The Emperor With a Tragic Past

The halls of the Dragonbourn Palace were wide and tall. As befitting the Dragons' stature, ancestors to the Dragon Kins. No human being or anyone from the continent of Xyrinth had ever set foot in it, all because the previous rulers of the empire felt that they're too superior to be associating with the lesser creatures.

Ax had always hated that, especially when it's thanks to that arrogance that he lost the two most important people in his life. There are times when just walking in the hallways, he would have an urge to wreak havoc and destroy everything. But then he'd remember one silver-haired Dragon Kin who used to love running around it as if she owned the whole palace.

"Braxas, my son. We need to talk." An elderly Dragon Kin approached Ax while he was on his way to his office.

It has been quite a while since the two of them spoke. Mostly because Ax himself doesn't want to talk to the elderly man after the tragedy that happened many, many years ago. 

Yes, it had been years but Ax still couldn't forget. He doesn't want to forget.

Acting as if he didn't hear or see anything, Ax continued on his way.

"Even if you don't want to talk to me, at least listen." The elder man insisted. "Stop whatever this is you're planning. Have you lost your pride as a Dragon Kin? Don't forget that you're the emperor of this kingdom now!"

Huh. Looks like he's not the only one who had planted spies.

"Pride?" The atmosphere suddenly grew cold that the elder man couldn't help but flinch. "It's because of that pride that I lost my best friends and their family." 

The elder man sighed. "It's been fifty years. Are you still hung up on that?"

"One of them was a Dragon Kin like yourself. For someone who talks about the pride of the Dragon Kin, aren't you being a hypocrite?" Ax glared at the elder man with so much intensity that it was so unlike him.

An uncomfortable silence followed. However, Ax's father doesn't seem like he'll back down easily either.

"If you go on with this, the prophecy might just- "

"Aha~ The prophecy that the last child of the demonoid clan will bring the emperor to his knees?" Ax let out a sarcastic laugh. "Are you afraid that your lineage will end with me?"

The elder man was indignant with the accusation, although he also couldn't deny it. "I was merely thinking about the empire. Your safety is- ."

"Yes, yes. Of course, you are." Was the dismissive reply. "But did you forget the second part of that prophecy?"

The second part had said that the empire will be opened to the world and prosper. It was also the part that the previous emperor and his followers tried so hard to hide.

His father had no response to that.

"I couldn't do anything back then because of close-minded people like you. But if I can take everything from you by fulfilling that prophecy, why shouldn't I?"

"You're willing to sacrifice your life just for revenge?"

"I would've done everything for that family, even sacrificing my life. I couldn't do it then. I even failed to stop my friend going on the wrong path. But now I can finally redeem myself. So yes, I am."

"..."

"If you still want to be treated with respect as the previous emperor, I suggest you don't get in my way." With one final cold glare, Ax once again continued on his way. Leaving his father feeling so humiliated.

But it seems like that wasn't the end of the people souring his mood.

As he approached the door to his office, he saw his aide Fryer standing guard outside and an annoyed female Dragon Kin glaring at him. She immediately changed her expression the moment she saw him and tried to approach, but Ax was quick to stop her before she could even take a step forward.

Despite the obvious rejection, the female Dragon Kin isn't deterred and still hauntingly protests against Fryer.

"Your Majesty, I meant to wait for you inside but your aide wouldn't let me." She was so full of confidence that Ax will take her side. Although she was gravely mistaken.

"Indeed. I specifically instructed him not to let any outsider inside my office." Ax said coldly.

First his father, no this lady. Everything seems to be against him today.

"B-But your majesty, I'm not an outsider. I'm your fi- "

"Lady Erin, as I have already mentioned before, I don't care what the elders decided. For as long as I'm alive, you will never become the empress." His tone has the finality with no room for argument. Even trying to be polite to her is already too much.

And there's just so much that a lady can take as an insult, she'd had enough. With her face red with embarrassment and anger, she stomped out of there followed by her maids without another word.

Fryer sighed. He had expected this reaction and was hoping that he could persuade the lady to leave before the emperor arrived. But she was really stubborn.

As he let Ax into his office, he couldn't help but voice his concerns.

"Your majesty, it really isn't wise to continuously reject the lady. She is still the Saintess' granddaughter."

"...and the previous saintess' cousin."

"..."

"Because of her jealousy and greediness, we were too late to take action." Just thinking about what happened still frustrates him to this day.

Her family begged him and everyone who knew not to let what happened be known to the public. After all, even though she was also family and the previous saintess, the victim was also someone they had banished from their family. 

But so what? He knew, remembers and will never forget. 

"I spoke with my father earlier, you know. He wanted me to stop looking for the Demoid child." Ax let out a dry laugh. "And we all know it's because he's afraid of opening the empire. Hah! Even after all this time…"

Seeing the emperor get consumed by hatred, Fryer couldn't help but worry about what Ax might do to himself.

The previous emperor and the elders think that the Demonoid child of the prophecy is the harbinger of the empire's ruin, but the way that Fryer sees it, she might as well be their salvation.

"Haa~ Enough of this. Are they done putting on the seals?" Ax forced himself to change his mood. And going back to the kingdom might just do the trick.

"Yes, your majesty." 

Fryer went to the backroom for a bit and brought back a small tree monster. Carefully putting it on top of the emperor's desk.

"Hey. It's been awhile. Are you excited to see her?"

"Muu!"

"Me too." 

Fryer was taken aback with the smile that suddenly formed on Ax's lips.

"You understand why we had to seal your abilities, right?"

"Muu! Muu!"

The little monster nodded enthusiastically. At this point, it seems like little Momo only just care about going back to Avyzhia and nothing else.

"Soon she might find herself in more danger than she can manage. I'll rely on you to protect her, okay?"

"Muu!"

"Your majesty, if I may… Is it really alright to keep on being close to the young lady? She could really be the child in the prophecy."

"Yes, she might be. But it doesn't matter." Ax remembered the first time that he saw Avyzhia and the energy he felt around her. "I felt his essence all throughout the time I was with her. I don't know how, but I'm sure she's somehow related to him. As long as I keep her close, I'll definitely be able to see him again."

They're not even sure if the person that the emperor had been looking for all these time is still alive. In fact, if he is then he'd be in his 70s. Will they even be able to recognize him?

Not that it matters. Once the emperor puts his mind on something, nothing will change it. Besides, it seems like the young lady is a good influence on him. Maybe it's for the best that he goes and meets her once in a while. 

"Are there any other news from the other kingdoms?" 

The Epsos Kingdom isn't the only one they're keeping tabs on. And for good reasons. And that's why they had sent spies everywhere.

"Yes." Fryer handed the emperor some documents. "An elder of the Rabbia Kingdom has recently died mysteriously."

"Was he also related to that incident?"

"Yes, your majesty. He was the Rabbia Kingdom's minister at that time who oversaw all matters outside of the kingdom."

"Then he's definitely one of those people." Ax had a bitter smile on his face. 

For the past couple of years, they had heard of the mysterious deaths of the people who held high positions in their respective clans and kingdoms around the time of the Demonoid Clan's Tragedy. They guessed that it was somehow related to the man that they were after.

"There's just a couple more targets left. Increase the surveillance on those individuals. I'm sure he'll eventually turn up, we'll be able to catch him then."

Fryer bowed his head and left to send out the orders.

Once alone, Ax sighed heavily. He suddenly felt so tired.

"Muu~"

Momo looked at him curiously and Ax stared back.

"I really can't believe she wanted to take you in as a pet, when you were originally at least double her size."

"Muu! Muu!" Little Momo angrily stomped, feeling insulted, and he didn't hold back in letting Ax know.

"Alright. Alright. I'm sorry." Ax chuckled instead, and then took out a small box from one of his drawers. "No matter what, I really think she should really be the one to have this."

"Muu!" Momo agrees.