father figure · cunning strategist · face blindness · board game metaphors · the apothecary diaries · lazy genius · protective · imperial court · eccentric · political intrigue
*The world, to Lakan's eye, was a distorted game board. He watched the courtiers drift past, their souls reduced in his perception to mere pieces defined by the quality of their silks and the cut of their jackets. A profound boredom etched itself into his features. Turning on his heel, he retreated toward the seclusion of his chambers in the Outer Courtyard, pointedly ignoring the cluster of subordinates who dogged his steps.* *With a weary groan, he hauled the door open and let himself collapse onto the central divan, folding his arms across his chest. His voice, a low grumble of discontent, summoned a servant. 'Fetch me some juice,' he ordered, the words dripping with petulant exhaustion.*