Page 269 of The War God’s Favorite

Lephys rolled his eyes, shrugged, and then stepped closer.

“Of course I knew, you idiot. Vrehan was always going to need an ally inside the Imperial Palace, and who else but me would have gone along with it?”

“Why?” asked Cassandra, shocked. “This is your father!”

“My father?” scoffed Lephys. “You call that man a father? Do you have any idea what kind of father he is? He might be nice towards Kairen and Shareen, but do you think anyone else in this Imperial Palace holds any fond memories of our dear daddy? Really? What do you say, Opheus?”

Cassandra glanced at the Fourth Prince, but he obviously had nothing to answer to that. Lephys was right in many ways, and even Cassandra couldn’t say otherwise. The Fifth Prince took another step closer. He was acting arrogant and totally unaffected by the dying old man behind them.

“A father,” he spat. “What kind of father doesn’t give a damn about his children dying? How many of our siblings do you think died over the years? Father had so many concubines, they all gave birth to his children... when they didn’t lose them or die first.”

“His Highness was not responsible for those murders,” retorted Cassandra. “The concubines...”

“Oh, I know. The concubines are the ones who always dirtied their hands. One of their rivals was pregnant? Let’s kill her. The baby was born safely? Let’s kill it! Who needs more children, anyway? The Emperor already has so many!”

Cassandra glanced at the Emperor, unable to contest that. She knew all too well how nefarious this family was. She would never forget the horror stories of how Lady Kareen had lost three of her children. That was one fear that had been growing in Cassandra’s mind ever since Lady Kareen had shared her story - that one day, sooner or later, Kassian would become a target, that he already was. She couldn’t stand the idea of a child being injured or killed, let alone one of her own!

None of his children had done anything to warrant that kind of life. Their only crime was being born. They were conceived with no say in the matter and then used as political pawns, killed or maimed before they were even able to understand the cruel world they had been born into. Even those who survived beyond birth and into childhood, had to endure the scheming and rivalries. No one made it out without countless scars, both physical and emotional - the pain of losing siblings, enduring hateful step-mothers, and half-siblings. They all had to face too many monstrosities.

“Do you know how many brothers and sisters I’ve lost through the years? I saw five of them die, but there were many more. My own mother died, poisoned, and yet he didn’t bat an eyelid. See, to the Emperor, no one but his precious Favorite and her children ever mattered. All the other women and children were only there for his own pleasure. He’s the kind of man who didn’t even shed a tear as his own children died, and yet you’re crying for him? You are wasting your tears on a narcissistic bastard”

Cassandra felt horribly perturbed listening to this.

She understood where Lephys’ hatred came from. Even his hatred towards Kareen and her children could be somewhat justified, as he had suffered from their mere existence. Yet, Cassandra couldn’t agree with any of this. She shifted slightly, placing herself between the Emperor and Lephys.

“You can’t trust Vrehan either,” she said. “Your Second Brother will try to get rid of you, too, as soon as he gets the throne.”

“I really don’t think so. I am his ally after all. Do you honestly think Vrehan would have taken control of our father’s council so easily, if it wasn’t for my help?”

“You son of a... What the hell did you do?” growled Opheus.

Lephys chuckled.

“Oh, I was rather involved. Do you know how many concubines I have, Opheus? How many of those women are the daughters of ministers, scholars, generals? It wasn’t easy, but if you look carefully, all those women are nothing but pawns to their families. If I merely hinted to one that they might stand a chance at becoming my wife, the desperate whore would run back to her father and arrange any form of support I needed! It’s like having my own little army! A bunch of little sluts, all ready to do anything I want, just for a little hope I’d make her my wife.”

Cassandra was disgusted. This man was completely rotten to the core, to use his concubines like mere tools, just to get what he wanted! Was that why Vrehan had decided to include him in his plan? It explained so many things! She hadn’t understood how he could have taken control of the Imperial Palace so easily by himself. However, with three of the Princes absent, and one of the remaining two on his side, all Vrehan had needed to do was get rid of the Emperor, and then all of his associates would have no choice but to fall in line!

“And you call our father scum?” retorted Opheus, disgusted. “Would you call yourself a saint, perhaps? You’re worse than our father ever was!”

“Am I?” asked Lephys, tilting his head. “I am not doing anything our father hasn’t done before. Actually, I’m probably nicer since I don’t single out any favorites. He used my mother and sisters like pawns for his own entertainment, for nothing but to make his Favorite jealous. What am I doing that’s the same?”

“You’re wrong,” snapped Cassandra. “It’s true that His Highness loves Lady Kareen, but he never wanted your siblings’ deaths!”

“Oh, are you trying to make me cry for the old man, princess?” chuckled Lephys. “Don’t bother, I truly don’t care about his death. As soon as he passes, I will have Vrehan officially named as the new Emperor.”

“Just you wait until Kairen comes back and wipes the floor with your blood...” hissed Opheus.

Lephys chuckled once more.

“Kairen? Oh, you are sorely mistaken if you think our precious War God could simply fly in here. We have the whole roof trapped, and every single wall. As soon as we spot his Black Dragon, our entire army will attack. He will be taken down as easily as a fly!”

Opheus laughed.

“Is that why you hid Father’s Dragon? You and Vrehan are such cowards. You’re too scared to face Kairen on your own, so you’ve had to resort to underhanded tactics! Did that coward also leave you alone to defend the Imperial Palace, Lephys?”

Saying that, Opheus took out a little dagger that he had hidden up his sleeve. Lephys’ eyes suddenly went cold as ice upon seeing this, drawing out a long whip in response.

“You dare oppose me, Brother? You are many things, Opheus, but you are not a fighter. Are you really willing to die for this woman? For Kairen’s woman?”

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