Chapter Text
Prologue
Inaho Kaizuka had analyzed it coldly, dispassionately, logically. Seylum was making a mistake. He understood that she had to marry for reasons of state. And that she loved peace. And that she didn’t understand people who were good at war. But her choice still didn’t make sense.
He’d researched it thoroughly. The Emperors of Vers commanded their military directly through a warrior caste bound to them by a series of feudal oaths. And since she didn’t have the temperament to command her military herself, her husband would have to do it for her.
Klancain had never fought in a battle. He had never set foot in his father’s landing castle. He had never flown a cataphract. In fact, he’d never even tried to get either the landing castle or the cataphract back. Putting someone in charge of the military who had zero military experience was historically a very bad idea. They tended to not understand what military force could do and what it could not do and that strategies that looked good on paper were often very stupid in practice.
He was a bit of a squishy worm to tell the truth.
Klancain was good at politicking. He’d managed to hold onto his wealth and status after his father died. Without risking a hair on his head. For a full Versian year. Two full Terran years. And he’d managed to convince the emperor that he should be the one - the only one - to go and rescue Princess Asseylum and bring her back. And on the long voyage home - one that took a couple days longer than actually necessary - he managed to convince the Princess that she should marry him even though he hadn’t a single major accomplishment.
A squishy, politicking worm with no accomplishments or military experience.
Seylum was making a mistake.
Inaho would have to fix that.