Tyrant of the Ruined Sun

Kira smiles affectionately at me, as she saw my childish antics, remembering my previous lazy attitude before my return in time, before suddenly hurling the covers off of me and then beginning to violently shake me like a ragdoll, a lot like a true older sister would wake her younger brother!

“Ok. Ok. I’M UP! PLEASE STOP!” I plead in defeat, as I glared at her, while she flashes her triumphant grin at me.

I begrudgingly get up, while rubbing the remaining drowsiness from my eyes, as Kira approaches me with a large bowl of cold water to wash my face, which I do immediately while asking “Did my family already leave to the Royal Mausoleum?”

“They indeed did, sire. They left at dawn.” Kira replied dutifully.

I frown as I ask “Why didn’t you wake me up then?”

“Because her majesty knew that you were tired and didn’t want to disturb your sleep.” She responded with a small smile on her face.

“I see.” I mutter with a warm smile on my lips.

After that I quickly finish freshening up and wearing my clothes, as I grab a quick bite, before rushing towards my office with Kira, Horus, Abraham and Isaac to begin the weekly council meeting, who I was already late to.

With in a few moments I reached my office, and entered to see the two dozen men, some of whom included the most powerful people in the country such as Darius and Hamilcar, quietly waiting inside.

As soon as I entered they immediately stood up and then slightly bowed respectfully as they greeted me simultaneously “Good morning your imperial majesty.”

“Good morning gentlemen. My apologizes for arriving so late.” I said calmly as I sat at the head of the table with Kira, Horus, Abraham and Isaac standing dutifully behind me.

“No apology required sire, we’ve only just arrived ourselves.” Darius said amicably, which was an obvious lie, since all of them had arrived at least twenty minutes ago.

But it was a lie I appreciated, since it was uttered to help me save face before my cabinet members.

So I nodded to him in a clear sign of gratitude, while mentally noting this instance to reward him later, as I authoritatively said “Alright, let’s begin the council meeting then, seeing as how we’re already late.” All the men nod their heads solemnly, as they sit back down in their seats.

Seeing this I continue “Just like always, those with urgent reports will take priority. So, who wants to start today?”

As soon as I finish, laterally all of them raise their hand at the same time, indicating that they want to start, meaning all of them have urgent reports! I couldn’t help the empty chuckle that escaped my mouth, as I already start feeling a headache.

“Then we shall begin with the Grand Vizier today.” I said decisively, after a moments thought.

Darius stands up, and distributes a large stack of papers to all those present, as he grimly says “Thank you sire.

As you have ordered I have begun to more actively recruit previously neutral nobles to our side, and so far it has been a success, since we have gained a lot of new members, most of which are low ranking nobles, especially after your victory in the war against the Luminous Empire.

But the Noble Faction has also begun to do the same as us, and in even more fervor than us I’m afraid. They have especially been fortunate to have ensnared a lot of new support from the medium ranked noble houses, which could lead to even more difficulties in the future.”

“Why is the Noble Faction managing to continue to lure in the medium rank Houses? Are they offering them more than us?” The minister of justice, who was a middle aged man with aging grey hair, and average looks and build, named Ashtad Adalet asked.

“Indeed. And why does it seem like you’re only managing to gain the loyalty of the weak houses, who can do little to help us?” The short, balding and portly looking minister of commerce, who always had a staunch rivalry with Darius added.

Darius smiled upon hearing the minister of commerce’s argument, and replied “Although it may appear like that, I can assure you that even the weakest of the noble houses can be used to great effectiveness in the right hands. After all, even an insect has it’s uses.”

The minister of commerce, whose name was Rhett Rukmini, could only scoff in response to Darius’s words.

Darius smiled smugly upon seeing this and continued “And the reason the medium rank houses are so eager to join the Noble faction is because they are the perfect prey to be manipulated by the infectious dreams of the Noble Faction.”