2. Basilious
BASILIOUS
B asilious tried desperately to focus on what Turios was saying.
His advisor had been with his family for decades, providing counsel to his father before him.
Today, he was laying out information about a proposed tariff on silks imported to Delkos.
Usually Basilious was attentive to all matters brought to these meetings, but today he couldn't help but worry about one particular topic he was sure his advisors would bring up yet again.
Turios finished speaking, and Basilious looked around the table at all the other advisors, hoping one of them would have some elaborate questions about what he had presented. Unfortunately, they all looked at Basilious expectantly.
"Thank you for your overview of this situation, Turios. I will consider this matter and we can discuss it further at our next meeting." Basilious kept his voice even and his countenance calm as he spoke, hoping no one would notice he'd been so distracted.
After barely a beat of silence, one of his other advisors, Xadres, rose to speak. They were a fellow minotaur, with all white fur and graceful horns. Basilious had grown up with Xadres—they were one of his oldest friends as well as his advisor.
"My king, we must discuss the matter of your marriage.
To maintain the stability of Delkos, you need to secure your line of succession.
You must marry and start a family or adopt your heir soon.
With all due respect, you are not getting any younger.
" Basilious was grateful that his advisors did not fear to speak harsh truths, but hearing them was no less difficult.
"I understand your concern, Xadres, but I am only thirty-five. Hardly an old minotaur," Basilious chuckled. His levity was not mirrored in his advisors' expressions as he scanned the table around him.
Another of his advisors, Menthe, a basilisk that had come to live in Delkos some thirty years ago, spoke up. "We suggest that you announce your choice of a spouse or your intention to adopt at the Solstice celebration."
Basilious' blood ran cold. "That's in four days."
Xadres' face belied their empathy for the situation they were putting him in, but Basilious could sense their resolve.
"It's what's best for Delkos, sire," Xadres said solemnly.
Basilious' advisors knew that he valued their council.
They knew he would listen to them rather than following the path of a brash leader and ignoring sound advice.
Basilious sighed. He had always wanted a family, but he'd wanted love more.
He wanted to find someone who wanted to build a life with him, and none of his past partners had shared his dreams. The men and women he'd been with had mostly just wanted to dally with him to say they'd slept with a king—he didn't mean anything to them beyond his title.
Basilious wanted a passionate and enduring love, not some arranged political marriage for the sake of his kingdom.
He would adopt, but he was by no means prepared to raise a child on his own while also running Delkos–he had always hoped a partner would share both of those responsibilities with him.
"I understand the reasons for your council, and I accept the wisdom of this group.
I will announce my intentions at the Solstice as requested.
" He turned to glance at Turios, who had been oddly silent once the topic shifted.
For all his extensive advice, he had never pushed Basilious on the topic of marriage.
Basilious didn't know quite what to make of it, but he was grateful that at least one person in his life was not pressuring him about this.
Still, Turios did not speak out against his fellow advisors either.
"Meeting adjourned," Basilious said, sounding as tired as he was feeling.
He sighed heavily and stood. At seven foot four, Basilious stood taller than even the other minotaurs in the room.
Turios cleared his throat from where he stood next to Basilious.
The ancient man gazed up at Basilious and said, "Your majesty, you seem tired.
You should rest before the celebration as much as you're able.
Our foreign guests will begin arriving soon. "
Basilious nodded, his heart heavy. He had no idea what choice he would announce later that week. He supposed he ought to go have a long think about his options.
"If anyone needs me, I will be in my chambers."