Single But Not Ready To Mingle
"Your Majesty?"
A voice startled Adamos, making him spring up from his deep sleep. It was one of his servants who seemed to be trying to wake him up a while ago.
His widened eyes immediately darted to the water clock across his bedstead, which quickly informed him that he was already late for the royal meeting.
"Skata," he cursed as he transported himself to the dressing area in his Chamber.
The servants weren't surprised to see him there in a blink of an eye. But they were aware of the prickly disposition of their King, making them scramble on their feet to put the royal garment in him at the speed of light.
He was still setting up his headpiece as he stepped out of His Chamber when the servants who were escorting him all lined up as they welcomed the entrance of someone who has a higher position than the King.
"Greetings, Your Imperial Highness," they all bowed down to their knees in unison.
Even the plants who were potted nearby bowed down to the Great Emperor of the Elysian Empire who made time to visit them in their humble abode.
With a steady and confident gait, the Emperor walked to where Adamos was, his black velvet cloak swaying with his every move.
Adamos drew in a deep breath and tilted his head downward. "I apologize for being behind time, Your Imperial Highness." He was not lifting his head up.
He was expecting him to scold him, as he always does. But to his surprise, the Emperor extended his ringed hands and fixed Adamos' headpiece.
"It's all right," he even said in a mild tone through his raven beard, startling Adamos. "I perceived that this shall be the last time that you shall be as delinquent as this."
Adamos' forehead scrunched as he lifted his head. "Forgive me, but I could not follow, Your Imperial Highness."
It is not that he wanted to be unpunctual all the time. It just so happened that lately, he was getting less sleep. The Royal Healer has given him calming medicine, making it harder for him to wake up on time.
The Emperor's lips lifted as he drew in a deep breath and sighed. But he didn't answer him.
Instead, he turned to his back and strode away, towards the throne room, assuming that Adamos will follow him, too. And he did.
With the Emperor's royal servants behind him, he trod along behind the Emperor, while his own royal servants were at the end of the line.
"How do you find the ladies?" he asked without stopping. "I heard they were innocently lost in Edin."
"They were odd," Adamos quickly responded.
The Emperor stopped walking to face him. Then he lifted his right hand and snapped, making Adamos close his eyes, ready for what will happen next.
All the servants froze in their tracks. Even the birds that were chirping their morning tunes came to a halt. The leaves falling from the trees suddenly were suspended in the air.
Adamos peeked through his closed eyes, thinking that he was part of the frozen statues. But he was not.
The Emperor was now facing him with his hands on his waist, making Adamos immediately put his hands forward and clasped them together, his feet wide apart.
The Emperor sighed before he uttered straightforwardly, "When will you find the lady that you will like? It's about time that you have yourself a wife, son."
Adamos' shoulders dropped down as he muttered to himself, 'I knew it.'
"They were from another realm, Father. They could cause chaos in Edin," Adamos responded quickly.
"I know. But can't you see I was asking out of desperation? I have brought you women from different parts of my empire. But you just gave them a night. Who knows if one of those ladies is Hyouka?"
"That is just a myth, Father."
"What if it is true? What if that Hyouka is the woman who could bend your tenaciousness?"
With that, Adamos head bowed down. He cannot win against the Emperor.
"I learned from the Royal Physician about your deteriorating condition. Will you deny it?"
"No, Father," Adamos responded in between two quick breaths.
"Haven't you learned your lesson yet? You cannot exploit your body just because you're immortal!" his hands swiped the air before he faced him with a stern face.
If the suspended servants would see him right now, they would cry out in terror. But the Emperor rarely uses that face in public.
Only when they were alone. And most often, lately.
"I think the Royal Ministers and the guests are already waiting, Your Imperial Highness," Adamos tried to deviate from the topic.
But the Emperor waved his hand, "Skata! I don't care whether they wait or not. I can always crush them with just one snap. Have you forgotten all the times that you have been put in Edin sleep just so you can be conscious again?" his charcoal eyeballs turned to lightning as he glared at Adamos.
Adamos seeped in a lungful of air as he pressed his lips together, exhaling afterward with his shoulders down.
"I just want to take care of Edin to the best of my abilities, Father," Adamos responded in a low and soft tone, his head bowed down, calming his father's rage.
'And I don't want to disappoint you, too,' he muttered, but he didn't voice it out loud.
There are a lot of kingdoms in the Elysian Empire. And only Adamos, the begotten son of Rhanos, was given the privilege to rule Edin, the main source of all kingdom's power.
That is, once the Emperor decided to retire, it was Adamos who will take over and reign over the whole Elysian Empire.
Failing Edin is failing the the whole Elysian Empire. Thus failing his father, the Emperor.
The Emperor's eye color returned to normal as his hands relaxed on his side. "And who is going to take care of you?"
"I have servants, Father," Adamos answered, making the Emperor breathe out a loud sigh.
"I admire it that you got your stubbornness from me, which helped you rule Edin in peace. But you cannot do everything alone."
Adamos repeated the last line in his head as he was so used to hearing that. It is like a period, concluding a long paragraph.
"Do not test my patience, Adamos," the Emperor lifted his hand again, snapped it, and walked forward again as if time hadn't stood still.
The servants trudged again, not seeing the rage of their Emperor a few moments ago.
Meanwhile, Adamos continued to walk a few distances away from him.
It is not that he didn't hear the concern in his father's voice. He just doesn't think that it is the answer to his condition. He doesn't need additional weight in his hands.
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Remember, attraction is only one part of a relationship. Loyalty, commitment, responsibility, and maturity make up the rest.