The gathering had ended but the estate hadn’t slowed down.
Servants moved through the main hall clearing the tables. Roland had also already farewelled the regional lords while he was outside, and only families and old friends remained.
Asher had gone quiet. His smile was still in place but his eyes drifted towards Marcus, signaling that he wanted to speak privately. When he finally caught Marcus’s gaze, he gave the smallest tilt of his head towards the corridor.
Marcus caught Dorren’s eye and signaled towards the door. "You all go and sit with the others. Asher and I need a few minutes alone. We’ll come shortly."
Dorren grunted as he pushed up from his chair. "Don’t take all night. We still have some liquor left," he complained as he lifted Bram, who was already unconscious from drinking.
Kellan also slowly rose beside him as he gave a slight nod towards Marcus and Asher.
After a while, Marcus led the way down the corridor towards his office, Asher and Thomas following behind him, along with the royal guards.
One of them stepped forward just as Marcus reached for the door.
"Your Highness, I should accompany you."
Asher glanced back over his shoulder. "No."
The guard’s jaw tightened but he didn’t step back. "My orders come directly from His Majesty. I am responsible for your safety and I must--"
Asher’s expression hardened. He knew the guard’s orders came from the Emperor but that did not give them the right to enter every where.
"You’ll remain outside," Asher commanded. "This is a private matter between us. It doesn’t concern the crown."
The guard hesitated a moment too long before bowing his head. "As you command, Your Highness."
He stepped back into line with the others. Marcus pushed the door open as three of them walked inside.
Inside, the office was dim as it was lit low by the glowing essence orbs and a single desk lamp.
Marcus dropped into the chair behind his desk. Asher took the seat across from him as he crossed his legs at ease. Thomas also stood beside Marcus as his hand hovered with a pulse of his essence as he activated the isolation runes.
"We’re sealed, my lord."
"Emperor’s men are becoming a problem, Asher. His Majesty knows my temper then why send these idiots here."
"It’s the protocol, Marcus." Asher leaned back into the couch, unbothered. "The moment I leave the capital, they follow. That’s the arrangement. It isn’t new."
"They aren’t here to protect you alone, and you know it."
"No," Asher admitted. "They’re here to watch me. Every step, every house I set foot in. You know my father, he likes to monitor."
Thomas stayed quiet by the wall as he listened closely.
Marcus folded his arms as he sighed. "So you want the support of the House Hayes?"
"Straight to the point, Marcus?" Asher chuckled. "Yes, but not openly only the promise of it, when the time comes."
"And if your brother learns House Hayes backed you?"
"He is already in suspicion since I came all the way to the borders." Asher sat straight as he stared at Marcus. "We could’ve talked through communication orbs but I came here because I’m willing to take risks now."
"So, you will be announcing House Hayes is backing you?" Marcus studied him as he thought about the succession war that would worsen with time.
"No, we’ll not announce your support right now. And you will deny supporting me and I’ll also act disappointed when leaving for capital." Asher smirked as he thought about keeping everyone in the dark.
Marcus thought about the dark horse path Asher was talking as he stared at Asher. At his side, Thomas was also surprised by the path the Prince was choosing.
"All right, I’ll agree to support your faction, Prince," Marcus said slowly, "but my men will become a part of an imperial succession. Even if we lay low for now, I can’t leave you without any support after this discussion. I’ll give you enough support to make them suspicious, but never enough to convince them."
"Thank you, Marcus. I knew I could count on you." Asher exhaled a breath he didn’t knew he was keeping.
"Can I ask you something, Marcus? Not as a prince but as your brother."
Marcus raised his brow. "You’ve never needed permission before. Ask."
"Why a viscount?" Asher curiously leaned forward.
"After the last war with the beasts and Celestia Empire’s forces and after what you did to hold the borders for three months straight by yourself, Emperor wanted to name you as the fourth duke. You would have lands, riches and a seat in the council of elders but you turned it down. Why?"
"A dukedom comes with many restrictions, Asher," Marcus turned serious as he gazed towards Asher. "and I don’t want to be under more restrictions under the Empire. And main reason was more work, less battle. I like my occasional battles in the border jungles here."
"You carry the weight of a duke without the title anyways," Asher smiled. "I’ve seen it. Every lord here treats your word with respect."
"Titles are a leash, Asher," Marcus’s mouth twitched as he continued. "I’d rather keep mine short enough so that no one else can hold the other end of it."
Asher let out a laugh and for a moment the air between them felt more like family rather than Prince and a Viscount.
Suddenly, a sharp knock interrupted the rhythm of the talk.
Marcus signaled Thomas to open the door.
Thomas nodded as he walked towards the door and slightly opened it. One of the guard’s gaze went over him, to Marcus and lastly to Asher.
"Apologies, my lord." The guard’s eyes lingered on them a little too long. "I only wished to confirm nothing was amiss. It was quiet for a while."
"Nothing is amiss," Asher snapped as he saw a guard trying to enter."We were finishing. Go stand outside."
The guard bowed and withdrew but not before giving Asher one last look. Thomas shut the door firmly.
Marcus let out a slow breath. "That one watches too closely."
"They all do," Asher said. "It’s the only part of the job they’re any good at."
Marcus nodded as he gazed towards Thomas. "Thomas, release the isolation, no need for that now. We’re finished here and it is expensive to keep it active."
Outside, the four royal guards stood in front of the door. Their orders had never required understanding, only watching and reporting to a man they rarely met but all of them served.