The moment Sulia and young Devonshire addressed the Emperor as "Father Emperor" and "Grandfather Emperor," a subtle change swept across the face of the Master of Mankind, visible through the golden light of the mirror.
The Emperor's expression betrayed his displeasure at such odd, almost irreverent titles. His cold, emotionless gaze fixed on Sulia and her son, both kneeling before him in respectful humility. Yet, seeing their earnest demeanor, he let the matter slide and cut straight to the point.
"Rise. Sit and speak," the Emperor said curtly.
Sulia gently guided Devonshire to his seat. The boy, lively and wide-eyed, stared curiously at his imperial grandfather. Winds of light and sky magic swirled faintly around him, hinting at the power latent within the child.
Addressing the Emperor in this peculiar manner had been Ryan's idea, concocted with Angron to subtly antagonize their father. It was a small act of revenge for a prior incident where the Emperor's meddling in Ryan's marriage had sown discord between him and Sulia.
Though initially reluctant, Sulia ultimately sided with Ryan, agreeing to the scheme.
Predictably, the Emperor was irked. His reaction was palpable, his imposing demeanor faltering momentarily. After a brief pause, his tone took on a frosty, commanding edge. "Sulia, from now on, refer to me as 'Honored Father.' Devonshire, you will call me 'Grandfather.'"
"Yes, Honored Father," Sulia replied, pulling Devonshire close. She couldn't help but suppress a sly smile, feeling a peculiar thrill from this little marital conspiracy against her father-in-law.
The Emperor, aware of everything, felt a faint ripple of nostalgia. For a fleeting moment, he recalled his time in Anatolia long ago—a time when human instincts like familial bonds and collective emotions had been part of his existence. The sensation was fleeting, quickly buried under layers of divine detachment. Nevertheless, he gave Sulia a subtle nod of approval.
This daughter-in-law was indeed the right choice.
The atmosphere briefly softened, lasting all of one second.
"Ahahahaha!" A sharp, grating laugh erupted from the side. Magnus, the Red Cyclops, perched on the Golden Throne, clutched a worn tome titled The Origins of Tunguska's Boarhide Culture as he howled with laughter, tears streaming down his face. "Oh, Devonshire! Say it with me: 'Grandfather Emperor is wise! Long live Grandfather Emperor, ten thousand years!'"
The Emperor: "..."
Sulia: "..."
Olica: "..."
Sulia sneaked a glance at the mirror, noting the Emperor's spectacularly complex expression.
"Mom, who's that sunburned red-haired one-eyed ogryn-looking man?" Devonshire suddenly piped up. "Why does he look like he's sitting on a toilet, and why does he laugh like a barking dog?"
Magnus's laughter stopped abruptly.
"That's your Uncle Magnus," Sulia explained, stifling her laughter.
"Oh, the 'Little Red Magus' Uncle Angron talks about?" Devonshire exclaimed. "He said one swing of his axe and one thrust of his sword could beat you!"
"Angron?! That headstrong oaf? Let him come here if he dares!" Magnus fumed. "My dear nephew, you tell your Uncle Angron to come to the Throne Hall. There'll be no juice for him here!"
Magnus's tirade was abruptly cut off as a Mechanicus priest stepped forward and inserted a thick tube into his mouth. "Mmmph! Mmph!" Magnus could only grumble incomprehensibly.
"Uncle Angron is the best!" Devonshire cheered. "I love playing on his farm. He's got dogs, big cats, and gryphons! He even taught me spinning slashes and how to control blood rage…"
The little boy's chatter was endless, brimming with excitement as he recounted his adventures to his grandfather. He proudly boasted about his growing magical prowess, demonstrating several small spells he had mastered.
Sulia smiled with quiet pride, while Olica watched with thinly veiled envy.
After a while, Olica gently led Devonshire away to rest, leaving Sulia alone with the Emperor.
Many within the Imperium would have given anything to hold such a private audience with the Master of Mankind. This was a privilege unique to Sulia, the Imperial Queen, personally recognized by the Emperor himself.
Sulia detailed recent developments, Ryan's strategic plans, and the current state of affairs. These were matters she had meticulously prepared, presenting them point by point to the Emperor.
As she spoke, she covertly observed the Master of Mankind.
According to Ryan, each Primarch was a reflection of a facet of the Emperor's character and power. As their creator, the Emperor's vast intellect and nature were inscrutable, even to his children.
Sulia's knowledge of the Primarchs came primarily from Ryan, Angron, and Vulkan. She had little direct interaction with the others. This meeting was her chance to better understand her father-in-law, the Master of Mankind.
Meeting him in person was a deeply unsettling experience. Under his gaze, Sulia felt exposed, as if nothing could escape his scrutiny. After only a few moments, she was sweating, her eyes burning, and her mind exhausted.
"You are my only daughter-in-law, Sulia," the Emperor finally spoke after listening intently. "Lustria has Vulkan. His strength and wisdom are sufficient. The real question lies here in the Old World. Can you withstand Chaos's tide of destruction? The Great Warding's protections are failing, as you and Ryan must have noticed. The horrors of the Warp linger longer in the mortal realm."
"Yes, Honored Father. Ryan has expressed concern about Chaos's growing power and its rapid spread from the far north."
"Victory is always fleeting," the Emperor said coldly. "Greatness is relative. Celebrate it, but never grow complacent. Remind Ryan of this. Arrogance and overconfidence will ruin everything he has fought for."
"Your wisdom is clear, Honored Father. I will ensure Ryan remains vigilant," Sulia replied earnestly.
After a pause, the Emperor's tone softened slightly. "Sulia, how did you handle… that incident?"
Sulia's lips tightened. The crisis in her marriage had been the most significant challenge she had faced. Even now, she found it difficult to recount how events had spiraled out of control.
Yet Sulia was not one to dwell on grievances or shirk responsibility. Shaking her head, she replied, "It's in the past, Honored Father. If anything, I should thank you. That incident brought Ryan and me closer, allowing us to finally open our hearts to one another. It was your intervention that brought us true unity."
"Do you always attribute your successes to others?" the Emperor asked.
"I am fortunate beyond measure. How could I dare to ask for more?" Sulia said sincerely. "Toward you and Ryan, I have only two attitudes: respect and honesty."
The Emperor's dark eyes, shadowed by mist, bore into her. The sheer weight of his presence seemed to press down on Sulia as he asked, "And the idea of reorganizing the Asur to create a new unity—was that your thought or that of the alien goddess?"
"It was mine, Honored Father," Sulia replied without hesitation. "We need the elves' strength. The Old World's resources alone are too limited. Ryan and I both agreed this was necessary."
"I see."
The Emperor dismissed her, their meeting concluded.
Back in the throne room on Holy Terra, the Emperor gestured for the Mechanicus priest to remove the tube from Magnus's mouth. The Primarch of Prospero coughed up a torrent of arcane energy, glaring indignantly.
"She called me a sunburned, one-eyed ogryn? Impossible! Someone taught her son that! If it wasn't Angron, it was Vulkan. I'll remember this grudge!"
Nearby, Lorgar, still lurking in the shadows, seized the opportunity to interject. "Father, she lied."
The Emperor turned his gaze to the Word Bearer Primarch. "Who lied?"
"Sulia, your daughter-in-law, the Imperial Queen! She lied to your face!" Lorgar exclaimed, practically trembling with excitement. "How could she? She dared deceive the Master of Mankind!"
"And what do you propose?" the Emperor asked, his voice sharp.
"Punish her, of course! Make her confess! She must face the consequences!" Lorgar cried, clutching his staff as if ready to storm off.
"Enough, Lorgar," the Emperor said with a sigh. "She lied. So what?"
Lorgar froze, disbelief written across his face. "But Father! She disrespected you!"
"You're always quick to find fault, Lorgar," the Emperor said with a hint of disdain. "And yet, you fail to see the bigger picture. Sulia's actions show wisdom. She knows what to say, what to withhold, and how to handle matters herself. That is why I trust her."
Magnus snickered. "See, Lorgar? Father doesn't need your sanctimonious whining."
"Focus on your tasks," the Emperor said firmly, his mind already shifting to the greater threats looming across the galaxy. "The Warp grows restless. Let us hope Vulkan and his allies can succeed in Lustria. And when Clarkson returns, we'll discuss how to lure Mortarion out of the Eye of Terror."
"Yes, Father," Lorgar murmured, retreating in silence.
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