Volume I: Chapter 6: The Five Officials

As soon as Emperor Evan woke up, he heard his butler sending a request for his presence.

He arrived at the palace's receiving area, and all his guests and staff were waiting for him.

Prince Caster proclaimed, "EMPEROR EVAN SHAWN SIEGMUND, THE NEW EMPEROR OF THE SILVER CREST EMPIRE!"

Then everyone gave their salute. They demonstrated their complete adoration, acceptance, and respect for him as their new ruler.

They all cried out, "Hail! The Great Emperor!" several times.

With a cold response, "Cut it out... leave," he turned and walked away.

How dense, Duke Canon said.

Stephen seemed more moved than his lord and started sobbing.

He thinks that the emperor was genuinely happy, although it is not evident. No one knew the second prince better than him.

All of the people left after but the five officials were going to stay.

Duke George Sheldon personally bid the princess goodbye. Although he is not one of the main officials, that doesn't mean that he is not shouldering any of the concerns of high society. The duke is supposed to, since he is still the Sheldon family's eldest son. He simply appears meek and tranquil and infatuated with the princess.

Duke Oliver patted him on the back and told him, "You won't have her if you're not doing anything to pursue her." Then he was pushed out.

The next ceremony will take place. The emperor went over the roster of his officials, councilors, and governors, each of whom was ranked after him. While some are malleable, others are not.

"The former emperor is no longer with us, but everyone continues to follow the blueprint of the entire monarchy that he founded." Then, what good is it to become emperor? Emperor Evan pondered.

He noticed the attendants outside, lugging heavy loads of stuff outdoors like ants.

He wondered, "What are those?" when he noticed enormous amounts of materials being moved nearby.

"Those are the belongings of your new officials, they will be residing here," replied Stephen.

His chilly response was, "Who told them to do so?"

"Call them," he ordered. The papers that he was holding were tossed on the top of the desk. He let out a sigh and took off his reading glasses. A few seconds later, he walks out to meet them.

The Imperial princess, being the overall overseer, faces the Emperor and gives him this explanation.

"According to the law, your main officials will be residing here at the palace to give their support and assistance to you. It mostly happens after they all accept you as their worthy ruler." she stated,

As the other three officials arrived, Prince Orion made his statement. "Same as what the imperial princess has said, we will be your alliance starting today."

He sternly ordered, ignoring what they had just stated, "Who gave you the right to stay here? Leave."

Duke Cannon came last and insisted, "The law."

Hardly saying, "I won't comply," the emperor stubbornly said.

Duke Oliver replied, "You have to comply."

"The riches and resources you need for the whole economic cycle will depend on your alliance with us. You cannot feed your people with pride." the duke clarified.

The economic cycle and the partnership between each branch, sub-branch, and the Center Kingdom itself are like the blood that flows throughout the entire Silver Crest empire. We need it to survive. The emperor will be gathering corpses in this parched land since it is impossible to have a living body without blood.

The monarch did not budge. His gaze shifts to Fidelphia's Prince Orion.

The emperor pressed, "Prince Orion, you are my brother's pure cousin?"

"Yesterday he attacked. How can I be assured that you're not going to take his side and won't come invading mine?" he said.

Prince Caster reacted, "Woah! He is...," but the emperor's following words cut him off.

"YOU CAME ALL THE WAY HERE AND UNHESISTANTLY UNSEAL YOUR WEAPONS AGAINST ME BECAUSE YOU ARE SIMPLY HAVING A SECOND THOUGHT OF MY RULING.".

They were all speechless because the emperor had a point.

(Capital Letter means deeper emphasis.)

Prince Orion smirks, confidently knowing what to do. "Well, you have A GOOD POINT and A RIGHT TO DOUBT US, ESPECIALLY ME. SO WHAT IF? YOU ALLOW ME TO PROVE MYSELF TO YOU. Since you already PROVE YOURSELF TO US."

"It is NOT RIGHT TO SUSPECT SOMEONE IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY EVIDENCE OR PROOF AGAINST THEM. I WON'T TRAVEL ALL THE WAY HERE JUST TO END UP BEING EXECUTED because of such accusations. Yes, we came from the same line, SAME ORIGIN but IT DOESN'T MEAN that his purpose is my purpose." Prince Orion maintains his innocence.

The royalties of Fidelpia, Prince Howard's mother, and Prince Orion's father are siblings. Although Prince Orion was younger than Prince Howard, his father, who is the first prince according to the bloodline, was formally and legally the heir if the peace treaty didn't exist.

Being the son of the crown prince and being a crown prince himself, makes Prince Orion the heir of the throne. However, due to the treaty, he is no longer eligible to become king and must instead serve as an official to oversee their region of the empire.

It was Princess Cherish who was forced into a political union with the erstwhile ruler.

Prince Orion remains a member of the royal family in his native country, but the princess and his son are now members of the royal family within the Center Kingdom.

Despite Prince Howard's exile back to Fidelphia, won't change any of the given facts.

"Honestly speaking, I DON'T WANT NEITHER YOU NOR MY COUSIN TO BE THE EMPEROR and I DON'T WANT TO BE ANYONE'S ALLIANCE." He said openly.

"The truth is, I WANT MY COUNTRY. If you are PROVEN UNWORTHY, I'll BE CLAIMING MY LAND BACK. I'll take MY COUNTRY'S INDEPENDENCE." He stated.

"Nonetheless, you passed and left everyone astounded. If you are going to be the emperor, it is much better than Howard. You've proven yourself worthy and that's what is important.

"We're testing the next ruler, that's what we do as officials," he said, grinning.

Those honest truths came out of his mouth but instead of making the emperor cast him out, he was stirred and convinced to change his mind.

It is not just the harshness of the truth but also the way the truth is still spoken, no matter how harsh it is.

'Despite being young, he's bold, clever and fearless. If I was just another ruthless monarch. He'll be dead, by now,' Emperor Evan thought.

"Either way, the first impression lasts', the emperor thought.

"I'll be your armor and defense, your highness. Although it depends on you if you will trust me. I'll give you my words, I won't kill you," he declared.

It's unbelievable that he said these things. Protecting the empire and the emperor himself is the essence of armor and defense.

The young prince vowed to uphold his own knight's oath, even at the cost of his honor and life.

The emperor gave a sharp spurt of scornful laughter, breaking the awkward pause.

"Excellent, but make sure you survive," said Emperor Evan.

Was it most likely a young body with an old soul or a youthful physique with a noble heart?

Without his title and identity, it's just words coming from a fresh lad who is trying to be serious.

The idea that he is still young and hasn't tasted the fullness of life yet wanted to risk it was a stupid idea.

Also, young people change their minds easily as their emotions change too but the emperor responded in an implicit sarcasm, implying the inaudible statement, 'Fine, show me, don't end up eating those words that you uttered today soon.

And lastly, don't die.'

The emperor left but his interest in things around him increased.

It was the first time they had ever heard the detained prince chuckle but in an unusual manner. 

When he finally left, everyone felt relieved. Most likely, everyone was taken aback by his presence and the way the conversation progressed.

His allies gave Prince Orion a pat on the head and back.

"Nice one," they remarked.

Caster complimented, "You are a clever boy!"

The Prince tries to remove Caster's hand that presses his head down.