Seventeen years ago.
The empire, Aetherion was enjoying the aftermath of the signed a peace treaty with their former adversaries and neighboring empires, Velgrath empire and the Cindralis pactlands, of about ten years ago
This was a period known as the 'Calm era'.
The empire had almost reached its former peak glory, the trade with the other great empires and other smaller kingdoms building back the opulent economy. Albeit there still being tension between them.
The streets were slowly coming to life as the day had just begun, street lamps turning off as soon as the first rays of sunlight peeked out from over the horizon that painted the sky a light hue of violet and orange. Traders opening up their shops, paper boys running by people's houses and dropping off their morning papers.
Men in tailored suits and coat tails, cane in hand while women had beautiful dresses on with either a bonnet or a parasole. It seemed like a scene cut out of a Victorian drama. Of course, not everywhere in the empire was as rosy as this. as this happened to be the Capital, Elarion's, noble district.
Just at the centre of it all was the royal palace, home of imperial family, the highest power in the land.
Many would not know this, but if one looked down at the palace from a high vantage point, the entire estate looked just like a blooming white lotus surrounded by lush greenery. Which happened to be the imperial forest surrounding the entire estate.
The colour of the structures and shape of it all made sure of that. But sadly many could never looked down at the Royal palace as it was a capital offense, and any one other than the imperial family would be executed.
Various structures were built inside, even the servants had their own villas as resting quarters.
The main buildings though were the Sun manor that housed the emperor, his valets and the Older princes. This was were he usually held his meetings and met with his advisors, and it was right at the centre of the entire estate.
The Moon manor that housed the empress, her maids and her daughters sitting towards the west of the Sun manor.
And the grand manor in the east section known as the Phoenix manor, housed all of the imperial consorts and brides of the princes if there were any. Amongst them were also their children that stayed in the west wing of the manor.
On this faithful day though, the phoenix manor was in a buzz with maids running all around and the women getting ready.
This was all because of a rare visit from the emperor!
It just so happened that earlier that morning, the emperor's favorite consort, Madeline Dereen, had been delivered of a child. The fifteenth prince of the empire!
The infant was taken away from his mother after a few hours by the imperial mages, and a shocking news had reached the ears of the emperor causing him to arrive there at once.
He walked passed the consorts who had their heads bowed in greeting, not paying them any heed as he walked towards the Madeline's quarters. The maids at the door moved away as he pushed the door open.
There before him, in the canopied bed, laid a beautiful woman with light rose colored her and and equally stunning shade of eye colour. she looked a bit pale but there was a beautiful smile on her face as she looked down at the small infant in her arms.
He didn't seem to have any of his mother's distinct features but instead, he had Pale blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes that resembled the sea at sunrise. Just like the emperor himself, in seemed to be hereditary as it was the same case for most of the other children born from the emperor.
"Your highness", Madeline bowed her head in respect. The maids and the few mages that were already in the room before his arrival did the same.
The emperor raised his hands, signalling them to be at ease before walking towards the bed. He held out his hands, and Madeline handed him the sleeping child.
He gently held the baby in his hands, his handsome face a bit softer than his usual stoic expression. He turned towards the mages in the corner and spoke, "Is what I heard really true?", he asked quietly but it seemed like an invisible weight followed his words, applying a light pressure on everyone in the room.
It was like if someone said something wrong, the emperor would waste no time in killing everyone there.
The mage gulped down imaginary saliva and answered, "Yes your highness, what was said in the report was true.", the mage paused before continuing. "He seems to have a very large amount of Aether, an unimaginable size for an infant his size."
The emperor nodded, his expression easing up a little more. "And he is able to actually use it, right?"
"Yes indeed! We even tested of the possibility of him being a pureblood, the results came out to be positive your highness! He even seems to have a strong affinity to the same element as your highness, the lightning element!", as he finished, everyone in the room gasped.
The lightning element was already a very rare one for anyone to have, and now this new prince that that and was even a pureblood. It was certain that he could even rival the emperor, one of the strongest people in the empire!
"And the prophecy from the seer?", The emperor probed further. The mage nodded and answered without any eye contact, "Yes your highness, the seer said he saw him stand at the highest peak of all races!"
Madeline felt the pride bubble up in her chest as she heard the news of her son. she had always been a proud woman that would use her advantages to crush those lower than herself. and now with this, even the empress would have to show her respect!
The emperor for the first time in a while, let out a laugh before everyone there. The sight surprising and enchanting, not that anyone would dare to stare at the emperor though.
"This is the best news I have had in years! I finally have a worthy heir to the throne!", the words amidst his laughter left every single person stunned to the bone. The emperor had just announced his heir, the new crown prince!
Madeline couldn't even hide the joy on her face anymore as she almost let out a scream of joy, despite her still being weak from childbirth.
The emperor gently passed back the baby to the consort and turned towards his assistant that had always been close behind, "Quick, put down his name the registry and as my next heir."
"What name are you given the young prince, your highness?", the assistant asked as he pulled out a boot and what seemed to be an enchanted quill.
"His name... I shall name him after the first Emperor of this empire, Lucien Aurellen, leave the middle name for after he is crowned", the emperor answered. "And also, prepare for a grand banquet, invite every noble regardless of relationship they have with the imperial family. Also make sure to involve the commoners in the celebration in some way."
His secretary bowed his head in reply, leaving swiftly to complete what the emperor had asked of him. Soon the emperor and the mages had left as well, leaving Madeline and the maids alone with the infant.
She gently rocked the baby in her arms and smiled, "Lucien...my pride.", she nuzzled her nose with his and he let out a small whimper before settling down again. The maids gushing at his innocence and cute looks.
Soon after, the baby was taken away to be properly cleaned and then put in the crib right next to Madeline's bed.
The maids that had witnessed the ordeal had been very loose tongued and before one knew it, the news of the new prince had spread throughout the entire palace having the same shocking effect as it did on them.
Some hours later, deep at night. The moonlight filtered the entire of Madeline's room through the balcony door. The night eerily quiet as the whole palace was asleep, apart from the guards on patrol.
But somehow, a stealthy figure was easily able to evade their detection. Advancing through the palace smoothly without being caught once, and landing quietly on the balcony to Madeline's room.
A key was inserted into the door and with a soft click, the door opened and shut just as quickly and the figure stood before the sleeping infant.