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“He has been my friend a long time, now.”
Aria lay beside the emperor, naked, several nights later. He was spent, which meant that he was at his most pliable - satisfied and exhausted.
Aria had never met a man who could match her stamina.
“You of all people must consider the big picture, my liege,” Aria chided.
Edvin turned his head, and Aria made certain the covers shifted, revealing a naked breast. His attention was, as always, wholly hers after their lovemaking. “I do, Aria, I do. But he is my oldest friend, has proven himself more than once, and has always been one of my staunchest allies.”
“And that’s a credit to you on many levels, Ed,” stated Aria sweetly. “But you say it yourself.”
“How so, my lover?”
Aria shifted, letting the sheet fall to her middle, leaning up on her elbows slightly. “You have said a long time he’s been your friend, and he is old. While that friendship and alliance do you good, it may be less so for your empire, and your legacy.”
“You think so, Aria?”
“I do...but then, I am not entirely certain,” Aria said coyly. It played so much better to her advantage when she had him off guard. It was always good to have him questioning. “Your sphere of influence grows, and so does the legacy you will leave. Friendships are not something to be easily dismissed. But you have to ask yourself if that friend serves the purpose he is placed to serve.”
Edvin turned, his eyes stopping at her bared breasts before moving to her face. “You do not believe Kessler serves me well?”
Aria shifted, and again she saw Edvin’s gaze shift to her chest a moment. “I believe Kessler Margrave has served you and the empire well, for a long time. And I think that service has been faithful and adequately executed. I do not question that.”
She shifted her tone now. “What I do question, though, is how well does he serve you now? How well does his service go to your current plans, and your legacy?”
Emperor Edvin seemed to consider that a moment. “I have always observed that he has served well, and I expect that he will continue to do so. I have never had reason to question this. Should I question otherwise?”
“That is entirely dependent on you, Your Majesty,” Aria said. She began to rub his thigh with her hand. “You have to observe Kessler Margrave now, and while you do not question his past service, is his continued tenure serving your ultimate plans? Will it allow you to create the legacy you intend to leave to the world?”
When she asked the right questions and provided the right stimulus, Emperor Edvin became more and more enthralled by her. He would be hardening again soon, which divided his attention further. That would allow Aria to distract him, even while she planted the seed of doubt.
She would soon let him take her again, removing the conversation from the forefront of his mind - but leaving it in his subconscious for later attention.
Aria would reach her destiny by any means at her disposal.