Place your bet

Arslan's expression stiffened his usual smile disappeared at the mention of Late Empress, since her death refering to her had become a sin and no one had ever dared to bring her up, that was especially true for his highness and today that person himself was remembering her, this in itself was enough to convey the seriousness of the ongoing conversation and understanding this fully Arslan's ears perked up and he continued nodding his head without a sound.

Christopher gaze was still, as someone who had been seeing him from ages Arslan could tell there was no life in them, no emotions...it was just a stare but Christopher nonetheless continued, " I remember one day we were fooling around just like any kids our age would and while playing some random game, you won and obviously I lost unable to acknowledge my defeat I chose to tease you, initially you remained unaffected but that didn't last long and you ended up crying....."

Following Christopher's words Arslan could vividly remember that day and a wry smile graced his lips. Unbeknownst to this His highness words continued,

"After your departure that day Mother came....I bet she inquired about the events from a nearby servant and after learning that I referred to you as some servant rather a friend she was furious... I didn't know what went wrong and understanding my clueless look she softly reprimanded me..."

Christopher's gaze increasingly became distant, his face held a smile that didn't reach his eyes and his eyes held an unvoiced pain Arslan who saw this, closed his eyes unable to see his master.....no friend in pain, though curious about the next part he didn't voice it out.

Christopher still continued, "She asked me see you as a friend not as some servant and when I asked why her reasoning was funny despite many years passing my ears still remember her words, 'Chris standing at the top doesn't give you the privilege to look down on people, instead it gives you responsibility to look after those who choose to follow you. A king is hailed only when he treats all his subjects equally and it doesn't matter if you ascend to the throne or not, what truely matters is sincerity, sincerity with which you approach the people..."

Christopher coldly laughed at his own words before continuing his monologue, "Teaching Sincerity to a 5 year old kid, does that even make sense how could I understand something so complex but she was a wise woman and simplified it for me saying, 'Chris don't seek profit from the people around, don't overlook the people approaching you instead treat them equally and start this with Arslan, See him for who he is, not as some future heir, not an important ally and defines not a pawn ..."

Christopher sighed after uttering those words and his gaze turned serious, "I bet she was too innocent for someone living in the royal palace, the principles she thought me were too old for people in that place. After her death people from the palace started seeking me out.... nobles, administrators, magicians, maids, even servants, they were seeing me as a tool to achieve their objectives and some didn't even try to hide it...why did I even start this nonesense to begin with, hmmm..Right! now that I remember" saying this Christopher turned to Arslan, whose head was bowed and eyes closed, taking a few steps and swiftly reached him Christopher placed a hand on his shoulder.

Arslan feeling Christopher presence and sensing his gaze, raised his head and found those eyes looking at him coldly before he could utter a word, Christopher's voice rang, "Place your bet on the future, not in the past because no matter how painful or sweet the past has been it will always be replaced by a future be it for better or worse"

Christopher's words though unrelated conveyed a clear meaning, 'choose between me and the emporer, and while at it think carefully, no matter how beautiful past has been a new begining in the form of future shall always commence' and after grasping his highness's intentions Arslan's eyelids trembled, deep down he knew his loyality to his highness wasn't rooted from an oath rather in the bond of friendship forged in the past decade, before this his highness had never asked him to take an oath nor was he asking him to do so today.

Arslan nodded his head, his face covered in sweat as he uttered, "This is difficult, Your highness"

Christopher too nodded his head in understanding and responed, "Tough choice, but things are getting serious and I can no longer afford a man whose loyality is divided, so decide this for yourself"

Arslan after grasping the situation could only smile wryly, he had forgotten an important fact, for all these years, even after not swearing alliance to him, Christopher still allowed Arslan to follow him ,shared his plans showing his trust but he took that trust for granted and was prying into matters that were critical for his race to throne and his words now were clearly implying, 'You have had run freely for years and today is the time for you to swaer allegiance, either to the Empire or to me'

After uttering those words Christopher's part was done and he no longer had any reason to so he chose to leave the place deciding to give Arslan enough time to think through, his foot made their way to the exit and just as he was about to lift the curtain, his hand paused and he gently said, "I am the groom today.."

Arslan's head snapped upon recieving those unexpected words, his gaze turned to his master, confusion written all over his face and he seemed to be asking, 'What the hell are you talking about?' But Christopher remained still, not even turning his head, his hand moved lifting the curtain, bright sunlight entered the room, the site before Arslan was mesmerizing, Christopher's stunning face though emotionless seemed to redefine the standards of beauty, at that very moment Christopher's lips parted, "This decison was taken after much consideration. Unlike Wellesley, I don't love her....this marriage is a move driven by political motives rather than personal interest, if that's what your head is thinking about, This is for the future of the empire, a peaceful one....be by my side if you intend to continue serving me in the future that is....If not leave".