Rising of the cursed prince

["Then the lord said...Let there be light"]

And the light came to my eyes, and for the first time in a while, I was able to see something again instead of the dark abyss that I'd been seeing for quite some time. It was extremely blinding at first but my senses began to adjust as I glanced at my surroundings

From the looks of it, I was looking at some sort of ceiling...But my field of vision quickly changed as It seemed that my body was lifted from where I was. I was brought near the face of a beautiful blonde woman that seemed gigantic from my point of view.

I knew from a glance that she was not from my country, our features are too different. Her blue eyes were locked into mine, and I make out the fact that she was trying to say something to me based on how her mouth was moving, but I couldn't exactly tell what

After a few more moments, the face of the woman turned incredibly pale, and the light in her eyes began to quickly fade. I was then grabbed by someone as a couple of figures wearing white rushed in to try and treat her. I also saw the panicked expression of one man that was wearing an extremely luxurious set of clothes, as if he was from royalty...

I couldn't make out what he was saying either, maybe it's because it's my senses are still being developed?... But even without them, I could tell that the man was screaming in agony as he clenched the hand of the woman

She was hyperventilating like crazy as she hugged him back, and though it seemed sweet at first glance, looking at the situation further made me realize that something is very wrong. The enormous amount of blood dripping down from her legs could only suggest one thing, she'd just given birth...

And normally huge amounts of blood loss are quite normal during childbirth, but the looks of things told me that she'd lost far, far more than that. Her face was turning pale as every second goes on, and her body was becoming extremely anemic. I tried to reach out my hand to help the people in white at least one way or another, but I was hit with the shocking realization once I did so...

My arms were extremely tiny, but more than that...I was dripped in crimson blood. My brain quickly pieced the puzzle together, I was somehow born again in a new life. How it happened or why it happened did not matter, what did was that a woman...who was now technically my mother was dying...fast

I tried to move my body but I was left helpless, it was heavier than a boulder. An extremely long time passed as my eyes could only helplessly stare at the gruesome sight that I had created, after a while It had finally stopped...With my mother whiter than a sheet, and her once blue eyes now devoid of all life

I could only watch the man, who I assumed was my father, cry with my mother's lifeless body in hand. And with this, the story of my new life started...The legend...of the cursed prince, the mageseeker...

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Einstein once explained that time is relative.

A person could view one event as faster, while it would seem slower to a different person. This situation seems to apply to me as well, as It felt like only a few seconds since I was born into this world, but In actuality, it's been fourteen years

Time does seem faster for adults after all...I mean I'm a child and all but my mind is that of an old man...so that must be why...

Anyway, it's been that long since I've come to this new world but nothing big was still happening for me. But that doesn't mean it was a complete waste of time though because I've been slowly gathering information about this new world...as well as my standing in society

First off, I was born in the country known as the Dragonmourn Empire located east of the continent. It was a place that holds the title of one of the most powerful and influential global superpowers to date and is ruled by the Imperial family that has governed the country for generations. And turns out, I was a member of that family

Prince Arthur of Dragonmourn, the fourth prince of the Imperial family and the seventh direct descendant of the Emperor. I was taught the knowledge needed for a prince ever since the early days of my life so I was able to quickly grasp this new world of mine. I was born at an age of aristocracy, similar to the one that my previous world had in Europe, and to be honest with you it was just as absurd as the one in my former life

There are plenty of things wrong, but naming a few; The world is in a state of constant war, the general system of governing is in tatters, and prosecution of certain ethnic races is still very rampant. It was truly a barbaric era that I was sent on

But It didn't really matter to me, I made a vow to be the greatest in my next life...To be a figure that will be engraved throughout history for the next centuries to remember, and I intend to do it no matter what the state of the world may be.

Right now, I'm a prince of the Imperial family...But I won't settle for just that. I'll aim to be greater, as much as these hands of mine could take me to. And It didn't really take long for that opportunity of mine to arrive...

"Milord, the acting hand of the Emperor has requested for your audience"

As I was having my morning breakfast, the nearby maid whispered these words to my ear. I'm honestly not sure if this news really spiced up my breakfast or completely ruined it because It's a coin toss whenever it comes to the 'summons' of that man

Either he was going to give me good news, or he was sending me to my death. With my father currently away, I won't be surprised if an attempt was made on my life considering the state of affairs in the royal palace

But considering that he's currently the acting hand...I suppose I don't really have a choice on the matter...

After finishing the meal that may have been my last, I stood up from my chair and was dressed for the meeting. My mind has already used to being dressed up by our maids for some reason, if this was my previous life then I'd be squealing like crazy, but I suppose I've been too adjusted to the life of royalty...

"Are your clothes to your liking, milord?"

"Hm, It's alright"

I was wearing a black set of clothes and a long cape...

Combined with my black air, and eyes that had a golden hue...It honestly made me look like some evil villain or something. The national color of Dragonmourn was black and white so usually, all of the high-ranking officials wear the same two colors which gets dull real quick, I want to voice my real thoughts about this matter but I just let it slide...

We proceeded to the massive hallways of the palace and into the room of the one who summoned me. Upon opening the two massive golden doors, what was revealed behind them was a huge office, with a desk at the center of it

And sitting at that table was the current right hand of the Emperor...Or rather...my older brother

His blonde hair was seemingly glistening under the morning light, and his blue eyes were extremely focused on the papers he has on hand, not sparing even the tiniest detail to anything else, even to me. In contrast to mine, he was wearing a white set of clothes which made him seem like some priest...

Considering his personality, I have honestly not seen a better irony in quite some time

Prince William of Dragonmourn, the first prince of the Imperial family and the eldest out of all the Emperor's descendants. Considered a prodigy of the blade and a wise leader by many, he's wracked up achievements ever since he was little which brought him the position that he has today.

I quite admire him as a person...but unfortunately the same could not be said for me

"Good morning, brother. I trust that you're having a fine day today?"

The moment he heard this, his hands stopped writing and he glanced at me as if to say "Did you really just ask me that question?"...Well, I suppose that was kind of an arse move on my end considering the state of his office right now...

It looked like someone had pulled overtime for many nights...It was a familiar sight that looked very similar to my office at my old world

"Good to see you, Arthur" The tone of his voice told me otherwise "Thank you by the way for coming on such short notice. I really do appreciate it considering your schedule"

Ah...So he's starting off with light jabs eh? The Emperor had already suspended the tutors that taught me ever since I was ten, so other than self-study, I usually don't have anything to do in the palace.

"Considering your busy schedule, It's the least that I could do, Brother"

"How kind of you" He rolled his eyes back as he took out a letter from his desk. From the insignia on the envelope, I immediately guessed that the letter was from the Emperor himself. As expected, he'd still prefer to let someone else relay important messages to me rather than telling me myself...

...I imagine he must still be repulsed by my face then...

Seeing my dazed expression, my brother tossed the envelope in my direction, which I immediately caught with my hand

"Thank you..."

Saying this, I ripped the envelope off and began to slowly read the message that was inside. As I continued reading it, my expression grew grimmer with each word my eyes lay upon. It was unbelievable, and at one point I honestly questioned whether or not this was my father who wrote this letter. The thought crossed my mind that this was forged, but even William wouldn't go that far because if anyone catches wind of this then he would be beheaded on the spot, even with his popular reputation

But even so...I couldn't help but ask

"...Are these really the Emperor's orders?"

"You think I would forge a letter? From father himself? You're a fool for even thinking so. Everything written in that letter is genuine, cut and dried as well. As of right now Arthur you are permitted by the Emperor to run for the throne as per your birthright. And you will show your worthiness to the crown by demonstrating your skills as a ruler, which is why we've granted you the title of Viceroy on one of the territories of the Empire..."

I honestly couldn't believe it...me? being allowed to run for the throne? I mean, I'm glad and all but I expected that I'll be granted that privilege after I accomplished some achievements on my own. Hell, I half expected that I had to stage a rebellion at some point to get the position of Emperor

But now...I've just been presented with a golden opportunity. A viceroy huh? It's still a lot of ranks below emperor but being able to rule my own domain is nice, I finally have some progress at last!

"Now as for the domain that you'll be ruling...I assume you've heard of the lands of the Vane, right?"

My heart immediately sank the moment I heard that name

"...The bloody what?"

"The lands of the Vane? did your tutors not teach you about basic geography?"

"No, no, I know what and where the lands of the Vane are. What I'm surprised about is...you're asking ME to rule that place?"

Seeing my panicked expression, my brother smiled in delight

"Oh yes, do you have some sort of problem with father's decision?"

Yes, and where exactly do I start? Oh, what about this one...The fact that Vane city is a place dubbed by all of the countries around the entire continent as the 'Filth of the Empire'