A rat

"A rat?" Lapis questioned before his saphire eyes widen in awareness.

"Duke Baralart has made another move?"

With a deep frown the emperor nodded his head leaning back on his seat as he ran his fingers through his hair. Leaning his head back the muscles in his chest flexed. The sweat in his body gleamed like gold specks.

With a small blush Lapis coughed turning his head slightly away as he scratched the side of his cheek.

The emperor was widely known for his looks. His appearance making any man and women slip under the simple gaze of his golden eyes. His exotic appearance inherited by his mother, the previous Empress. It was because of his appearance that the nobles had stood behind his uncle when he over ran the throne. The nobles stood for the purity of the Soleil bloodline. Everything that stood against the past Empress who had been the youngest princess of a poor country. Being sold off she become a gypsy performer before begin sold as a slave gypsy. Her performances and exotic beauty became so well known that she was sold by the third time before becoming gifted to emperor's grandfather. It was only after she met the emperor's father that she was freed before becoming Empress against all odds. Even through all her struggles and her acts that proved her as a holy Empress, one that could stand proud next to the emperor did not measure up against a few of the higher aristocrat nobles.

It was these who believed her magesty's blood would taint the gold blood of the Soleil royal line. Their hate for the Empress growing stronger when the emperor was born. Born with features that favored her own. Rather than that of the royal family's. Features that were used to prove they were truly of the royal family. Because of the that those who stood against her also stood against the emperor when his uncle stole the crown.

It was only after the throne was returned to the rightful heir that those that had stood against him during the war were either killed or released their titles and banished from the empire.

"What a disgusting man." The emperor muttered his fists trembling due to his force as his face twisted with disgust and rage.

Duke Baralart had once been one of his father's trustees. It was only after the overthrown that he quickly changed sides turning his loyalty to be able to keep his head in tact.

When the Duke saw his chosen side during the war he once again traded his dirt loyalty offering the emperor whatever he could. Offering to help the same son of the women he had once tried to get rid of. The only reason he was kept alive till now at arms length and was not torn to shreds was for revenge.

The emperor would allow the rat to wander for a bit before the last strike fell.

"Duke Baralart's youngest daughter arrived a while ago requesting the emperor's audience." Lapis nervously spoke out as he began seeing the fire aura around him grow.

With a sigh the emperor closed his eyes taking a deep breath as he let the fire core settle. Opening his eyes he gazed down at his clenched hands.

"Now that I've spared him, he's grown greedy. Even throwing that daughter of his my way. As if I wouldn't forget what he had done." The emperor smirked standing up.

"I only kept that girl around to see how far Duke Baralart intended to take this,but it seems like he intends to put his daughter in the princess's place. I can't have that, like they say its better to keep your enemies closer." The emperor said raising a hand to touch the cuff necklace around his neck. Lightly tracing over the crystal.

"Shall we send the lady home then?"

"Yes, It seems the Duke intended to stir something already with the princess's arrival. I have no intention to play into his game anymore."

"Send her back, I can't have someone like her taint the presence of the princess."