Chapter Text
… During this hour, the royal guards would circle around the main halls… then do rounds in the main courtyard between the eve and night. He sighed as he thought it through again; though visibility would be greatly diminished, night-time guards would be stationed near every exit until the morn, and day-time would be too obvious and busy to attempt his plan… which would mean dusk would be the most opportune moment to set off from the Arboretum's exit, away from the frequented corridors, towards the back of the palace.
Zenos had laid out his plans meticulously, he was to escape the Imperial Palace and leave the capital for good.
Zenos would be fourteen summers old this year. He smiled slightly at the absurd gift he would bestow upon himself for it - to be away from his duties, his studies, his family and home… all of it.
It wasn't going to be easy, but first, he'd start by telling the servants he wouldn't need any attending to that night— that'd buy him a couple of hours until sunrise in which they'd try to rouse him for breakfast, only to find no sleeping prince that morn, but rather a cold, empty bed.
He knew his Father would immediately send out his spies and soldiers to search for him, so he needed a good disguise and an unorthodox escape route.
Easier said than done when he had no access to clothes except the ones given to him, and no knowledge of boarding public transport illegally. Oh well, he'd make do, he had to. This was his only chance and he would not squander it. He learnt as much as one could in his position - there was no use in delaying.
He went to bed, thinking of tomorrow's plans for one last time, tucking some scribbles of his idea under his pillow. Zenos yae Galvus would be no more if he succeeded. He blinked a couple of times at the ceiling, feeling the soft mattress under him… he wouldn't have this bed no more either… no staff tending to his every need, no ready foods, and possibly no ceruleum heating— depending on how far he went.
But… all those things were uncommon and unearned anyway, weren't they? Except the fact he had a roof above his head, his life was not normal. Of course, he had no delusions of guaranteed grandeur on the opposite end of this plan either - on one hand, he thought of how this journey might give him the opportunities of an adventurer, giving him a chance to embark on epic journeys and bring forth a life of thrill and excitement… or it might leave him dead in the snow before he even lived to his fourteenth nameday.
The latter was more likely, in all regards. The spoilt princeling was taught how to battle his opponents, not how to survive in the harsh and wild climes of Ilsabard… an oversight in the curriculum, perhaps. Or maybe it was withheld information so that ideas like this don't brew in his mind.
Hmph. How shortsighted. What if he were to fall in battle in a forest somewhere? Every soldier needed survival skills, even generals.
And with those thoughts, he fell asleep, feeling the blood thrum anxiously in his veins from the choice he had set his heart and mind on.
Why did he have to be present- during today of all days, Zenos thought as he saw Varis appear in the dining room. He'd rather not look at his father's mug on the day he had decided to leave it all behind.
Ah… but this was the last time they'd see each other probably. Perhaps he should fulfil his obedient son act as a… Wait. He didn't deserve that. Varis couldn't care less about him. Why should he give him anything? If he were to turn up dead after his escape, Varis would probably just react with a scowl, his biggest upset from it being that the next likely candidate for the throne would shift over to Titus and his lineage.
Varis sat down without a word as the attendants brought him food and drink. A fine morning to you too, Father, Zenos mocked him in his mind as he took a seat as well.
"Your grades have dropped for the first time, Zenos." Came an accusatory voice from the far side of the table. "Your age is one where men oft get… distracted with frivolous things. You have no luxury of having a wandering mind."
Zenos' grip on the fork tightened for a moment. "They have not dropped that far below my usual scores. Rest assured, I never skip out on my studies, as my servants would surely let you know, if you pay attention to their-"
Ah. He misspoke.
"Attention!" Varis repeated in a sharp tone. "The one not paying attention here is you, boy- Not even deigning to look me in the eyes as you spin lies," He spat, cutting Zenos short.
He exhaled and returned to his cold demeanor once more. "If you are to be a worthy heir, you must look to improve upon yourself again, and again. We do not have place for insolent children in this household."
"… Yes, sire." 'Heir'… good luck with that.
"I will overlook you talking back for the sake of this fine morning. After breakfast, you are to mention your fall off to your instructor immediately-"
"Why don't you do it?"
…
It had been a while since Zenos talked back at Varis. He had given it up after finding out about the futility of trying to make him see reason. But now that he believed he'd be free… there was no reason to not poke the bees nest and see how far it'd go… It's not like he'd have to face any of the punishment given to him after today. This could be the most fun he's had in months, after all.
"Come here."
What…
"Are you deaf, child? Come. Here."
This was… unusual. He was expecting Varis to glare at him and send him to his room to spend the rest of the day in, or to get disciplined by one of the servants… not whatever this was.
He got off the chair with an indignant look on his face. He wasn't scared of Varis, his Father was a fool… but he was still capable of making his life miserable, with many means to do so at his disposal.
Zenos stopped next to his father's seat and waited. Varis turned to face his son and commanded him.
"Lower your head."
He did as was asked. One last time. He repeated in his mind, over and over, like a mantra.
Varis held out his hand, and gingerly cupped the boy's chin, lifting it upwards. Zenos hated this, he didn't know what was happening, the anticipation made his stomach twist and turn.
After Varis looked him over, twisting his face this way and that, he let go. Zenos breathed a sigh of relief, not caring that Varis' other hand was reaching out to him. What was the fool going to do now? Pet him? Ridic-
A gasp escaped his lungs as he found himself on the floor, staring at the chandelier of their dining hall. It kept swaying as he reoriented himself. What… was that? He held up his hand to his nose which stung quite badly - it was bleeding.
Ah. He was hit. Varis had hit him— so hard in fact that he had tumbled across the floor. That was… a first. His discipline never involved physical violence, not before today. Interesting. Was this the line that his Father drew to enact such brutish methods of punishment? So much for his so-called diplomacy, Zenos thought coldly.
"Nothing seems to be wrong with you except that which is in your head. Get your thoughts straightened out before I straighten them for you."
Zenos stumbled to his feet and gave Varis a venomous glare - but something… felt right, about this. It was climactic farewell, was it not? Just like the stories he'd read… he smiled, the pain in his cheek making him feel hurt yet elated at the same time.
"You shan't have to worry about me or my thoughts, Father. I'll have things back to the way they were, the way they're meant to be."
Varis felt the boy was hiding something, especially under that fake smile. But he didn't chase further, Zenos was smart enough to not go further than their little spats, that, he knew. His son's cunning nature was one of few things he was grateful for in the treacherous landscape of his family… not that he'd let Zenos know before he was mature enough to use it for his duties and not against his father. The boy may seem docile to his relatives and servants, but in truth, he was eccentric, unpredictable and spoilt to the brim.
Varis looked at his hand for a moment, and clicked his tongue. Nay, he did not regret his action. If he were to be soft and give the few credits the lad had earned from him, he would get them after he showed his peers and instructors the due appreciation they deserved.
Zenos had been given everything, the best education, the best instructors, the most fastidious servants to tend to his needs day in and out, and on top of that, he would never want for food or shelter… yet he turned his nose away at it all in apathy. His son's attitude reminded him of his snobbish cousin - yet even Nerva knew to appreciate his lot.
So, Varis did what he thought best, act as an equaliser, a reminder to his son that validation is not given freely but earned.
When Zenos left the hall, he leaned backwards, crossing his arms and sighing in frustration. "Lucky that you are not here to see this jester's farce, Father…" He mumbled under his breath, wandering how that gentle man would've taken to the harsh nature of state of their family now. He'd rather not think about it at all.
It was near night-time and Zenos had finished his routines of drills and studies early this day. This was good, now he could take his time till it was dusk-
A clatter came from beyond the door. The door to his room.
There was someone in there. Confound it- he had already begun making preparations, did his Father tell the servants to go in? Zenos had told them to leave for the rest of the day but Varis had the higher authority. That must've been it!
But the voice from within was not that of someone from his staff.
"Hello, little cousin…"
Ah… him.
"Cousin Nerva… Why are you here?" Zenos eyed the tall man with confusion, expertly hiding the concern bubbling in his mind.
"I was worried! Varis has always been such a rough lad… and, well… some of the servants told me what transpired, so… I wanted to come here - to reassure you."
Suspicious. Nerva never moved a finger unless it was for his own ends. True, the man was somewhat kinder than most of his family members and yet, somehow, he always found a way to benefit himself— despite being one of the more… less crafty Galvus'.
"… I'm fine." Zenos shuffled his feet as he turned his head, making his bangs obscure his face.
With a sigh, Nerva's polite smile dropped as he slowly approached his distant young cousin. He bent low, trying to look Zenos in the eyes. "I know what you plan, little prince," he whispered as he waved the little maps Zenos drew of the palace exits.
Zenos' heart dropped. No… no!- to be foiled by the likes of him?
"And lucky for you… I shan't tell a soul- if… you do this one little thing for me."
"Which is?…"
Nerva smiled crookedly at the child. "Leave a stain on Varis' name before you leave. A win-win for both of us, no?"
There it was. But if he was to escape… he had to play along. Zenos sighed.
"You have an idea?"
"As a matter of fact— I do."
He slid Zenos a note. The young boy opened it and read the contents aloud, "High Legatus, Varis yae Galvus, to be found unfit to command due to a lack of unity within his Legions… allusions to savage sympathy can be found as he conspires against the policies of the Founding Emperor-…" Zenos stopped to shake his head in disbelief. "You know you can be tried for high treason for such unsubstantiated claims. Are you truly such a fool?"
Nerva shrugged, unphased by Zenos' words. "If I spoke them, yes. But… it will not be my hand that signs these claims, but yours. Your word against your Father's - it'll cause suspicions to be cast upon him… and even if no one believes your 'claims'… the fact that you'd even incriminate your own father like this would fan the flames of his ineptitude— unable to hold even his child in line. Good, no?"
Zenos was unimpressed. "Your little plan… it incriminates me as well."
"How astute!" Nerva said, a hint of mockery in his voice, then - it softened, "Darling boy… if I could help it, I wouldn't make you play a part in these awful games… but, you've chosen to leave behind your title, have you not? What does it matter if it gets sullied? It is of no use to you if… you are serious about never returning."
Zenos swallowed a lump in his throat. "Are you… threatening me?"
"Nay, I am giving you a choice, cousin. Stay and I'll act like this never happened - I do care for you somewhat, after all. And I am no monster… I would not hurt you if you choose to forgo your little adventure." He took breath, brushing aside his bangs in a flamboyant manner. "But choose to leave… then you must commit to it and never look back. Otherwise, you will not survive."
Hah. What did he know about survival? Pompous brat.
"Fine." Zenos looked up at him with defeat on his face. "I agree to your terms. I'll rewrite the claims in my handwriting and leave it wherever you wish. And you… are to act as if you never saw me tonight."
Nerva smiled devilishly- oh… Titus was going to be proud- he had to be. "Excellent… you were always the best of us- well, until now, anyway… I wish you the best of luck, Zenos. If things work out… perhaps we'll see each other again."
"Don't count on it."
"So cold… you really hate us, don't you?" Nerva asked, this time, there was no sarcasm in his voice.
Zenos folded the papers and walked past Nerva, not looking at him as he sat down on his desk to transcribe the claims. "I don't hate any of you. This place simply makes me… weary. That's it."
"Really? Not even Varis? Ah, perhaps I pry too much."
Zenos' pen moved swiftly and elegantly as he kept on writing. Without looking behind where Nerva had come up to stand behind him, he stopped for a moment. "Hatred implies I cared about him to begin with. He means nothing to me, not anymore."
"I see…"
"… Done. Read it and if all is correct, we have naught to talk about any longer."
Nerva read his cousin's writing. It was all as promised. He smiled and gave him a small bow of gratitude. "All is indeed correct."
He pet Zenos' head - a move which earned a slight flinch and look that told him he was pushing it.
"No goodbye hugs I'm guessing."
"… Cousin."
"Yes?"
"I suggest you leave, I have to make preparations."
Nerva gave an awkward smirk and bowed once more to signal his departure. The door closed and it was quiet once again.
Now that that tedious task was over with, Zenos started preparing in earnest.