Page 27 of Consort's Dragon
“Several, actually.Not surprising.With my renewed vitality I took a more active interest in my country.Those who thought they could fleece an old emperor soon realized their mistake.Of course, making an example of them didn’t curb the inherent greed.Some thought it would be best to remove me.”
“You fared better than me,” she remarked ruefully.“Benoit had me run out of my own castle within a week of my family’s passing.”
“In your defense, you probably weren’t used to the same level of subterfuge.Me, I expect it and therefore am always watching for treachery.”
“I’m surprised to hear that.Your people seem to love you.”
“Seem and do are two different things.It’s easy to pretend.Just like you’re pretending to like me.”
She blinked at him.“I’m not pretending.”
He waved a hand.“It’s fine.I understand.We met a day ago and I will admit, my past would seem unsavory from the outside.”
“Very.”She wouldn’t lie.“An old man marrying so many young women and them all meeting an untimely demise…”
“Is very suspect.Agreed.However, as mentioned previously, I had no hand in their deaths, but I will admit I was a poor emperor and husband.I didn’t care about any of my consorts.They were the means to an heir and when they failed and suffered an accident…” He shrugged.“I didn’t question and married again as soon as a bride was presented.”
“I’m surprised you’re admitting this as it does not paint you in a very good light.”
“You are a woman who appreciates honesty.I am a man who’s no longer willing to let others make decisions for him.”
“Are you?It is my understanding you have three viziers now, instead of one.”
“They work for me, not themselves.”
“Or so you think,” she muttered, unable to hold it in.
“What makes you think that?”
She bit her lip.“The rumors weren’t very flattering.”
“Let me guess, that they’re witches who have bound me with their magic and rule Merisu.”
“Something to that effect.”
“They are magic users of mighty power who came to me because they saw something I didn’t: A leader.Someone who could stand strong against the coming strife and defeat it.”
“Were they speaking of Zhos?”
“That foul entity is part of my task.”He paused before adding, “But I am not to face it alone.Kachezi also saw you in a vision.”
A frown creased her brow.“Me?”
“I was told a daughter of Voxspira would also stand against Zhos.At the time, I assumed it meant one of your sisters, seeing as how your existence wasn’t well known until recently.”
“I was the hidden princess.A bastard daughter with clear Verlorian blood.”Her lips twisted.“My siblings saw me as an embarrassment.It led to me being shunted aside for the most part.”
“Even by your mother?”
“Yes.As she lay dying, she said it was for my own good.To save me.”Avera uttered a bitter laugh.“In the end, the neglect didn’t help for the people didn’t trust me.I was ousted without even a trial.”
“Who was your father?”
“A Verlorian scientist who came to Daerva in search of the Dracova stones.He seduced my mother to fool her into helping.Once he’d stolen what he came for, he fled.”
“Your father was Basil Currosa.”
She stared at him.“How did you know?”
