The Ancient Imperial Calendar, Year 1819
After many months, Ricardo had arrived at Ashterah City, the center of the Ashterah House.
"It's been a long time. I almost forgot the roads. What's even more interesting is that compared to the time I spent in Runanheim, the realm of spirits, almost no time has passed in the world."
When Ricardo approached the city gates, the guards who saw him knelt and bowed their heads.
"We greet the Heir of the Kislavein House. Welcome."
Ricardo raised his left hand.
"Raise your heads. It is good to be here."
Ricardo passed by the guards and entered the city. Along the way, he received the greetings of the city's people and went to Ashterah Palace.
At the entrance of the palace, waiting guards knelt, bowed their heads, and saluted Ricardo.
Ricardo accepted each salute and entered the palace.
The palace steward knelt and asked a question.
"Welcome, Heir of the Kislavein House. You have come a long way. If you wish, I can immediately have a hot bath and clean clothes prepared for you."
"That would be good. Actually, that would be very good. I am very tired."
As the steward bowed once more and started to leave, Ricardo remembered his wives.
"It would be good to go to them. I miss both of them very much. My daughters... I wonder if they've grown? I've been gone for several months. Have they grown a lot?"
Ricardo went up to the floor where his wife and concubine were and stopped in front of their rooms.
"For some reason, I feel very strange."
When Ricardo opened the door and entered, his pregnant wife Meiran and his concubine Dilara's faces broke into wide smiles.
"RICARDO!"
Dilara jumped up from where she was sitting in joy and leaped into Ricardo's arms.
She hugged him tightly, as if she never wanted to let go again.
She kissed his lips long and deeply until she was satisfied.
"Enough, Dilara. You're keeping him all to yourself. Think of me too."
Dilara came to her senses at Meiran's voice and stepped aside.
"You're right, Meiran. You're pregnant and need more attention. I'm sorry; I was thoughtless."
Ricardo was very happy that his two wives got along so well.
"It's so good to see you like this. I wish you would always get along so well."
Ricardo sat next to Meiran and gently, passionately kissed her lips while Dilara watched the pair from the side.
"Of course, we'll always get along well. Why would you say something like that?"
Ricardo released Meiran's lips and looked at Dilara.
"Because in the next generation, when the wars of succession begin, my entire harem will become enemies with each other. Each of my wives will plot against the others. That's why I want you to always get along."
Dilara sat next to Ricardo and rested her head on his shoulder.
"You don't need to worry about that. I can't get pregnant again anyway. No matter how many wives you have in your harem, I won't have to be enemies with any of them."
Meiran gently took Ricardo's hand and kissed it.
"Maybe I'll always give birth to daughters. We can't know that. So don't worry. Besides, your father is still alive. As long as he lives, succession wars won't start. And who knows, maybe you'll have only one son, and there will be no succession war."
Ricardo smiled.
"Only one son... Yes, that would be the best scenario."
Ricardo remained silent for a while.
"There's something I need to tell you."
Both women asked curiously at the same time.
"What is it, Ricardo?"
"I've decided to challenge my father for the throne."
The girls panicked and flinched.
Dilara spoke words that exceeded her bounds in fear and panic.
"What?! Have you lost your mind, Ricardo?!"
Meiran held her stomach and averted her eyes.
"No, no! This can't happen. Never, never! I won't allow it. ARE YOU GOING TO DIE AND LEAVE US ALONE? WHAT'S YOUR HURRY? THE THRONE WILL COME TO YOU AFTER YOUR FATHER DIES ANYWAY!"
Dilara couldn't hold back her tears. She fell at Ricardo's feet and began to plead.
"Ricardo, please don't. I'm begging you, please don't. I can't lose you. I can't live without you. I've become so attached to you. Please, please don't leave me."
Meiran stood up angrily. While holding her stomach, she didn't hold back her anger.
"Ricardo, forget this nonsense. We will forget it too. Do you think you can defeat your father, the strongest House Lord in Kislavein House history, Orsman IV Kislavein?!"
Meiran grabbed Ricardo's collar.
"UNTIL TODAY, NOT A SINGLE PERSON HAS BEEN ABLE TO DEFEAT HIM. AND YOU THINK YOU'LL DEFEAT HIM? I ADMIT YOU ARE VERY STRONG, BUT YOUR FATHER IS ON ANOTHER LEVEL!"
When both women calmed down and sat next to Ricardo, he continued.
"There are a few reasons. The first is that I have dreams, things I want to do, and I've stayed in my father's shadow long enough. The main reason is that I want to ascend the throne now. My father isn't even considered old; he's 45 and extremely healthy. At this rate, he could live another thirty, maybe even forty years. On the other hand, I don't have the patience to wait that long. I'm 24 years old now, and my current power is equal to his. I've become strong enough to challenge him."
The girls remained silent. Ricardo stood up and headed for the door. Just as he was about to open it, Meiran's voice stopped him.
"If you lose, you will die, Ricardo."
Ricardo turned around and spoke with a smiling face.
"I won't die. I will win, ascend the throne, and start a New Era."
When Ricardo left the room, the girls were left alone with their silence.
Ricardo walked through the palace corridors and stopped in front of the study of Marco Ashterah, the Lord of the Ashterah House.
"Lord of the Ashterah House, are you available?"
Marco stood up and opened the door. Bowing his head, he spoke respectfully.
"Of course, Heir of the Kislavein House. Please, come in."
Ricardo entered the room and sat in a chair. Marco sat opposite him and offered him a beer.
"I heard your favorite drink is beer."
"Yes, I drink other beverages too, but my favorite is beer. Its alcohol content is low; it doesn't get you drunk. It's not too sour, not too bitter—just the right balance."
After Ricardo and Marco drank their beers, they began to chat.
"What wind has brought you here, Heir of the Kislavein House?"
"The time has come for me to return. The Eastern Lands have regained their former order and prosperity."
Marco spoke with a grateful voice.
"It all happened thanks to you. You worked day and night, tirelessly, for the Eastern Lands, which were once your enemy."
"We are, in a way, distant relatives. Our bloodlines stretch back to the Ancient Empire. Besides, in the near future, we will become even closer relatives through the marriage between our children."
Marco seemed to like the terms "marriage" and "relatives" very much.
"I am still grateful that the Kislavein House Lord permitted this marriage."
"Of course, he would permit it. This marriage will end hostilities, ensure that future Ashterah House Lords are from our bloodline, and give rise to very powerful generations."
"You are right, Heir."
Ricardo stood up.
"Then I shall ask for your leave. It will be a long journey; I must begin preparations."
Marco stood up and saw Ricardo off.
"Of course, Heir. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."
As Ricardo left the room, Marco turned to the servants.
"Assist the Heir, his wife, his concubine, and his retinue with the preparations."
The servants bowed their heads in obedience and followed Ricardo.
"I am on a dangerous path. Either I will make history, or I will become history."