The beloved frowned for a brief moment.

- Me, but why?

- I could give you many reasons. But I think, or rather I am sure, that none of them will ever find their way into your consciousness.

His mother, the beautiful Empress of Grovius, spoke in a singularly rigid and almost disturbing manner. She wore with exceptional elegance a magnificent long dress draped in ivory and gold chiffon, decorated with various designs enhanced by rare stones and magic, and cinched at the waist with a wide belt, ribbon and beautifully woven lace. White gloves and classic jewelry covered her delicate hands, and a lavish tiara adorning her proud forehead completed the imperial image.

And as usual, even though her son respected her, he didn't care about her advice, which left him totally indifferent and that deep down, he had never really understood the importance.

- You're right, Mom, I probably never will. He admitted with a gesture revealing his total lack of interest and that his mother could hardly bear. In fact," he continued, changing the subject, "I met a wonderful animal in the woods of Jeriok, really perfect. I would like to have him for myself.

The emperor, who went to pour himself a drink at the rare white wooden bar set up along one wall, suspended his gesture when he heard this new whim as disturbing as usual.

- Are you sure you can raise him alone?

- Why would you doubt it?

The sovereign shrugged his shoulders, looking at his son with malice.

- Because if I remember correctly, you and the animals have never been truly compatible.

- What do you think you're talking about, Father? he insisted with a falsely surprised face that would have convinced anyone.

- Oh, but lots of things, if only we could mention the case of that sublime Kartial who was so terrified of your powers that his heart stopped and never started beating again, or that funny Singui who for days never stopped crying terribly to be freed from your yoke, or the blue Dordogne who was so adorable but preferred to jump off that mountain to escape you, despite its great affection for you - terrifying and incomprehensible, so to speak. And not to mention your first pet, that adorable Ritelle, whose fate was never known, but who I can easily guess had a close connection with what you did to her.

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The prince shook his head, feeling a terrible annoyance begin to invade him in front of this discussion which had for only purpose to moralize him.

- But Ritelle loved me too, omitting to speak about all the others. He protested all the same for the form.

- Of course, like all those creatures you had possessed, and who are all dead.

- They should all die one day anyway! Just like me.

- We all know that! But we should have the right to choose our own fate. Even the creatures you don't seem to be aware of hurting.

The two men looked at each other for a moment, then the prince pursed his lips slightly and smiled strangely.

- Well, you see, one should rather consider things as they really are, that these creatures were in the end as bad as they were weak, right? To fear me so much and not be able to stand what I am.

Upon hearing these terrible words of sincerity, Emperor Grovius could not help but give a surprised laugh.

- And the worst thing is that you really believe what you are saying.

- Of course, father. As I always say, it would be so much more tiring to try to be something other than what we really are.

- Perhaps," his mother interjected vehemently. But if your uncontrollable nature should ever harm our empire, or our family, I will be there to remind you of your words and etch them into your body.

Taking no offense to his mother's harsh words and threat, the young prince bowed only slightly to the woman who had given birth to him before approaching his father and helping himself to a drink, calmly swallowing it, leaning on the polished bar, and then straightening.

- Well, my dear parents, as I said when I came in and before we started this most sterile discussion, I am ready.

The event of the famous party was as everyone had hoped, wonderful.

When the imperial family was announced and came out on the huge balcony erected on a whole facade of the gigantic palace, deafening applause and cheers greeted their appearance, followed by explosions of magical fireworks that lit up the sky and the whole city with sparkling colors and dust.

Then swarms of elves of all kinds appeared in an extraordinary brightness emerging from the horizons and flying gracefully everywhere, stopped in front of the imperial couple once, performed a deep bow in perfect coordination and then resumed their sublime dance and offered other deep and colorful entertainment that amazed all present.

The prince behaved as his rank demanded of him. No gesture was too much or too little. He showed an expression that clearly showed his approval of the elves' elaborate and fantastic performances. Again he was perfect, and again people were blinded by his shining, impervious mask.