This is probably as cheesy as a title could get…

Dedication: Still and will forever be dedicated for my wife, Meilynn 64.

Kingdom of Hearts

Chapter 2

The New Emperor

Faced by the many Chancellors, Generals, Representatives, and Servants, the once young Prince Roxas took a silent gulp. He bit down on his tongue to put his calm demeanor together. He would never let any of the people present in the room to know of his nervousness.

He was the ruler now. And with the passing of his father, he was expected to rule like the previous Emperor and lead Kingdom Hearts into another decade of prosperity. He should not let his subjects and people down. However, the burden he was carrying was nerve-wrecking. He tried his best to dig into his memories, to remember each and every one of his subjects' name. He most definitely knew General Axel. The rest, General Axel had introduced over the past few days.

Roxas didn't have a bad memory. It was simply that he was too anxious that his mind drew a blank.

Clearing his throat in the silence of the Great Hall, he looked into the eyes of his subjects', finally lying on General Axel's. And then, he remembered something about General Larxene being a spy and informer and that the army in the east was preparing for a war in the frontal. There was only one female General in the whole Kingdom and she was apparently easy to spot.

He shifted his attention from Axel and turned to Larxene. "General Larxene, how is the report on the east frontal?" the Emperor asked, voice a bit shaky and light (almost childish) compared to the previous Emperor's.

General Axel watched from the corner of his eyes, his attention never once left the new Emperor who was sitting on the throne. While others at the back row, standing near the entrance to the Hall could be heard whispering, possibly discussing about how unfitting it was for Roxas to become the Emperor. And how Roxas didn't live up to the name of his father.

Larxene released a smirk before stepping forward, not even kneeling down before the presence of her new Lord. She stared fully into the Emperor's eyes, as if challenging him. Roxas narrowed his eyes at the show of disobedience, however, he kept his calm composure. "Oh, it's going okay," Larxene answered easily while examining her nails, putting one hand on her hips.

"Kneel before the Emperor, Larxene," Strategist Zexion said with a flat and cold tone.

General Axel released a small scoff. "Larxene, you have been general for almost ten years, it would be such a shame for you to be beheaded now," he said, stressing on the word 'beheaded', but at the same time managed to make his sentence sounded to contain little to no threat at all.

Larxene scoffed, kneeling down eventually.

Roxas released the breath that he didn't know he had been holding. If Larxene still misbehaved after Axel and Zexion's comment, he didn't know what to do. Surely, he wouldn't want to lose one of the greatest assets of the country, the General of the Army of spies and informers who had contributed many under his father's rule.

"Sire, the frontal east is ready for war at anytime. They are merely waiting for the enemies to strike. I hope it pleases you."

Roxas didn't know what to take of Larxene's last sentence, which sounded very much sarcastic. "Very well, Larxene. Please keep me informed of the state of the frontal east," he decided to ignore the remark. "Is there any more urgency that would need immediate concern?" he asked, sweeping his eyes across the room.

Axel stepped forward and bowed down. He was not wearing his armor and suit today. The General looked dashing wearing a robe of the darker shade of red, wearing nothing to cover that wild hair of his. "I believe the meeting should be adjourned, my Lord. Everyone is still devastated over the lost of Emperor Ven."

It was then that Empress Aqua, who had not made her presence known since the beginning of the meeting spoke up. "Thank you for the consideration General Axel. However, the Emperor is able to act and think by himself accordingly," she spoke sternly, reminding General Axel of his place.

"Ah yes," the General tensed the slightest amount, but went unnoticed to the eyes of everyone present. "My sincerest apologies. I didn't carry any bad intention along with my words."

"Very well," Empress Aqua gave a slight nod. Her long blue hair was tied up to knot, paired with accessories made of pure gold that suit her gorgeous complexion. Her long, pure white, silky robe stretched and lied on the clean floor of the Great Hall as she sat on the small throne beside the King. Normally, the Empress wasn't allowed inside one of the political meetings. However, seeing as how the Emperor had just recently deceased, Kingdom Hearts was still in a state of turmoil and Roxas would need guidance in his first days of ruling the country.

Roxas blinked for a couple of seconds more. "If there is nothing more, this meeting shall be dismissed."

Emperor Roxas stood up, accompanied by his mother. He walked behind the shadow of his mother, indicating that his mother Empress was of higher rank than him. Roxas spared a glance towards General Axel. The General and the Emperor's eyes met. Roxas gave a small nod and a small smile of appreciation.

Axel released a small chuckle before shifting his attention away.

"Long Live the Emperor."

"Long Live the High Empress."

--

"What are you, a babysitter now?" Larxene barked, taking out one of her daggers and putting it threateningly near General Axel's throat.

Axel didn't even blink an eye. He stayed lazily there with his back slumped against the wall of the dungeon. "Now, we might wanna be careful with that, General. It wouldn't be pretty if people know I'm killed when talking with you. Think about your reputation."

"Reputation my ass, Axel. You have no reputation at all. Keep on kissing the Emperor's ass, why don't you?"

"Oh, I will definitely take that suggestion into consideration, General."

"You son of a…"

"Ck, ck, ck. Watch your temper, General. Profanity is simply insulting for a figure as delicate as yours."

Larxene rolled her eyes. "Damn you to hell, Axel." She sheathed her dagger then, ascending the stairs that would lead out of the dungeon.

Axel shook his head, laughing to the air as he stood there with his arms crossed.

--

The Emperor was sitting in his chamber, tired and exhausted. The sun had long since disappeared from the firmament. And he was still sitting there, accompanied by a pile of never-ending scrolls containing reports and resources alike. There was so much for him to learn, but he was merely given such sort period of time. And in between ruling the country, he must also make time for his mother and his study. The other concubines were also starting to bother him with their hollow flirts.

He was well aware of the tensions between the concubines. Furthermore, the rich Lords in the country wanted to marry their daughters off to him so they could become the second mother High Empress or the Emperor's father in law, and their daughter, the Empress. Marrying daughters off to the royal family was a desirable thing to do. Sadly, Emperor Roxas had no other brother. He was the only son of Ventus Skyzeria.

However, Roxas wasn't interested in any of the foolery. He needed to get the Kingdom of Hearts back into shape. He needed to gain trusts from his subjects. There was a lot to do and he was carrying a massive burden on his shoulder. His eyes scanned through the reports that were written neatly in ink on the scroll he was holding. "Mortality… More death in the west," he whispered to himself. "The plague is devastating the citizens there." He released a sigh, rolling up the scroll and putting it at the side of the piling scrolls indicating that he had looked over those.

There was still another stack that lied untouched sitting at his right side. The Emperor was soon discouraged as soon as he looked over and discovered the stack.

He looked away, shaking his head, sighing. "Is this what father does every night? Sitting in here by himself, reading all these reports concerning the matters of the country?" he asked, hoping for no answer.

"See, that's exactly why I said Ven is boring!"

Roxas released a gasp. He was immediately alerted and he stood up from where he was sitting. His golden robe showed signs of dirt—of his hard work during the day. "Who's there?" he yelled.

A dashing figure of red entered the chamber. General Axel bowed down before Roxas. "My apologies for listening in, Emperor. However, the night is silent and I couldn't help but let the beauty of your voice ring in my ears."

"Stop your mockery immediately, General. I do not need to hear your flirts in the middle of the night."

General Axel stood up, disobediently. He wasn't supposed to stand up until the Emperor told him so. "Oh, I am hurt. I am merely speaking the truth, my Pri… I mean, Emperor."

"Axel. Stop it."

"Very well. My apologies."

Roxas stepped away, approaching the window that opened wide, sending chilly winds into the work chamber. He stared at the crescent moon shining down on him. The candle on the desk flickered as it was blown by the wind. "You never meant your apologies. So stop giving me that," he stated blatantly.

Axel smiled, eyeing the small back of the Emperor. "I am sorry for your loss."

"And for the loss of the country," Roxas added dryly.

"You know, I'm beginning to think that you don't care about your father at all."

At the remark, Roxas narrowed his eyes. However, he bit his tongue in order to calm his rage. "Maybe I don't…" he said shakily.

Emperor Ven was the most important person in the world for him. His mother being the second.

Ven was the man that he looked up to, the figure of the Emperor that he strived to become. His father was kind, caring, loving, and understanding. However, in front of his subjects, Ven was merciless and never once failed to show his authority. Roxas didn't know how to do all of that. He was too young… too innocent. So young that he didn't think he had the right to order and rule his subjects.

Above all, the man he looked up to was murdered…

Murdered by the very same subjects that his father must have thought to be loyal.

Those subjects… should he even trust them? What if they rebel sometime in the future? Even General Larxene had showed disobedience early in the meeting.

"Are you still there, my Lord?"

Roxas turned to face the red headed General. "What is your purpose of visiting, General? Is there something urgent that I would need to attend to?" he asked, hands behind his back.

"I'm just here for visiting. Thought you'd need the company."

"I am faring well, General. Thank you for your concern. Now, if you would please leave me alone, I still have a lot of work to do." The Emperor walked passed Axel to sit down in front of the stack of scrolls again.

Axel watched closely, contemplating for a bit before finally bowing down. "As you wish, My Lord. If you need someone to talk to, I'll be at my chamber."

"Thank you. Have a good night, General."

"You too, my Lord. Don't overwork yourself."

Roxas watched as the General left his chamber. He released yet another sigh. Maybe it was time for him to rest. But there was still a lot to do. At this rate, he wouldn't be able to get them all done. He lied down on the floor with his arms as his pillow. And soon, sleep was tempting him. Unable to fight the desire to rest that he very much needed, he fell into his slumber.

--

The next morning…

"Oh dear… Roxas." High Empress Aqua stepped into the work chamber and knelt down at the side of her sleeping son. "What are you doing sleeping on the floor?" she whispered worriedly with her smooth, feminine voice.

Roxas slowly came out of his dream, rubbing his eyes like a child, he finally came to his consciousness. "Oh, mother," he smiled, slowly rising up, supported by his elbows. "Is it already morning?"

"Roxas, you could get sick like this."

"I'm okay," Roxas gave a small grin. He yawned a bit, covering the gesture with his hand. Then, he stretched, sitting back up to face his work once more. He poked the scroll childishly. "It's not getting any smaller, Mother…" he sighed.

"Silly Roxas. Of course not. And it will never be," the High Empress giggled, patting Roxas' head lovingly. "Now, go wash yourself and have a walk in the garden with me."

"But mother, I have to…"

"No buts, Roxas. Heed your mother's words."

"Yes, Mother," Roxas nodded, standing up to do as the High Empress had told him.

It was yet another beautiful day.

A good day for the young Emperor to face another day of hardships.

--

Hope you enjoyed! Sorry for the grammatical mistakes.

Love.