─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Xavier stared at the mural ceiling that was filled with clouds and bright sun. He closed his eyes and started thinking of his childhood in the imperial office. He spent countless hours every day on his father's side.
"Father, why can I not go outside with Estevan and Ezra?' The young boy sighed as he turned the page from his History book."
Aldous, the former emperor, looked at the young boy and shook his head in disbelief.
"Do not speak nonsense and continue studying."Commanded the emperor with a hateful tone.
Young Xavier sighed and closed his book. He walked towards the window, lifting the expensive sheer curtains out of the way for a clearer view.
"Why is it that every time I want to go outside, the weather turns bad? Mother once said it is because the Giodivonian gods are sad. Did I make them sad? What did I do wrong, father?" Young Xavier asked as he stared at the window.
Young Xavier began to tear up as he looked at both of his brothers play through the window. Angry and irritated, the emperor stood up from his chair and walked behind the boy. He placed his hand on Young Xavier's shoulder. He turned to face his father. Suddenly, he was struck in the face. Xavier fell to the floor, grabbing his cheek.
"Look at me at once, boy." Demanded the emperor.
Poor Xavier trembled as he looked up at his father in fear.
"Your mother was always a fool. She knew nothing. Why do you think the Giodivonian gods got rid of her? You were born to rule this empire, and it shows. If there was one thing your wretched mother did right, it was to give birth to you. Do you honestly think the Giodivonian gods will give you all this knowledge, strength, and skill at this young age so you can go outside and play? Take a long look at those two. One is older than you, but he lacks in his studies and is weak in swordsmanship. Therefore, he is not suited for the throne. The other is… well… a mistake. He should consider himself lucky that he is alive. You are here to learn, retain, and rule by my side. This will be you in several years. Giodivonians gods...sad? HA! They are forcefully showing you to stay inside to study and become more knowledgeable and stronger. Do not ever let me catch you show any emotion again. Ever. Do you understand, Xavier?"
Young Xavier stood up and wiped his tears off. He bit his bottom lip to fight the remaining tears from falling down his face.
The emperor glanced at young Xavier, who struggled to change his sad expression. Then, angered and frustrated at young Xavier, he called the knight outside the imperial door.
"It seems that my lesson was not enough. If my words were not enough, I would show you instead. Actions speak louder than words to you, I see. You, take this boy to the black tower. Lock him up alone and keep him there without feeding him an ounce of food or water for eight days and eight nights. That will toughen you up, right boy? When I say to do something, I mean it." Demanded the emperor to the knight.
Young Xavier screamed and cried in fear as the knight grabbed him.
"No, father! I am sorry! Please forgive me; I was wrong! I do not need to go outside! I promise! I will never cry or show emotion! Forgive me, father!"
The emperor looked away.
"Take him now. If he shows any signs of struggle, add the days. Look at how he struggles. Are you really my son? The future emperor of this empire? How disgusting."
The young boy spent 12 days and 11 nights in the black tower without an ounce of food or a drop of water. As he heard the screams of tortured prisoners from other locations in the building, he could only focus his thoughts on the moon and stars from a small window on the top of his room. Desperately, he prayed to the Giodivonian gods to remove the curse of a normal boy. He hated the fact that he was stronger, smarter, faster, and braver than others.
While everyone saw him as a walking, living prodigy, he saw it as a curse.
Ever since his release from his punishment, he would practice by himself in front of a mirror for hours to not smile, cry, or show any other human emotion. He would bury himself in books when he was sad. He would solve mathematical equations when he was frustrated or stressed. He would train in swordsmanship for hours when he was angry. In other words, to ignore his emotions, he would keep himself busy with tasks. By the age of fifteen, he has become distant from everyone other than his mentor- the emperor. He was a mere robot that did everything his father ordered him to do. Since that day, he was never punished due to his loyalty to his father and ignoring all human emotions.
"How long has it been since we had dinner together, Xavier?" Questioned the emperor as he placed documents aside on his desk.
"It has been 7 years, 3 months, and 18 days, father," Xavier answered as he read his book in the imperial lounge.
Aldous laughed as he looked at the chancellor.
"It is only expected of you to sound like a human calculator, Xavier. After all, you are the genius of the century. As you know, attending all of the imperial meetings with your brother- we will be going to war soon. The king of Cordongelle is losing his reputation due to his weak army. This is the chance. We must strike. Last night's meeting, we decided on the knight's commander and stander. With your military skill and strength in swordsmanship, we need a man like you to come along. This is the last test, my boy. Prove to me; you are meant to sit on this empire's throne once I pass away. Prove to me that your useless brother is only existing for mere convenience and decoration. The choice is yours. The first and most memorable war of your life and the key to the throne."
Xavier closed his book and looked at his father. Then, he stood up and went up to the emperor. Then, he kneeled before his father and tilted his head downward, looking on the floor.
"It will be my honor to join you at war, father. I will bring nothing but pride and respect for our family name and empire."
Aldous nodded. He looked at the chancellor who stood aside from him and nodded his head gently.
"Very well. As expected, the future emperor has finally presented himself to me. Go ahead and make the final preparations for next week, Aeden. Stand up, my boy, and have a seat." Aldous stood up from his chair and pointed at the imperial seat behind the desk.
Xavier's eyes grew as he looked at his father with confusion.
"Father, that… is the seat of the emperor. It is forbidden. No, it is treason if anyone other than the emperor were to sit in any seat that only belongs to the emperor."
"Nonsense. I am the emperor, and I am allowing you to take a seat. This is your future seat, after all. In fact, all of this land will be yours." Aldous gently patted Xavier's shoulder as they both looked at the emperor seat.
Xavier opened his eyes from his childhood memory. He turned his head where he could see the imperial seat from a distance. The chair shined brightly, casting a long shadow on the floor from the sunrise.
Xavier sighed as he walked up towards the imperial seat.
"So much bloodshed, sorrow, and betrayal, to sit on this dirty old thing. I would have let you have the throne if you were not so reckless and emotional, Estevan. Now I understand why father hated emotions."