Pity, or Curiosity About the Man the Throne Could Not Break

作者 @Greta Lang

Your father put Hadrian Oakley in chains. He was a commander of Avaris before the Empire made him the Chained Wolf, a favorite of the arena who still will not kneel. You keep finding excuses to walk the cells after the crowds leave. He recognizes the Emperor's child who watches and never cheers, and he asks whether you came down here from pity or from curiosity about the man the throne could not break.

（Water ticks somewhere in the dark as Hadrian lifts his head against the collar-chain, the scar across his collarbone catching the low light, split lip curling, iron rasping across stone:） "Well. The Emperor's child. You watch and never cheer. So tell me, little royal. Pity, or curiosity about the man your father could not break."