"How did you come to know this"Tyran eyed him.
"Only recently".Ramses responded calmly.
His eyes drifted from the physician to settle on his younger son who slowly climbed into bed before placing a hand on the general's forehead.
"His illness has something to do with my drink doesn't it?"
Tyran eyed him startled.
His gaze flickered to the physician again before returning back to him.
"How did you know?"he asked quizzedly.
"Its smell was quite pungent and unusual, watching you on edge at the celebration,I knew something was off and you were aware of this...your watchful eyes never stopped darting around...so I decided to trust you"His eyes locked with his father's,steady and serious."You should stop hiding things from me,I might appear a child but you know too well i am matured as any adult out there...what is this huge plan that you even let me get poisoned for?".
The boy's sharp nose had picked up a scent that even he couldn't but that wouldn't change the fact that he was a child.
Certain things should still be kept from children.
"Ren saved you".
"How?"
"Through a dangerous technique no one ever tried".Tyran responded.
And Ramses rolled his eyes.
"How could you!you almost killed him"
"I trusted the fates".
"The fates aren't real"Ramses cut in"We shapen our fates—ourselves".
Tyran studied him,disbelief etched across his features as Ramses's small round face and almond eyes steadied on him.
He reminded himself that he was just four years old.
Most times he forgot.It never felt like he was speaking to a child whenever he spoke with him.This was something Tyran knew he could never get used to.
"How did you come to know these things,these words?so much about life at such a young age,you have always been locked up and only started attending the imperial academy.
Ramses considered this.
His father was right how did he know so much so early?but the answer was right before them,he was an unusual child.
What other reason could there be?
That was the only thing he could think of.
"I don't know father".
Tyran ran his fingers through the prince's hair with a wide grin.
"With such wisdom,you will make a great ruler someday,the first and last of your kind".
Ramses returned a short fleeting smile before whistling and his dog came sprinting from the hallway, it's paws echoing across the marble floor as it approached him.
It jumped into his arms,it's tail wagging widely,triggering a giggle from Ramses as he tickled it.
"Where have you been little guy,father kicked you out didn't he?"
The dog barked in response before licking his face eagerly,causing him to giggle even louder.
"Stop it!...that tickles!"
"Ramses"Tyran's voice cut in gently"I do have one last present for you".
"Really father!"His face lit up"what is it?"
"You'll see"Tyran replied.
"Let us pass!"
A familiar voice cut through their ears and the duo fell silent to listen.
"I am but worried for the imperial prince and his imperial majesty ".King max protested.
"This is the emperor's command your majesties...no one is allowed through".
"I told you this was nothing short of a waste of time "King Zemah abruptly stormed off in the other direction.
"Any news on his highness's wellbeing?"King max asked.
"We have no such information".
King max only nodded before walking in the other direction.
His footsteps departing further away from their vantage point.
"Isn't that king maxmilian,your childhood friend?"Ramses asked,rubbing on his dog's fur,his expression shifted,his lips pouting slightly"I don't know,I don't like him...I don't even like his happy face".
Tyran eyed him before walking over and sitting beside him.
"Well that is because you don't know him,on the other hand I think he cares about you...he even came to check on you".
He set the dog aside then wrapped a hand around Ramses's shoulder before pinching his cheek with his other hand.
"Since already know a lot of things right now"
A sword materialized in Tyran's hand and he pointed it towards the physician while pulling Ramses even closer.
"It is not too early for your proper exposure and this starts with eliminating every hindrance that stands in your way"
The blade aligned in their line of sight,it's tip fixed at the physician.
"And I mean...anyone".
Tyran finished before putting it in the prince's small trembling hand.
Ramses's gaze shifted from Tyran to the physician as he swallowed the lump in his throat.
The Semonio looked back at him as someone who had prepared for this moment,who had entrusted the remnants of himself—his daughter into capable hands.
Unlike when he threatened,the physician did not beg for a chance to live.
Knowing Tyran's ruthless nature,he had already embraced his fate.
"To an emperor killing means nothing,all lives are meaningless before him...he must be cruel enough to ignore Mercy's beacon— always".
As Ramses held the sword,his hands trembled,shoulder's quivering from pity rather than fright.
He couldn't do it,no he couldn't even imagine doing it.
Teasing and threatening someone's life was entirely different from taking it.
Had the physician decided to obey him earlier,he would have stopped him from injesting the poison.
He could never see himself killing another.
Something deep within him restricted him,it softened and melted his resolve—compassion was it?
A feeling a semonio should never have to begin with.
Tyran shook his head in disappointment as he got to his feet before taking the sword from him.
"Watch me!"he approached the physician.
Ramses's chest tightened as he watched the physician shut his eyes.
"Father no... you don't have to,you —"
His voice trailed off when the sword slit through flesh,withdrawing to reveal a dripping crimson red liquid.
"We are Semonios...Demons,Ruthless creatures to begin with.Killing another is nothing and from now on I will train your mind to accept this...train you to be strong".
Tyran walked over to him before crouching low.
"Compassion makes one weak,to be strong you must get rid of it "
"I—"Ramses hesitated,his head lowered"If this is what it means to be strong then I need no such strength!...How is being Ruthless right,how is that a good thing?"
Tyran eyed him with disbelief, his face twisted in disgust.
It was clear now that a human heart lived within him and this compassionate side came from to the half of him Tyran despised.The part of him he had sworn to destroy even if it meant Ramses hating him.
Even if it meant training him to be an evil tyrant.
He grabbed his shoulders tightly, shaking him violently.
"Then be bad Ramses,be evil...rid yourself of such weakness".
"I don't want to father!"he cried out,pain lacing his voice as his shoulders ached under the grip.
"Oh you do,and you will!".
Tyran got to his feet, striding towards the window,his brows twitching with rage.
"Why do you feel so bad about this?"he eyed him from over his shoulders.
Ramses clutched shoulders wincing from the pain.
He has a family ok,he has a daughter he wanted to say but he swallowed his words instead.
Such truth he would never reveal to his father.Not if it meant protecting this innocent child.
"He is a person father!a person who has done absolutely nothing wrong!"Ramses snapped,his brows furrowed.
"Subjects are but tools to building a strong thriving empire"
"Without the subjects would there be an empire to begin with?"Ramses asked.
Tyran shot him an angry look before wordlessly approaching the barrier's entrance.
"You have a lot to learn boy,I should have begun teaching you earlier".