Opened Communication's

Tanasiri's concerned voice could be heard as she asked Gabriel what he was going to do next. Gabriel's response was uncertain, he sounded lost and unsure of what to do next. Tanasiri, in an attempt to encourage Gabriel, reminded him of his mother's warning about Uncle Nick's behavior and even went as far as suggesting that Gabriel consider how his favorite cousin Hades would react in similar situations. Gabriel's response was dismissive and he claimed not to care about Hades, but Tanasiri was quick to remind him of the importance of his cousins' heritage, both Hades and Anastasia were descendants of both Valerian and Imperious bloodlines.

The conversation between Gabriel, Lucious, and Tanasiri was tense as they discussed the precarious line of succession in their royal family. Gabriel made a bold and controversial statement about their position, suggesting that their ancestry was questionable due to a scandal involving their uncle and a bastard daughter of their grandfather. Lucious was quick to reprimand Gabriel for his choice of words, but Tanasiri intervened, urging them to show empathy and not judge based on their family's past. Tanasiri also emphasized that other members of their family had stronger claims to the throne than they did. Lucious agreed with Tanasiri, emphasizing that they should all be mindful of their place in the family hierarchy. However, Gabriel was not deterred and asserted that it was his right to rule and that he would fight for it.

Gabriel, the crown prince of the empire, was taken aback when he received a powerful punch in his face from Lucious, who had just told him not to be selfish. The force of the blow was so great that Gabriel stumbled and fell to the ground, his lips bruised and bleeding. Gabriel was incensed and demanded respect for his title as crown prince. However, Lucious was unyielding and told Gabriel that he had not yet earned his respect and that he had no right to boast about his status as he was merely a spare. The tension between the two men was palpable until Tansasiri stepped in and put an end to the argument with a stern "Enough!"

As the silence engulfed the room, the door suddenly burst open, creating a loud noise that echoed throughout the chamber. The servants announced the arrival of Her Imperial Highness Mago, and immediately, the imperial children's faces were filled with shock. They hurriedly bowed to their mother, showing their respect and admiration for her. Prince Gabriel, who was seated, quickly stood up and joined his siblings in bowing to their mother.

The scene opens with Empress Mago entering the room and finding Lucious and Tanasiri engaged in a heated argument. She demands to know what's going on, but Lucious dismisses it as nothing. Empress Mago turns her attention to Gabriel, who is bleeding and demands an explanation for his injuries. The tension in the room is palpable as everyone awaits an answer.

Gabriel spoke in a calm but firm voice, "It was Lucious, Mom... Lucious did it." His tone was serious, and his eyes showed a hint of disappointment.

Empress Mago's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and surprise as she asked, "What? Lucious, out of everyone, you did this? Why?" Her expression was a mix of disbelief and concern.

Lucious, on the other hand, looked down at his feet as he spoke. His voice was low and hesitant, "It was because he... He kept insulting Uncle Nick and even defamed Anna and Hades. I just couldn't take it, Mom. He was being too disrespectful." His words were accompanied by a hint of remorse, and he looked up to meet his mother's eyes as he finished speaking.

Gabriel was confident that his mother would take his side in the argument, but instead, he was struck with a sharp pain as his mother's hand made contact with his face.

Empress Mago's eyes blazed with anger as she shouted, "How dare you!"

Gabriel tried to speak, "Mom!" but was interrupted by another slap.

"You dare to defame my father's clan?!" Empress Mago's voice was cold and hard.

Gabriel quickly tried to explain, "No, Mom! That wasn't my intention! It's just that Tanasiri and Luscious were ganging up on me!"

Tanasiri was quick to defend herself, "Oh, don't you dare involve me in this!"

Lucious added, "Don't believe him, Mom. Big sis didn't do anything. It was just me and him."

The tension in the room was thick and palpable as Gabriel struggled to defend himself against his mother's accusations while also trying to make sense of the situation.

Gabriel's voice trembled as he begged his mother for trust, "Mom trust me! Please!" His plea was quickly interrupted by Lucious, "Enough with your lies! Tanasiri didn't do anything!" Gabriel's frustration boiled over as he shouted, "Shut up!" Tanasiri, who had been silent until now, could no longer hold back her emotions. She exploded at Gabriel, "No, you shut the heck up! I'm done with you, Gabe! I'm freaking done!" Her voice cracked as tears streamed down her face. Overcome with anger, she raised her hand and slapped Gabriel before storming out of the room, leaving behind a tense and uncomfortable silence.

Tanasiri's eyes were red and swollen as she stumbled towards her room, her heart heavy with sadness and confusion. She had always been Gabriel's staunch defender, but lately, he had been quick to blame her for everything. She was exhausted and couldn't understand why she felt so lost. Just a year ago, she was her father's beloved princess, his heir to the throne, but now, Gabriel had taken her place. Her father had tried to make up for her loss by spending more time with her, but she had been unable to accept his attempts at consolation. Her guilt weighed heavily on her. She didn't blame her father for his decision; she knew he had no other choice. But she felt like a failure. He had wanted her to ascend the throne, but she couldn't bring herself to accept the responsibility.

Empress Mago's words to Gabriel were a clear warning. She advised him to be careful and mindful of his actions while in the palace. Gabriel was reminded that he needed to know his place when he was with Nikolaos, and if he crossed a line, he would face the consequences. Empress Mago emphasized that Nikolaos had the power to silence him if he overstepped his boundaries.

During the ongoing situation, the Nishanth clan was gripped with fear. The thought of Gabriel falling out of favor with Hades, and losing his chance to ascend the throne, sent shivers down their spines. The stakes were high, and the competition was fierce. With four stronger contenders vying for the same position, the Nishanth clan knew that their chances of influencing the new ruler were slim to none. The future looked bleak, and the clan was left to ponder their next move with a heavy heart.

The rightful heir to the throne, Prince Hades Orson Valerious, was the first in line. He was the eldest child of Nikolaos and his lineage traced back to both the Valerious and Imperious clans. His father hailed from the Valerious clan, while his rumored mother was a bastard daughter of the late emperor, whose identity remained unknown to the public. 

In terms of physical appearance, Hades shared an athletic build with Lucious, but he had fairer skin, resembling Gabriel. His hair was a deep shade of pitch black, and his eyes were a striking blue, mirroring those of his father. 

In his youth, Prince Hades was known to be close with the imperial children from the Imperious clan.

Tanasiri, hailing from the powerful Imperious clan, was second in line to the throne. Her father, the current emperor, and her mother, Empress Mago, were both descendants of influential clans. Her mother was from the Nishanth clan through her grandfather and from the Valerious clan through her grandmother. Although Tanasiri was originally appointed as the heir to the throne, she was later removed due to political reasons. Nevertheless, her immense influence and the favor of the emperor and empress make her a formidable competitor. Despite her mother's lineage from the Valerious clan, Nikolaos' direct descent provides him with a stronger claim to the throne.

Princess Anastassia Elohim Valerious was the third in line for the throne. She was recognized by the color of the clothes she wore. The princess usually wore a white face mask, and her outfits were always pure white, unlike her brothers who usually wore black and blue. She was a mysterious figure in court and was not involved in politics. However, she influenced both her father and brother. She was known to be close with Tanasiri during childhood rather than with the boys.

The last member to be mentioned in the line of succession was Prince Lucious, the fourth in line to the throne. He was a young man who had a keen eye for detail and was often praised by the emperor for his company. Despite his quiet demeanor, he had a tendency to be bold when angered, which had earned him great respect among his peers. He had proved his worth on the battlefield time and time again, just like his cousin Hades and his older sister Tanasiri. His bravery and determination led him to achieve many victories in battle, making him a force to be reckoned with.

Gabriel was aware that he had to be extremely careful as he was up against some fierce competitors who posed a significant threat to his position. Any provocation or miscalculation could easily trigger a full-blown war among the four rivals, with all of them remaining vigilant and ready to retaliate. But Gabriel wasn't the only one grappling with challenges. His father, the emperor, was also encountering complications on various fronts, including issues with his family, governing the empire, and dealing with his spouse.

Serkan's voice echoed through the halls as he shouted after Mago, who was walking away. Mago, annoyed by the interruption, stopped and turned, asking Serkan what he wanted. Serkan, with a hint of nervousness, asked if Mago would like to join him for dinner that night. Mago furrowed his brow, looking at Serkan skeptically. With a sigh, he declined the invitation, explaining that he had important matters to attend to. Serkan persisted, asking what was wrong and why Mago had been distant. Mago, with a hint of frustration in his voice, replied that he was simply busy, and there was nothing to worry about. Serkan's expression changed to one of hurt as he asked why Mago refused to eat dinner with him or even sleep in the same palace. Mago's expression softened as he explained that, as gods, they had the right to build their empires, even if they were bastards, married, or weak. He then turned and walked away, leaving Serkan alone with his thoughts.

Once the empress arrived at her palace she went to her chamber and immediately wrote a letter...

"Dear Nikolaos,

I hope this message finds you well. It's Mago, and I'm writing to inform you that Gabriel will be representing us as an envoy. I'd like to request your assistance in dealing with my son, as you are already familiar with his behavior. We've been having a difficult time keeping him under control, and Tanasiri has also been blamed for some of the recent issues. Serkan and I suspect that Vinaashak's influence over Gabriel is growing, which is a cause for concern. I'm reaching out to you for help in this matter.

Once Gabriel arrives, I would greatly appreciate it if you could keep a close eye on him and ensure that he is well taken care of. Your help in this situation would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time and understanding.

Best regards,

Mago"

The empress had secretly made contact with Nikolaos a few years ago, without the emperor's knowledge. She had done so out of concern for the safety of her people, fearing that Vinaashak's powerful influence over Gabriel could lead to a catastrophic loss of life. The empress knew that she had to act decisively to prevent this from happening, and so she had taken matters into her own hands. Now, she waited anxiously for the outcome of her plan, hoping that it would succeed in protecting her beloved kingdom from the looming threat.

As the day progressed, the royal family was consumed by a sense of pain and confusion that seemed to stretch on for an eternity. The process of succession had taken its toll, bringing with it a range of emotions that were difficult to bear. Once, when the imperial children were young, they used to run together through the palace, practicing martial arts and playing games. But now, as they had grown older, the three elder children had become distant from one another, leaving young Achilleo feeling lonely and isolated at times. The palace that used to be filled with laughter and joy now felt empty and cold, a reflection of the pain that was being experienced by the family.

As he strolled through the palace gardens, Prince Achilleo couldn't help but be mesmerized by the stunning array of flowers that surrounded him. The vibrant colors and sweet fragrances were like nothing he had ever experienced before.

At just 16 years old, Achilleo was still trying to understand the full extent of his powers. He longed to explore his abilities and learn more about the world around him. However, he often found himself struggling to make sense of the strange and unusual traditions that the gods seemed to hold so dear.

Despite his frustrations, Achilleo remained determined to uncover the secrets of the universe and unlock the full potential of his powers.

While the prince was sitting on a bench in the vast garden of the palace, one of the servants approached him.

Achilleo: "Oh! Miss Choi! What are you doing here?"

Miss Choi was a loyal and trusted servant of the imperial family. She had passed away and was now in heaven, but still served her masters from there.

Miss Chois: Shouldn't I be asking you that my prince? What are you doing here alone? the empress might look for you again.

Achilleo: Miss Choi how long have you been here?

Miss Choi: Hmm maybe over 100 years now.

Achilleo: Oh... Right.

Miss Choi: My Achilleo what's wrong?

Achilleo: How is it that you don't age?

Miss Choi: Oh child... You already know the answer. I'm already dead... It's just that in this world I exist. But in the mortal realm, I've been long dead...