"Type... please understand, it is for our species."

"You can fool others with your dramas but not me. How do you look into mirror after you..." Type twists his face away in disgust.

"Finish your sentence, Type."

"You sold yourself to the Wizard Kings! You are nothing more than..." Type fists his palms.

"Is that what you think?" Queen Jimin stands, taking a deep breath. "That I sold myself for the safety? Do you think I am that desperate to live?"

Type drops his head.

"I was ready to die, Type I walked into the Sacrifice Pedestal, to kill the last of the wizard who entered our temple and then kill myself. Your mother begged me to hide."

Type stares at his own finger nails. He hates when people bring his mother in the story.

"And surprise... surprise, what do we find? The wizards never wanted to kill me. They wanted me to surrender. You might not remember this but many babies... including you, clutched to your father's chest... they said they did not want to murder any of them but... who did? Our own people. They were ready to kill all of us, so the rest of our people nurture the hate towards wizards."

Type is not stupid to believe these cooked up stories.

"I begged our own people to let the children go. But they... did not want any witnesses to live who would say, the wizards did not kill the children."

"Do you think, I am going to believe this? Huh?"

"I am your Prince! I have no reasons to lie!"

"You stopped being my Prince when you started playing a street hooker for the wizard army!"

Type sees Jimin fisting his palm but it uncurls just as fast.

Type knows he needs to apologize but... but...

"They saved me; My Kings. They rescued you and your father; helped your wounded mother. At that moment, I would have welcomed death because how humiliating it is, when your enemies save your life while your own people is trying to murder you."

Type gulps as a memory flashes to his mind. His own people has set their mind to kill him but his enemy... the Wolf...

Hmm...

Type blushes when he remembers the night when he refused to eat because of his anger and the Wolf cut his food into bite size pieces, waiting patiently for Type to take a bite.

All tricks!

These all are tricks to make his people slaves.

"I do not sell my body, Type." Jimin grinds his teeth. "I do not have to. I love them as much as they love me. They love my children."

Type will not believe this. These cheap public stunts may trick stupid but not Type.

"I have five children, Type and not all of them are wizards... You should see my husbands with them, Type... I... have no other words. My last born, she is only five months old and she is a necromancer. And I trust her with them with my life. They are her fathers and they do not care a bit that she is a necromancer."

Type does not believe it either.

Wizards hate their species. They are on the verge of extinction because of wizards.

"I cannot make you believe me... Type but..."

"You are right, you can't! You decided to switch sides. You left us. We have no one to defend us, except some pathetic excuses of commanders and elders. YOU BETRAYED US! How can I blame my army when our own prince chose pleasure over duty?!"

"Pleasure?!" Jimin's eyes flash white and Type remembers how powerful of a being the Prince is.

But again, the Prince of Necromancers, the Queen of Pleeyath, Wife of King Taehyung and King Consort Jungkook, controls his wrath.

"I have nothing to say anymore. Know this also, Type. I am the founding member of the University. Empress Gulf and I decided the notion and we made our husbands to take the action. All of us, including Empress Gulf and his family is in this venture. My eldest is junior in class with the Second Prince of Galoddhikeera. The Prince is her mentor. So do not tell me, I do not know anything. You may leave."

Type huffs and stops himself from bowing down.

This person in front of him is not his Prince.

Type strengthens his resolve and walks out of the Queen's Chamber but his steps falters when he hears the heartbreaking cries of an infant.

See!

Loving fathers; his foot!

Type stomps to the garden, following the cries but hides behind a pillar when he sees two men hovering over a squirming bundle.

"You truly love to see us in trouble, Pincy!" One of them says exasperatedly; both the fists on his waist.

The other one kneels down cooing. "Aww... aww... do not listen to Dada, listen to Papa. Mama is not here, remember? He is in a meeting with his friend. We promised Mama we would be..."

The child gags and pukes all over the talking man's chest and cackles.

"Tae! You look... funny!"

"Stop laughing, Bunny! You too, stop laughing darling! Someone please clean me up."

"You go clean yourself. Me and my baby daughter is going to play on swings."

The men argues back and forth but Type has to admit, the love they have for each other and their daughter is real.

But...

That does not mean a thing. The wizards are selective of the recipients of their love. Type is not going to surrender his individuality and integrity for anything... or anyone for that matter.

'You are a free man' The Emperor Mew's words ring inside Type's head. 'You can walk away if you want but this will be an opportunity to mend the broken bridges.'

Type drags his legs to the guest cabins. He does not know what to do.

Especially unlearning everything he has been taught, to turn his back against his own people... isn't it better to die for them?

But what would his death bring?

Another onset of anarchy; another group of young people joining army to avenge his death?

Another endless cycle of death, revenge, war and more death?

He has a chance to stop this but...

"Kitten!"

Type grinds his teeth but has stopped correcting the Wolf. There is no point; no matter what, he is called Kitten.

Then the man has pointed out that since Type calls him Wolf...

Meh!

"Still angry at me, I see."

Type rolls his eyes. "Right! It is always about you!"

"Ouch! I thought you would be happy to see the Prince."

Tharn knows he has touched a nerve but he has to deliver the bad message, right?

He clears his throat and Type stops midstride.

"Spit it out." Type demands.

"What? Nothing. Nothing... I just wanted to know how your talk with Queen Jimin went. So..."

"Tharaa..."

The Wolf gulps before staring at him.

"Maybe you should rest first. You look... battered."

Type glares and crosses his hands over his chest, waiting. Tharn has to smile when that little foot starts tapping; a pose he has seen so many times his mom doing to his dad.

His heart aches a bit and he looks away.

"The banishment is real." Tharn finally says with a deep sigh and a heavy heart.

"Oh. Nothing unexpected." Type says as casually as he can. He is not affected.

"The letter had reached the Emperor just after you left. That is why I came after you and thank Moon Goddess I did! But I thought it was a ploy to get us - wizards, involved but... you are 'wanted dead or alive' in all your tribes except at the Njoon. But given it is your army headquarters... it could be a trap."

Type has stopped wondering how the Wolf knows about their secret base.

"It is all goo... good then." Type clears the thickness in his throat. "If you will excuse me... I uh..."

"Of course, Kitten. You take rest. The Emperor has demanded an audience with you but he has asked me to wait for you to be rested and ready. So... I will come back in a couple of hours."

Type takes a deep breath and gives two pats to his own chest. "I will see him now. Let all the bad news come at once, so I can prepare for the fight."

Tharn is floored.

Shiyaa...

He has never seen anyone like this one over here.

Goddess, what are you, Type?

"Coming?" Type turns around when he does not feel Tharn walking next to him.

The man shakes his head and jogs to reach Type. "Just... somethings in my mind."

The Emperor as usual welcomes him in with a smile but this time it is tinged with sadness.

All a play, Type; all a play.

"Commander Thiwat..." The Emperor cuts to the chase and hands him over the scrolls that has banned him from the tribes.

"Just Thiwat, from now on." Type tries to joke but nobody laughs and Type does not understand why. He finds it too funny.

Like come one, you are willing to die for them and you almost had, at that time when you engaged in hand to hand combat with the Wolf... and how do they take it? As betrayal.

Funny, right?

"Commander Thiwat..." The Emperor continues and for a moment Type thinks the man is mocking him but he is not. "You might know that I am a cunning man and I very much want you in the University..."

Type nods. Here comes the ultimatum with a threat.

If he does not stay here, the Emperor can hand him over to his army and watch him getting murdered.

Type quickly analyses his escape routes and he finds none.

But to his utmost surprise, The Emperor casts a spell and a path is formed for Type to escape.

"I am cunning but I do not change my words. You are a free man, Type. You do not need to escape, you can leave and I believe you know the difference."

Type nods.

"I am at advantage here but that advantage does not feel right. So, here are your other options than join the University."

Type receives three scrolls.

"There is a village in Pilton Province." Type's heart beats rapidly and his palms start sweating. "You can stay there as a common man. You can have a family or... whatever you want. Wizard army has not killed every villagers they have captured. When we understood the consequences of our choices, we started amending from there."

Type's eyes are as big as saucers.

"I do not have control over the territory; Queen Jimin has. One demand he had before marrying the Kings, where a place for his innocent people to stay. And we made that happen. I do not know anything about that village but if you wish to take this option, I will inform Queen Jimin."

How can he ever tell this Emperor that this village in Pilton is his home village?

All a play... Type but... are they?

"Most people over there are farmers, I believe. So, if you want to take up that option, then go ahead. I have a feeling you love the next one. You join the Seeshers. We have a peace treaty and again by Queen Jimin's activism they are willing to take in Necromancers but military service is mandatory. You have quite a reputation among them, Commander Thiwat..."

Type is no longer listening.

His eyes are glued to the invitation request to his own village. His dad; his only living family.

All this time...

He feels remorseful about the things he has said about Prince Jimin.

But all a play, Type.

All of them are working together, to trap Type in. He will not fall for this drama.

"My wife, the Empress of Galoddhikeera has shown an interest to talk to you before you choose an option. Since, it is him who has asked me to extend all the options, I believe it is only right for you to meet with him."

Type nods. "I have a feeling I have a lot of things to be grateful for his interference."

"You do, Commander Thiwat."

Type nods once again when he sees the Emperor's lips lifting up inside the half of Lion Skull.

"Please be respectful..." The Wolf whispers to the Kitten's ears and Type can feel the desperation. "It is not like the Emperor. Disrespecting the Empress will have severe consequences, you will not be alive to amend."

"And I have one saying, Wolf. My respect has to be earned." Type glares and follows the Emperor to the Empress Chamber.

Type has expected so many things but a chirpy voice that welcomes him in is not it. "Young Commander Thiwat! Have heard so much about you. How is your stay? I wanted to talk to you in person but stupid protocols. I believe I have not interrupted anything serious, have I? Please tell me, my husband did not threaten you to be here? He has, hasn't he?"

"Tua-eng! I did no such thing!" The Emperor rushes to the Empress and they are soon enveloped in a hug. "Tell him, Commander Thiwat, did I threaten you?"

Type is flabbergasted for a moment but he soon gets back his wits. "No... The Emperor of Wizards, has been very kind to me. I do not trust it yet but... no, he has not threatened me to be here."

The Wolf groans behind him but Type is not sorry. "I have heard a lot about the Empress of Wizards. I am not talking about these people. My own... I mean the necromancers. You are kind to our children. I thank you."

The Empress comes to him and for whatever reason Type feels this urge to kneel and bow down. The power, so comforting but that demands loyalty and obedience shakes Type's core.

He gulps and settles for a respectful dip of his head. He is not bowing in front of Wizards.

"The wars have not been kind on any of us, Commander Thiwat. We have lost too many."

Type's eyes surprisingly fill up at the true emotion behind the words. He is hearing the words of someone who is truly affected by the consequences of wars.

"If you are not uncomfortable in my presence, can we have a conversation in private?" The Empress of Galoddhikeera asks Type and he is touched. The Empress has no reason to ask for his permission but he does and Type wants to bow again... but he will not!

"Of course. I will be honored."

"My Sun, My beloved, would you please let us be alone?" The Empress asks too sweetly and the Emperor does not have to remove his skull mask for everyone to know that the mighty man has slipped and fell on the sweetness.

"Anything my Empress wishes for." the Emperor holds the Empress' hands lovingly and presses kisses on each knuckles.

Type blushes and looks away but his eyes clashes with the green orbs of the Wolf's who is unnervingly staring at him... so he turns the other way feeling flustered and even more blushing.

What is with this man and his staring?

It is even more annoying that Type does not find it annoying!

Ugh!

Type cannot understand himself sometimes.

The Emperor looks at Type for a second before removing the pendant chain from his chest and puts it around the Empress's neck; no doubt a protective shield against Type's spells.

"Do not remove your mask, Tua-eng. I will be just outside with Chief Kirigun." The Empress giggles at that and the Emperor chuckles asking what.

"Chief Kirigun, huh?" The Empress whispers and Type wonders if they both have forgotten that they are not alone.

But soon the Emperor and the Chief are kicked out of the Chamber by Empress and Type hides his smile when the Empress starts pushing the Emperor outside. "I will be fine! Just go."

Even though there is a shield of a Lion holding a Sunflower on the Empress's face - hiding half of his face, Type knows the man is very beautiful. Maybe even more beautiful than anyone he has ever seen.

Type scowls when the Wolf's face comes to his mind.

Why?

The said Wolf and the Emperor is waiting impatiently outside for the conversation to be over.

They look at each other feeling restless.

"He is not dangerous, right?" Emperor Mew cannot take it anymore.

"He is very dangerous but he is not one to kill without a reason. I am not worried about that."

"What are you worried about then? I do not like him in there with my Wifey... what if he..." Emperor Mew nibbles his lower lip.

"I told you they are fine and for your information, your wifey is my..."

The door opens and the Emperor rushes inside to meet his Empress as Tharn rolls his eyes but his heart starts beating faster when Type comes out looking ready to cry.

"What? What is wrong? Type?"

Type shrugs trying very hard to look strong and stern.

"What did the Empress say?" Tharn asks fretting around Type.

"Not for you to find out!" Type glares then stops when the Royal Couple comes to the view out of the Chamber.

"I like him!" The Empress announces and for whatever reason Tharn wants to laugh and smile so bad. He gets so giddy that he has to look down if he is jumping on his heels.

There is something for Tharn about the Empress liking Type.

"Type, as I said, you cannot enter the Reserved Library of Empire just yet. So are you ready?" Empress asks Type.

"Yes, Sir."

The Emperor and the Wolf looks at each other surprised.

"You got him call you Sir?" The Emperor asks his wife in exasperation. "How!"

The Empress giggles winking at Type. "All children are the same and we are gifted with many. Take notes, Daddy."

Then the Empress rubs Type's chin lovingly. "I am so sorry for this, Young One but there is only one way to know. Would you please join me to the Neelipakom Library?"

"I will be honored, Sir."

The Empress smiles at his husband lovingly and Type wonders if he will ever get a chance to feel the love the Royal Couple shares and his eyes wanders to the Wolf.

Stupid eyes!

"Would you please open a portal, P'Mew? The Head Librarian is already waiting for us."

The Emperor pecks the Empress's forehead and there Type goes all blushing.

Why do the Empress call Phi to his own husband?! If he marries, he is never going to call anyone Phi...

Type glares at the Wolf and the man wonders what has caused his Kitten to glare at him all of a sudden.

Hmm...

With Type you will never know.

The portal opens and the Empress gently holds Type's hand. "I do not like them. They make me dizzy."

"Me too! Wait, are you not a wizard?" Type asks.

"No, child. I am a normal person. I have no magic."

"Wow... but... you are the Empress of Wizards but you..." And the aura he sees of the Empress is so strong, fit for a powerful Wizard, just like the Emperor. There is no way the Empress is not a mage.

"You are not just normal." The Emperor cuts in. "You are far from it. Quite extraordinary and..."

"Tee-rak, we have kids here. Keep your flirty words for later."

"Later, huh? I like that. I like that very much."

Type smiles when Thara scrunches his face in disgust. "Emperor, Empress, please... we have a guest."

Emperor shrugs, not a bit sorry but the Empress ducks his head hiding behind the Emperor.

If this is not the love Type is meant to have, Type does not want it. Then he goes glaring at Wolf.

The Library is a walk distance from where they get dropped.

"The Head Librarian is a very good friend of mine..." The Empress jabs the Emperor with his elbow when the man growls. "But he does not allow portals and magic inside the library. So, we have to walk from here."

Type nods, letting the Royal Couple lead the way while he walks beside the Wolf.

"Kitten, have you decided about joining the University?" Tharn asks softly.

"No." Type answers without looking at him.

"Oh."

The silence is daunting and Type squishes his need to explain.

"No, as in haven't decided yet or does not want to join?" Tharn crosses his index and middle finger, hoping for the best.

"I... haven't decided yet."

"GOOD!!!" Tharn shouts and Type jumps. "I mean... good, take your time... just... I mean good. Oh, look! We are here!"

Type grumbles and follows the man to meet the librarian who is hugging the Emperor and Empress.

"Okay that is enough hugging!" The Emperor tries to stop his wife and the friend from hugging each other but to no avail. The two of them are giggling and keeps on hugging until they see Type.

"Type, child, this is the Head Librarian, First Chalongrat, Queen of Ghatthayaan Province. You will be safe here and you can read as many books as you want to get the answers you seek for."

"Come this way, Commander Thiwat." The Head Librarian welcomes them in but he sticks close to the Empress.

"He is the Queen and a Librarian? Why?" Type asks the Empress like a little child, looking around at the gazillion books.

"What do you mean 'why'?"

"He is the Queen..."

The Empress smiles. "Yes, he is the Queen and a Librarian. I am the Empress and a baker."

"You are a baker?"

"Uhuh... I make and sell pickles too." The Empress waves and accepts waii from all the staff of the Library.

"But why?" Type cannot stop asking.

"I am an Empress because my husband happens to be the Emperor, child. Who I am, is for me to decide. Likewise for Queen First - a librarian and Queen Jimin, who is an arborist..."

"Arabora what now?"

The Empress giggles. "An arborist. He takes care of trees as a profession."

Type falls silent. "You guys get paid?"

"We do. It is our profession. For First, it is different. He owns this place and I do not know how money works in this place. For me I sell pickles, bread, cakes, and buns making money. Queen Jimin meets with the tree owners and makes money that way."

"But why? You have so much money already."

The Empress stops walking. "Money is like water child. It is a flow. Stagnant money is like stagnant water; dirty. You will understand one day."

Type scowls at the floor.

"And Type..." The Empress smiles fondly at him. "You can choose to be whoever you want to be. You do not have to limit yourself to one position. Pick as many titles as you want for yourself."

Type feels that statement in a spiritual way.

"Once you finish your quest, come back to palace. I will clear the papers with my Emperor to let you in the reserved library." Type nods. "You might want to take that chair by the window. Taapith, First and I used to spend a lot of evenings debating over the power of knowledge vs power of fear."

Type can imagine his mentor sitting over there, defending the need of wars and strategies.

"I do not know if I have told you this but I am happy to see you here, Type. Truly happy."

"Thank you, Sir."

The Empress smiles. "My name is Gulf."

"Thank you." Type ducks his head respectfully.

"I can wait for you to finish reading if you want..." Empress Gulf cuddles to his husband's chest.

"Very kind of you, Sir but not necessary. I will find a way to reach the palace."

"Or I can stay with Ki... him." Tharn jumps in, a bit enthusiastically.

"No need. I prefer to stay here alone." Type looks away when he sees Tharn's face dropping. "I cannot read peacefully when I know someone is waiting for me."

"Oh."

At least that is some excuse.

"Or you can call me after you finish reading." Tharn extends his Spell Transference stone. "Without a portal, it is a half day journey in a motor wagon to the palace."

"If it is not too much of a trouble..." Type is nervous.

"No... not at all. I insist you call me. I will pick you up personally."

Type bites his lower lip and snatches the stone without looking at the Wolf.

"See you then." Tharn waves at the Kitten and gets into the portal the Emperor summons. The stubborn kitten only nods; at least Type is looking at him. So, Tharn will take it as a win.

"Interesting." The Empress comments as the portal closes.

With Empress Gulf's consistent encouragement and constant presence, Type spends most of his time holed up in library rooms one after another. But Tharn is there to bring him back to the guest cabin to rest which he does religiously.

But... the Emperor has to admit his wife's magical touch with the ice - cold commander Thiwat, when the kid arrives to his Strategy Chamber first thing in the morning.

The kid must have slept in front of his door, seems like.

"I am joining the University."

"That is... surprising."

"I know. For me too but I have some people who I want to extent the invitation to join. They are in Taapith's list."

The Emperor nods taking the list from Type's hands going through the names.

"Are you sure?" The Emperor asks.

"No. They are all against Wizards and they will try to kill but... they are not me. So you have a better chance. Maybe let them have a meeting with Empress Gulf."

The Emperor pouts when Type addresses Gulf as Empress. Hey, he is still waiting for the acknowledgement of Type's respect.

"Or I can talk to them."

"No." Type answers.

"What? You think I cannot do it?"

Type does not answer but does not avert his eyes either. The answer is self-explanatory.

The Emperor scowls and signs the list. "They are first going to meet me, then Chief Kirigun and General Kanawut. They are not meeting with my beloved at first."

"Wise."

"Welcome, Type Thiwat." The Emperor says and Type knows the man is pleased with his decision.

"To a new tomorrow." The Emperor pours Type a glass of milk while the Emperor gets a glass of wine. Type looks annoyed at the Emperor but the man only shrugs.

They are not going to let Type forget about his womb. Type grumbles but drinks the milk with a scrunched up face.

"To a new tomorrow."