In the court room, all the ministers and important people sat silently. Despite nearly thirty people's presence, there was pin drop silence. Everyone mourned silently for the late emperor. Everything happened so suddenly that they were still in daze and trying to contemplate if it was a dream or reality. In the past twenty five years, the time of Emperor Dian's rule, they had seen him tackle a lot of difficult situations and fight death a lot of times too. He had been a kind ruler who was loved by his people dearly. However, there had been some people, just like every kingdom, who never stopped conspiracies to pull him down the throne. Still, none of them expected this sudden tragedy. Now everything depended on the crown prince. A lot of people looked up to the center of the hall where a youth in early twenties stood tall.
He was emitting a powerful aura and from his facial expressions, it was hard to guess his feelings. He was dressed in a splendid robe and his long brown hair were folded in a bun on his head and covered by a crown shaped head cover made especially for the crown prince. His dazzling brown eyes were a lot bigger than any man in the kingdom and held such an attraction that whenever he left the palace to stroll in the city, all the women of the city would hold their hearts and sigh. The big brown eyes would lure anyone with just a stare, they held that kind of innocence. On the contrary, his broad forehead, chiseled jaw and cheekbones and pointed nose made him look like a Greek god. They had never seen a Greek god but if there was a Greek god in their Kingdom, Harika Dynesty, it was crown prince Noah. Together with his unusually red lips, his big eyes and handsome features, he looked like a perfect combination of gentlemanliness, innocence and handsomeness.
While looking at him, a certain minister remembered how kind hearted and pampered prince Noah had been. He always tailed his father, the late emperor and suggested public friendly projects. However, for the last six years, he had been away in an unknown land, reading books and getting knowledge. He had been away from palace life and didn't know much about a ruler's role anymore and the fact was worrying the late emperor the most. However, right now prince Noah stood with such an authority and calm demeanor that the minister doubted, his education wasn't that simple at all.
There was a loud sound of clearing throat which brought everyone out of their drowning thoughts and look at the crown prince. He had a tall built and with his muscular body he looked taller and authoritative. He then spoke in a loud and clear voice.
"We have all our lives to mourn over the late emperor and that's still not going to be enough. But, the desperate situation that we're tangled in, demands us all to be practical and think about an alarming issue."
His words were clear and simple, not leaving any complicated or too noble aura.
"We all know that there has been some conspiracies from the very start and even a neighboring kingdom has been trying to take over Harika Dynesty. If the news gets out before the next Emperor takes over the throne, I'm afraid we're going to face a big war. Not only some opportunists shall try to spread false rumours and start tribal war and rebellion, but also, it'll be a golden chance for outer forces to attack us as well."
He stopped for a moment to recompose and take in the reaction of people present there. There was a grave silence covering the whole room and no one seemed relaxed on the situation. He felt satisfied because the suggestion he was going to put forward was quite an insane one and wasn't easy to be complied with. Everyone was looking at him with a helpless expression. The dread of war wasn't a simple thing. Only Tribal war was enough to bring the whole Empire to destruction and here there was a high chance of foreign attack as well. The Eastern side of the empire already seemed to be in a vulnerable state and if the news broke out before necessary action they could only see death ahead. Watching them filled with horror he spoke again.
"I therefore, came up with a suggestion but am not sure if it'll be appreciated."
With this, he again gave a dramatic pause and the already anxious ministers couldn't wait anymore and asked immediately.
"We're ready to take risks your highness. Please fill us on your suggestion."
And the nobles of the empire witnessed a strange scene when they saw crown prince, their innocent, kind hearted crown prince smirked and stated,
"I'll take over the throne right away. Before morning all the soldiers will be relocated to their new positions and new letters of authority will be delivered to farther corners of the empire before the news of his highness's death spreads. With this, we can control tribal war because no one dares to openly rebel against the throned emperor. Not only this, but instead of five hundred, two thousand soldiers will be sent to Eastern borderline to not just observe the situation but make our power obvious. These two steps alone can do a lot of damage control. I leave the rest to all of you to decide. His highness greatly trusted you all so I'm sure you will come up with a wise decision." He then fell silent and went to sit on the chair placed in the middle of the hall to apparently let them decide but the authority in his voice made everyone shiver slightly.
The nobles in the room had already started whispering when he suggested taking over the throne but when he went to his seat,they all looked at each other with fright. The suggestion made by crown prince could only be explained with one word. "Insane."
Everyone knew in the Empire that the next Emperor can't take over the throne until late emperor's funeral and thirteen days of mourning. Till then all the Empire is supposed to be shut down for any business or dealings and all the ministers would come up with a Minister's name to be a temporary emperor till crown prince ascended to the throne. This had been happening for centuries and was written in all royal books of imperial rules present in imperial library.
It was like everyone fell short on air as they went over what happened some time ago in the the late emperor's chambers.
They all watched Adam greeting the crown prince for being the next emperor. It was as if he was implying that it was the crown prince who ordered this for his quick ascension to the throne.
"What is this, your highness? You promised to spare my life if I do as you ordered. I already took care of his highness and now you're getting rid of me? Don't do this injustice your highness, I beg you."
He cried upon prince's order of dragging him to the imperial dungeon. Crown prince, Noah, immediately turned towards him and looked in eyes. His whole body emitted a dangerous aura as he stated,
"You better live till I'm done with you. I'm not going to let you die before letting you taste hell."
The grief on crown prince's face was too evident. While Imperial guards dragged Adam to the dungeon, the crown prince was holding onto his father tightly, he then shifted him to the bed and let the Imperial physician have a look. There still was hope in those eyes.
Imperial physician took some time to check on his highness before he whispered in a mourning tone
"My last greetings to Your Highness. May you rest in peace."
By the end of the statement imperial physician broke down in sobs and soon the whole chamber echoed with mourning wails. The ministers present at the time and all the soldiers at once let out the mourns. However, there was a person in the room who looked calm. Unlike his previous dishevelled state, he now calmly looked at his father's body in his hands and slowly stood up.
Crown prince Noah then turned to face the crowd in the room and raised his right hand in the air. His movements drastically changed from a caring, young, and emotional prince to an overpowering monarch. He emitted such a strong aura that all mournings stopped while people looked at him in fear. After everyone quieted down, he spoke in the most authoritative voice.
"There are five hours before dusk and before that, the news mustn't escape the palace. Is that clear?"
"Yy..yes your highness."
He then turned towards the soldiers who all had gathered to help the situation,
"Soldiers appointed at palace security shall resume their position and others will stay guard by late emperor, His Great Highness Dian. All the ministers and instructors shall follow me to the court room."
Saying this he left the room and went to court room leaving a dread lingering behind. Everyone in the room was only thinking about one thing.
"Could Adam's statement be true?"