A Dance Of Blades and Hearts

rebels and places

"I was by the lower districts this morning, things seemed to have improved over there" uncle said to me as I looked over the agenda for today's council meeting

I hummed

" I had the minister of finance carry out a redistribution process " I replied eyes on the agenda,

they become more outrageous by the day.

I heard uncle laugh and it brought a small smile to my face " your ministers must have thrown quite the fit " he said and I looked up at him to find amusement in his eyes

"when has that ever stopped me? " I said offhandedly.

"indeed " uncle said smile on his face.

"feng lou will be visiting the palace in a few days " uncle started and I paused to look at him, small frown on my face

"you mean the man you and father grew up with? " I asked and he nodded

"the one who looks down his nose at everything and everyone? " I continued and uncle snickered

"I see you're still as fond " uncle stated teasingly

" practically joyful " I deadpanned

the man was around the palace when father was still alive and I was a child, he was part of fathers council for a period before being transferred to head a district outside Peria, I couldn't remember much about the man except that he was an aristocratic air head.

"why is he visiting again uncle? "

" he was a friend of your father and a friend of mine, also an aristocrat, he can enter the palace " uncle said with a placating smile and I shrugged

" of course uncle "  I said offhandedly and uncle smiled

" you do know as the head of the palace and the emperor you have to receive him with me " uncle pointed out and I rolled my eyes

" isn't being an emperor supposed to get me out of things like this?" I replied and uncle laughed.

"be nice your highness " uncle said and I smirked at him

"when am I ever not? " I replied, gaze falling back on my work "

The door opening shook my concentration and I watched as a man I recognized as one of uncles lackeys bowed at us both

" your highness, general " he said looking at me briefly before looking straight at uncle and nodding, uncle smirked and nodded back before facing me, eyes shining with barely concealed glee.

***********
"no " ,

"but kiara " clen started

"no "

"common it'll be fun" clen said as we walked towards my shared room with lia

"you can go with the guys clen " I said ignoring the look in his eyes

" it's the festival of fire kiara, everyone will be going for it, lu fehn wants to come with but I'd rather go with my best friend " he confessed looking at me and I felt my breath hitch in my throat

guilt tugging at my heart, I'm such a horrible person, he sees me as his best friend and I can't even let myself acknowledge that he's my friend. I forced a smile

"okay " I replied and a grin spread across his face.

I walked into the room and rested on the door sighing, I opened my eyes and startled a little to find lia staring at me, eyes inquisitive and worried.