“What didn’t she do?” the king drawled. His demeanor changed, instantly taking on the qualities of a fat cat toying with a mouse. He leaned back in his chair, eyelids at half-mast, a self-satisfied smile curling the edges of his lips. His fingers drummed the arm of the throne, back and forth, back and forth, like a cat’s tail twitching back and forth before it pounces.
Behind Mouse, Dayander let out a quiet sigh. Mouse closed his eyes and barely resisted the urge to rub his temples. I shouldn’t have told Cel to fetch the Emperor.
Felix drifted to a halt. His gaze darted from the king to Mouse, searching for his mistake. “I, er, I… She didn’t blight Sidd. She couldn’t have.”
The king smiled. In a sincere tone, he said, “Thank you for your sage wisdom, Great Mage-Emperor. However, we have just resolved that issue. Perhaps you could assist us with the second?”
“The… second?” Felix asked, lost.
“Formally, it is the first. We were judging whether or not this drow violated the honor of the duel. What is your opinion?”
Felix shook his head. “I don’t think she did.”
Mouse resisted the urge to put his head in his hands.
“Quite so, quite so. Your Majesty has such immense wisdom. Truly, I stand amazed, that you could be so far from the scene and still know the truth. Such wisdom borders on omniscience.”
Felix blushed and stared at his feet. “I… I’m not omniscient.”
The smile didn’t budge from the king’s face, but his eyes narrowed, the same vicious light glittering in them as so often did in Sabelyn’s. “Then how do you know that she acted honorably, when you were not present to witness it?”
“I—” The words stuck in Felix’s throat. His mouth worked, but nothing came out. The blush deepened, spreading down his neck and across his ears. At last, he shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“Then how could you make such a bold claim that she must have acted honorably? Surely it is better to hear out both sides first and weigh the evidence, if one did not personally witness the acts.”
Felix shuffled in place. His hands knitted over one another, feet kicking aimlessly at the carpet. “I’m sorry. I—I’m no good at this kind of thing.”
The king’s smile grew wider. “Do not worry, Your Majesty. Leave the ruling to me. Sit to the side and watch, and in no time, you will know how to lead. But until then, please, do not make such rash comments. I fear for Your Majesty’s reputation, if someone who did not know you well were to take them seriously. Luckily, I am here, and I know Your Majesty.”
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“Yes, I… thank you,” Felix muttered, half a whisper.
Mouse glanced back at the Mage-Emperor. He didn’t look imperious at all. The farm boy stood alone in the center of the room in ill-fit finery. His shoulders lifted protectively, and his head ducked. He fiddled with the hem of his shirt, eyes downcast.
I’ve got my work cut out for me.
“You are quite welcome, Your Majesty.” All smiles, the king turned back to Mouse. His crescent-moon eyes peered at Mouse, asking: Do you understand? The Mage-Emperor is nothing before me. I need not fear him.
Uncowed, Mouse stared back. He’s not much now, but he won’t be useless forever.
The king’s eyes drifted toward his daughter. There, at last, the self-satisfaction softened into something kinder. “Sabelyn. How do you claim the drow princess violated the honor of the duel?”
“At the beginning of the duel, she attacked before the duel began, and at the height of the duel, she shouted out to alert her champion to an attack that would have provided Reginald’s champion the victory,” Sabelyn stated firmly. Though she spoke with resolve, her eyes were dull. Her main charge fell apart. These lesser charges were only distraction. Mouse could see it in her eyes: she was bored. This was a waste of her time.
“And you, Mouse?” the king asked.
Mouse stepped forward. He cleared his throat. “In my homeland, duels start when a duelist touches their weapon. Reginald touched his, therefore, I assumed the duel had started. I should have clarified the rules, and for that, I sincerely apologize.
“As for shouting in the midst of the duel, it was Princess Eleda who made that mistake, not myself. I believe the shout had no effect on the outcome duel. In the heat of a duel, opponents often pay no attention to anything outside of the duel. I suspect neither challenger heard anything. Certainly, neither seemed to react.”
The king considered, a hand on his chin. After a few moments, he nodded to himself. “We shall consider your executing the blighted Sidd as meritorious service to the kingdom, which we will allow to counteract your mistakes on the dueling field. Mind, however, that you do not make such a mistake again. We will not be so generous next time.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Mouse curtseyed. Internally, he rolled his eyes. Killing a blighted beastfolk is considered the equivalent of breaking a man’s nose? These humans are absolutely ridiculous.
The king turned to Felix. “Now do you see? This is the correct way to resolve conflicts. Listen to all sides and provide council.”
Felix nodded, brown curls falling in his eyes.
Yeah, yeah, we all get it. You only did it to prove a point to Felix, Mouse thought. The urge to roll his eyes became nearly irresistible.
Nodding to himself, the king sat up. “Do you know what else a ruler must have to be a good leader?”
Felix looked up. “What?”
“An understanding of his citizens. As Emperor of the entire Barrier Alliance, I understand that you face a nearly impossible task. However, have we not provided you with a golden opportunity?”
Felix blinked, completely lost.
The king smiled and gestured at Mouse. “The princesses represent each of the countries under the alliance. Why not start by getting to know them better?”
Mouse narrowed his eyes. Crafty old fox. You don’t care if he learns, you just want to ensure Felix never takes power by distracting him with women.
“I… I’ll do my best,” Felix said, uncertain.
“If you require assistance, do not hesitate to ask.” With that, the king waved. Taking it as a dismissal, Mouse gave a final curtsey and retreated.