[ Chapter I (1): "PRINCE MACEO MAXWELL" ]
[ "M-my Lord..." ]
The young Courtesan couldn't believe her ears, as so her eyes and any in all of her senses as she watches the slight bloodshot eyes of the sole Prince of the Empire look down on her.
His emerald eyes known to be passed down from the Royal Family hidden slightly behind his unruly hair, the man that once fondled, caressed, and didn't even seem to care about her— to the point that he even rarely looked at her, an hour ago, now is paying attention to her.
Not partially, not quarter. But is instead full attention, something which not even the High Ranking Officials in this council seems to had gain, even though they have been speaking, straining her vocal cords, shortening, practicing, and rehearsing their report hours to days on end before this Quarterly Meeting.
Yet this unnamed, unknown, young, fragile and piece of entertainment seems to have gain it without her doing anything significant. She didn't crush down a rebellion numbering in the thousands.
Nor did she feed millions of citizens with the reforms she created, thought of for days. Or even though of ways how to advance the technology and livelihood of the noble planet of Urath. No, she did none of that.
Which made all the officials no matter the ages, both young or old to sulk and envy this said attention given to her— to a Courtesan... Sucks to them, to Maceo's eyes, she seems to be the most approachable compared to them all...
Perhaps she didn't seem to hear him, Maceo thought so, as he watches her mouth open and closes like a goldfish without answering his question. So he repeated his question, making it easier to understand; [ "Tell me... instead, dear... who am I? And where... am I?" ]
[ "Sounds fair enough?" ] He doesn't want for her to explain step-by-step what was talked about in the meeting, or even the names of each and every single individual in this room, their title, or even contribution.
He doesn't expect someone to name all of them, or does he have the patience of listening to their names which would only be forgotten by him— one that would probably last hours on end.
As he now focuses instead on the important stuff; and not some dumb shit like titles of some motherfucker he doesn't give a flying fucks about, or about some old-man that is about to die, a fossil that should have retired years ago. In the case of some here.
[ "Y-yes, my Lord..." ] She spoke, her voice quickly making the disturbed mind of Maceo at ease, before then continuing, [ "Yo-you are the sole Prince of the Empire, one and only c-child of the late Emperor— Emperor Vladimir Maxwell." ]
[ "A-and soon-to-be Emperor, destined to be crowned o-on your 21st birthday m-my Lord." ] So this body isn't 21-years-old yet? Maceo mumbles to himself, realizing why he felt so short. As he then nods to her, letting her continue her story of him... Which feels like not him at all.
About to talk about the Prince's Fiancé, she paused. Especially when she remembered the fact, that the Prince doesn't like her, making a fuss and killing a servant before her eyes when he heard her named mention, a mere hour ago before she was taken hostage by him...
Caught in a rock and a hard place, a dilemma. She paused, trembling slightly as she remembers the brutality of this man, a single word and he could cause the death of millions, what more can she— a lowly entertainer can do?
Nothing, she could only comply with the Prince's request and tell him abo- no, she doesn't have too. The Prince wouldn't like hearing about his fiancé, so she sidetracked and instead intentionally skip that part of his life. Explaining instead where he is.
[ "Y-you are at the Council of Nicara, for the first Quarterly Meeting o-of the year 536 AGP." ] Pursing her lips, she doesn't know how to continue, or what to do, as she didn't listen to whatever is being reported, and instead did what she was told and pamper the body of the Prince until he then unbeknownst to them all, finally slept;
In which she decided to continue, not resting, or faltering in her movements even though her wrist ache, in fear that she might not have a wrist, or even a head after the meeting. [ "T-The mee-" ]
About to bullshit her way out of this one, she spoke. But was immediately stopped by the hand of the Prince which silenced her immediately, as he then spoke up, [ "That'll be enough... thank you, dear." ]
Smiling at her, Maceo felt thankful that someone was able to explain, and give details that he'll need to better play the roleplay, or character that he was handed.
If not, then he might probably be found out as an imposter quickly, not the original owner of the body; and then no sooner than later promptly killed.
That actually being mercy in comparison to what he thinks they could do to him... Perhaps worse than even torture, something-something along those lines, which sends shiver down his spine.
He doesn't want any bit of that, as he now plays the role. The role that was given, which is actually a great role. He was able to quickly find out that he is a Prince, the sole Prince of this Empire...
Soon-to-be Emperor actually, a high bar, something that he doesn't know how to handle; but at least he could live in comfort compared to the once hellish life he lived as a common commoner— as a citizen working odd jobs and such.
Realizing that he could eat to his heart's content, rest to his heart's content, and not work at all for luxury. He smiled even more, a tooth-filled smiled which everyone in the room was able to see; as they all seemingly focuses on him... [ "..." ]
[ "...?" ] Is there something wrong? He was startled by the looks he is receiving, much more different compared to the previous fear and anticipation. Now this is plain awe, as some have their mouths wide open, or even shaking, christ knows why.
His smile slightly falters, turning instead to a grin, as he looks at them, then lastly to the lady sitting right besides him. Which seems to have her soul sucked out of her body, as her green pupils dilate, staring at him. [ "Is there something wrong?" ]
Addressing this, Maceo spoke up, is she possesed? On the process of being possesed? Is that why everyone is staring at him weirdly, did he just did something that caused for her to be possesed, or did he do something taboo?
Is smiling a taboo? That sounds stupid, so in worry he tries reaching out for the pitiful lady, about to shake her shoulder and wake her up from her stuppor.
[ "Ah." ] But to his surprise, his hand was swatted away by her, causing a loud slap to ring in the silent chamber; quickly catching the attention of the officials and guards in the room. [ "...?" ]
Turning to look at them all, the awe they once had is now either turned to anger, or even weirdly enough pity for the young girl. Why is everyone here not normal?
About to ask why so, before he could do that, kne of the Officials stood up and pointed shakily at the lady which looks scared for her life,[ "Y-you wretched girl!" ]
[ "Guards, a-arrest this d-demon!" ] Excuse me what? Standing up abruptly in his own, Maceo began to slightly sweat in fear, even though there is an aircon here, he still felt hot all-over as he seemingly just doomed this girl for reasons unknown.
[ "I-I'm sorry." ] He watches carefully, in confusion as how the nearby stationed Guards— about 5 of them, same appearances, same attire, faces and hair hidden behind a tragedy mask; either happy or sad, approach the young girl.
At the young girl which seems to be panicking, shaking, even crying tears as she seemingly pleads to the men that was about to grab her. In seeing this Maceo felt fear also, more so than her; because he just caused this innocent lady to die!
Due to his hubris, due to him not knowing the norms and accidentally causing her to slap his hand away. If he hadn't reached out, she wouldn't have slapped it away.
Then this would not have happened at all. Shit, in short he was the cause of this all; and she is seemingly the one taking the fall, which doesn't make any senses at all.
He watches as one of Guards places his/her hand onto the young lady. Not wanting for her to be punished due to his fault, he spoke up, quickly remembering to do so in a commanding and deep tone; he a Prince after all, isn't he? [ "Stop." ]
And so they did, not even moving seemingly frozen in air as their attention focuses on him instead of the girl. The towering stature that the Guards seemingly has, makes him scared for his life, but in knowing he has power over them; he calmed down, before then finally continuing, fixing his mistake.
[ "What in the name of..." ] He wants to say Hell, but doesn't know if that concept exist here, or even if that word is a thing. So he let the words hang, not knowing what to say as a continuation, he then abandoned it;
[ "Do you think you're doing? To this fair young lady..." ] Placing a hand on the underside of his cheek, he then laid back on his chair, trying his best to seem comfortable even though he is slightly sweating; even more so internally, as it panicks about.
The Guards looked at one another, before then the closest looked at him. Seemingly about to speak, he waited, but that voice seemingly came in another form; in the form of hands, i.e. sign language.
Intricate, basic, and unique to the sign language he oftentimes see in television, or even the research he done about it to better understand a character. This one, it seems to be different sign language to what he knew about in his home country, or world.
As he gets reminded again that this isn't his original world, or even this body, as it isn't his after all, so does the norms here, or culture. [ "What are you talking about?" ]
Hearing a gulp from the guard in front of him, and seeing him nervous through motion, he then turned to the side; at one of the Officials, who can hopefully interpret for him. [ "What is he talking about?" ]
Genuinely confused he asked, in slight venom apparently as this caused the old-man sitting on the chair on his right, a man with a thick white eyebrows and no hair at all coughts, sweating before then looking at the Guard; at the Guard which seems to be doing sign language in quick motion.
[ "M-my Lord, t-the Royal Jester is protecting the young Pr-prince from a threat." ] Raising his eyebrows, he looked at the young girl who's shivering from the cold, crying a river, and has snot slightly coming out of her nose as she sniffle. [ "This... this is a threat to you all, what a joke?!" ]
It was supposed to come off as begrudging or scolding to people without common sense. It was natural instinct, coming out from his mouth because of the absurdity of the situation. This men don't have common sense, or really just places him that damn high on the pedastal.
But to his surprise, that didn't seem to help at all. As all of the men and women, both young and old, no matter the occupation stares at him for the nth time in what could only be perceived as absolute fear; Wait... I could use this!
Seeing that he actually has real power here. Truest form of power, as everyone here cared about him so much, as to arrest a young lady without hesitation just because she accidentally slapped his hands away.
That is power... So in knowing that, he leverages it over their heads. As he stands up, head held high as he savors the experience. He stares at each and every single one of the individual in the room, disgust showing in his eyes as he then speaks, [ "As what I'm saying is... no one here will arrest her, hurt her, detain or even touch a single strand of hair off of her." ]
[ "Do so and I will singlehandedly see you punished to the highest degree, I swear that in my name. So may it be." ] Seeing the Guards release their grip off of her, and for the girl to be safe. He felt satisfied, as he then smiles before sitting back on his chair.
To him it feels right, feel greats actually... Wait... Shit! Realizing what he just did, or even in thinking about the possible worse outcomes, he began to worry. Did he just seal his own coffin by doing this?! Damn it all to hell!
[ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ]
[ 05/22/2025 ]
[ 05/23/2025 ]