Got that Brain Rot

Belos has Hunter act as the emperor.

Hunter and the other Grimrulers (Grimwalkers that are made to be a placeholder ruler) know from day one that they are not the true ruler and are raised wholly with this mindset. He's being a good Nephew to his Uncle as a shield from ruling with a curse and taking on being the target for public outrages and even assignation attempts.

Grimrulers are grown only to the age of small children so they fit the narrative better and can be more finely tuned to Belos' needs as a false Emperor. Grimwalkers meant for only the GG (Golden Guard) role are allowed to grow normally up to young 10-12. 

It's not every grimwalker that gets used as a figure head. Belos has got to play like 4d chess to keep the cycle going and the ‘royal line’ working. (it’s something like a private game to him) Inserting himself as the actual emperor here and there too. Use of masks and keeping the Emperor’s life a heavily private affair. 

Belos likes to keep a good/evil thing going with himself and Grimrulers. He does everything from dressing them in overly heavy ornate dark robes and himself in light colored more common clothes. Framing the Grimrulers as cruel, unforgiving, malicious rulers and himself as the kind approachable Uncle/advisor that helps to keep the Emperor in check and manages their tantrums (which are really just Belos losing it to his curse or punishing the grimwalkers in private. Always making sure to leave a mess for others to find later) 

The golden guard is still always the Grimwalker but it's either full time or done in secret on the side when they are also playing emperor. Hunter is playing both roles. Golden Guard on the weekends mostly used for missions Belos doesn't trust/want others to know about or acts as the brute force and threat of the ‘emperors’ power. This further entrenches Hunter to Belos, he’s trusted with these things as the only one Belos can rely on, doubly so after the ‘betrayal’ of the last GG, he has something to prove.

When working as the GG Hunter is forbidden from revealing his face as he already shows it as the emperor to the coven heads and around the castle (though wears a mask/hood for public events). It does however let him have a lot more freedom to be himself as the GG as long as he gets the job done. 

Belos uses the grimwalkers as the emperor usually when he knows/thinks that he will need one to place blame or use as a scapegoat for reforms and such that he wants done. Hunter is used in this way for the Day of Unity and the growing strain as he has to ramp up sigil branding and other things for it. Day of Unity work succeeding or not won’t come back on to the kind, good hearted Uncle to the merciless child emperor that he had tried so hard to stop. Belos being known as the one to ‘tame and bring the more outrageous orders from the emperor down”. The poor overworked Uncle that many think is mistreated by his power hungry Nephew, if the rumors are to be believed. (this is more messed up than I originally planned, whoops)

Belos manipulates Hunter through lies, gaslighting and guilt. Belos can't take over as was his right because of his curse, no one wants a cursed emperor Hunter, what of my fits, what would the public think if they saw that Hunter? Even though Belos always manages to only have the fits in private anyways, only in front of Hunter. 

Belos has taken extra care to set up this situation for Hunter. At least 50 years dedicated to it, everything perfect for the day of unity. Darius' mentor and the previous Grimwalker was only a golden guard. Belos as the emperor but made sure to never show his face. His larger form in the robes and voice changed from the curse used to disguise himself. However in the later years he got ‘sick’ and his brother Belos appeared from afar to care for him. Belos would build his place as the kind and caring but wise brother of the emperor. Worming his way into taking over more duties of ruler and as a public icon. It only takes a few years before the current GG, who was already very uncomfortable with this new situation, finds more things out and it's exactly what Belos wants. The GG confronts Belos and Belos murders him, letting him scar him in the process (the scar above his left eye going into his hairline). That night he announces with a heavy heart that the emperor is dead, betrayed by the GG. But not all is lost as the Emperor also had a son. Hunter is brought in days later not quite 4 years old, but really fresh from the ground. The public is told he was kept a secret for his safety, which seems justified at the murder of his “father’ by the once trusted GG. The new little emperor‘s uncle Belos promises to take care of the boy and raise him while covering the position while he grows up having already cemented himself in the empire's affairs. He is beloved by the people at this point and his manufactured sob story sealing the deal.  

Hunter is trained in everything to be both GG and Emperor. However outside of a rigorous education and physical training, he isn’t actually trained to rule. Just how to know what His uncle wants and how to read him in front of people so he can relay exactly what Belos wants said or done.

Belos is at every meeting and acts as the secretary of the right hand to his Nephew. He still works in his role as advisor. Using a private code between the two to make comments and orders to Hunter in the notes, directing him when needed. 

Over the years Hunter is very good at just knowing or reading Belos’ to succeed in his role. Failing to ends in punishments and/or lectures that can leave him emotionally wrecked. Hunter only directly disobeys Belos while acting as Emperor 3 times at this point. The two scars on his face are lasting reminders of this and part of some of the most severe punishments. One such scar is from stating Lilith could keep her palisman when she was to be promoted to coven head. Hunter was maybe like 8(?) years old at the time and had looked up to her when he would visit the library. He felt terrible for how upset she was over it. Though he is still under the idea at the time that palismen are just things and dangerous wild magic. Lilith can totally be trusted to keep it safe, he thinks, because she was about to become the head of His(Belos’) Coven, selected by his Uncle personally. It would definitely be ok…it was not ok. She gets to keep her palisman and he gets a new face scar. 

Hunter’s room is basically the same but is instead in the private hall of the Emperors. There is a small suite for the emperor which is really Belos suite, including his study.

He still meets his friends though working as the GG.