm than good. I want you to have a rest for a whole month while carrying out your duty,"

Ailen could hear subtle murmurs among the servers, agreeing with The Emperor. Though, Ailen saw that as a load of nonsense. He's completely healthy. The Emperor didn't want him to use the bond so he could kill him with ease.

"— ah, well, about that,"

Ailen raised one of his eyebrows. "Yes?"

"Have you heard? That I already selected an heir?"

Ailen felt a pang on his chest. His smile twitched. "Yes, I've heard,"

"He's Nicolas Thomlin, Duke Alphonse's son, my closest aide. Though, he's no longer an heir since you're awake, my son. But Nicolas has been doing your work while you're absent," The Emperor stated with a flat tone, eyes boring into Ailen's. "You would have to thank him personally for carrying out your duties. And learn from him,"

"I shall,"

Ailen wanted to click his tongue in distaste.

"And as for your schedule tomorrow," The Emperor said. "Your schedule was already written. Your maids will remind you of the rundown for the events tomorrow. Don't overwork yourself and went straight to your chambers after you're done,"

That's another word for "Don't you dare practice on how to use the bond, because I won't let you,"

"Yes, I understand, Your Majesty,"