As the palace buzzed with preparations for the Emperor's birthday celebration, the air was filled with anticipation and a sense of grandeur. The halls were adorned with lavish decorations, and the aroma of exquisite dishes wafted through the corridors. Traditional music played softly in the background, setting the stage for a display of power, loyalty, and political maneuvering.
Whispers circulated among the courtiers, discussing potential guests, alliances, and the Emperor's expectations. The annual tradition of conquered rulers paying homage to the Emperor served as a stark reminder of the Vylonia Empire's might. 576 nations had been subjugated under its rule, with only the Thorenzians absent from the gathering due to their cruel enslavement.
Amidst the flurry of activity, Emperor Absalom strode through the palace, his voice echoing as he called out for Queen Sariel and Prince Monday. "Sariel! Monday! Sariel!" His urgency was palpable, and the guards struggled to keep pace with his hurried steps.
Just as he turned a corner, a guard knelt before him, her voice trembling slightly as she greeted him. "Your majesty."
Absalom's expression turned calculating. "Good timing. Have you seen Queen Sariel and Prince Monday?"
The guard's gaze dropped, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm sorry, your majesty. I haven't seen them."
Absalom's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. "Call Princess Athena for me," he ordered curtly.
The guard bowed and hastened away, leaving Absalom to his thoughts.
In a quiet corner of the palace, Princess Athena lounged on her bed, lost in daydreams. "I'm glad he was able to escape," she mused aloud, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I wish he'd marry me. He's so charming and strong."
Her reverie was interrupted by a knock on the door, and her expression turned sour. "Who is that annoying imbecile?" she called out, irritation tinging her voice. "Can't I have a moment of peace in this palace?"
A male voice filtered through the door, apologetic and respectful. "Forgive me, my Princess. Your father, the Emperor, requests your presence at the throne room."
Athena sighed audibly, annoyance evident in her tone. "What does he want now?"
The voice remained neutral. "He didn't say."
After a moment's pause, Athena relented. "Tell him I'm coming."
The voice acknowledged her response, and Athena's gaze drifted back to her daydreams, her mind still preoccupied with thoughts of the one she longed for.
Emperor Absalom paced anxiously in the throne room, his gaze fixed on the door. Footsteps echoed through the hall, and the door swung open, revealing Princess Athena. She moved with grace as she knelt before her father.
"Father, you summoned me," she said, her voice respectful.
Absalom's eyes lingered on his daughter before he spoke, his tone urgent. "Aaaah yes, my beautiful daughter. Do you know where Sariel and Monday are?"
Athena's brow furrowed slightly. "I don't know. They could be anywhere in the palace."
Absalom's expression betrayed his worry, his voice rising in frustration. "We should be preparing for tomorrow! What could they be doing?"
Athena's gaze met her father's. "Father?"
"Yes, my beautiful princess. What is it?" Absalom's tone softened.
Athena's voice turned melancholic. "Where is Mother? When will she return? I've missed her so much."
Absalom's face grew somber, his words measured. "My beautiful angel, your mother isn't coming back."
Athena's eyes widened in confusion. "Why?"
Absalom's gaze hardened. "I'd advise you to forget about her. She's not coming back to this palace."
Athena's face contorted in distress. "But Father—"
Absalom's voice cut her off, firm and unyielding. "Not another word. This should be the last time we discuss this topic. Now return to your quarters!"
Athena's face twisted in frustration, and she rose to her feet, her movements stiff. With a final glance at her father, she turned and left the throne room, her footsteps echoing through the hall as she returned to her quarters.
The chain-bound shield train clanked and rattled in the desolate Thorenzia camp. The air was heavy with oppression, the sound a constant reminder of their enslavement.
"Seems the taskmasters won't be coming today," Thane observed, his voice hushed.
"I was wondering the same," Isolde agreed, her gaze sweeping the camp.
"Probably busy preparing for the Emperor's Day celebrations tomorrow," Caius mused.
"What's happening tomorrow?" Orion asked, curiosity piqued.
"It's the Emperor's Day," Elara explained. "A grand festival. Plus, there's the Royal Mercy Championship."
"So that's what they're preparing for?" Orion questioned.
Elara nodded. "Yes. It's a deadly tournament where 30 slaves, Thorenzians like us, fight to the death. The winner faces an opponent chosen by the Emperor. If they win, they're set free."
Isolde's voice was laced with disgust. "It should be called the Royal Cruel Championship. Twenty-nine die, and the winner still faces the Emperor's chosen opponent. It's a cruel fate."
Elara's face was somber. "It's been like this for centuries. No one's ever been set free."
"That's not quite true," Princess Alexandra interjected.
"Princess Alexandra?" Elara's eyes widened in a mix of surprise and curiosity
"My grandfather told me a lot of stories about ancient Thorenzia. According to one of the stories he told me, there was one person who won the tournament, defeated the opponent chosen by the Emperor himself, and was set free. His name was Nathaniel el Zoranda."
The group fell silent, the revelation a challenge hanging in the air.
"Wow, I didn't know that," Elara said, shock evident in her voice.
Princess Alexandra's face grew determined. "Good timing. There's something we need to do tomorrow."
The group focused on the princess, their expressions set with anticipation.
As the moon ascended the sky, within the palace walls, the air was filled with the echoes of passionate moans from a secluded chamber. The blanket, swollen from the movements beneath it, finally stilled as Queen Sariel pulled away from the man she had been kissing. It was not Emperor Absalom who lay beside her but Prince Monday.
Queen Sariel sighed contentedly. "That was amazing, Monday. I've missed you so much."
"Yeah, right," Prince Monday replied with a hint of bitterness. "The woman who left me and married my father. We could have had this every night."
Queen Sariel placed a finger on his lips, silencing him with a kiss. "Don't talk like that, sweetie. Don't worry, everything is going according to plan."
Prince Monday's brow furrowed. "What plan?"
A sly smile played on Queen Sariel's lips. "It's a surprise I've prepared for you. If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore."
She rose from the bed and sauntered towards the bathroom, her naked form admired by Prince Monday's watchful gaze. After freshening up and meticulously applying makeup, Queen Sariel ran a brush through her lustrous hair.
"Hey Sariel," Prince Monday called, still wrapped in the blanket.
"Hmm?" Queen Sariel replied.
"My father wants me to fight the winner of tomorrow's Royal Mercy Championship," Prince Monday said.
Queen Sariel cocked her head to the side. "That's a simple task, right?"
"Well, yeah, but… I want to spend tomorrow with you," Prince Monday admitted.
Queen Sariel let out a soft, endearing laugh. "Aww, you're so sweet. But no, tomorrow is a special day for your father. We are expected to be there."
"I guess you're right," Prince Monday conceded.
"Alright, baby, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" Queen Sariel said, planting a final kiss on Prince Monday's lips before leaving the room.
Beneath the star-studded expanse, Valerus stood at the periphery, his gaze transfixed on the sprawling nation of Vylonia. The glittering lights of the nation twinkled like stars, their brilliance a stark contrast to the darkness lurking within its walls. The quiet of the night was broken by a gentle voice, "Hey, Valerus. You're going in tomorrow, right?" A figure emerged from the shadows, her footfalls nearly silent.
Valerus' eyes remained fixed on Vylonia. "Yes. I must find a way to halt the Royal Mercy Championship."
The woman stepped closer, her right hand swathed in white bandages. Tenderly, she cupped Valerus' face in her uninjured hand. "Valerus, I don't want you to go. I can't bear the thought of you getting hurt."
Valerus' expression softened, his voice reassuring. "Don't fret over me. I'll be alright."
The woman's eyes searched his, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Just promise me you'll be careful."
Valerus turned to face her, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Wouldn't you like to come with me? It's been four years since you left Vylonia, Luisa."