Chapter 15: Emperor’s Day (1)

“You still won’t tell me?” sighed Aerthus IX, looking down on his son who was kneeling before him.

 

They were in the Prince’s bedroom, which was now stripped to bare bones and he was only left with a pillow and a blanket, like a prisoner in the deepest part of the Imperial Dungeon. The only difference is that he still had a window that let in the sun’s rays that shone on the icicles hanging from it outside. 

 

“I can’t.” answered while looking down on the cold, white marble floor

 

“I ignored it, because you were advancing rapidly, but now you came back injured. What were you thinking? You could’ve died! Don’t you know I hope that you will be the one who inherits the throne?”

 

“I don’t wish to be Emperor.”

 

Aerthus didn’t know how to respond to that, he just sighed and tried to massage his head that felt like exploding. 

 

“Seriously. What happened to you? Besides reaching your rebellious age… was I also like this?” murmured under his breath 

 

“I’m sorry Father.”

 

“I hope you mean it. What you did was out of line, same for your little fiancé. I won’t ignore it anymore, you need to tell me what's going on, Leinor.”

 

“I can’t.”

 

“Enough! You will!” thundered Aerthus, looking more irate than ever before but Leinor just silently knelt before him, not saying anything. 

 

“You can hit me like mother did, I won’t tell you.”

 

“She did what?”

 

“...”

 

“Leinor, look-”

 

“Leave him.” came a voice projection to Aerthus IX’s ears from his father “I already investigated the matter, it’s just kids being kids. Leave them be. Make him stay in his room for a month, register him to the upcoming competition and announce I would be spectating it too. Make sure he participates.”

 

“Father, you-”

 

“Just do it, Dermitos. Also, add to the announcement anybody who can triumph over Leinor is automatically sent to the final 4.”

 

“...” Aerthus IX just stood there silently, going mute by the order of his father but soon he only sighed “Understood.” sent back before speaking to his son. “What your mother did, I will overrule it, you will get back your furnitures.”

 

“I’m fine like this, Father.”

 

“Don’t interrupt me, I’m not finished yet. You are confined to your room for the month, you can only come out when the competition begins, so you can participate.”

 

“Father, I-”

 

“Silence! If you don’t want to, then forget ever seeing her again, you little shit! You make me mad just like Reignar, for Gods’ sake!” fumed Aerthus IX before turning around and slamming his door, leaving him alone

 

Leinor just slowly looked around in the empty room, giving out a small sigh and sat down cross legged and silently started to cultivate.

 

“I hope she’s fine.” murmured under his breath but soon the only sound coming out of his room was his breathing as he meditated, focusing on his advancement, just like Ren, Zern and even Isha did at home.

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“How’s the preparations?” asked Aerthus IX from his ministers in the assembly hall, while the winter sunlight shone in through the open windows, carrying the sounds of the bustling capital.

 

“Everything is going smoothly, Your Majesty.” answered the older, balding, thin Rites Minister “The stage has been built in front of the main gate, Your Majesty’s podium has been erected on the walls, giving you the best view, also the seating for the civilians are almost ready.”

 

“Will the weather cause any problems?”

 

“None at all Your Majesty, the weather is stable, the snowing did stop and the workers keep the area clean and easily approachable.”

 

“Good. The Forefather went too far with his love for the snow to place the national celebratory day to this time of the year…” sighed Aerthus and his ministers only smiled wryly as they couldn’t voice their agreement or disagreement on this. 

 

“Put up with it.” came a voice and soon Aerthus VIII appeared in the room with a smile, wearing a mundane, grey  shirt and leather trousers, as all the ministers kneeled down, bowing their heads 

 

“Long live the Empire.” they echoed in union, not daring to get up or even take a look at the previous Emperor

 

“Rise. I know some of you from back then, you don’t need to bother with these customs. I came back to personally witness this year's competition as it will be… interesting.” said with a mysterious smile on his face “How’s my grandson doing?”

 

“I assume you ask for Leinor.” said Dermitos, rolling his eyes “He barely spoke with us since then, only cultivating in his empty room like a bloody monk. He refused everything except food and water.”

 

“Ahahaha, stubborn kid, I like him!” laughed Carthus loudly “Anyway, continue. Don’t mind me. I just came to catch up with everything else.” yawned as he sat down next to his son

 

“Okay, let’s continue. What are the news from Xendar?” 

 

“The General sent back a report, the ambush on the Catharine Forest was a success, we  retook the old fortress of Cath’s Door, it will help keep back the waves of beasts in the future. Currently he stays there guarding and guiding the demonfolk there to fight on his terms, while requesting aid for the troops of the Defence Force with the rebuilding of the fortress.”

 

“Oh? You have a great General son, Cath’s Door was lost in the time of Aerthus IV. It was such a shame he died trying to reclaim it.” nodded Carthus with a satisfied smile “When he’s back I’d like to meet with him.”

 

“Yes Father, I will arrange it!” smiled Dermitos happily “Order Ultar to start allocating men and resources so we don’t lose the fortress, also order Frennar to establish a supply line and don't let this chance slip. Dismissed!”

 

“Yes!” answered everyone and soon orders started to fly out from the palace while the city itself was preparing for the upcoming celebration despite it being the middle of winter.

 

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“Are you ready?”

 

“Yes Boss, I heard her boytoy also going to participate, if we meet I’ll pay back two fold what he did to me!”

 

“Don’t let your new strength blind you, they are the ones who worked this out, they have more experience with it. Anyway, just beat him up until that little devil can’t recognize him.”

 

“Ahaha, will do Boss!”

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“I’m proud of you son.”

 

“Thank you father, it’s all thanks to the Master's guidance.”

 

“She would say the same, it’s all thanks to your own hard effort. Now you are the strongest who ever been born into our family. I know you will make me proud.”

 

“Well… Master herself will participate, and so will the Prince, so…” sighed Zern as he massaged his head.

 

“Ahaha, just reach the top 10 and I’ll be happy!”

 

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“Soon it’s time.” murmured Leinor, letting out a long breath in his cold room as he got up from the mediating position, flexing his muscles that looked slim, hiding below his skin, not showing off, like a strong man’s buff physique, giving him a refined, gentlemanly look while his long hair draped over him as a cape. “After this we should go on a real date.” whispered with a smile while his aura was gently radiating out, warming up the room before slowly receding back as he looked out his window longingly.

 

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“Moooom, please… five more minuteeeees~” 

 

“Get up you lazybones!” laughed Anya as she just pulled off her blanket which made the still sleepy Ren land on her head as she fell to the cold floor

 

“Ugh… why is it always my forehead? It will grow big and I'll look like an idiot.” moaned grumpily as she sat up with disheveled hair, slanted eyes that had big black bags under it “I hate mornings! Why can’t the day start at noon?”

 

“Bla-bla-bla, princess. Get up, the preliminary tests start in 3 hours.” 

 

“Ugh… the what?” asked, still sitting on the ground, rubbing her eyes 

 

“Competition. The one you signed up for. Remember? It’s today. First every attendee must go through three tests. One: Background check. Only those who are from the Empire can participate. Two: Body Refinement check. Those below 3 are eliminated instantly. Three: Age check. Only those below a 100 can participate.”

 

“Troublesome. Can’t I skip it, beside the second one?”

 

“No. Mandatory. So get up, wash yourself, dress up and come eat your breakfast then I’ll take you to the assembly. Bring your registration, after it’s done, the competition starts tomorrow.”

 

“Oookay… ugh, it’s still just half past six... “ moaned when she saw the numbers on the clock but soon got herself together… or not, as she clawed her ways towards the bathroom with closed eyes, like a little mole who stumbled up to the surface. 

 

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The queue was already building up at the giant tents in front of the Capital’s main gate as hundreds of participants were waiting for the evaluation, conducted by the Royal Guards, the personal force of Aerthus IX.

 

“Master!” shouted Zern, drawing a lot of eyes to him as he came up to Ren who was half dozing off while standing in line, blowing a bubble of saliva out of her nose. 

 

“Huh?” woke up with a pop of her sweet dreams and bubble-buddy “Oh, Zern… ‘morning...“

 

Escaped a lazy, tired yawn her lips while others tried to put one plus one together who may the little child be and why does an adult call her master. Not many saw the general’s daughter since she was born and only those native to the capital could recognize her distinct hair and eye color. 

 

“You look tired, Master.”

 

“Your eyesight gets better and better, train a little more and maybe you could even tell what kind of underwear I put on.” murmured softly with a tinge of annoyance in her voice 

 

“Ugh… sorry…”

 

“Nah, no worries, I just hate waking up before the sun does!” moaned, slapping her face with his two little hands trying to wake herself up 

 

“And what if I guess your underwear?” came another voice and soon Leinor walked up as a lot of people gave way especially those who recognized the Fourth Prince

 

“Go for it.” said Ren while picking her ear

 

“Violet.”

 

“Bzzzt. Wrong.” giggled Ren, putting on a smirk “I ain’t got any on!”

 

Her answer immediately made the people around them almost fall on the ground while Leinor just turned tomato red looking troubled as Zern, turned around, pretending he isn’t with them. 

 

“Bwahahaha, look at your face! I missed this expression for so long~” laughed loudly, holding her stomach, it seems she finally has woken up

 

“Damn, you tricked me!”

 

“Nyahahahaha! Did I? Who knows~”

 

“Hmf!” 

 

“Oh come on my Prince, don’t sulk~” said while grabbing onto his arms, giving him a big hug, further turning his face into a brighter color of red as others started to laugh 

 

“R-ren… um…” tried to say something but he felt like melting away like the snow as spring comes 

 

“Pick me up!” came the request as she looked up at him with big, watery eyes and when he did so by reflex she snuggled into his arms and soon she was immediately asleep.

 

“Eh…” blinked Leinor but just sighed with a happy but hopeless expression as he stood there holding her like a princess as a voice projection reached his ears 

 

“You won the bet by the way. This is your reward, so don’t drop me while I nap a little~”

 

“You…” stifled back a laugh while the rising sun slowly inched upwards as the line started to move.

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