Heinz blinked in surprise as the normally reserved Blaise Phoenixwright approached him hesitantly in the palace corridors.

"Lord Heinz, might I have a word?" Blaise asked.

"Of course," Heinz replied. "What troubles you, lad?"

Blaise flushed slightly. "It is only...well, I humbly request Aeron's presence at my birthday gathering. But only as my friend, not emperor."

Seeing Heinz's raised eyebrow, he added quickly, "Just family attending, nothing formal. But I was unsure how to invite him properly."

Understanding dawned on Heinz, and he smiled. "You chose wisely to come to me directly. Bureaucratic channels would not have sufficed for something so personal."

Blaise nodded gratefully. "I feared overstepping. But Aeron once valued our candid conversations before...everything changed." He met Heinz's eyes earnestly. "I only hope restoring some small shred of normalcy might lift his spirits."

Heinz felt a pang realizing how neglected Aeron must feel lately. Since Astrala's injury, he had been remiss as a father in his focus on caring for her recovery.

Gripping Blaise's shoulder, Heinz said warmly, "I know Aeron will appreciate your kind gesture deeply. And you have my word he will attend."

Blaise bowed. "You humble me, my lord. I ask only as a concerned friend."

As the gracious youth took his leave, Heinz silently renewed his vow to draw closer to Aeron during this difficult time. If this unassuming noble could show such compassion, Heinz had no excuse to do any less as Aeron's father.

***

Keith stood silently in the shadows as Neonatal conferred with the turncoat spy Ben. Though Keith harbored doubts about trusting anyone formerly in Cyron's service, Ben had provided reliable intelligence so far.

"Matriarch Mingus continues weaving her insidious web, my lord," Ben was saying gravely. "She has secretly corrupted many Imperial Navy officers and now coordinates the pirate raids to undermine you."

Keith tensed as Neonatal's expression darkened. "More treachery from that serpent. Does her ambition know no bounds?"

"I fear she is merely positioning herself to move against the emperor soon," Ben warned. "Mingus believes Aeron's volatility makes him vulnerable to deposition."

Keith stepped forward, unable to hold his tongue. "Over my dead body! That conniving witch will never lay a hand on Aeron."

Neonatal raised a placating hand. "Peace, Keith. We cannot react rashly. This requires discretion."

Keith bristled. "And will discretion safeguard Aeron if the usurper strikes openly? We must intercept this viper before she can--"

"It is too soon for overt action," Neonatal interrupted firmly. "I have a stratagem, but we must lure Mingus further into the light. Patience."

Clenching his jaw, Keith bowed stiffly in acquiescence. His protective instincts raged at leaving Aeron undefended, but he trusted Neonatal's political savvy enough to quell that urge. For now.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

After Ben had withdrawn, Keith turned to Neonatal. "I hope your gambit succeeds, my lord. Because if Mingus dares threaten my liege, no authority on earth will hold me back from vengeance."

Neonatal clasped Keith's shoulder solemnly. "I know your devotion drives you. Hold to it, but temper it with wisdom."

His eyes darkened. "When the time comes, we shall confront Mingus together. Of that, you have my oath."

***

Neonatal watched impassively as Mingus paled, clearly taken aback by his proposal for her to lead a naval campaign against the pirates personally.

"Your Eminence, surely my skills would be better applied here," Mingus argued, eyes darting nervously. "Kind is renowned for his martial prowess. Let him undertake this mission."

Aeron glanced at Neonatal, who gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head. They could not allow Mingus to slip free of this ploy.

Oblivious, Kind stepped forward eagerly. "Nonsense, Matriarch. We shall face the brigands together." He shot a pointed look at Aeron. "After all, we are nearly family now, yes?"

Neonatal suppressed a smile as Mingus realized she was trapped. Kind's marriage to Tomas prevented her from openly denying him without insulting the throne.

"I...of course, Lord Kind," Mingus acquiesced through gritted teeth. "We shall remind these sea rats what it means to provoke Imperdom's wrath."

"It is settled then," Aeron declared. "You both shall depart at once to oversee preparations."

As Mingus swept out fuming, Kind cast an insolent smirk back at Neonatal, who kept his face impassive. The brash lord likely believed he now held greater influence, but Neonatal was simply using Kind's ambition to neutralize Mingus discreetly.

After they had gone, Aeron turned to Neonatal eagerly. "Well played, Regent. With Mingus away, we control the court."

"For now, Your Eminence," Neonatal cautioned. "But the matriarch has a thousand faces. We must remain vigilant."

Aeron waved aside his warning. "Let the conniving witch play sailor. Our true enemies will reveal themselves in her absence." His eyes glinted dangerously. "And we will crush them without mercy."

Bowing in acquiescence, Neonatal left to make preparations, brow furrowed. Aeron's bloodlust was worrisome, however understandable given the threats. Patience and wisdom remained vital, though Aeron seemed to forget such virtues lately.

Neonatal sighed heavily, feeling his years. Guiding naïve idealism and jaded cynicism alike through these dark times taxed even his skill. But for the Imperium's sake, he would steer Aeron aright, away from fear and toward justice. The light still beckoned through the gathering gloom if one but kept faith. And Neonatal's determination yet remained undimmed.

***

Blanche smiled thinly as the opera dancers twirled across the stage below his private box. "Quite a spectacle, is it not, Lord Neonatal? The arts thrive under your renewed stewardship."

He raised his glass. "To your resurgence. Fortune clearly favors you once more."

"Let us not get ahead of ourselves," Neonatal replied wryly. "Holding court is like dancing on a razor's edge."

Blanche chuckled. "Too true. But your skill is unmatched in that regard." His eyes glinted knowingly. "With Mingus away, the game tilts your direction again."

Neonatal shot him a sharp look. "I serve the Imperium, not games."

"Of course, of course," Blanche said breezily. "Though we both understand power's subtle cadences here."

He smiled. "Speaking of, I was meaning to broach betrothing my Olena to Aeron. She will make a fine empress, don't you think?"

Neonatal arched an eyebrow. "You presume much, my friend. Aeron's marriage must be his choice."

Blanche's smile faltered slightly. "Naturally. I only wish to offer a suitable match when the time comes dutifully..."

"I am certain you do," Neonatal replied dryly. "Just as you offered your Minerva to Emperor Heartline back in the day, yes?"

Blanche tensed at the reminder of that past humiliation. "Well...one aims high for their House."

"Of course," Neonatal said. "Though in the end, we must accept where the pieces fall. Isn't that right, my lord?"

Chastened, Blanche inclined his head. "You have the right of it, Regent. We serve, nothing more."

But privately, Blanche still seethed. Neonatal would not bar his way. When an opportunity arose, Blanche would finally see his bloodline elevated as destiny intended, no matter the cost. The game was far from over.

***

Aeron smiled as he watched Blaise eagerly open another gift, surrounded by his close-knit family. After months confined to dreary court functions, it felt liberating to enjoy simpler pleasures again.

"Oh Blaise, try these new brushes I got for your landscape studies," his sister Olena exclaimed, bustling over.

Though eccentric, Olena's enthusiasm was infectious. Aeron relaxed, her friendly chatter washing away his lingering foul temper from recent political clashes.

"Thank you, big Sis, these are perfect," Blaise said graciously before shooting Aeron a wry wink.

Stifling a laugh, Aeron leaned over to whisper, "Quite a spirited family you have here."

"That's putting it mildly," Blaise chuckled. "Never a dull moment at least."

His face softened. "But I would not trade them for anything. Loyalty is a rare gift nowadays."

One of Blaise's younger cousins hopped over eagerly. "Aeron, come play Dragons and Drakes with us! I get to be the mighty gold dragon."

Aeron hesitated, uncomfortably aware of his imperial attendants watching. Sensing this, Blaise gently shooed his zealous kin away.

"Now, now, don't pester our esteemed guest," Blaise chided. Turning back to Aeron, he lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Apologies if they're overfamiliar. Grandfather keeps them rather, shall we say, sheltered in our small corner of the world."

Aeron smiled tightly, reminded of the ever-present distance between emperor and subject. For a blissful moment, he had nearly forgotten.

"No matter," Aeron replied, donning his formal mien again. "I appreciate you including me as a friend today. But perhaps I should return to my duties..."

Blaise's face fell, seeing the walls going back up. But he managed a respectful nod. "Of course, Your Eminence. I understand fully."

As Aeron made his polite farewells, the lightness in his heart dimmed to regret. The crown's heavy price was solitude. He could play pretend no longer.