Chapter 2 - threat
Eric's eyes widened in palpable shock as he stared at John's golden aura, which seemed to be far more advanced than a simple manifestation; it was hardening, a level of complexity rarely seen among new aura wielders. If this wasn't some illusion or dream, it meant that John could possibly be the most talented aura user in the continent's history, and the youngest in its long history to be able to use hardening.
"Y-You can already manifest aura?" Eric stammered, his astonishment evident on his face.
John nodded confidently, "Indeed, I'm already quite proficient in its use. So, what do you say? Can I take the ascension trials? It's a win-win situation for both of us."
Eric hesitated, locking eyes with John, his mind torn. After a minute, he relented, "Haaaah, fine. You can take the trial after the birthday celebration. Some important guests are coming, and we can't delay the banquet."
"I'm okay with that. Please arrange it as soon as possible. Thank you for considering my request. I'll see you at the banquet then," John replied with a slight bow, his face retaining its cold expression as he left the room.
"The third prince has changed, or perhaps he never showed his true self to us?" the Emperor mused as a man with gray hair and spectacles appeared behind him.
Micheal, the prime minister, nodded thoughtfully. "He seemed to notice my presence too, yet he chose not to address it directly. Everything we've known about him might have been an act. I wonder why he's showing his true self now?"
"To think even a child has to hide his true intentions within this hellhole… I seem to have failed as a father," Eric lamented, gazing at the ceiling with a sorrowful expression.
"We can't afford to wallow in sadness now," the prime minister scolded. "It's good that the prince can act this way. If he were naive, the empress would make his life a living hell. Him wanting to get stronger and challenge her is beneficial for both of us and him. Weakening the theocrats and nobles is in our favor."
Realizing the urgency, Eric refocused on the matter. "Right, I apologize for my emotions. Contact the pope; John will have his ascension ceremony in the holy land. If he's going to do it, let's do it right."
"I'll take care of it immediately," the prime minister said, promptly leaving the room.
"Also, reduce surveillance on John. Keep only the minimum necessary. He must have noticed others observing him too. Send our best to keep an eye on him," Eric commanded.
Micheal nodded and vanished from the room.
As Eric leaned back in his chair, he sighed heavily. "The poison runs deep."
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Meanwhile, as John stepped out of the emperor's office, he noticed the empress approaching him with malice in her eyes.
"Happy birthday, Prince John," she greeted with venom in her voice.
"Thank you, Your Highness. Will you be attending the banquet today?" John inquired with a seemingly oblivious smile.
"Unfortunately, my children and I will be unable to attend," she replied with a condescending tone.
"I see, that's quite unfortunate. The father and I have some exciting announcements to make today," John said with a sly grin, purposely referring to the emperor as 'father' instead of using his formal title, further fueling the empress's disgust.
"Could you tell me in advance then? We have some other matters to attend to," she replied, trying to control her anger.
John grinned mischievously. "Well, it was supposed to be a secret, but I can give you a clue: your children will never be able to touch the throne," he said as he swiftly walked away
Her anger flared, and she was left speechless as John confidently walked away.
"That bastard!" she exclaimed, infuriated, and stormed into the emperor's office.
"THAT LITTLE BASTARD OF YOURS! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT HE SAID TO ME?" she shouted, causing annoyance to flicker across the emperor's face as he responded in kind.
"YOU WILL NOT SPEAK TO ME IN THAT WAY! I AM THE EMPEROR; KNOW YOUR PLACE, EMPRESS!" he roared, his anger evident as veins bulged on his throat and forehead.
Unfazed, she threatened him, "I have your weakness, you know. I can have her killed."
"Go ahead and try, and see the consequences it will bring upon the noble faction. I've let you and your kind play around long enough. OUT NOW!" the emperor yelled, ordering her out of his office.
"You… There will be consequences for this, keep that in mind," she retorted as she stormed out.
"Do your worst," the emperor challenged, watching her slam the door shut as she left.
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"Father-in-law, this is unacceptable! How could he speak to me in that way? You said he would be forever obedient as long as we hold his weakness, did you not? So why did he shout at me? Has he lost his mind, or does he know something we don't? And that bastard of his! I don't know what caused him to be so arrogant, but I shall have him killed by the end of the day, consequences be damned! The prick wants the position of my children!" the empress fumed as she sat with an old man who was peacefully sipping his tea.
*clink*
As he placed his teacup on the saucer, the empress fell silent, her rant interrupted. "You will do no such foolish thing. If you target one of imperial blood, not even I can protect you. In fact, I might even be actively against you. There are lines that must not be touched, much less crossed. It would be wiser to target the queen, not to kill her, but to remind my son of the leash we hold over him," he said with a chilling tone, his eyes cold as ice. "As for my grandson, let me handle him. I must gauge his capacity; perhaps he is more capable than your sons. I may change my stance. It would do well for you to remember that I am not on anyone's side but on the side of the empire. If a more promising candidate appears, I will have no qualms about abandoning that incompetent elder son of yours. As for your second son… he is far too arrogant for his own good. Getting them in line would be in your best interests," he added before resuming his tea sipping, leaving the empress speechless.
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Ten minutes after his talk with the emperor, John sat in his room, enjoying his breakfast, which consisted of onion soup and a filet mignon steak. "The old man should be coming to meet me anytime now," he thought to himself with a smirk, savoring a piece of the steak, just as there was a knock on his door.
*knock knock knock*
"John, it's your grandfather. Can I come in?" Gerrard asked as he knocked at the door.
"Come in, please," John responded, concealing his excitement.
"It's been six years since we last met, I believe?" Gerrard remarked as he entered the room and sat next to John at the dining table where the boy was eating his onion soup.
"I believe so, Your Highness, High King," John replied respectfully.
Gerrard was momentarily taken aback by how John addressed him formally, but soon a satisfied smile crept onto his face. "Call me grandfather. I am not here to talk to you as the High King of the empire but as your father's father."
"I understand, grandfather," John said, prompting a nod from the High King.
"First of all, happy tenth birthday, young child. I must say, I was surprised when I heard about the 'gift' you asked for from your father," Gerrard said with a sly smile.
"Have rumors already spread? I wanted to keep it a secret until the party. How unfortunate," John said, maintaining his composed expression.
"Hahahahahahahahah, you say that, but your face says that you had expected the news to have leaked," Gerrard chuckled.
As the mood shifted, Gerrard's laughter stopped abruptly when he noticed a golden hue covering John's knife as he cut his steak. "I see, that's where your confidence comes from. In that case, I have nothing left to say to you. Meet me once you arrive at the Holy See. I shall escort you to your trial alongside your father. If the gods will it, you shall have my support," Gerrard declared, getting up from the chair.
"I won't count on it, grandfather. I know better than most that you are on your own side, not on anyone else's," John said with a sly glint in his eyes.
"You're aware of that, yet you show me what you are capable of? Are you not afraid I will have you killed to place someone of pure blood?" Gerrard asked, turning to look at John, who continued eating with a peaceful expression.
"Hahahaha, you say that while wearing a satisfied look on your face. Also, who said I showed you all I am capable of?" John laughed at first, but his expression turned ice-cold as he continued to speak.
*knock knock knock*
"John dear, are you done eating breakfast?" Irene's voice came from the door, followed by a knock.