"Imperial Son, are you really that eager for the Dragon Throne?" There wasn't a trace of fear in the emperor's face and his voice didn't sound as kind as it did in the past.
"Imperial Father, is this not what you have always been hoping to see? All these years, you have been unwilling to establish a crown prince. Was it not your desire to see us brothers fight for the position of emperor?" spat the first prince viciously.
The emperor chuckled. "You're right. Hasn't every king since the days of old utilized this method to weed out weak and useless heirs? Indeed, I was not willing to establish a crown prince because I had hoped for all of you to mature that much faster in equal contest. But I never thought that you would be so foolish as to do such a silly thing to usurp the throne. Aren't you afraid of being spurned by the people?" sighed the emperor.
