"Priscilla., my dearest, only, most beloved sister." the voice of the Emperor's words trailed off as his gaze grew far off and distance remembering her sweet face. "She married Cothos three years ago, against my wishes, for I have never liked the man, nor could I understand what she saw in him. Priscilla professed her undying love for him, and this broke my heart immeasurably, however, out of the deep well of love I have for her I allowed the marriage to take place and even gave the couple vast rooms in my palace so I could keep a close eye on the ambitious captain and my darling little sister" here he paused looking back into Queen Sparta's soulful eyes continuing his story "I promoted him to the position of general, furnishing him with a large salary to take care of my dearest Prisca, as I called her, in the manner in which she was accustomed to, welcoming him into my family and royal residence doing my best to tolerate his presence." here his voice grew softer, filled with great emotion, as he recalled the incident of tragedy, his face and timber of his voice clearly upset by the memory "It was this time last year Prisca, my sister, grew great with child, during the delivery.., there were complications." a tear welled up in his dark eyes "The baby boy was born healthy and survived, however, just a few hours later, I sat by her bedside praying for her recovery for she had great difficulties breathing.., she knew she was dying." he stopped speaking as Queen Sparta sat there listening.
"What happened then, in that hour?" she asked eager to hear his tale of woe.
"She held my hand, pale as the moon was she, Priscilla was worried of my deep hatred for her husband and she begged of me to promise I would vow never to harm him, for I had told her earlier that if she died I would lay the blame at his feet forever; which I still do, I can not lie."
"You made this promise." Queen Sparta replied reaching out touching his hand.
"Yes, I said I would keep her son safe, raising him as my own, and that I, nor any of my men, would allow any harm to come him. I swore I would not, myself, seek any revenge, vendetta, nor retribution." he sighed the grief still at the surface of his feelings.
"So you have kept your promise, though it must be very difficult for you to show Cothos mercy and restraint." she gave a little smile.
"Yes.,".the Emperor paused smiling along with her, then saying in a cheerful tone with a hearty laugh "However, if he were to meet with some sudden, unfortunate accident while here in your beautiful country!" here the two laughed at the notion then the Emperor ceased his smiling, growing very silent, giving a look as serious and as cruel as the grave and then, as her own laughter trailed off, Queen Sparta realized that Cyrillus was not, in fact joking.
"What happened then, in that hour?" she asked eager to hear his tale of woe.
"She held my hand, pale as the moon was she, Priscilla was worried of my deep hatred for her husband and she begged of me to promise I would vow never to harm him, for I had told her earlier that if she died I would lay the blame at his feet forever; which I still do, I can not lie."
"You made this promise." Queen Sparta replied reaching out touching his hand.
"Yes, I said I would keep her son safe, raising him as my own, and that I, nor any of my men, would allow any harm to come him. I swore I would not, myself, seek any revenge, vendetta, nor retribution." he sighed the grief still at the surface of his feelings.
"So you have kept your promise, though it must be very difficult for you to show Cothos mercy and restraint." she gave a little smile.
"Yes.,".the Emperor paused smiling along with her, then saying in a cheerful tone with a hearty laugh "However, if he were to meet with some sudden, unfortunate accident while here in your beautiful country!" here the two laughed at the notion then the Emperor ceased his smiling, growing very silent, giving a look as serious and as cruel as the grave and then, as her own laughter trailed off, Queen Sparta realized that Cyrillus was not, in fact joking.
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