Slumped on Garlean's throne, hand on his chin, Prince Varis listened with undisguised displeasure bad news brought by the soldier of the VIIIth legion, one of his friend Agatha van Montepolis' spies. While Varis consoled his son, his uncle Titus wasted little time. Several territories on the Triumph Plain were now under his control? including one of the most important Castellum that allowed the connection and maintenance between the different control posts. Contrary to what he had predicted, Titus had no intention of giving up. The war was inevitable. Just like Lady Petra, he wasn't fond of the idea of sacrificing his men for the sake of an internal Garlean war. Obviously it was a waste of considerable resources, especially after the defeat of the XIVth Legion by the freshly reformed Eorzean Alliance. Perhaps, this was the price he had to pay to achieve his revenge. He had waited so long, now wasn't the time for doubt. This war had to happen. For the throne. For his mother Geneva. For Garlemald.

Varis needed a moment for himself to think about a new strategy. He ordered the soldier to withdraw “ You may leave.”

“Yes. Your Grace, Lord Hydrus.”

Lost in his thoughts, Varis had not heard Regula arrive in the throne room. Little rascal, he thought. He had kept a low profile, waiting patiently for the soldier of the VIIIth legion to leave. He was well aware of what his lover had in mind, but Varis was far too preoccupied to be receptive to his beloved's advances. He left himself kissed then low his eyes, starring on the floor. 

“I’m not in the mood, sorry.” he muttered tenderly yet so tragicly.

“Bad news ?” Regula questionned him still cuddling his Prince. 

“Titus took over the Castellum in the Truimph Plain, few posts of control and he turn the Castellum into his base.”

“We need to stop him before he takes over the whole Triumph Plain.”

“If he can’t have the castle, he will have the rest. I should have predicted that. Tomorrow we will march with our army, I led it with my Armatus, tell everyone to get ready.”

Regula didn’t move. He was still cuddling Varis. He has a shiver when he felt his hands making their way under royal grief gown.

“Regula ? Regula… enough”

“What ? One last time before the war, please.”

“You know I need to be focus on my purpose. It’s a crucial moment for me. I can't be distracted by sex, I have to save my energy, for the war to come but after, after the war I'm all yours andall my energy will be dedicated to you." Varis reminded him eyes on eyes while caressing his lover's back.

Regula blushed at the contact of Varis' hand on his posterior, fluttered he hold his graps even tier on Varis and gave him kissing on his neck. “Please my love, can I still come in your bed tonight ? I'll be a good boy I promise.” he begged the Prince suavely.

“I never said I wanted to sleep alone but all we do is sleep tonight okay. Now go, you have much to do.” retorted Varis full of tenderness on his voice.

“Indeed. Your Grace.”

Regula bowed such as noble ladies, Varis smiled and covered his mouth to stop himself to laugh. He observed him walking away with his elegant gait. The Prince loved his beloved and if he listened to one of his voice in his head he would leave at once for the island of Gal with him and never return. Though one other voice was full of rage and its only desire was blood and revenge for Geneva wir Galvus, Prince Varis’ mother. His Majesty pictured her in his head. Her beautiful long ginger hair and blue eyes. Her soft voice who comforted him many times. “I love you Varis, you are very brave my love.”, then glimpse of that traumatic night obscured his reverie.

“Forget what you saw ! Please go back to your room !”

He came back to his sense and drank a potion the Marchioness Agatha van Montepolis had made for him. Something to overcome stress more or less.

“I have somewhere to go.”

***

In the middle of the night, alone in the royal mausoleum, Varis wanted to visit the deceased members of his family before the war. They buried his grandfather Solus next to his grandmother Varenis. After Princess Geneva's death, Solus and Varenis made their best to take care of Varis and raise him. He owned them a lot. He removed withered flowers and put fresh ones.

“Grandfather. Why didn’t you name any heir ? You could have avoided this, or maybe you know it was bond to happen. Was it you way to tell us, Titus and I that we have to settle the heat between us, for good ? Grandmother. It took you some time but you ended up believing in me. You knew the truth. I hope you understand and will forgive me for what I’m about to do.”

He walked further in the mausoleum when were resting his parents.

“Father. You left way too soon. Oh how you are probably rolling over your grave knowing what your little brother did to your wife. I still remember how much you were in love both of you. How kind you were with me. I know you approve my revenge, I know it in my heart.

Mother. It’s time. You’ve been very patient, so did I. Tomorrow, I’m going to war, to avenge you. You were not a fighter, you were too pure for the violence of this world, for its cruelty and its awful people. I will do what you didn’t have the strength to do, I will kill Titus. He will bleed, he will suffer. I can guarantee you. I swear to you, you will be avenged. I will destroy his mind just like he destroyed yours then I will end him. He does not deserve to be in this mausoleum.”

He came back to the entrance but not before making a last stop.

“Ryla, my sweet love, Zenos is safe. I sent him away. I will never let anyone hurt him. I will protect him with my life. He is all I have left of you. He became problematic for sure but he still have the purest smile in the world, your smile. He looks like you physically, more than looking like myself. He is tall like me, strong and muscled but he has your sweet face, your eyes, your cheekbones and your smile. He can drives me crazy but I look at him and I see is you and I love him with with all my heart. My baby boy, our baby boy."

Varis finally returned to the throne room, enjoying a cigar while turning around the key of his chambers with his left hand. He made a keychain of Zenos very first shoes. He bought them himself and put it on his baby very tiny feet back then. He still remember how moved he was and the innocent smile of baby Zenos. He was worried for him. Zenos was an excellent fighter, few could top his level but as a parent Varis will be always worried for his son. “How did it go ? Come back right after, remember. Stay safe.” He deleted his message and went to his chambers. Regula was already asleep for a while now. Prince Varis smiled, happy to see him and joined him, he tenderly nestled against him.”

“Hmm… Varis…”

“Shhh… Sleep. We have a long day tomorrow.”