Sebastian wasn't surprised Ashton didn't agree to meet with him, Lucian had basically demanded he request an audience. Sebastian had simply used his seal to stamp the remade letter. While he was concerned the youth didn't attend to court, if anything had happened surely Ashton would have sent word.
Finally, the day before the tribute delegations were set to start arriving Ashton finally answered a missive to have tea. By the time word traveled back, Devlin, two apprentice mages, Bert, Aaron, all three dukes, Leonard, Lucian, Charmaine, Charles, and the three priests would be in attendance.
When Ashton arrived the already tense group watched him like he would burst into flames on the spot. He didn't bother to greet them as he lazily sat in his chair.
Everyone was trading glances as the servant's brought tea and pastries, no one spoke even after Devlin started the anti-spying ward.
"If you all just wanted to stare, you could always just paint a portrait." Ashton remarked as he stirred his tea without glancing up. Not only were the souls so dense he could only see a few feet in front of himself, they were no longer sitting at the table as equals who deserved his undivided attention.
"Are you ascending into a dragon?" Devlin asked bluntly. There was no point in wasting time beating around the bush, nor did any of the dragon descendants usually have the patience for it.
Ashton let his lip curl ever so slightly, "Your understanding of dragons is rather warped if you believe I resemble one." He sneered. When everyone looked at the priests as Bodin cleared his throat.
"The dragon heart of Emperor Smyrna only reacts to dragon kin, and started to beat the day you entered the capital." Bodin reminded, they had also seen his fire melt through the palace's enchantments. Bodin couldn't even think of a beast who's fire could overpower a full grown dragon.
Ashton gave a dismissive smile, "Then you should probably refresh your studies. I am aware dragons aren't known for their intellect; but I admit I expected more from the faithful." Even if Bodin hadn't been pope for long, he was actively adjusting the enchantments in the palace and that wretched holy curse.
"Are you ascending?" Lucian finally demanded before Bodin could continue; whatever Ashton was doing it was clearly drawing in a lot of mana.
"You'll find out tomorrow, I'm sure. Though I'm surprised you have time to question my existence since you have yet to finish the ward, have not found the rebels, have not confirmed the identities of the murders, or even thought about what you'll do once you know the truth." Ashton remarked with a polite smile as he raised a brow. Of all the concerns they had, he should be low on their list of priorities.
"Having friends doesn't hurt, we can help you ascend." Bodin cut in drawing attention to what was important. Finding murders from decades past wasn't useful to them now, and if the young beast stayed, the emperor could get his answers later.
"Friends? I pity the fool who would believe you to be a friend." Ashton replied caustically as he turned to Lucian. "Perhaps a reminder from before I entered the capital is in order."
Then he snapped his fingers as a quick, light melody started and everyone was paralyzed in their seats. Unlike before where he only had a guitar, this time his golems played an angry, forceful rendition as he sang.
Hey, have you ever heard me say
I'd rather be straight forward
I think I've said it twice today
This is me, the way I am
Truly content, need nothing grand
Don't need you here, up in my face
I'm just living the day to day
Please don't be mistaken, the cues I be making
I never asked you to stay
You really aren't special, the same as all the rest though
Not sure how to make you see
I don't need friends, just let me be
Don't. need. False. comradery
I'm trying to go solo, your persistence is a no go
Are you even listening
Are you even listening
I don't need friends, not worth my time
You choose a path, I'll choose mine
And when I say this, please don't get me wrong
We don't have a bond, we don't have a bond
I don't need friends, just let me be
Don't. need. False. comradery
I'm trying to go solo, your persistence is a no go
Persistence is a no go
Well now I've said, all there is to say
Lets be content, you aren't dreaming
I just gotta say, are you really not seeing
Pretty sure, I said this thrice?
Are you even listening? Are you even listening
Look I really hate to say this
But something isn't working, so I'll just leave
I'll go my way, really hope you see
Really hope you see
Persistence is a no go
Persistence is a no go
I don't need friends, and this is why
They tend to cross, my boundary lines
You think its fun, you find this cute?
Denied my rights, no surprise from you
I don't need friends, and this is why
Really no surprise, really no surprise
I don't need friends, just let me be
Don't need your false comradery
I'm trying to go solo,
your persistence is a no go
I don't need friends, not worth my time
You choose a path, I'll choose mine
And when I say this, (say this), please don't get me wrong
We don't have a bond, we don't have a bond
We don't have a bond, we don't have a bond.
I don't need you to try and change my mind
But I'd be nice if we didn't have to fight
I'm not trying to be rude, but this really isn't new
You really need to see, this is a perfect guarantee
We can't be friends, we can't cross lines
I think this is, the fourth time
What more can I really say?
I don't need friends, at least like you
I wont just fit your selfish view
What you think, just isn't me
Hey, are you listening?
I don't need friends, just let me be
Don't need false comradery
You really need to let go, persistence is a no go
Persistence is a no go
I don't need friends, I don't need you
Persistence is a no go, I'm living life solo
I don't need friends, just let me be
Don't need false comradery
I don't want you.
Ashton then stood up with a beaming smile, "Now that I've cleared the air, I plan to return. Tomorrow is going to be... rather interesting for many reasons." Ashton then left without turning back.