Chapter Text
Another party for Garlemald’s nobility, another chance to hear the latest news from across the Empire and perhaps sow chaos of his own. Vespasian yae Galvus buzzes around the hall with a drink in hand, on the prowl for names of importance. His ears perk when he overhears the name Zenos . The prince’s antics of late haven’t been lost on him, and if there’s a way to make Varis look bad, he won’t hesitate. A sly smile slips across his lips as he moves a little closer to the small group who are discussing the prince at length.
“A disgrace, I say. The prince’s reputation is far beyond just the capital city’s walls now,” a matronly, pearl-adorned woman says, tutting. “If His Radiance can’t control his son, how can he expect to govern the realm?”
A man wearing a gaudy medal laughs gruffly. “That boy is a lost cause. I’ve not heard a single good thing about him. Seems the only thing he’s not awful at is fighting!”
A lordling of Vespasian’s age, no older than twenty, adds his thoughts. “He should have been betrothed long ago. With a wife, he might have curbed his more… wild hobbies.”
“That’s if his wife could tame him,” Vespasian remarks.
The entire group turns as one, clearly surprised to see someone listening in, much less Lord Nerva’s spawn.
“Oh, forgive me, I couldn’t help but overhear,” Vespasian says, raising his hands in feigned innocence. “Pray continue. I find the topic of my dear second cousin… fascinating.”
The woman glances between Vespasian and the others, lowering her voice. “It’s not just that,” she murmurs. “Who knows what other vile things he’s getting up to these days. Especially with that Eorzean savage !”
A scoff escapes the general’s lips. “Do you really think those ridiculous rumors have any truth to them? Why would he stoop so low as to slip into Eorzean bedsheets? I’d wager it’s nothing more than the Warrior of Light getting under his skin.”
A lord, one wearing a heavy chain of office, nods in agreement. “That Eorzean beast has caused too many problems as it is,” he mutters. “I’d wager he’s wormed his way into the prince’s influence in an effort to strike at our nation from the inside.”
Vespasian takes a sip of his drink with a small shrug, letting out a derisive chuckle. “Then perhaps our prince isn’t as smart as he’s reputed to be, hm?” he says pointedly. “How easy it must be for a savage to twist his mind.”
“You sound like your father, Lord Vespasian,” a lady snorts in derision. “You two aren’t still planning to overthrow the Emperor, are you?”
Vespasian bristles, his smile going tight, but he manages to laugh it off. “Oh, I can’t believe that tired rumor is still going around,” he dismisses the truth lightly. “Surely you don’t think I would be foolish enough to try such a thing?”
“Wouldn’t you though?” the older lord asks. “You’ve always been a firebrand. Just like your father. I remember what he was like as a younger man.”
Vespasian raises a single eyebrow. “You think me stupid?” he asks, his tone a touch bitter. “I’m ambitious, not naive. I may have certain… grievances, but a rebellion? Against my own family?” He takes another sip of his wine. “Such ideas are just that. Idiotic fantasies.”
“So you don’t have any sympathy with the idea then?” the matronly woman asks, her voice full of suggestion. “You wouldn’t consider backing Lord Nerva if he made a move to replace the Emperor?”
Vespasian’s lips curl in a small smirk. “I have more than just sympathy. But this is a rather… intimate discussion, wouldn’t you say?” he says, gesturing at the crowd around them. “One hardly fit for the ears of every eavesdropping noble here today, yes?”
The others exchange glances, a trace of unease passing over their faces.
“Well, yes. Of course it isn’t.” The general says. “Best not to speak of these things so openly in a public place.”
Vespasian smiles honey-sweet and bows himself out of the conversation. “It has been enlightening, my good lords and ladies,” he says, “but I believe I’m needed elsewhere. Enjoy the party.”
As he slips away, he makes a mental observation: these nobles certainly have loose tongues. A pity they hadn’t mentioned anything he didn’t already know, but it was enough to make him suspicious that some of them might have questionable loyalties, if they were to openly discuss the possibility of Varis being replaced. Yes, I’ll have to keep an eye on these ones, he thinks. There might be supporters of his father in unexpected places, if he is prepared to worm his way in.
The night goes on, Vespasian flitting from group to group, speaking to different crowds and hearing more news. The topic of his cousin and Eorzea’s hero comes up time and time again, until, at last, he hears something that gives him pause.
“I can’t believe those two are really sleeping together. Zenos and that savage. It’s sickening !”
Vespasian turns toward the group of women who have spoken—older, wealthy wives whose decorated husbands are probably drinking somewhere. He slides closer with all the subtlety of a knife in the dark, and pretends to examine the drink in his hand as he listens in.
The woman who spoke before lets out a tsk , tossing her head in disapproval. “It’s beyond disgusting,” she says. “You know the Warrior is… an animal, correct? Not even truly human .”
The other women nod in agreement.
“I’ve heard the prince even lets the dirty beast bite him,” one of them says with a small shiver. “How unnatural… and perverse .”
“Bite him?” another woman exclaims. “He lets himself be defiled by the savage’s mouth ?”
“Who knows what diseases he could contract,” a third one shudders in horror.
A disgusted expression passes over the first wife’s face. “The worst part? I’ve heard the Emperor knows about it and simply does nothing,” she hisses. “How utterly disgraceful.”
Vespasian lets a small smirk settle onto his features, his pulse quickening with excitement. This is fantastic. Even if it isn’t true, the damage could be devastating if he spread the rumor enough.
“Oh, it’s just awful!” another woman adds. “Can you imagine? Our future ruler, a savage mongrel’s wh—”
The sharp sound of a clearing throat cuts off the woman mid-sentence. The gathered group startles and glances up to see a tall figure towering over them.
Vespasian looks up from his wine as well, and his stomach turns to lead.
Standing in front of the women is no less than Varis zos Galvus himself.
The group quickly falls silent. Varis gives them all a brief, frosty glare, then turns it directly onto Vespasian.
“Lord Vespasian,” he says coolly. “May I speak with you? Privately.”
Vespasian swallows hard as a shiver of dread shoots up his spine. He’s more than aware he was caught red-handed listening to their whispered conversation about his son. “Of… of course, Your Radiance,” he stutters.
Varis glances around, as if checking for listening ears, then gestures for Vespasian to follow him. He leads the younger man away from the group of shocked, terrified women and walks down a nearby hallway. Vespasian follows, barely able to hide his nervousness. He hasn’t spoken to his uncle in years, and to be caught listening to such conversations is… potently humiliating. But as they walk down the corridor, Varis doesn’t say a word until they reach a quiet chamber.
The Emperor pauses, glancing around again, and then turns to Vespasian. “That was a rather heated discussion, wasn’t it?” he asks, with the complete opposite of heat.
Vespasian forces himself to look up at Varis calmly, hiding the anxiety knotting in his stomach. “You mean the ladies?” he asks, as if unaware. “Did they say something unpleasant, Your Radiance?”
Varis’s lips press into a hard line. “Don’t play me for a fool, Vespasian,” he snaps. “I overheard every word of it. You were listening in.”
Vespasian winces. Caught. He swallows again, struggling to recover his composure.
“A… a regrettable situation, Your Radiance,” he stutters. “They were speaking louder than one might expect. Naturally my curiosity was piqued. It is a matter of family, after all.”
Varis’s expression darkens.
“Let’s not beat around the bush, nephew,” he says in a quiet, harsh tone. “I know you’ve never been a great supporter of my rule. And we both know that Nerva is always looking for ways to seize power for himself. I don’t need my spies to tell me you’re both still conspiring against me.”
Vespasian blanches, his heartbeat roaring in his ears.
He knows.
But perhaps there’s still a way out of this.
“I am aware of the rumors, Your Radiance,” he says, lowering his voice. “But I assure you, I would never do anything to threaten your reign.” The lie slips out too easily for comfort.
Varis raises an eyebrow. “Then tell me, nephew. Who was spreading the rumor that I am aware of my son’s dalliances with the Eorzean warrior, and doing nothing about it?”
Vespasian’s jaw tightens. He has no idea where this rumor came from, but he’s certainly not about to say so. All he can do is try to stress that it truly was not him. “I… would have to imagine that someone is trying to sow discontent,” he says carefully. “The idea that you are willfully ignoring the impropriety of your son would be quite upsetting to many members of our glorious court.”
Varis’s eyes narrow, seeing through the evasion. “And yet, it’s a rumor that has spread like wildfire across the capital. Almost as if someone is purposefully telling people that I am permitting my son’s… indulgence .”
Are you not? Vespasian is tempted to sting, but knows better than to needlessly lash his tongue.
Varis crosses his arms with a cold gleam in his eyes. “Allow me to make something very clear, nephew,” he says in a low intimidation. “If I catch even a whiff of you speaking that lie about me, I will crush you like a bug under my boot. You and your father both.”
“Of course, Your Radiance,” Vespasian stammers hurriedly. “Of course. I would never dream of spreading something so damning. I simply overheard it, and was as shocked as yourself, let me assure you.”
Varis stares at him for a long moment, as if testing his sincerity. Then, finally, he sighs and runs a hand through his hair.
“I can understand your disgust,” he says, his tone more tired than angry now. “Believe me, I share it. This ‘relationship’ between my son and our enemies’ champion has been a thorn in my side since it began.”
Vespasian hides his shock, his mind racing. Varis admits to it? He’d expected denial, or at the very least the Emperor to brush it off and tell him not to spread rumors. But this… this is better than he could have hoped for. He fights the tug of a smile on his lips, managing to quell it.
“It’s an embarrassment to our nation,” Varis mutters. “It’s disgraceful, and I am not ignoring it, as those fools might think. My son has lost his mind, I think. Completely lost it. I have taken every step I can to prevent this abomination from continuing, but the harder I try to end it, the more the damned beast sinks its teeth deeper.”
Vespasian’s head spins. Oh, this is amazing. Varis won’t speak of his helplessness outright, of course, but he’s admitting he can’t control his son. There’s power in that.
“Your position is a difficult one,” he says, carefully sympathetic. “I can’t begin to imagine the strain this has placed upon you, Your Radiance. If I can be of any assistance in dealing with this situation, I would gladly offer my services.”
Varis glances at him, a flicker of suspicion passing through his visage.
“You offer your assistance? Why, out of the kindness of your heart, I’m sure.” His tone is so dry it evaporates every onze of hope in Vespasian he believes a word he says.
Vespasian forces a placating smile onto his lips. “Of course, Your Radiance. As a loyal member of your court, I only want what is best for the Empire.” He doesn’t falter under the scrutinizing stare. He knows Varis isn’t going to fall for that for a second, but he’s always prided himself on being a good actor. The stage weeps for its loss due to the call of the crown.
“So you say,” Varis says wryly. “Well, my dear nephew, if you are so eager to prove yourself helpful , perhaps you can assist me in one matter.”
Vespasian’s heartbeat quickens.
“Anything, Your Radiance,” he nods quickly. “Anything at all.”
Varis lets out a snort. “Don’t be so eager, boy. You don’t even know what favor I’m about to ask of you.” He glances around the hallway as if checking for eavesdroppers once more.
Vespasian tries to remain calm, despite his anticipation. “I assure you, Your Radiance, whatever you need of me, I will do it,” he says. He knows, of course, that Varis has no intention of simply trusting him. Whatever favor he’s going to ask, it will be a test.
Varis’s lips curl in a small, unpleasant smile. “You’ve always tried so very hard to prove yourself,” he remarks. “Always looking to get my approval. Tell me. Do you want to prove yourself a loyal member of this court, or simply to save your own miserable hide from the consequences of your father’s failed plots?”
Vespasian’s expression freezes. Varis knows exactly what drives him.
“Your Radiance, I—”
Varis raises a hand, cutting him off.
“Don’t bother lying to me,” he says sharply. “You want power, status, the throne if you can gain it. I knew that about you from the day you were born. You may have as well left the womb with a knife to stab into my back.”
Vespasian swallows hard as his heart sinks to his feet. “Your Radiance,” he says quietly, “I won’t deny it. I have my fair share of ambition, as any self-respecting Garlean should. But that doesn’t mean—”
Varis snaps his hand out, grabbing his collar and yanking him closer. “You’re a spineless coward, trying to crawl back into my favor because you see the axe hanging over your father’s head,” he hisses. “But if you’re ever going to truly prove yourself to me, you will do exactly as I say.”
Vespasian wheezes in rising terror. Why did he think he could fool Varis, of all people? The Emperor can read him like an open book. And now he’s caught in this web with no way out.
He nods rapidly, hoping it will placate his uncle. The best course of action now is to submit, and hope Varis doesn’t use this as an opportunity to destroy him.
Varis’s grip tightens on his collar.
“Good. Then you will listen well, for I will only tell you once. I have a task for you. A mission, if you will.”
He leans in close, his eyes boring into Vespasian’s. They both inherited the piercing yellow from Solus, and Vespasian now understands why a past lover once called it terrifying. A warning color, like those of poisonous beasts, speaking of danger.
“You will go to Ala Mhigo,” Varis hisses. “You will seek out my son, and you will deliver a message from me. Understood ?”
Vespasian’s shaken gaze darts from Varis’s tight upper lip to the grip on his collar. He has one burning question, which he hopes won’t be taken the wrong way. “Why me? I assume you have plentiful messengers at your disposal?”
“Do not question my orders, boy. You are not in a position to make demands.” Varis leans back, releasing Vespasian’s collar. “I will tell you why you are the one I’m sending. First of all, my son may actually listen to you. At the very least he won’t cut your head off on sight, which is more than can be said for the rest of my messengers. You have enough brains to know how to speak to him.”
Vespasian isn’t quite so convinced his head holds any more value to his cousin than anyone else’s. “With all due respect,” which is none, “Your son and I have never been close.” An understatement; he is lesser than air to the prince, and he knows it.
Varis scoffs. “Close? You think this is about being close?” He rolls his eyes. “You, my spineless whelp of a nephew, are expendable. If my son ignores your status, rejects your message, kills you, and tosses your corpse into a ditch, I won’t lose a wink of sleep over it. Do you understand?”
No point in hiding his concern, because Varis already knows he’s frightened. It’s evident in every fiber of his being. “And if I refuse?” he says, knowing he’s pushing his luck.
“If you refuse?” Varis sneers. “If you refuse, I’ll do far worse than toss you into a ditch, boy. You’d do well to follow my orders.”
His hand moves to his side, closing around the hilt of his sword.
“Think on it,” he says coldly, “and get ready to take your leave. You’ll be heading out as soon as possible.”
Vespasian gulps again. Ala Mhigo? He’d been expecting some sort of test of loyalty, but not this.
“And… what is it you wish me to tell your son?” he asks, forcing the words out.
Varis’s eyes take on a dangerous gleam, and he leans in close, his voice dropping to a low growl. “Tell my son,” he says, “that if he continues his… indiscretions, I will not hesitate to end them. Permanently.”
He leans back, glaring at his nephew.
“Do you understand me? You tell him exactly that.”
Vespasian’s heart jumps into his dry throat. He nods quickly. “I understand, Your Radiance!” he says, trying desperately to maintain composure. “ Exactly that, yes, I understand perfectly.”
Varis studies him for a moment, his narrowed eyes calculating. “Good.” He moves away with a huff. “Now get out, boy. I want you gone by dawn tomorrow morning.”
Vespasian salutes sharply, forcing himself to hold back any protests or arguments. “Yes, Your Radiance. I will do so.” He straightens, avoiding Varis’s disdain as he looks up. “A… a quick question, if I may?”
Varis gives him a withering glare. “Make it quick, boy. I don’t have time for idle chat.”
“Of course, Your Radiance.” Vespasian clears his throat, trying to sound as subservient as possible. A role ill fitting for his ego. “If I may ask… why have you not taken the initiative already? Surely, if the situation is as dire as you say, you could send far more forceful messengers to deal with it.”
“I have,” Varis scoffs, “but my son has ignored their directives just as much as mine, and likely killed them in the process.” He tilts his head, looking Vespasian up and down. “You, at least, have enough common sense not to get yourself cut down immediately. Unless you’re even more foolhardy than you look.”
Vespasian winces at the slight, but bites his tongue. “I… I understand, Your Radiance. That is all.”
He gives another salute, then turns, walking briskly toward the door. Better to get out before Varis changes his mind and cuts him down himself.
No longer in the mood for the festivities, he only returns to retrieve his coat. A lady of House Felice stops him to fuss about the paleness of his cheeks, but he excuses it by having come under the weather and dismisses her. He keeps his head down as he exits the building, trying not to draw too much attention. Exhausted and overwhelmed, a far cry from his earlier smug schadenfreude, his mind races faster than he can keep up.
Ala Mhigo. He’s never even been to the province, let alone had dealings with his cousin. How the hell is he supposed to convince him to give up his sordid little affair and obey his father?
At least Gyr Abania’s weather is allegedly nice this time of the year.
He shakes himself out of his trepidations. No matter his next steps, he has to speak to his father. Ask for the best men of the IIIrd to escort him. Let him know what all he has learned tonight.
A small smirk rises on his face again. It’s not a total loss, is it? This proves just how desperate uncle dearest is getting. With a new resolve, he draws his coat more tightly around himself and hurries off into the cold night air towards his family’s estate.