TALIA
The celebratory mood of the castle was just reaching its zenith. But here I was, tending to Emon's unconscious body.
Emon and I were betrothed since we were five years old. Even before that, since the day we were born, the probability of us being husband and wife was very high.
After all, to the imperial family, I was the most eligible bride for their heir. To the Borewyn house, having our blood as the empress again, would further strengthen our position as the most powerful kingdom among the six vassal kingdoms.
"A marriage of convenience huh" I said, as I cast a long piercing gaze at Emon's face. I could feel my silver eyes straining from holding it so long
"At least he hasn't sired a bastard that I know of" I said, as I moved away from his bed and towards the sitting area.
Emperors in Velecor had certain rights. One of which was the right to have concubines and mistresses, and the right to legalise their seeds as legitimate children.
A loving father would have at least thought about cancelling the arrangement, even if for a fleeting moment.
However, cancelling the arrangement due to the High Prince's philandering would be stupid. He was well within his right to earn the nickname 'The Lecher Prince'.
Aunt Sabella, always told me Emon was just going through a phase and discovering himself.
Persevere, persevere, persevere. That was what my entire family told me.
"Am I too greedy?" I muttered as I glanced in his general direction.
A stone on a beach might look like any other stone, but when washed, it could be a diamond.
Many thought Emon was weak, a bad heir and lacked potential, most still do. But today, I saw a blazing flame ready to be kindled in his barriers.
Since he exceeded my expectations, it could mean he at least worked hard to improve. But wetting a tongue is not the same as drinking water.
I could provide the distance he needs to cover, the destination he yearns to reach.
I have always wanted to be the Empress, no, for years I knew I was going to be the Empress. However, I also want to be loved.
"Do I even hate him?" I asked myself, I always held anger against him, but then I couldn't bring myself to hate him.
After all, he was the person going to fulfill my dream of becoming the Empress.
Sometimes a comb might hurt but in the end, it makes the hair beautiful. Regardless of the pain, the comb proves its usefulness.
"Oh, he's waking up" I said, I walked to his bed and removed the hot piece of cloth resting on his head.
"Thank you Talia" Emon said, his black eyes half opened.
Emon tried to sit up but fell right back. His second attempt was a success, proving his grit which was to be admired.
"Go back to sleep Emon, you outdid yourself today" for some reason, Emon seemed disturbed by my words. He had a face that clearly showcased his emotions.
"What about the consummation" he said, half concerned, half excited.
"You are not in shape, neither am I willing" my sharp and emotionless answer left Emon surprised, could have been a jest.
"And by the way Emon, the Lecher Prince died today" I said candidly, his expression had surprise written all over it.
Surely, he already long realised that everyone knew about his activities.
"I would have lost miserably today if I was still the man I was two months ago" he said, as if assuring me he had already changed.
With my ladder now secured, I finally surrendered to sleep, as it was already the hour of the owl.
-------
EMON
I had been awake for at least half an hour, content to watch Talia's sleeping face.
She was beautiful, perhaps the most beautiful woman I had seen. Except my mother of course.
It could be that her beauty was gotten from my mother.
"I am going to the academy for a history lecture, I will be back for breakfast" I said to her unconscious body.
Lord Paschal had asked me to help in the academy. I loved history, instead of training in my leisure time, I read books and flirted.
If I were to pick one, it would be History, a surprise to people.
My thoughts of the lecture halted as I heard my manservant's knock. A series of two knocks, then one knock and another two rounds of two knocks.
"Come in Derek" as the black oak door opened, the effeminate figure of my manservant came into view.
One of the many rumours flying around was that I apparently had a thing for him.
I met Derek during one of my adventures in a brothel. He was just one year younger than me, since then, he has become one of my closest companions and my most loyal follower.
"You're surprisingly up early High Prince, didn't think you could wake up early without me" he said while flashing a wry smile.
"If you had been blessed with flame manipulation, perhaps you would not need me to boil you hot water everyday" he continued, Derek took my towel and threw it in my general direction.
"Maybe now that you have ice in your bed, you would favour cold water, and then I'll finally be free from doing this every morning" in the same manner he threw my towel, he threw my sponge.
"Just ready my bath and get out of here" I replied as I picked the towel from the floor and the sponge from my bed.
"By the way my prince, you left me in awe with your performance on your wedding. Perhaps a pat on the head would be a sufficient reward" he said while approaching and attempting to tap my head
"Enough Derek, we do not have much time, the lecture is in about an hour. High Prince or not I must be of exemplary behaviour" my scolding quickly left Derek in his tracks.
"Aye, aye. What shall the High Prince have for breakfast then" he asked.
"I'll have it with my wife when I get back" I answered, my body however, was protesting my decision.
After minutes of wanton conversation with Derek, I took my bath and dressed up. I glanced at the mirror to check for any faults but all I could see was my perfect face gazing back at me.
It was evident that being good with words and being the heir wasn't all I used to win those girls over.
My outfit, shirt and trousers, bore in it the traditional colours of Clovis, red, black and gold. The house sigil, a dragon, a phoenix and firehawk beautifully placed on the top right of my shirt.
I kissed my signet ring which symbolised my status as the heir. Then I glanced at Talia before finally going to the stables.
Riding in the early hours was smooth since most people haven't even woken up.The academy was located about thirty minutes away from castle, people not moving around made it faster.
Damattis academy was a place where everyone noble could attend regardless of strength.
Commoners on the other hand, receive scholarship and invitation if they prove to be of the highest ilk.
"I'll rather not have to deal with a crowd" I said to Derek as we were closing in on the gate.
"What would you do without me" My trusty manservant said as he prepared to teleport me into the building.
"Do I know the lecture venue?" He asked, temporarily stopping his preparation.
"Probably not, but we've reached as far as the stairway together when we picked up Leanor" I said, we dismounted and went beside a nearby building.
"The stairway it is then, now hold my hand" Derek said, his small hands stretched towards me.
On his own, Derek could teleport ten times a day but within a definite distance. If he wanted to go to Celmora he'd have to make a cession that will combine the ten times into one.
The condition for teleportation with one or more person involves touch. based on the lifeforce strength of that person, Derek could be reduced to just two per day.
"It's ready" Derek said, as he activated his trait, a sharp bright light engulfed us.
The next thing I felt was my feet on marble, contrary to the roadside granite-made road.
The sensation of teleportation always felt like I was scattered and then rearranged.
"You have my thanks" I said, accompanying it with a thumbs up.
I used a few seconds to gather myself after the effects of the teleportation wore off. Then together with Derek I proceeded to the lecture hall
The class was looking lively, the scene in front of me suddenly evoked memories of my days as a student. Just as I was about to call their attention several footsteps drew closer.
It was Lord Paschal, the Principal of the academy and one of my mentors
"Welcome High Prince, who would have thought that you would pull off something like this. Wait, me" he said as he scolded me in front of the students.
Having been tutored by him, he was one of the few people who could scold me openly.
"You know how girls can get, surely your three divorces serve as examples no?" I replied his banter with mine.
"I wonder who you picked your mouth from" he replied.
"I'll be leaving Hector here as a liaison" he continued, his hands brushing his grey beard.
"Pleasure meeting you Hector" I said to the middle-aged-looking man
"The honour is mine, High Prince" the middle aged man replied and then we watched as Lord Paschal's old figure exited the hall.
Now I had the class all to myself.
The students attending were about 300, they surprisingly looked serious even though someone slightly older than them would lecture them today.
I glanced at the lecture material which was prepared by Derek. It contained in it several points to be discussed most of which they already knew.
The history of Divine traits
The history of how the empire came to be
Life force
Rules of divine trait
If it was to teach something more practical, I'm sure I won't be standing here today.
"Divine trait as we know it began uh ...what the.." as if it was the cue of an attack, someone in the right side of the hall exploded just as I was about to start the lecture.
Dust.
Screams.
Another explosion—closer.
My ears rang.
I ran blind, hands out, grasping nothing.
My imagination compensated for what my eyes betrayed, I scurried around in the dust and rubble in a desperate attempt to do something.
Sound of running steps were halted by explosions. It was then I realised that they were the source of the explosion
I thought about various ways in which I could help.
Enclosing those who were about to explode in a barrier but that would be ineffective, I had to know those who were going to explode.
There was also the limitation on 'veil', I had to sync their signature with my barrier.
Derek couldn't teleport this absurd amount of people too but at least he can help one or two.
"Derek, help those who you are able to" I cried out.
When my focus shifted to Derek it was then I realised.
The chaos prevented me from feeling his hand holding me and the dust hindered me from seeing his preparing for teleportation.
"Please Derek. No" my pleas failed to convince him as the bright light engulfed us.
However, I could not blame him, according to him my life was of more importance than theirs.
After the sensation of my body realigning after what felt like it scattered into a million pieces due to the teleportation, I saw myself in my room, with the most vivid image being my wife's look of concern upon seeing my bloodstained body.