Hermes Von Dal popularly know as The Eastern War God, he is the most skilled swordsman in the world. After the war against the Oblivion lord and his armies, which had lasted for over four years had just ended the week he was going to have his twentieth child; Marco Van Dal.
When he arrives he was hit by a tragic news his seventh wife Felicia Van Dal had passed on away during delivery; Felicia was a war slave who Hermes fell in love with one year prior the end of the war, she was benevolent, calm and a gentle free spirited wife…
Hermes sat alone in the chapel, gazing up at the stars through the great skylight above, he let out soft sighs his eyes were lost of emotions. He was in a mourning black silk robe that whispered with every movement. The fabric shimmered faintly, catching the flicker of candlelight, smooth as flowing night. Over his shoulders hung a cape bearing the family crest, embroidered in golden thread that glinted like bright fire against the darkness of his attire.
The door leading from the inner sanctum to the chapel clicked open and the female priest; Martha approached Hermes as she looked up the skylight to view what he was gazing at. She looked at him and sighed
"Lord Hermes -"
"Tell me Sister Martha, is she up there?" Hermes asked interrupting her, his gaze still fixed at the starry evening sky.
Sister Martha looked at the starry sky again and sighed
"Sure she is." She answered with a smile
"She was kinder than anyone, sometimes I do believe her to be the true apostle of the goddess Orrynthis." Sister Martha finished with a smile.
"have your sit sister Martha." Hermes said still focused on the beautiful evening starry sky and sister Martha sat beside him
"I am here to -"
"I know, I won't do anything rash." Hermes answered before she finished, he looked at her with a smile on his face.
Hermes stood up and the sister Martha walked him to the Altar, he knelt down and pray, sister Martha blessed him after his prayer, and he left.
He walked off the terrace of the church a carriage was waiting outside and his personal butler; Phil who was dressed in suit opened the carriage door and he bowed his head elegantly.
"His Royal Highness; Gerald Kaigareth Von Dal awaits you." Phil said as Hermes enters the carriage and the door shut all Hermes' convoy mounted their positions and they moved. As the carriage moved along the cemetery fence, he saw the blue marble grave stone with flowers and a lantern in front of it, Hermes closed his eyes and tears streamed down his cheeks…
After several minutes of riding in their carriages, they finally arrived at Hermes Manor, where every member of his family had already prepared for the journey to the imperial capital, Archevorn, to attend the banquet.
In this world, magical devices known as Gates existed—artifacts capable of instantly transporting travelers to pre-registered locations. Hermes possessed a private Gate within his manor. Once preparations were complete, his wives and children boarded their respective carriages, which were then guided directly through the Gate. Though Archevorn lay three days away by nonstop travel, the magic of the Gate reduced the journey to mere seconds.
In the blink of an eye, the convoy emerged upon the palace grounds at the heart of the empire's capital.
The palace guards immediately stepped aside upon seeing the crest of the Eastern War God. Thirteen carriages rolled forward in an orderly procession.
The first carriage belonged to Beretta Von Dal, Hermes' first wife. Elegant and breathtakingly beautiful, she was widely known as the "Noble of Nobles."
The carriage behind hers carried her children with Hermes: Serenade, the eldest child and first daughter of the War God; Bruce, the second child and first son; Astoria, the second daughter; and Fredrick, the fourth son.
The third carriage carried Tiara Von Dal, Hermes' second wife. She possessed long, flowing black hair and skin as pale as snow. Calm and distant in demeanor, she was revered as the "Silent Goddess of Ice."
Following her carriage were her children with Hermes: Brawn, the second son; Jessica, the third daughter; and Allen, the fifth son.
The fifth carriage belonged to Esmeralda Von Dal, Hermes' third wife. With her wavy white hair and striking emerald-green eyes, she was a woman always adorned with a warm smile.
Behind her rode her children with Hermes: Laplace, the third son; Historia, the fourth daughter; and Rose, the fifth daughter.
The seventh carriage carried Corneta Von Dal, Hermes' fourth wife. With fiery red hair and a free-spirited, proud nature, she exuded untamed confidence.
The carriage that followed bore her children with Hermes: Jack, the sixth son; Kenny, the seventh son; and Harvard, the ninth son.
The ninth carriage carried Iris Von Dal, Hermes' fifth wife. Hailing from the western continent, she possessed flawless dark skin, soft white woolly hair, and deep blue eyes reminiscent of the night sky.
Following her were her children with Hermes: Simone, the eighth son; Pedro, the tenth son; and Bill, the eleventh son.
The eleventh carriage belonged to Lily Von Dal, Hermes' sixth wife. A renowned female warrior, she was bold yet kind, elegant yet fierce. Her golden hair and eyes complemented her lightly tanned skin, making her a striking beauty.
The final carriage carried her children with Hermes: Jane, the sixth daughter; Yanessa, the seventh daughter; and Claire, the eighth daughter.
The thirteenth carriage stopped and the door was opened by Phil, Lord Hermes Von Dal came out of the carriage elegantly, his golden hair, and his ginger yellow piercing eyes— like that of a lion looked around the palace grounds and his black cape flow with him as he walked into the palace. He was guided by his butler and he walk to the Emperor's chamber,
"Lord Hermes Von Dal has arrived," the emperor's personal attendant announced.
The emperor, who had been gazing out of the chamber window at his vast empire, turned at once. The door clicked open, and Hermes stepped inside. He advanced several paces before stopping, then lowered himself onto his right knee, his left knee raised, his head bowed in solemn respect before the Emperor.
"You have arrived, Hermes," Emperor Gerald said as he turned toward him and approached at a measured pace. Placing both hands upon Hermes' shoulders, he gently urged him to rise. The emperor studied him for a moment, pity softening his gaze. Then a faint smile appeared on his lips, and he drew Hermes into a brief, firm embrace.
"Your Highness?" Hermes called out, clearly shocked by the emperor's warm greeting.
"I know—don't put up the tough act," Emperor Gerald replied as his grip tightened slightly.
Hermes let out a soft chuckle, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"Nothing ever escapes Your Highness," he said.
Emperor Gerald released the embrace, one arm still resting on Hermes' shoulder as he looked him directly in the eyes.
"I know how you must feel. Forgive me for sending you on such a perilous mission when you should have been with your wife—and for not being there for her myself," the emperor said quietly.
"Perish the thought, Your Highness," Hermes replied at once. He bowed halfway, and the emperor's arm slipped from his shoulder.
"Just as you ordered, I have ended the four-year war in only two weeks," Hermes announced calmly. "A war that had dragged on for four long years."
"I and my subordinates in your name, slew the Oblivion lord, made foil of his plans against the empire, and brought back his enchanted sword as a battle spoil for the empire." Hermes finished and the emperor nodded softly with pride
"Efficient as always. You have done well."
Emperor Gerald said
"You shall be rewarded in the banquet." Emperor Gerald added
"thank you Your Highness— I am most honored." Hermes answered as he stood up to leave the kings chamber.
"Hermes..." the emperor called and Hermes step halted at the door,
"yes your highness, Is anything the matter." Hermes answered and silence pitched the atmosphere.
"There is only… something I wish to ask." Emperor Gerald said
"When it is just the two of us… when no council, no generals, no temples are watching…" he looked at Hermes with a softness rarely shown,
"…call me 'Father'—at least once in a while." Emperor Gerald asked
Hermes hesitated for a brief moment, then bowed his head slightly before turning and leaving the chamber, closing the door quietly behind him.
Emperor Gerald released a long sigh and walked toward a massive portrait hanging upon the wall. It depicted an elegant noblewoman of refined beauty—golden locks cascading over her shoulders and striking yellow eyes, sharp and proud like those of a lioness. She was a woman of grace and quiet strength.
The emperor studied the portrait in silence, his expression heavy with longing. Slowly, he raised a hand and rested it upon the nameplate beneath the frame.
Belle Kaigareth Von Dal; His wife, the Empress of the Kaigareth Empire.
"What do I do, Belle?" Emperor Gerald whispered, his gaze fixed upon the portrait as another weary sigh escaped his lips.
"Please… watch over our son," he pleaded softly. His fingers brushed the nameplate once more as he closed his eyes, his expression heavy with sorrow and hope intertwined.