Chapter 469:
“Oh, everyone knows Zaiper can be a nightmare.” Daemonikai chuckled. “He has ruled beside me for millennia; it’s hard to miss that.” He folded the scroll he had just finished reviewing. “But in our kingdom, any accusation, especially one leveled against a ruler, is a grave matter. One must be certain, with irrefutable evidence and reliable witnesses. If not, the allegation holds no water.”
Emeriel shook her head, not hiding her displeasure.
Daemonikai shrugged. “It’s the way of the court, young one. Zaiper is a nightmare, yes, but he’s a cunning one. He’s careful to leave no trail, no solid evidence, no credible witnesses. Until there’s proof, it remains mere speculation.”
“He doesn’t like you very much,” Emeriel said bluntly.
“The feeling is mutual,” Daemonikai replied, unbothered. “But for the most part, we keep out of each other’s way.” His eyes met hers. “Zaiper wants to be grand king.”
Emeriel reared back. “Really?”
“Mmm.”
She had never considered that possibility before, but now that she did… it made sense. Lord Zaiper had always come across as ambitious and scheming.
“If you knew that, why would you still keep someone like him by your side?” Emeriel asked incredulously.
King Daemonikai shrugged. “The Dragaxlov family has always seen the Naelzharoth as rivals, competitors. For millennia, even before Zaiper assumed the throne after his father, it has been that way. They want to be Nil’nhile.”
Emeriel was intrigued. “What does that mean?”
“First. They wish to be ‘first’ in everything,” he stated. “First ruler, first clan. Urekai has four clans, and thus, four rulers. Greyrock holds the headquarters for all northern Urekai, just as Frostfall holds for all southern Urekai… my clan. But as First Ruler, I oversee all. The Dragaxlovs have no right to encroach on my territory, but I can enter theirs. That,” he smiled faintly, “is why they despise being second.”
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Emeriel’s head bobbed as she absorbed this information.
Unrolling another scroll, King Daemonikai picked up his quill. “This rivalry didn’t start with Zaiper, and it probably won’t end with him.”
“It can’t be easy ruling alongside them.”
“It’s not difficult,” King Daemonikai scribbled on the parchment, his tone light. “Everyone is entitled to their opinions and ambition, as long as they don’t act on them.”
“Actions are what breed consequences. Actions are what we prosecute.” A shoulder lifted, then fell. “Zaiper might hunger for power, but he wouldn’t dare act on them.”
“I think he might have played a part in what happened five hundred years ago.”
Emeriel kept her suspicions to herself. She was beginning to understand how Urekai society worked. An accusation of this magnitude, even in casual conversation, could have serious repercussions.
“Did he… lose anyone on the night of the eclipse moon?” she asked cautiously.
Daemonikai stiffened, his hand pausing. He looked up at her, his expression unreadable.
There it was—the shutting down.
Emeriel had almost forgotten how sensitive the subject was. “I apologize for overstepping—”
“No,” he squeezed his eyes shut, taking a deep breath. “No, it’s alright. Yes, he lost Kristof, his elder brother.”
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