The New Rivals

But yongqi then realized that he must have been out of his mind. He then ran back to his palace to see Ceres. And when he did he hugged her tightly and began to apologize. Ceres then had to recuperate for a couple of months to recover from a the stress she's been through and it proved to be worth it. As yongqi grew to love her more day by day she began to have more trust in him. The eldest queen then saw her struggles and denounced every rumor of her infertility as a sign of her support to Ceres. Now Ceres was now once again stable but the same can't be said for Dillon.

While Dillon's children go through the stage of discovering and improving themselves Dillon has been keeping a secret of his own. Another year of his reign starts and a new rival empire challenges Dolion. Dillon was hesitant to tell his children about this growing burden of his as he remembered their clash. Dillon then alerted his generals to guard the borders of Dolion to ensure no spies or rival soldiers get pass through them. Dillon now faces another rival and he is now weak and old in age. He only now has two choices. To tell his children his problems or to keep it to himself risking a bloody war to start. Though risking a bloody war Dillon kept silent and threatened his ministers that once they say a word to the imperial children then they shall be beheaded at once. Dillon then began to plan his defence tactic and began to transport his spies to the rival empires court. They began to be transported one by one to prevent being caught. And soon enough the rival empire attacked Dolion. Dolions defence on the border was a huge wall of soldiers cramped together while holding sheilds to prevent entrance to the capital while at the towers archers would shout the rival soldiers. Dolion successfully defended their capital but they also had to endure loses as 100,000 soldiers who defended their borders died. Dillon felt powerless in the situation and sent compensation to the fallen soldiers families and gave them the promise of protection. The news of the attack on Dolion then spread throughout Adonai, tarahi, amasya, Edirne, manisa the provinces of Dolion. It also reached Trystia's imperial Court. Dillon knew it was too late to prevent his children from knowing his troubles so he just decided to wait for them to arrive at the capital while he plans the counter attack. The spies have sent information to Dillon on when the next attack would be which was a huge help for Dolion to be prepared. Once the news reached Adonai thermidor gathered all the remaining troops in the provinces and ordered the soldiers to circles the empire to secure that the rival army won't be able to get inside. He then sent a letter to his sister to ask for help as he rushes to the capital

"Ceres,

My beloved sister! The empire needs your help! We are being attacked and I am currently on my way to the capital. 2 days ago the capital was attacked by rival soldiers but Fortunately father was able to defend the capital. I was just informed of this now and I ask for your help and for more troops. Mag you remain safe in Trystia!

Your beloved brother Thermidor."

As the letter reached Trystia Ceres ordered 4,500,000 troops to help protect dolion. Yongqi also sent supplies for Dolion as the war was to most likely last pretty long. Yongqi asked his mother to provide more help for Dolion and she agreed. She herself ordered an additional 500,000 canons to be brought with the troops to help Dolion defend from the rival empire. Ceres thanked the empress Ali for her help and also requested to return to Dolion with the soldiers. The empress Ali agreed as long as yongqi was to come with her to make sure that she is safe and well. She agreed and went on their way back to Dolion. Vermithor was very far away conquering land's and going through battles oblivious of what was happening in the capital he continued to go further from the empire. Thermidor finally reached the empire with 500,000 troops while the other 13,500,000 million soldiers form a Walla to protect Dolion. Thermidor rushed to his fathers court to talk to him

Thermidor: I greet your majesty the emperor

Dillon: son.

Thermidor: father what has happened? Why didn't you tell me about the rival empire? What would've happened if you weren't able to defend the capital?

Dillon: Thermidor. I am old at age. I was once known as the young prince Dillon who ascended the throne with honor and stability but now I've gone old and weak. I my self don't know if I'll last another day and yet our rivals still strike Dolion with fear. I must remain stoic and stand my ground for that fear to remain.

Thermidor: Father! We are your children and we worry about you! You must be careful because you are the one and only emperor of Dolion and you are needed at the empire for it to survive!

Dillon: I know thermidor. You must calm down now and we must focus on planing about this war. I have already lost 100,000 promising men and I no longer know what to do.

Thermidor: I have sent a letter to Ceres and she has sent a reply saying she agrees to send us the aid that we need. She is on her wait now.

Dillon: I have troubled you my children. I am ashamed so as I should be able to present and show you a powerful monarch but I instead stand before you as a weak old man.

Thermidor: father. You gave us life and we owe to you our protection. Now we shall return the favor...