Father King

Ember Castle sits on top of Sun Hill, aptly named as it is where the sun rises and stays. Built with fire rocks that contain embers of lava and fire, the castle does not need any lighting equipment. Forever shining as bright as the sun, overlooking its lands, like a father watching his children. While Ember castle looks warm and inviting, its architecture of it is quite opposite. With sharp angles and high walls, it is dominating and cold location, where only the most powerful of the powerful can visit or reside.

Aelius, dressed in his formal war regalia, walked towards the towering doors that protect the throne room. He brushed his hair back and told the guard to announce his arrival.

"His Royal Highness, Prince Aelius of Solaria!"

As the towering doors open, Aelius can see the glorious throne room of Ember Castle.

Six fire rock columns light up the entire throne hall and shroud it in a dark orange radiance. The artistic depictions of the Sun risings and setting on the embowed ceilings dance in the light while carved images and gargoyles look down upon the dark floor of this magnificent hall.

A vermillion rug run from the throne to the door and is matched by smaller ones on either side of the hall while embattled banners with emblazoned tracery swing gently from the walls. Tall windows are contoured by curtains colored the same vermillion as the banners. The curtains have been adorned with emblazoned edges and gilded linings.

Those seeking the wisdom of the Sun Royalty can do so on the abundance of brightly decorated granite benches, all of which are diagonally facing the throne. Those of higher standing can instead take seats in the extravagant balconies overlooking the throne.

The majority of the audience came from the Verdants and the Ardeats, houses where the majority of their blood swears fealty to the Sun King. There are a few smatterings of the Saphiros and Aireas as well, awaiting what the throne has to say.

The Verdants are the Lords of Harvests, named after their green and snake-like eyes, and dark mahogany hair. Their affinity is with the earth and can control any flora. The Ardeats is known as the Right Hand of Solaria, with eyes the color of amber and hair as bright as the sunrise. Their affinity is the fire, and their immeasurable control over it is only second to the royal family. These two main families of their affinity pledge allegiance to Solaria during the Reckoning of the Moon, thus giving them much higher standing than the rest.

A radiant throne of gold and ruby sits at the center of the platform and is adjoined by 2 almost identical seats for the Queen and him, the heir. The throne is covered in intricate motifs and fixed on each of the broad ears is a small sun. The thick pillows are a gold color and these too have been adorned with adorned embroideries.

On the middle throne sat the Sun King, his father. A large man with cold golden eyes and cropped black hair. His mouth is set on a permanent scowl. On his head is the Crown of Flames, a circle of gold with flames surrounding it, each tip has s small sun with a big ruby at the center. This is a man that demands total authority and fear.

"Greetings, to the Sun and Father of the Land," Aelius said as he bowed to his father.

"Stand." His father said. "Do you know what time it is right now?" he asked as his voice boomed across the throne room.

"My apologies, your majesty. I forgot about the audience today and slept late" Aelius replied.

"Do not let it happen again." The Sun King commanded. He gestured towards his left, telling Aelius to take his seat. As he sat on his throne his father said to him "I am warning you, Aelius. You are the heir now. Make me believe you deserve all of this"

"Yes, father" Aelius replied, as any other answer with result in his father breathing fire in his direction.

The King's Right Hand, Duke Reven of Ardeat announced that the petitioners of the land can now come forward and can now seek guidance from their King.

As the audience ended and the petitioners dispersed, Aelius stood up and was prepared to go to the hunting grounds to pass time, when he suddenly heard his father call him.

"Meet me at the Royal Study. There is something I want to discuss" his father said.

The Royal Study is as magnificent as the throne room, though not as large. A fine oakwood table sat in the middle, with a chair with crushed vermillion velvet covering it. Stacks of papers are strewn all over the table. The King sat on his chair behind the table and gestured for Aelius to sit at the other chair in front of him.

"I've heard of what happened last night and of this morning" his father started. "And before you ask how I know of it, it was Reginald who told me."

"I am sorry father. I'll try my best to exceed your expectations" Aelius solemnly replied.

"Ha! We'll see about that," the King said, not believing that his son can even meet his expectations.

"Your wedding will be in a few months. Please make sure that you do not embarrass me. Understand?" The king asked.

"Yes father, I understood" Aelius replied.

"Good. Good. You should stop your partying and fucking girls left and right. I have received a letter from the Lunar King, requesting that you respect and abide by the old rules of Celestia."

"And what does that have to do with me living my life?" Aelius asked, miffed at the audacity of the Lunar King to make demands. We're not even married yet.

"Because we can't have you running amok and causing trouble in the future. If you want to go back to your philandering ways, then make sure you put a baby inside your to-be wife as soon as possible." His father answered callously. "But for now, abide by their monogamous request."

His father looked at him in the eyes, his eyes cold and devoid of warmth despite their warm color "Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, father. Very clear" Aelius responded. "I already instructed Reginald..."

"I know what you told him to do. I've already disposed of all of your previous dalliances ever since you officially became the heir"

"Disposed of?"

"Yes, disposed of. I had then married off to some older nobles who are seeking young wives. Can't have them, or their families, running back towards you demanding to be your concubine once we have united the kingdoms" his father said, nonchalantly.

"You forced them to marry other people?" Aelius asked, incredulously.

"Yes. As I am forcing you to marry the Lunar Princess." His father answered pointedly. "I am the King, Aelius, and I can do whatever I want in my realm. So, marry the girl and get the bitch pregnant so you can unite the two crowns." His father said.

"And if she doesn't want to be with me?" Aelius asked, already afraid of what his father might say.

"Force her. Do whatever it takes. You may be not as talented and charming as your brother and I do know that you can at least get someone pregnant. So, whether she is willing or not, get her pregnant" his father replied as he sat on his chair.

"What does that suppose to mean?" Aelius asked, shocked by what his father said. He was not expecting his answer at all.

"Don't worry, I already took care of the situation. They're from a lower house anyway. They won't bother you." His father calmly replied. "Now go. I still need to work on these piles of papers and I do not want you and your useless chatter distracting me" His father said while dismissing him with his hand.

"And by the Sun God, Aelius, do not forget what I said earlier. Do not embarrass me." His father added.

Aelius stood up, and walked out of the Royal Study, dumbfounded by what he just found out.