Piles of documents were heaped on his table when Tyran entered his study after concluding the morning assembly with the six kings.
The meeting had taken longer than he expected that he had to deal with issues in their order of urgency and suspended the rest till the next day to attend to preparations for the crown prince's birthday in two days and he had never regretted not having consorts or concubines all his life till this moment.
Overseeing matters of the internal court including events was the job of the Empress and his consorts but unlike the Emperors before him,Tyran had none.
Deep down he hoped Ramses never turned out this way,he would never let that happen even if it meant turning him into a perverted ruler.
Now he sat arms folded dreading the piles of documents stacked on his desk,awaiting his approval while he waited for Urah's minister of rites whose office was in charge of planning the event.
A knock resounded on the door before it flew open and a middle aged semonio entered with a worker dressed in a green uniform,both carrying piles of scrolls.
Tyran eyed the scrolls as they approached him and sighed.
They bowed before placing the scrolls on the ground beside his table.
The worker quickly hurried to clear the table, heaping the documents atop another then he carefully placed the scrolls on the empty side.
"It's almost ready your Imperial majesty...all these will need your review and approval"the minister said before bowing step backwards.
They kept their backs hunched as Tyran read through each scroll,stating changes and stamping when Zero walked in.
Tyran dropped the scroll as the knight reached his side.
"Name your punishment for being late".
"What!.."Zero muttered and Tyran locked eyes with him,his brows furrowed.
"Yes your majesty as per lateness a worker's
wages would be deducted".
"Slashed to half this month"Tyran pointed out before moving half of the scrolls on the table to his side.
"Have a sit... review this and summarize you do".
Zero clenched his teeth in rage as his lips pursed against each other.
Had Tyran finally began his moves to frustrate him,was him this position not enough?
Although he had been late on several occasions,Tyran had never bothered punishing him.
And how was sorting documents even part of a Knight's duty.
Zero caught sight of the small smirk on the emperor's lips but quickly averted his gaze to the documents before him as Tyran's gaze fell on him.
The sun set sky loomed ahead as Tyran stamped the last document.
After the minister left with his scrolls,he had ordered his knight to read through the remaining documents and scrolls while he stamped and signed them.
Zero's mouth hadn't stopped moving eversince from reading through endless prints,his mouth ached from being draining from moisture.
They had been in on this all day and neither of them had taken a break.
Tyran grabbed his wrist,wriggling one after the other before getting to his feet with a loud yawn.
He teleported them to his bed chamber where a wide low table was prepared before them.
The gold table was occupied by variety of dishes in silver wares with two jars of wine.
"Taste them"he ordered and Zero wordlessly eyed him suspiciously.
It wasn't a Knight's place to taste the emperor's meals,that was a job for the food tasters.
Had he figured poisoning him would be an easy way to get rid of him?
Nevertheless he quietly walked over,picked up a silver bowl and spoon and began tasting them.
"See...it's not poisoned".
Zero stopped to stare at him briefly before he continued.
Tyran had read his mind, luckily for him this wasn't the method he choose to get rid of him or was it not just the right time for that.
Whichever it was by keeping him alive,he was making a mistake that would surely cost
him his life someday.
When he was done,he bowed before resuming his position by the wall.
"Dine with me"Tyran muttered.
Zero lowered his head, taking a step backwards.
"I dare not your majesty"Tyran raised a brow then smiled,shaking his head.
"I insist".he said taking his seat as he motioned to the seat opposite him.
The emperor's Knight took the seat opposite him, glaring at the food.
"It hasn't wronged you has it?...why do you stare with spite".
"Your majesty not so—"
"Then help yourself"Tyran cut in.
He watched as Zero slowly grabbed a spoon, dipping it in soup before taking gentle sips from it.
"Gerald and I occasionally ate this way...he loved it more than anything and we always had a lot to talk about"
Zero didn't respond but grabbed a bowl of moulded baked cereal which he quickly began stuffing it in his mouth.
He hadn't eaten all day and just realized how hungry he was.
Tyran watched dropped his bowl and watched him gobble down two whole plates before grabbing a bowl of meat sauce.
But then he caught the emperor staring and dropped it,his head lowered from embarrassment.
Tyran burst into laughter.
"Your majesty I —I..."he stammered."Forgive me your majesty".
"No please... do help yourself"Tyran said calmly as he grabbed the jar to pour for each of them.
"Today I will give you a chance to ask anything you want and I will honestly answer and in return you will answer that which I ask you... honestly"
"Well it depends on what you ask"Zero replied.
As he dropped his bowl,the Knight's face hardened,daring, the contained anger resurfaced on his features,concealing the delightment he felt from the emperor's words.
Tyran's stern gaze was of one who had prepared in advance knowing what he would ask for,having sensed Zero's curiousity at the Knighting ceremony.
And they came out just as he expected.
"Why did you choose me as your Knight?"
A long stretch of silence crawled in as they both eyed each other,none moved or touched his meal,only stared while they searched each one the other's eyes seeking answers they couldn't find.
Tyran took a sip from his cup before dropping it on the table with a loud thud.
He sighed and shut his eyes.
"To torture your conscience because of a friend's demise".
Zero rolled his eyes in disbelief.
"You honestly think I killed him?...how!...how in the world I kill my best friend!"Zero yelled out.
"If you didn't then tell me what you know...what happened that night?"
"I tried to save him!"
"What happened that night! "Tyan demanded leaning in but Zero looked away.
"If this is what you ask then I have nothing to tell you ".
He slowly leaned backwards before proceeding to pour himself another cup then he held the jar as Zero picked his up, gulping it's contents down in one sip.
"No it's not..."Tyran said calmly then poured him another cup.
"Why you despise me so?"he asked and his Knight's eyes fell on him,his lips curving in a menacing grin.
"The source of your existence and life is what I despise...If the source be corrupted so is that which comes from it"He grunted.
His tone laced with the hatred and anger he felt was evident even from where the emperor sat across him.
"That is a rather vague answer..."
"So is yours".Zero snapped and got to his feet.
"Forgive me your majesty....I just lost my appetite".