Izel

Izel started bringing books from the Palace Library on his visits to King Xenon’s chambers. The king let him sit on the divan in the room since it was more comfortable than the cushioned stool and could fit both of them. The routine remained the same - Izel would play music, sing, and test the food. The king was becoming less paranoid of being poisoned and was now mainly letting Izel eat first so that he could enjoy the food that was meant for royalty. Afterward, Izel would read to him.

“After the Great King Helios met an untimely end, his generals divided up control of his empire. General Lanthanum served as regent for the infant Crown Prince. However, he was unable to maintain his rule and was assassinated by General Actinios, which precipitated the War of the Generals…”

King Xenon did not really pay attention to the words, since these history books could be quite dry, but he enjoyed listening to Izel’s voice.

As Izel narrated the War of the Generals, a strand of his hair became loose and fell forward. The king reached over and tucked the stray strand back behind Izel’s ear. Izel glanced at him his cheeks flushing slightly pink. The king smiled. Izel resumed reading.

***

A few days later, after Izel finished reading the book he brought, the king stood up.

“Izel, I would like to venture outside.”

“Your Majesty?”

“Would you like to accompany me to the palace gardens?”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

***

As they walked through the gardens, the palace attendants stared in shock. It had been years since they last saw the king walking around.

When the king’s walks around the palace gardens became more frequent, the palace attendants began to whisper amongst themselves.

“Who is that person always following His Majesty?”

“He also tutors His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“I heard he was just a regular servant. How did he get so close to the Royal Family?”

“Hush!” the Palace Elder admonished them when he heard the gossip. “Don’t you have work to do?”

***

“Izel?” the king said one day as they made their usual rounds through the gardens.

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“I would like to return to my regular duties. Would you like to accompany me to the next High Council meeting?”

“Your Majesty? I am but a humble servant. I do not belong there.”

“Izel, you are far too modest.”

***

A week later, when Izel came for his usual visit, the king greeted him with a smile.

“Izel, I have something for you.”

“Your Majesty?”

The king led him to the divan. “I had the palace seamstresses make you new robes.”

Izel’s eyes widened when he saw the intricately embroidered chapan before his eyes.

“Your Majesty! It’s beautiful! Thank you so much!” He began to bow but the king stopped him.

“My dear Izel, as I have said before, there is no need to be so formal with me.”

My dear Izel? Izel’s eyes widened.

“Would you like to try it on?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

***

Izel stood in front of the mirror wearing the new chapan. It was midnight blue with intricate embroidery in gold thread and a hem that was right above his shoes. He had never worn anything so luxurious in his life. The king stood behind him.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty! Thank you again…”

The king smiled. “Here, let me add one more thing.” He took the simple doppi off of Izel’s head and set it aside. He then reached over to a table next to them and picked up another doppi that was midnight blue with a jewel in the front and placed it gently on top of Izel’s hair. Izel’s breath quickened.

“Now that you look the part, you can accompany me to the High Council meeting. I shall bestow a new name on you.”

“A new name, Your Majesty?” Izel began to turn around. “What is wrong with-”

“Nothing is wrong with your name. ‘Izel’ is very cute.”

Izel blushed intensely.

“But if you are to accompany me to official meetings, you will need a name that commands respect.”

“Oh? What do you have in mind, Your Majesty?”

“Henceforth, you will officially be known as Lord Oganesson, the King’s Advisor.”

Izel’s mouth opened in surprise. “Lord…Oganesson?”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

The king smiled and embraced him from behind. Then, very gently, he kissed Izel on the cheek.

***

The king and his new advisor walked through the palace. As they made their way down the hallway, the palace attendants who had been previously gossiping about Izel froze with mouths agape as they saw him in his new robes. When they encountered the Palace Elder, he gave Izel a congratulatory smile.

***

The ministers gathered in the throne room for the High Council meeting. An attendant announced the arrival of the king and they bowed. Upon seeing an unfamiliar person walking behind the king, they looked at each other in confusion.

“Your Majesty?” said one of the ministers. “This is…?”

The king seated himself on the throne and his companion stood beside him. “This is Lord Oganesson, my new advisor. You will treat him with the utmost respect.”

The ministers were taken aback but dared not utter a word of protest in the king's presence. They bowed to the new advisor.

Lord Oganesson smiled.

***

“Eh, you have a new title now?” Prince Thallios asked his tutor. They were seated in the shade of a tree in the courtyard.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Lord Oganesson said with a smile. “Perhaps you can take your studies more seriously now.”

“Heh,” the prince replied.

---

Author’s Notes

The story that Izel is reading to King Xenon at the beginning of this chapter is based on the Wars of the Diadochi, a power struggle among generals that ensued after Alexander the Great passed away without a clear successor.