Chapter 155: The Road Back To The Amayan Empire Part 4

After a year of disappearance, the reappearance of the Crown Prince of the Amayan Empire caused an uproar in the Imperial Capital.

"The wild beasts had grown in number and attacked the civilians on the southern part of the Empire. A few officials were sent there to control the situation. But an anomaly occurred and things got out of hand. That's when Crown Prince Lail showed up."

"The Crown Prince is back. With him in command, no beast would be able to breach the defenses of the south."

"Of course! The Crown Prince's reappearance is a good sign. He's the sovereign of death. So with him around, there's no need for us to be worried."

Prince Noore gushed his teeth as a dark light flashed through his eyes.

Crown Prince Lail?

How was it that the wretch returned just when the ministers sent requests to install him as the new Crown Prince?

As the voices of the excited civilians reached his ear, the urge to hurl a boiling pot flashed through his mind. He'd come to hear the people's opinion about his upcoming coronation. But what he heard was all about that guy.

What's more, they were still calling him Crown Prince.

"Prince Noore, calm down. Even if the Crown Prince is back, he won't be able to change the ways things are. Because he returned too late." Moure Ren's eyes flickered with complicated emotions.

Once, he used to greatly admire the Crown Prince. His great valor, unstoppable might, exceptional leadership skills, and political insight were ones the likes of which he had never seen. Such qualities and capabilities could only be found in the descendant of the Emperor Emeritus.

As such, whenever he stood within the man's presence, he'd feel inferior and embarrassed, unconfident and uncertain of the guidance he provided to the man.

However, since the Crown Prince's disappearance and his association with Prince Noore, that feeling had slowly faded away into the background until nothing remained. Now he had the desire to confront the Crown Prince face to face. He had confidence that he wouldn't be suppressed as he'd been in past years.

Under his oppressing pressure, he had the confidence to stay his ground and not step back.

"The question isn't about his arrival. It's about how quickly these ungrateful people forgot my efforts for the past year." Prince Noore hissed.

But that was only one of the problems. Now that Crown Prince Lail was back, his Father Emperor wouldn't be able to convince that old hag to confer him as Crown Prince. His grilling efforts to win the people's hearts would all go to waste.

The Minister of Rites expression became downcast. He understood the young prince's feelings because he had once felt the same.

"It's not that they've forgotten your efforts, but that your efforts are overshadowed under Crown Prince Lail's flamboyant return. In order to gain back the upper hand, you'll have to do something even more flamboyant and attention-grabbing. That way, they'll not only remember your past efforts but also acknowledge your abilities."

Prince Noore's eyes lit up. He already knew that he needed to do something even more attention-attracting than what Crown Prince Lail had done. But it wasn't until the Minister of Rites spoke that an idea came to him.

Heh...so what if he was chosen by the old man? 

The status of the Crown Prince of the Amayan Empire belonged to him!

"You are right, Minister Moure. Thank you for your guidance." He stood and gave the minister a deep bow. 

"No, no. Your Highness is smart enough to come up with this idea sooner or later. I did nothing of importance. Besides, between us, there's no need for such formality." Moure Ren was instantly flattered and dissuaded Prince Noore with not much enthusiasm.

After all, who didn't like being respected by a prince of the empire? 

"Then if you'll excuse me, Minister Moure..."

"Of course. Go ahead and do what you need to do. And don't forget that you're not alone."

"I won't." With a slight nod, Prince Noore turned on his heels and walked out the teashop. As a place open to the general public, it was the best place to hold a secret meeting with an official without falling in the Regent Prince's eyes.

With a complacent smile on his face, Moure Ren stroked his beard as he watched the young prince leave. Compared to the arrogant and overbearing Crown Prince Lail, he found the amiable and good-mannered Prince Noore to his liking.

Prince Noore returned to the Imperial Palace and went straight to his Father Emperor's study hall.

"Inform my father, I'd like a word with him." He flapped his slave and clasped his hands behind his back.

"Yes, your highness. Give me a minute." The attendant bowed and hurriedly entered the Study Hall.

A minute later, he came out hurrying back.

"Your highness, please." He bowed and gestured to the hall.

Prince Noore swept past him and entered the Study Hall. The last time he entered this hall was when he got reprimanded for ruining his betrothal arrangement with Princess Qamari.

Prince Noore stood in the center of the hall and bowed. "Royal Father."

"You wanted to see me?" Kreme Amhei didn't even spare his son a glance as he continued pouring over his parchments. 

"Yes. I want to go on out and assist the soldiers stationed on the east of the city. I heard the resistance against the beast tide is fiercer on that side."

The instant he finished his words, the hall fell in a tense silence. After what felt like forever, Prince Noore finally saw his father put down the parchment and look at him. The penetrating gaze made him nervous, and his hands began to sweat.

What? Is he not going to allow me to leave? 

Before the thought could fully form, his Royal Father leaned back in his chair and spoke.

"Are you doing this because of Crown Prince Lail's appearance?"

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Prince Noore tensed. He didn't want to talk about the matter, because if he lied, his Royal Father would catch his lie. And if he admitted it, he'd be admitting he was unsettled by Crown Prince Lail's sudden return.

"Well?"

"No, I want to do something that'll help me gain the hearts of the citizens." Not entirely false, so nothing to find fault with...

"You want to gain the hearts of the citizens...and you feel that's necessary because?"

"I don't want Royal Grandfather to have any reason to disagree on my coronation. I don't want him to use the citizens to stop my crowning when the Crown Prince arrives."

"Heh...truly naïve. What makes you think he won't stop the coronation when you gain the citizens' hearts? Did you forget what he'd said to me? He said that this throne belongs to Crown Prince Lail and I'm only safeguarding his belonging. He declared me a servant and guardian of the throne and that's when that Lail wasn't even old enough to handle official affairs."

Prince Noore's fists clenched.

That was something else he didn't understand. Royal Grandfather was both his and Crown Prince Lail's grandfather. So why did he only prefer the latter? Because his parents were no more? 

"So if you want the throne of the Amayan Empire, you have to snatch it, not earn it! I have taught you this from a young age, but it seems this few months of garnering the ministers' favors has clouded your mind."

"Royal Father, I just want to win this throne with my own capabilities. If I rightfully gain the throne, then in the future, will my children have to scheme and conspire to gain what isn't theirs?"

Bang!

A cup flew through the room and smashed on Prince Noore's forehead. But the prince only winced and didn't make the slightest sound.

"What did you say?" Kreme Amhei's eyes were red with anger. Even in his wildest dreams, he had never expected to hear such words from his son's mouth.

"Am I wrong? If you had rightly won the throne back then, would I have to go through this trouble right now? Through underhanded means, you were able to get what you wanted, but the result? You aren't even a real emperor. You might have the power and authority of one, but your address will always be Regent Prince, the safeguarding of the throne for Crown Prince Lail. In the end Royal Father, it's all your fault that I'm in this situation right now."

Prince Noore's words were fierce and direct, rendering the Regent Prince of the Amayan Empire speechless for once. His speech, though aimed at Kreme Amhei, carried all his grievances over the years.

He wanted the throne of the Amayan Empire. Who wouldn't when the power and authority the seat promised would allow them to command the largest, richest, and most prosperous empire in the Seven realms? But because his Royal Father hadn't won the seat rightfully, he didn't have the ability to inherit the throne rightfully even if he pained for it.

Because with Crown Prince Lail's presence, the child of the previous emperor and empress, he didn't even have the right to compete for the seat.

This left him with no choice but to scheme for the position.

Prince Noore didn't want to, because if he gained the throne that way, he'd have to ensure to kill Crown Prince Lail and any offspring of his. Otherwise, his own child will go through the struggles and sufferings he experienced.

His child will have to scheme to get that which he could never possess rightfully, all because his father wasn't competent enough to earn it, rather than snatch it.

For a split moment, Kreme Amhei was stunned by the resentment he heard in his son's voice. Even his usually gentle and obedient aura had changed to that of a ferocious beast.

Heh...it seems it isn't only fawning on the ministers he's been doing the past few months.

Then let's test his ability. If he succeeds, the Amayan throne will be his. But if he fails, he'll see reality and come back to me on his own.

With an excited gleam in his eyes, Kreme Amhei pulled out a blank parchment, scrolled a few words, and stamped the Regent Prince's seal. Then he carelessly threw the parchment to the impassive and motionless Prince Noore.

Bang!

"Take it. With this, you can command all the soldiers stationed on the eastern part of the Capital. Since you're desperate to earn the throne, then show me your ability. Earn It!" Sneering coldly, Kreme Amhei ignored Prince Noore and went back to his parchments.

Prince Noore blinked before he realized he got the permission he came for. With a complicated feeling, he bent and picked up the royal command. After confirming everything looked right, he gave his Royal Father another glance, then turned to leave.

No matter what schemes his father was cooking, since he'd decided to take this path, then he would follow it to the end.

*

On the other side, Crown Prince Lail was journeying back to the Imperial Capital through the Eastern route. Due to the various clashes between the armored soldiers and the mutated magical beasts, corpses, belonging to both humans and beasts, littered the southern route.

The western route belonged to the merchants, who in fear of encountering mutated magical beasts and damaging their goods, set up a blockade and closed off the paths.

"Your highness, we'll be able to reach the eastern part of the capital within half a month. If we slow down our speed, that'll probably extend to a month." One of the black-armored guards, a minor character in the group of warriors trained by the Crown Prince, reported with bright eyes.

"Some of the citizens are tired while others are hungry. Our speed won't be at this pace. Try and see if you can find nearby villages still unaffected by the beast tide. We'll feed and rest there for a few days before continuing. If any of the villagers wish to follow along, tell them to pack rations. We won't be able to guarantee their meals."

"Yes, your highness!"

"That's all. You may go." The soldier bowed deferentially and turned to leave.

Seeing a familiar figure, Crown Prince Lail couldn't help but scowl.

I thought I told her to stay away from me.

Why is she here again?

He turned to leave, intending to ignore her. He wasn't in the mood for another nasty exchange. 

Unfortunately, the female thought otherwise.

"Your highness, can I talk to you?" The delicate voice called from behind, causing the Crown Prince to immediately tense.

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