The Whispering Sun.

Chapter One: “My king, as requested, Your adviser, Asriel.” A voice announced, loud and clear. Tap…Tap…Tap…Tap… pause A pale man with long, braided, dark purpled hair laid dormant amongst his thinned shoulder, stilled his steps, and lowered his head, a prominent smile curved upon his lips, his yellowed eyes fixed upon the figure in front of him, his pink pupils sharpened with anticipation. “My liege, i came as soon as you called for me... but I’m unsure of why... what has a humble man such as myself done to be called so earnestly?” The pale man spoke, his tone filled with faux ignorance, placing a hand to his chest. “Asriel, must you be reminded every time we meet that your humour is not only not amusing but repetitive. You are my adviser, and I expect you to tend to me like you are supposed to as it is your job.” A voice replied coldly. Asriel let out a light chuckle and rose up tall, his hands behind his back, “Only your adviser? How cruel of you, Kaizen. And hear I thought I meant something more to you. Am I so undeserving of the title of being your friend?” he asked with a tilted head, making his way closer to The King, the leader of vampires, Emperor Kaizen. He was situated upon a large throne, as grand and luxurious as the chamber they stood in; Golden lining in the hand carven etches and a large dark cherry cushion as a seat. His eyes were voided of little warmth, dark purple irises filled with intensity that seemingly did nothing to shake Asriel. That is simply because they have been acquainted with one another for quite a bit time, since the start of Kaizen’s reign to be more specific. To Asriel, the king was nothing but a broody bitter man, not much to be afraid of. Well, that was only because he was one of the few people in the kingdom who had quite a bit of leeway, meaning the only thing stopping Kaizen from actually killing him was a simple reason really... they were good friends, even though he would never say it aloud, he did not need to, Asriel knew it so from day one. Kaizen frowned for a moment before shaking his head, almost resigned as a faint smile nearly graced his lips. He cleared his throat and leaned back in his seat, his long black locks shifting along with him. “As you know, the other advisers have been whining recently about the lack of heirs being conceived in the kingdom.” Kaizen explained, about to continue until muffled snickering interrupted his speech. “Ah... so this... Is a fertility issue then, your liege? I am sure... the royal doctor can have some sort of tonic prepared for you if you would like?” Asriel suggested, struggling to keep a straight face, clearing his throat rather roughly. Kaizen’s eyes narrowed into a thin slit, sighing out tiredly from Asriel’s usual display of immaturity before continuing, “Since this demand is starting to irritate me beyond comprehension, I’m in need of a female counterpart.” Asriel’s laughter quietened, staring at Kaizen with furrowed brows, “You... aren’t gay?” He asked, his tone brimming with confusion. Kaizen’s eyebrow raised upwards as he brushed a strand of hair behind himself, “No…? I have never once taken an interest in the same s*x. Where the hell have you gotten that idea from?” Asriel averted his gaze for a moment, rocking back on his feet a bit. “Uh...well... you cannot really blame me for assuming, no? I am yet to have seen you with a single woman. Not once have I caught you in some sort of s****l scandal with a woman. So, I just assumed... you had a different taste in people.” “So let me get this straight, you believed that I was gay for who knows long because... I do not have several women stored in my sheets twenty-four seven?” Kaizen asked with crossed arms. “Okay well... I think it is unfair of you to suggest such a thing. You act as if I’m some sort of womaniser.” Asriel pouted. “First of all, I was not suggesting anything. I’m telling you that you are in fact a huge womaniser and apparently now, a big hypocrite.” “Well, that was a low blow even for you, my liege.” Asriel murmured, turning his head with a huff. “Pull yourself together already and do your job. You are supposed to be aiding me, helping me. You aren’t doing much of a decent job.” Kaizen replied ironically, his face unmoved by Asriel’s dramatic display. Asriel sniffed audibly, wiping away a microscopic tear from his eyelashes. “You insult me and expect me to carry on as usual? You are truly heartless, Kaizen.” Asriel snapped his fingers and quickly a personal maid of his came forth and handed him a pipe, a long-stemmed, wooden smoking pipe stained a dark mustard yellow. He placed his lips on the mouthpiece and inhaled deeply, exhaling a cloud of smoke that seemingly shifted from a light grey to an odd yellow hue then to purple before fading off and dispersing into the air. “This is actually quite an easy problem to solve really. Use the concubine system in order to get what you want. You’ll have a large selection of more than eager women to choose from.” “You are aware that the concubine system was abolished by the late emperor, correct? According to him, it was too problematic to continue any further than it did.” Asriel absently span his pipe along his fingertips, shifting his gaze to the side before refocusing on Kaizen, “Then re-establish it then. I’m pretty sure you are the current reigning monarch, no? That is something within your power, Kaizen.” “And I am well aware of that. Abolishment is a massive thing and something my great grandfather rarely ever did. Even my father left the law alone. It means it’s a problem not worth having in my life. My hatred for this kingdom is big enough.” “Well, my liege. Your great grandfather and father were monogamous men that were heavily devoted to their wives. I mean no offence when I say this but, you cannot honestly believe that it wasn’t some sort of stunt to prove their loyalty to their wives. I mean, the sole purpose of this conversation stems from the very fact that you simply wish to procreate. You are not trying to fall in love and are very unlikely to do so. Asking a few officials to send a few of their daughters to the palace is unlikely to cause much harm. All you will need to do is bed a few of them and you get the heirs that the advisers are so desperately crave for. They won’t have much of anything to worry about with a few women roaming around the palace.” He said with a confident smile, once again placing his lips around the pipe. “You do make this sound fairly easy to execute.” Kaizen said, his tone filled with less resistance than before, leaning into the palm of his hand. “It is as easy as I say it is, but you simply prefer to take the path of most resistance.” “Shut up.” To be continued…