"The Emperor receives no one, and His meditation's duration remains uncertain," the guard informed the Prince.
Ready for confrontation, the Prince stepped forward, only for the spear's cold edge to press beneath his chin.
"Disgusting worm!" he spat, even as the Adviser tugged sharply at his sleeve, urging him to hold his tongue.
"Meditation already?" the Adviser muttered. His gaze flicked to the guard. The guard returned the look, too quickly. "Perhaps a ruse. But entry is barred for now."
The Prince's frustration simmered. "What if the Emperor learns of the bastard's survival? Will he reclaim Him?"
The Adviser straightened the Prince's collar without speaking, then gave a slow, heavy nod.
"And if He does?" the Prince pressed.
"It will be discreet. Hidden from all the Heavens," the Adviser answered.
But the Prince's fury only deepened.
"Without the Mirrors' Master our search falters. And we have no idea where he might be there!"
This time, the Adviser said nothing. His thoughts had drifted elsewhere.
"Could the bastard be reborn?" the Prince demanded.
"Unlikely," the Adviser replied at last. "Dust or continuity. Two paths. Either He dissolves into the wandering dust of the worlds… or He remains what He originally was."
The Prince leaned in. "If He's alive," the whisper was low just to be heard, " the Mirrors' Master will find him. The Emperor won't hesitate not if He stays unaware."
"For now," the Adviser corrected, turning away, "for now He won't."
"And what of us?" the Prince was sharp in tone. "Are we alone in this revelation?"
"Your Father calls Him son, so we should be more than careful." The Adviser's response came quiet but heavy as stone.
The Prince froze.
Son.
A word he had never heard from his father's lips, at least, never directed at him.
Did it bother him?
Quite the opposite.
He had no desire to be that brat's brother, despite his father's attempts to pretend they shared anything at all.
"Well, better tell me, how did you know he might be in the mortal world? Could others be aware too?" The Prince's voice held a hint of defiance.
The Adviser hesitated, eyes still fixed on the guard.
"Except for your father, I believe no one else knows."
A fleeting smile touched the Prince's lips, just for a moment only.
"And the Emperor? Does He suspect?"
"Perhaps," the Adviser said, turning again toward the guard. The guard gave the slightest nod. Too small for anyone but the Adviser to notice.
"So He might be searching for the Mirrors' Master as well? What an old rag!"
The Prince's outburst earned him a quick hand clamped over his mouth.
"Careful," the Adviser warned.
The Prince immediately shoved him away.
"Leave me be!" He wiped his lips with his sleeve, the place where the Adviser's hand had touched him.
"Are you out of your mind? Planning to lose your hand?"
"Not at all." The Adviser replied calmly. "Your head is worth more than my hand, Your Highness. But I'd like to keep both attached, so I beg you, watch your words inside the Palace."
Prince paused, jaw tight.
"Saving my life, though… I'm less certain it's worthwhile without this bastard..."
*Thx for reading.