59.2. I'm the Emperor - Part 2

"My love!" Gotrid lands right in front of me and goes for a feathery hug.

He's crying and his tears are making my own face wet but I don't mind. I feel immensely relieved that we're reunited. I don't regret flying away because I needed it but I regret leaving him. He must have been heart-broken that I panicked even though he was there for me. I hope I didn't hurt him.

"I was so scared!" Gotrid is kissing me all over and I feverishly return his kisses.

"Aefener, do you want to give us a heart attack?!" Liana lands just a few moments later. "Do you have any idea how scared we were?"

"Sorry," I say simply.

It was immature of me, sure, but I don't think I need to profoundly apologise. It was their fault for starling me. They kept me in the dark and this is the result.

"What happened, hon? You're literally shining," Gotrid is staring as me, mesmerised. "Is this your real mana capacity? It's godly, no kidding."

"I grew tired of hiding," I caress his handsome face I missed so much and then look sternly at my Viceroy.

Liana bites her lip, suddenly not sure how to react. I bet she had a burning rant prepared for me and meant to scold me like never before but there's something different about me now and she feels it. She doesn't dare to berate me.

The other Celestials also go for landing, taking every suitable spot nearby. They are whispering excitedly to each other and their emotions are fluttering wildly. But they aren't angry that I flew away. On the contrary, they're blaming themselves for failing their entrée and scaring their Emperor. They might be a bit too fanatical when it comes to me but they are good people.

"Your Majesty, we're truly sorry for startling you," Soren steps closer to apologise. "But please, we implore you, don't punish us like that ever again. You could have been attacked by monsters... kidnapped by humans... get hurt otherwise and..."

"I understand," I rise my hand to stop him.

And in that moment my stomach growls loudly, reminding me that it still hasn't been fed.

"Right, I couldn't fly back to you because I got dizzy," I murmur, a bit embarrassed. "I'm starving. Gotrid, please, tell me you have something on you?"

Gotrid grins and fishes not one but three different protein bars out of his robe. I'm saved! I gobble the first one in a matter of seconds and take longer with the rest, savouring each bite. The Celestials are simply watching me eat in silence which isn't exactly pleasant but I don't care.

"So," I swallow the last bite, feeling much better already. It wasn't that filling but sugar is quickly getting into my bloodstream, making dizziness go away.

"So?" Liana gets extremely nervous, fearful even. She suspects I'm about to say something she won't like.

"This can't happen ever again," I state uncompromisingly. "You can't keep me in the dark even if you think it's for my sake."

"We just wanted to protect you," Liana blurts out and lowers her head in an obvious act of subordination. "We really did."

"And I do believe you," I continue, my voice as regal as never before. "But, at the same time, it shatters my trust in you, don't you understand? How can I trust subjects who lie to me? Moreover, the people I consider my closest friends?"

"I'm so sorry, Aefener, b-but... we did it for you and...," her voice trembles but she still thinks she was right.

It's here. I need to do this—I have to stand my ground. There're over three thousand Celestials here as witnesses so it's literally now or never. I must not only act as the Emperor but also come clean. No more keeping secrets from my own people. I'm coming out as a telepath. I'm taking a leap of faith.

"Liana," I hiss strictly. "It would break my heart if I had to telepathically check your real intentions from now on."

"Love!" Gotrid warns me, shocked that I mentioned my telepathy when there're so many new Celestials standing at the hearing distance.

"Check... what... how...?" Soren tilts his head, totally confused. But, at this point, he thinks it's just a figure of speech.

"It would devastate me, Li," I go on. "You're my right hand, but above all you're my closest friend. It pains me that I'm forced to put you to your place. You're my Viceroy which means my deputy, not a regent. Remember that and don't make me ever repeat myself or I'll have to replace you with someone I can trust."

I meant to be harsh. I meant to be adamant to finally get my point across. Yet, I didn't expect her to crumble so completely. She falls on her knees, bursting into hysterical cry. Nobody comes to comfort her as her conspirators are trembling themselves, afraid I'm going to turn my anger to them.

So, it surprises me twice as much that it's Soren who hurries to her defence. He stands in front of her, covering her from my Emperor's wrath with his wings. I certainly didn't see that coming.

"Your Majesty, I might have strongly disagreed but I'm sure the Viceroy sincerely wanted to protect you," he pleads. "Her methods were questionable but she did it out of love. That doesn't justify her actions, of course, but show her mercy."

"I know she did," I sigh and let my voice soften up. "I'm not blaming her; I'm just explaining what has to change."

I kiss Gotrid before leaving his warm embrace and take a step forward. Soren flinches but he doesn't stop covering Liana. That's actually good. I don't want subjects who would only cower in front of me and wouldn't have an opinion of their own.

"Move aside, Soren, I won't do anything to her," I assure him.

He slowly nods and steps aside even slower.

"Li," I kneel down to her. "Look at me."

Liana is sobbing uncontrollably and is experiencing a mental breakdown. That's not what I wanted, not in the slightest. I wanted her to understand, not to break her. I don't want to become the Emperor who rules with ruthlessness. I want to stay kind and caring because that's who I am.

I hug her, wrap us both into my wings and kiss her on her forehead. And in that kiss, I convey all my love for her. Nothing has changed, she's still my precious friend. I convey a bit of my irritation but just enough so she can see my side of things. And she understands. Finally. Her hysterical cry transforms into silent sobs because I forgive her. She should be okay now.

"Luvi? Taranah? Miruel? Vermiel? Cien? Ayala?" I stand up, pull Liana with me but keep her covered in my wings until she recovers. It's time to focus on her conspirators for a change. Liana can't be blamed for everything; she couldn't have done it without the help of the others.

As expected, the people I named specifically twitch and start shivering but everyone else from our inner circle feels guilty as well. Good, I want them to reflect.

"Is there a reason for me to connect to you and literally pick your brains? Is there anything else you're hiding from me?" I ask coldly.

"N-no, Your Majesty," Taranah stutters nervously but he's telling the truth.

"We're your sworn protectors, Your Imperial Majesty," Miruel and Vermiel bow hastily.

"As are we," Soren adds, frowning at them. "You just didn't let us."

I suddenly realise that I trust him. I really like his mind and his resolve. Damn, looking at it retrospectively, I even like how boldly he came to fetch me. But most of all, I love how he stood up for Liana. If everyone else here has at least a fragment of his determination, there's nothing for me to worry about.

"Soren, everyone, listen to me carefully now," I say slowly. "There's something me and my inner circle was keeping a secret for a good reason. But I decided that I want my race to know. However, you need to swear to me that you won't tell it anyone else except another Celestial. I don't know if it's even possible to hold a secret on a national level but I'm willing to try."

"It's too dangerous, love," Gotrid disagrees and is shaking his head violently. "There's no way so many people will keep their mouths shut."

"We will," Soren claims firmly, suspecting what I'm about to say as I've been giving hints on purpose. "If all Celestials know, it's going to be equal and we have no desire to share our secrets with other races. Put your trust in us, Your Majesty."

"I want to and that's why I'm going to do it like this," I take a deep breath and close my eyes to focus better.

I used to be able to perform long-distance telepathy only with my partners and Liana so far but I'm pretty confident that if I boost myself with mana, I can reach everyone. There're no mental blockers to obstruct me now. Besides, I need every Celestial present to hear me, I want no misunderstandings and grapevines afterwards. So, let's just do it, no better time than now.

I'M A TELEPATH AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW.