Lewd King's Bucket List

Having heard Ixion's futility argument many times, it was obvious Marlowe had no desire to argue with him over it. Especially after that look in his eye earlier. The last flicker of hope for Ixion to change, dying out.

'Though if one knew his past, Marlowe disliking Ixion was the epitome of ironic hypocrisy.'

"Well!" Ixion cheered. "With that settled, let's finally…"

The jester vaulted over Marlowe, landing on the center of the table.

"Ixion, Ixion? What's wrong?!"

Ixion laughed.

"I remembered something most interesting!"

His gaze fell between the jester's legs and to Marlowe's eyes.

"Marlowe, I was curious about something… I'm sure we're all aware that an heir of Artoris lives and has made themselves known. But why have you taken them in?"

Marlow stroked his goatee.

"Is it not common decency to help a fellow noble in need?"

"But she's a fallen noble, Marlowe. And you, a man of unrivaled noble hubris… It makes no sense."

"I'm afraid, King, I fail to see where the issue lies."

"Ah, let me make it clearer. Hide it as you may, you have a prejudice against commoners, and even more so against fallen nobles."

The jester screeched and began spinning around.

"Ixion, Ixion! You claim he's like you? You weigh worth by birth and decide what is true. The low are condemned, the fallen erased — till hubris meets the dust and remembers its place!"

'What an exquisite description!'

It perfectly described the mask of Ixion and Marlowe. Truly, in another world, the lunatic and the snake may have gotten along splendidly.

Not that Ixion's true feelings aligned with the jester's words.

Marlowe scoffed at the jester, then said:

"I hold no such prejudice, King. I'm afraid your assumption is misguided."

"Marlowe, Marlowe! Ixion sees all in light and dark!" She stopped spinning and her glare hardened on Marlowe. "He knows more about you than you dare admit. Mad though he is, kin still recognize kin."

The other nobles all flinched at the mention of their king's madness; as if anyone but the jester said it, they'd be executed. Or at least that was their assumption; however, if they tested that limit, their assumption may twist and turn into reality.

Ixion laughed and clapped.

"Ten out of ten!"

Marlowe's stare darkened.

"My past mistakes are deeply regrettable, yes..."

'Calling all of that a mistake?! How… damnable.'

All the nobles, including Abd al-Rahman and Morris, who were quite close with Marlowe, narrowed their eyes, studying the face of their dear comrade.

Marlowe continued:

"But I've seen the error of my ways and do all I can to repent."

"You've changed so much that you took in the heir from a family you hated?"

At Ixion's words, the confusion only grew.

Not many if any had 'hate' for the Knights of Artois. They were one of the few noble houses who cared much more about producing defenders of Catatran than politics. Meaning, the nobles saw them as no threat and the people saw them as heroes.

"You use such heavy words, King. I held no hate for Artoris. I had a small spat with Drath, but that was all."

"Is that so?" Ixion laughed. "A spat so harsh that you decided to kill his entire family?"

"Huh?!"

"What!"

"M-Marlowe?!"

Marlowe was surprised at the sudden accusation, but steadied his expression, preparing to defend himself. Yet, it was the jester who began laughing as she strutted back and forth on the table.

"You fools! Trusting the word of a madman? How gullible! How foolish! How easy to manipulate… Tee hee!"

The jester flipped then and up in Se'van's lap who awkwardly tried to pluck the jester off her, but the jester was holding on for dear life as she snuggled up to Se'van.

The nobles were still on-guard, but the jester had slightly calmed their fears.

Marlowe let out an exasperated sigh.

"I did not particularly like that accusation, King. One you know to be false."

The air around them seemed to quake with the force of Ixion's deep, booming laughter.

"You all are funny! Too funny! Hah!"

Ixion mimicked wiping a tear from his eye, then said:

"Marlowe. Irregardless of other factors, tell me: why did you choose to house a woman who admitted to holding ill will toward me?"

"Her opinion of you was a non-factor in my decision to take her in. I merely saw a way to help and extended my hand."

"Ah, I see, I see. No other motives! What a good man you are, Marlowe! What a good man…"

All emotion drained from Marlowe's face.

"Thanks for the kind words, King."

Ixion leaned back in his chair.

The rest of the boring meeting marched on with little purpose. After talking about how great Ixion was, they each took turns making requests they knew Ixion would overlook and deny.

But at no point was a possible rebellion mentioned, despite how obvious the one brewing was.

'It seems I've lost all my supporters!'

Not even his chancellors seemed concerned that there may be a plot against him.

Not to mention Se'van who'd now joined in on the plot.

Ixion and the jester kept pissing them off until the meeting was adjourned. After which he left as fast as he could and made his way to his chambers, humming and whistling all the way.

When he finally got there, Sebastian opened the door and let him inside.

'Ah, I guess it's time.'

Ixion sauntered over and gazed at the 'No Regrets' scroll, his eyes drifting near the bottom of the page.

Clicking his tongue, he threw the scroll back into the drawer of his desk, then looked at the shadows.

"Watch over me carefully."

The shadows flared a little, showing she'd received his message.

While Ixion would love to spend time with Runa and maybe sit in on another one of Se'van's lectures, he was going to attempt breaking and entering into Despair's home.

Well, more so, finding out if it were possible.

Ixion's soul separated from his body and floated up.

'But first, a little detour.'