Martin opened his eyes, the feeling of a starting, massive headache pressing against his temples. Ouch. He lifted his head from the document-littered desk…oh, great, he had fallen asleep while working again. Martin sighed, trying (in vain) to soothe his throbbing head by massaging his temple, but renounced almost immediately. Maybe some kind of restoration spell could have…

"Ah, Emperor. I didn't expect to find you here so soon."

Jauffre's voice made Martin almost jump out of his chair, but he regained his composure pretty quickly.

"Jauffre…good morning."

The Grandmaster was about to add something, when he clearly noticed the state of Martin's robe…and his expression.

"Please, your Highness, tell me you didn't sleep here."

Martin was about to answer, when the events of the previous night flooded back in his mind. Simhaud, Sheogorath, the Isles…no wonder his head felt so horribly.

"Emperor? Is everything…"

He shook his head, unable to stop a grin from spreading on his face.

"Yes. Everything is alright."

Jauffre looked at him for a few instants, before shaking his head and going on.

"Well then. About those investigation we spoke yesterday…Can I ask you to reconsider, before I send the Blades to…"

"Yes."

The Breton stopped, blinking twice. Well, Martin couldn't really blame his surprise, he had been adamant in his intentions, and he wasn't the kind of man that changes idea easily.

"…'Yes'?"

"I…won't be needing other investigations. Let's…just say that this night was very insightful." he said, with a smirk at the end. He was sure Jauffre was finding the whole situation suspicious, but he decided to not complain.

"Very well. I will consider myself glad that you dropped that, with all due respect, nonsense. Shall we move on to more serious matters?"

Martin smiled, almost forgetting his headache. After all, he had made a promise to Simhaud, a promise to do his best for Tamriel...a promise he fully intended to fulfill as best as he could.

"Of course. Let's go."

Sheogorath…Simhaud…didn't really matter what name he used to refer to himself, uh? Anyway, he shook his head, the shadow of a smile on his face.

"My Lord. I trust your audience with the freshly crowned Emperor has gone well?"

He turned his head to look at Haskill, before shrugging and offering the Breton the smuggest smirk he had produced in a long time.

"What do you think?"

The deadpan chamberlain looked at him for a few instants, before sighing.

"My Lord, when I discouraged you from meeting the mortal I simply gave you my opinion. I have never claimed I was omniscient, and I must remind you that, even if the effects currently seem to be positive…"

"Yeah, yeah…we can't know how this unfurls. Who cares! I'll deal with any problems that arise if and when they do. Right now we have more pressing matters, Haskill!"

"And those pressing matters would be…?"

The Prince simply laughed.

"Why, I must have a backlog of work to do! All those weeks where no one pushed mortals into insanity…dreadful! Someone must remedy immediately!"

Haskill simply nodded, his expression not changing in the slightest.

"I suppose so, Lord Sheogorath. Oh, and Grakendo Udico has reported on that invasion of Hungers in Deepwallow. I suggest to take a look at it, once you are done with your mortal pawns."

The Madgod nodded, and he had just started to walk away when he stopped in the middle of the room.

"Oh, you know what, Haskill? I'm tired of my current appearance. I was thinking…how about I wear a blouse split in two colours? Like…purple and orange? Oh, I have so many ideas! I can't wait to show you later!"

Haskill didn't sigh, but his tone implied that.

"Of course, Lord Sheogorath. Always ready to serve."

The only answer to that phrase was a laugh, as the Lord of the Isles turned, starting to walk again. He had work to do, after all, and only a mere eternity to do that! Better start as soon as possible, no?

I almost can't believe this is over...it seems like I started writing yesterday! I have no words for thanking everyone that followed, favourite, commented, or simply visited this: thank you, thank you so much for everything. I hope you enjoyed this ride as much as I did. See you (hopefully) soon!