The King and His Advisor

Content Warning: Implied future self-harm

Lord Oganesson stared at the door as His Highness the Crown Prince and the Eastern stranger disappeared into the corridor. Tears began to roll down his face. He wiped them away and glanced at the king.

King Xenon gazed at the door solemnly, shoulders slumped. Whatever remnant of light he may have had in his tired eyes, it had finally been extinguished the moment the prince walked out the door. He could no longer protect his son. Everything now was up to fate.

The king then turned to Lord Oganesson. “Why did you not go with them? We discussed this earlier.”

“I am your loyal advisor,” Lord Oganesson said. “My place is by your side.”

The king frowned. “My fate was already sealed long ago. You will die if you stay here with me.”

Lord Oganesson looked at the king solemnly. “If you live, I live. If you die, I die.”

King Xenon gasped and he cupped Lord Oganesson’s face in his hands. “Why?! Don’t you value your life? I am cursed already, don’t let me bring you down as well!”

Lord Oganesson wrapped his arms around the king’s waist. “I don’t want you to be alone when you go.”

The king began to tear up. “Izel, why are you so good to me? I don’t deserve this.”

“Because you have been good to me, Xenon. How long have we been together? Six years now? How could I just walk away? I am but a palace eunuch. Where would I go once the palace burns down and you are gone?”

King Xenon lowered his hands and wrapped his arms around his advisor. “Izel, I don’t want you to suffer the same fate as Selenia. Her life ended far sooner than it should have because of the decisions that I made. You can walk away and live on. Please forget about me, even if it is difficult. With your talents and skills, you can still have a long, fulfilling life.”

“No, I cannot,” Lord Oganesson said. “Xenon, do you not understand? I am your advisor, your second-in-command. Whenever a new power takes over, those closest to the deposed king are always the first to die. I’ve read far too many history books in the Palace Library to be naive about this. From the moment you appointed me to this position, my fate was already sealed.”

“Izel,” the king murmured, running his fingers through Lord Oganesson’s hair.

“And even without the invaders, I already have enough enemies within these palace walls. The ministers of the High Council never saw me as their equal because of my lowborn background. They only begrudgingly respected me because of you. Your status as king was my shield.

And the other servants, who used to be my colleagues - once I became your advisor, they became cold towards me and gossiped behind my back. Only the Palace Elder remained respectful, since he had recognized my abilities from the beginning and nurtured them.  Do you understand how completely alone and vulnerable I will become once you are gone?”

The king sighed. “I am so sorry, Izel. I have ruined your life as well.”

“No, Xenon, please do not say that. You have given me opportunities that no one else ever could. And affections that I have never experienced anywhere else.” Lord Oganesson reached up and caressed the king’s face. “Even if I did end up escaping with His Highness the Crown Prince and his friend, I would just hinder them. What if we end up getting captured and killed anyway? If I am doomed no matter what, I’d rather be by your side when it ends.”

King Xenon leaned over and kissed Lord Oganesson. He wrapped his arms around him even more tightly. They could feel each other’s heartbeats and remained like this for a while.

Suddenly, the king pulled away. A look of terror was etched on his face.

“What is wrong?” Lord Oganesson asked.

“Izel, the invaders. What if they…hurt you? I can fight them off as much as I can, but you…you won’t be able to…”

Lord Oganesson looked up at the king. “Don’t worry, I’ve already prepared for it.”

The king looked at him with concern and trepidation. Lord Oganesson reached into his collar and took out a vial attached to a necklace. “If the invaders end up taking your life and try to capture me, I will take this poison and follow you soon after.”

The king’s eyes widened in shock. “No…” He shook his head slowly.  “Izel, please do not speak like this…”

“And if that doesn’t work,” Lord Oganesson produced a small dagger from his sleeve, “I’ll make sure I don’t stay behind.” Putting the dagger back into his sleeve, Lord Oganesson reached up again and held the king’s face in his hands. “I’ll be with you, Xenon…”

“Izel…” the king clung to him for dear life and wept.