History

"Your grace! a letter!"

A man came running to the Duke's office.

"Burn it, it's another lady asking for a hand in marriage for my son"

The Duke just continue checking his important papers piled on his desk. He has been dealing these letters for 3 years. His son doesn't really interested in marrying, may it be from the lady of the Daruque Duchy to the lady of the richest Marquis in the empire.

Long time ago, the current Emperor Iranus was far from the succession. He is raised as the 5th prince. When his father died, the Crown Prince by then was just 21 years old and Iranus was just 13 years old. There has been a war raging for already 2 decades in the western part of the Empire and in attempt to finally have peace under his reign, the young Emperor sent his younger brothers to the battlefield as a reinforcements and boost for the knight's morale. Nobles are torn between two rumors, some say that the new Emperor really wanted peace so bad that he sent his brothers for support while others says that the new Emperor is a tyrant that he only wanted to erase all the threats to the throne. Hearing all these rumors, Iranus is determined to survive the battlefield. Little by little, the knights arrived and also the young masters of the empire as a sign of support.

But they never thought that the young master of Vezgaraux joined. The young duke by then was very well-known by his beauty, intelligence and sword skills. He is so handsome that his face became a model for the statue in the temple.

On that day, a lot of ladies were heartbroken.

He joined the force and rode his horse beside the 5th prince Iranus. They became war buddy and eventually became friends. The war was so bloody that almost half of their forces were wiped out. In just 2 years, 2 of the prince were dead and had their headless body returned to the Capital for the proper burial. Seeing his brothers are dead, Iranus was shocked and unable to process what had happened to his brothers. Because of the war, Iranus and his brothers became closer. They have a lot of plans after the war, they thought about asking his Majesty to gave them a vacation or even renounce their rights to the throne and just enjoy a simple and happy life together-- but all of them just disappeared. Only the 2nd prince and him, the 5th prince are left.

"-NUS, IRANUS!"

"GET HOLD OF YOURSELF!", the 2nd prince shake him.

Iranus just look at him blankly. He already prepared himself that there's a big possibility that his friends and brothers will die in the battlefield but he never expect it to be this painful.

"A-all of the plans---"

"NOBODY CARES ABOUT THE PLAN NOW! We need to have a new plan"

The 2nd prince paused.

"Promise me you'll survive and protect the empire"

"How about you brother? you should also--"

"Just promise me Iranus, please.", the 2nd prince interrupted.

"Yes, I promise"

"I wish you were born first brother", Iranus added

The young duke was shocked, he has been listening and has always been by his side making sure that the 5th prince is alright. The 2nd prince didn't reply because he wasn't so sure what he will be if he was the first born. This form of act is treason but he will just let it slide because his little brother isn't mentally unstable for now.

*neigh*

Everyone looks at the direction where the horse appeared. It was a messenger from the palace. At last, there will be reinforcements!

"Year 689 of Aetreas empire, we announce the passing of the Emperor. The temple, nobles and aristocrats are requesting for the return of the remaining 2 prince of the empire, it's for you to retrieve the throne that was usurped by the traitor."

Everyone went silence.

The messenger approached the princes who were sitting under the tree.

"Please receive the order", the messenger asked.

No one dared to move until the 2nd prince talked.

"Messenger, and all of you! as the older prince and the royal heir to the throne. Here's my first order, I will remain in the battlefield and will win against the western kingdom force!"

"But your highnes--"

"SECOND! The 5th prince will return to the Capital together with the young duke of Vezgaraux, the elite heavy infantry, heavy infantry and the light infantry will go with them!", the 2nd prince continue.

"Your highness, it can't be!!", the messenger argued.

"WHO ARE YOU TO GO AGAINST MY ORDERS? ARE YOU GOING TO FOLLOW THOSE NOBLES AND PRIESTS BEFORE ME?!"