Empire's Son: An Epic Science Fiction Novel Series

The man gave me a reassuring smile. “I know you are concerned for him, but he shouldn’t be effected like Kaller Hame. Mostly, because he won’t be here to do a severing ceremony, and it can only be done by one of our masters.”

“Then can I even take on a new Protector?”

Kiev let out a long breath. “That’s the real question, isn’t it? The Emperor and I discussed this at great length. I told him that technically you cannot take on a new Protector without severing the bond with the old one.”

I gave the other man a puzzled look. “Then why am I even doing this?”

“For one, the Emperor is quite adamant about you severing any and all ties that you have to Remeer, he doesn’t care what it takes. And two, I said technically you can’t sever the bond. That doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to get around it.

“There are several ways to do it, and if what you told me is true about Aragon currently being plagued with the living death, then all of them will be possible without it effecting either of you negatively––well, in Aragon’s case any more negatively than he’s already experiencing.

“Are you saying his condition will help the process of me taking on a new Protector?”

“Absolutely. Blood bonds are difficult to cut largely because of the mental connections made between Protector and charge, with that being impeded by the living death, then it will make surpassing that bond and taking on a new blood oath much easier for both of you.”

I grunted. “I guess if there’s a bright side to him being in the condition he’s in, that would be it, huh?”

“Yes, because if it hadn’t been the case, your taking on a new Protector would have been much more difficult, especially for him.”

“What if he is somehow cured of the living death someday? Would there be any negative effects then?”

“Doubtful, and in fact, you would still have the bond with him. It just wouldn’t be as strong as the one with the new Protector. The new bond would take precedence over the old one. But don’t count on Aragon recovering from the living death. As I told you at the palace, that condition isn’t reversible without another Mind Bender, and there isn’t anyone in all of Ethia that would risk helping him and drawing the wrath of the Emperor, not even myself.”

I didn’t like what he said, but I nodded anyways. “I understand. But what I don’t understand is if there is a way around the severing ceremony, then why do it at all, especially if it’s fatal?”

The Master looked grim for a moment as if he was choosing his words carefully. “Your situation with Aragon is unique because he is currently suffering the living death. It makes circumventing the blood oath much easier than it otherwise would be. Also, if a previous bond is not severed properly, it can cause problems with the new bond not taking as it should. There can even be risks to the charge, which is something we try to reduce as much as possible. It is the charge who is paying for the protection to their own life after all.”

“Are you saying I could die if this doesn’t work right?”

Master Kiev shook his head. “Doubtful, as I said your situation is different.”

“But there is a risk? Even if a small one.”

Master Kiev was silent for a long moment. “Yes, there is a small risk, but only very small, and I absolutely assured the Emperor of this.”

“So he knows about this?”

“Yes.”

“And he’s still okay with me doing this?” I blinked at the man, wondering why I wasn’t informed of this little complication before I had set out to Sora X. This was my life being put at risk after all. I also couldn’t believe my father was okay with this, but then I remembered his anger at Aragon. Maybe I could believe it.

“As I said, he is quite adamant about you severing your link to Aragon.”

I grunted at hearing Kiev mirroring my own thoughts.

“Only I won’t be severing my link, not completely. You said the bond would still be there, only less than before.”

“Without Aragon here, we simply can’t sever the bond completely. Bypassing it and giving you a new Protector is the best we can do. The Emperor knows this. He and I have already had this conversation while I was at the palace, and it was quite a heated conversation I might add. One I hope to never have to repeat.”

I wanted to be angry. I really did, but I had gotten to know my birth father better than I had wanted the little time I had been at the White Palace. I suppose part of me was now expecting this sort of thing. So instead of angry, I felt more resigned. Whether I liked it or not, this was my new normal. Okay, maybe I was a little angry.

I blew out an air of frustration. “And what if I don’t want to do this? Don’t I get to make this decision? This is my life we are talking about. Why would I risk it, even a small amount if technically I already have a Protector and he taught me quat-lo so I could protect myself?”

Master Kiev’s lips became pressed into a thin line during my little rant. I also got a similar feeling of frustration from the other man. That made me pause for a moment. What part exactly was he frustrated about? But it also made me feel a little better that I wasn’t the only one not happy with being pressed into doing something.

“You are welcome to discuss this further with the Emperor, but since he is paying for this to happen, the College is under obligation to see it through.”

And that settled it, but of course, I couldn’t help to push it. I knew it would make no difference whatever I said or did, but I felt the fire of injustice inside me. I might have to do as my father wanted, but it didn’t mean I had to like it. “So I have to go through with this whether I agree with it or not?”

Master Kiev looked decidedly uncomfortable, making me feel a little bad for my tantrum. “Unless you can convince your father otherwise, I am afraid so, Highness.”

I let out a heavy sigh, trying to physically expel my frustration. It was only upsetting Master Kiev and me both. “He’s blinded by his anger at Aragon, so he’s never going to listen to me on this matter.”

A look of understanding came over the other man’s face. “Perhaps it would comfort you to know that not everyone sees Aragon in such a slanted light as the Emperor. As far as the College is concerned, Remeer has done right by his charge by doing what was necessary to protect you.

“Certainly, he took a few liberties and made some rather bold choices in that endeavor, but when a Protector acts in the interest of his charge as Aragon Remeer has done with you, well, there is no higher calling for those in the Protectorate.

“If he was not in such a negative standing with the Emperor, Aragon would be celebrated at the College for what he has done in your service. But things are as they are, so the best we can do is celebrate his success in silence and to renounce him in public. In this way, we honor him, but also keep favor with a man who could very well close our College down if he had a mind to do so.”

“You really think the Emperor would do that?”

“I think that his anger is still quite fierce when it comes to the subject of your disappearance from the Empire for so many years. The College has been fortunate because the Emperor has chosen to direct almost the entirety of his anger at Remeer and not at the College that trained him. Out of an abundance of caution, the College did officially renounce Aragon shortly after he took you from the palace. I hope you understand.”

I nodded my head. “No, I get it. You got to do what you got to do. Thank you for telling all this. I appreciate it. Sometimes I really hate that there is so much animosity towards him. He was acting on my behalf, after all. And I appreciate it, even if no one else does. But it’s good to hear that others still respect his name, even if they can’t do it publicly.”

Master Kiev smiled. “Of course, Highness.”