[ He wouldn't pretend to know the other man's seemingly complicated feelings about himself and his relation to the throne. He hardly has any point of reference for it; he isn't a leader nor does he hunger for that sort of role. He's always been meant for the power and responsibilities laid into the hands of the right hand man, an entirely different role than a 'second prince'. ]
[ But he can see the spark of hunger in the other man that he's seen in others in Umbraton. That, he thinks he knows. ]
they'd do anything for him, his juniors. less so the people who work for the royal family and the court as a whole. so maybe he values that kind of loyalty, despite it being blind and undeserved (to him)... that he misses that particular facet of his life. the best way to lead is to be dependent on those around him, but have them be dependent on him. it gives him meaning. ]
Yeah. Dumbasses.
[ another chuckle and he lets out a sigh. ]
Still... couldn't ask for a better 'pride'.
[ he'll just. quietly tighten that hold he has on kleken. ]
[ He can hear the fondness in Leona's tone, accentuated by the momentary grip on him that has Kleken giving a soft hum in return. Is that a hint of jealousy he feels, over someone being so fond and possessive about what he's declared as his? Perhaps. He can't imagine his own boss ever regarding him in the same way. Granted, he can't imagine anyone regarding him the same way, even here and now, wrapped up with Leona as he is. ]
[ There's also a fainter itch to bring some form of comfort to the man, hindered only by the reality that he's not entirely sure how to. His tentacles, though, take to lazily stroking over Leona's arms and shoulders, the touch almost soothing. ]
[ He smiles at the light joke- though he suspects it's not actually one. Leona seems to take his role as a leader much more seriously than Kleken would have ever thought before, and it continues to add another layer of intrigue to the man. Particularly when he brings up already having a successor. ]
Oh? Have you raised an heir?
[ Perhaps not quite the right terminology, but given they've been discussing princes just earlier, it seemed rather fitting. ]
[ he pauses at that one, hesitating briefly before shaking his head lightly. leona wouldn't say he's raised anyone with intent--- he would rather see others find their own path without his directing. still, it's hard not to have a little bit of input on the future directions of his one junior in mind. ]
Not really. He'll figure things out himself.
[ leona kingscholar having a proper heir would be the biggest scandal/surprise in the world. it'd be even worse if any of his antics here somehow got out to the public, too. ]
Feels like I've got plenty of 'heirs' after bein' a leader for a year.
[ The hesitation is noted for the brief moment it appears, but left uncommented on. He'd been teasing in the end, and the thought that an actual biological heir might exist out there wasn't one that'd slipped through his mind at the tease. Well, now it is, but Kleken is also deathly allergic to any concept of fatherhood and the like, so it's promptly kicked out in favor of other conversation topics. ]
It seems you're just that much of an influential figure.
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no subject
Date: 2025-12-04 09:16 am (UTC)[ But he can see the spark of hunger in the other man that he's seen in others in Umbraton. That, he thinks he knows. ]
Are they your fools?
no subject
Date: 2025-12-10 08:41 pm (UTC)they'd do anything for him, his juniors. less so the people who work for the royal family and the court as a whole. so maybe he values that kind of loyalty, despite it being blind and undeserved (to him)... that he misses that particular facet of his life. the best way to lead is to be dependent on those around him, but have them be dependent on him. it gives him meaning. ]
Yeah. Dumbasses.
[ another chuckle and he lets out a sigh. ]
Still... couldn't ask for a better 'pride'.
[ he'll just. quietly tighten that hold he has on kleken. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-15 08:17 am (UTC)[ There's also a fainter itch to bring some form of comfort to the man, hindered only by the reality that he's not entirely sure how to. His tentacles, though, take to lazily stroking over Leona's arms and shoulders, the touch almost soothing. ]
... How fortunate they are.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-23 11:30 pm (UTC)[ he snorts, rolling his shoulders, finding comfort in the touch of tentacles as he relaxes them once he feels them. ]
But they got a guy who'll be good for 'em. He just needs a little bit of seasoning. Too green 'round the ears.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-02 08:28 am (UTC)Oh? Have you raised an heir?
[ Perhaps not quite the right terminology, but given they've been discussing princes just earlier, it seemed rather fitting. ]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-06 07:25 pm (UTC)Not really. He'll figure things out himself.
[ leona kingscholar having a proper heir would be the biggest scandal/surprise in the world. it'd be even worse if any of his antics here somehow got out to the public, too. ]
Feels like I've got plenty of 'heirs' after bein' a leader for a year.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-16 07:36 pm (UTC)It seems you're just that much of an influential figure.