Sometime in the past...
"What is it, child?"
Hugo snapped his eyes, shifting them to his father, the emperor, Deimos, who was sitting on the throne in his private audience room. The latter bore a solemn front, staring back at his son's sedated look.
"What is it that you want to talk about when you barely reunited with your wife? I wonder how important is this matter for you to leave her in the dinner banquet?" the emperor probed, intrigued by his son's actions and reactions. "Does this have to do with the prince of vampires?"
"Yes, it is," came out a stern and unresigned voice.
Deimos rocked his head while tapping his fingers against the armrest. "Speak. What is it?"
"I want to lead the war. By lead, I mean I am requesting for full authority over the entire operation, Your Majesty."
"Is this about the matter of the crown prince's deteriorating health?"