“No. He doesn’t have the backbone necessary for more… unpleasant matters.” After seeing him in action with the secretaries invading his office, Draylon wondered at the accuracy of those words. “However, I’m told he’s well versed in the running of the kingdom and could save your staff weeks of work.” Draylon suspected Yarif would fight to the death for what he believed. If the emperor could harness that passion, it could benefit them both.
Could Yarif prove to be a dangerous, lying serpent? Perhaps. Useful, also perhaps.
“True. We could use the younger prince and princess’s fates to help convince Prince Yarif to publicly relinquish any holds on the kingdom and to cooperate fully.”
It appeared Father wasn’t ready to abandon the subject of the children. Time to drop the professional demeanor and deal as father and son. “Father, I would never deign to use children as hostages.”
“But they can be useful tools.” The twinkle in Father’s eyes hinted at how well he’d manipulated his own children for what he called “the greater good.”
How Draylon hated those words: the greater good. “What about their betrothals to known enemies of the empire?”
“Broken. I’m already considering other options.”
Draylon shot to his feet. They’d only just taken over the kingdom. Father must have been planning this for months. “Other options? Father, they’re children.”
Father nodded. “Your older brother was betrothed before he’d left the cradle.”
“How fortunate for him that he came to love his intended.” It was a damned miracle Father hadn’t yet shackled Draylon into marriage. Then again, Father wasn’t about to lose a crucial part of his war machine. Commander Draylon served the purpose of maintaining order in the empire much better than Prince Draylon would.
“Love isn’t necessary for a successful working relationship,” Father declared.
No, but how many nobles wed against their will only to die young under mysterious circumstances? Or turned to infidelity and the mess that created? “Like yours and Mother’s?” Draylon respected his father or tried to, adored his mother, and they portrayed a happy family when needed. Even so, Father kept, on average, three mistresses at a time. Mother, though more discreet in her dealings, currently bedded her lady-in-waiting—and the captain of the queen’s guard.
Often at the same time.
Draylon didn’t have so many lovers, even as an unmarried man.
“Like ours,” Father said, mistaking an intended jab for a compliment. “Now, the Renvalle army is laughable, the reason we so easily took the castle. Their lands connect with our sworn enemies, Delletina. Delletina separates the empire from Craice, which is also an enemy. If they were to form an alliance with Renvalle, they’d have direct access to the borders of Herix, Glendor, and Draige. Therefore, we need a strong military presence here. Someone with a firm hand to whip the troops into shape and weed out any dissidents.”
“Military men are rarely good rulers.” Draylon recalled a particular fiasco in a neighboring kingdom. Ruling called for diplomacy, though he’d heard of successful warrior-kings back in his family’s history.
“Which is why whoever is chosen will be someone with enough common sense to listen to his advisors. A compatible political match will go a long way into providing balance.” Though Father might be manipulative at times, he also took a step back to consider his actions, studying all angles of a problem before deciding. Didn’t he?
“I’d originally thought about the Duke of Rilekia,” Draylon ventured. “He served in the military as a young man, he’s highly educated, and well connected. Locals might accept a Glendoran leader better than a Cormiran one.”
Father didn’t even pause before answering, “He is needed exactly where he is.”
True. The qualities making him a good choice for Renvalle also made him otherwise valuable. “Yes, I’d thought so as well. You need someone totally loyal to you, and yes, in this case, with a military background, who can gain the respect of the officers here.”
Father smiled. “Yes.”
“You want them unwed, so you can arrange a political marriage, which will go a long way in winning local support.”
“Yes, again. I’m so glad you agree.” Father’s calculating smile didn’t bode well for—somebody.
Chill fingers ran up Draylon’s spine. He couldn’t be thinking… “How about Lieutenant Sompera? She’s young, ambitious, and loyal to a fault. She’s also a baron’s daughter.” Not high in the noble hierarchy, but still noble.
“While political marriages needn’t be based on attraction, I’m not bastard enough to insist our lovely lieutenant marry a man when she’s well-known to prefer women.”
Since when? One side of Draylon’s mouth lifted before he could rein in the humor. “Don’t let her hear you call her lovely. The last man who complimented her appearance found himself lying on his ass in the dirt.”
Father laughed. “Yes, I’ve heard how if I intend to pay a compliment, it should be for her accomplishments, not for something she cannot control.”
“I have other suggestions.” Anything to steer this conversation away from where Draylon feared it might go.
Father ignored Draylon’s words. “I was quite surprised to find Prince Yarif was not a child but a man of marriageable age. I’m also told the prince has a distinct preference for men.” The stubborn tilt of Father’s jaw caused squirming in Draylon’s belly.
His heartbeat kicked up a notch. He strode to the window to hide his sudden terror of what Father might suggest next. If this plan called for someone with a military background… “I’d not heard.” Funny how the servants never mentioned Yarif’s preferences. Then again, they were loyal to Prince Yarif and likely saw no need. “You intend to keep him here as consort to whomever you choose.” Such a move would at least allow Yarif to live—for now.
