The Palace before him was grand and overly extravagant just like the novel had described. The courtyard they were dropped off at was surrounded by a garden that was so big that Aether couldn't see the end of it. Fountains of women and men dressed in strange garments that barely covered any of their bodies were surrounded by flowers that were freshly watered. Although they were hidden, Aether could still catch a glimpse of a gardener here and there. Their stiff forms were either corached between planets they tended to or hidden in the shadows as if they were trying to hide from prying eyes.
It was strange though. Even with all the greenery there wasn't a single animal or insect roaming around. In fact the longer Aether stood the more he began to notice just how lifeless the entrance to the Palace was.
'If the entrance is this bad, I can only imagine what the rest of the Palace is like.' He let out an audible sigh. He was already dreading this entire experience and he had only taken one step out of the carriage.
The grand staircase before them was just as grand as the garden. The marble steps were so shiny that he could faintly see his reflection in them as they walked up the stairs. Aether had to resist the urge to roll his eyes at the gold railing. 'How gaudy can this world be?'
His father and brother stood on each side of him. Their shoulders brushed him as they walked. It was a little too close for comfort, but there was little he could do. Everytime he tried to move in a single inch his father and brother would follow suit.
They stopped at the top of the stairs and waited.
Aether noted that despite this being the Royal Palace, there was not a single guard protecting the entrance. 'Do they think so highly of themselves that they forgo guards?' He didn't hold it against them. The Royal Soline family was often depicted as arrogant monsters. Their reputation itself was a warning to any intruder that even thought of trying to harm them.
'How funny that their arrogance was what destroyed them in the end.'
There was a nudge on his back, interrupting him from his thoughts. Bert stood right behind him and gestured to his father and brother. "It is best to stay by the Master's side when entering the Palace." Bert spoke quietly and with his head slightly lowered as if he were trying to keep the conversation just between them.
Aether narrowed his eyes at the others' actions. 'There is no one close enough for him to be worried about eavesdropping unless…' He glanced towards the gardens, catching sight of a few gardeners peeking at them. 'Of course.'
He gave Bert a reassuring smile and nodded.
"When we enter make sure to keep an eye on any lingering insects." His father said to Leon. His nose was scrunched up and sneered as he spoke, "Who knows what those devils are up to."
"Yes father." Leon gave a curt reply before pausing and glancing at Aether. "What should we do about him?"
"Hm?" His father's eyes flickered down for a moment and Aether found himself freezing under his gaze. A small image creeped into his mind. The same eyes peering down at him with disgust and disappointment. He shook his head at such imagery. He couldn't let the previous Aether's memories mess with what was happening now. It wouldn't do him any good. So, with as much confidence as he could muster he met his fathers eyes head on.
His father smirked and without breaking eye contact he said, "Make sure he stays by our side. We don't want him wandering off and dying before he meets the King."
With that single statement all of the confidence Aether had gathered disappeared. He broke his gaze and looked down at the marble floor. He unconsciously rubbed his arm in an attempt to chase away the onslaught of coldness that washed over him.
'It would have been better if I stayed behind.' He couldn't help but imagine what he would be doing right now if he didn't come. Sitting in bed, enjoying a nice warm snack while he read. The image was wonderful and one he desperately wanted to act on.
The doors to the Palace opened with a loud creak and two butlers rushed out. Their clothes were slightly disheveled and sweat dribbled from their forehead. They had handkerchiefs in their hands and were quickly dabbing away at their faces.
"Apologies for the wait my Lord, please follow us." The first butler, older and more mature looking than the other spoke as he bowed. He was a normal looking man with no redeeming features, but the obvious control in his voice when he spoke made him stand out a little more than his counter partner.
'The head butler?' Aether couldn't help but compare him to Bert. The difference between the two was astonishing.
"Right this way, my Lord." The other more younger butler followed suit and held out his arm indicating the way. Aether frowned at the young man. His voice trembled as he spoke and his arm was visibly shaking. The worst part was if he could see that, then so could his father and brother.
Aether chanced a quick glance at his father and brother, trying to gauge their reaction to the two butlers. To his surprise the two seemed to be blatantly ignoring the two butlers. With a flick of their wrist they passed the two butlers as if they didn't exist. Aether was ushered in alongside them. For a moment he hesitated in thanking the butlers, but thought better of it. After all, he was supposed to be acting like a Frenzel.
The Palace was exactly as the novel had described. Overly grand and extravagant without a single corner looking as if it hadn't been forged from gold. It was almost hard to walk through the halls without cringing at the overzealous colors and objects, but unlike outside, the inside had guards and servants roaming the halls.
The guards were dressed to the nines in what Aether classified as war garments. Holding themselves high they held swords or spears in their hands as their eyes followed them through the halls. The servants on the other hand were the complete opposite of the calm and focused guards. They were quick in doing their chores, no talking or whispering. Sweat dribbled down their faces and they openly panicked whenever someone even moved in their direction. They all but sprinted the other way when they noticed them.
When they had finally reached their destination, Aether was already worn out. The air in the Palace was suffocating and draining. It felt like with every step he took he dived deeper into a pool of sorrow and fear. It wasn't something he would be able to deal with every day, and seeing how the servants went about their daily lives in this type of environment, he couldn't help but pity them.
The throne room was just as extravagant as the rest of the Palace, if not even more gaudy. Hanging from the walls were chandeliers decked out in crystals and beads that didn't seem to match the rest of the Palaces color scheme. There were exotic flowers adorning every vase in the hall, each more unique than the last. And the floor and walls were cleaned to perfection, to the point where he could clearly see his reflection if he looked down. He hated to admit it, but he could see how this place would be the perfect location to host balls.
The centerpiece of the throne room was the throne that stood at the top of a long staircase.
"Greeting your Majesty." His father's voice echoed in the hall. His brother and father both kneeled when he spoke, but Aether missed the small action for his eyes had landed on the King sitting on the throne.
The King was not what he had expected. In the novel the details regarding the King were in regards to the first born Prince. So seeing him in real life brought an unexpected awe to Aether.
The King had short black hair that was slicked back, though Aether could see a few strands of hair falling out of place. His eyes were bright green with a tint of yellow making him not only appear ferocious and cunning, but also mysterious. He had the beginning of a beard, but it was groomed for a semi-shaven look and he had a scar that went right down his left eye. The clothes he wore were plain despite the extravagant crown he wore.
"Erik Frenzel, it's been a long time." The King smugly smiled as he looked down on them. "I must say I wasn't expecting a visit from you anytime soon." His fingers tapped against the chair, "Did something happen." There was a sharpness at the end of the King's voice that brought shivers down Aether's spine.
His father stood up, "Something did happen. I have solved your little issue regarding that." his father smiled as the King's smile dropped.
The King was silent for a moment. His eyes narrowed. "Ha! I knew you were a force to reckon with in childhood, but to think you would solve that issue. Ha!" The King leaned back while he laughed, a sinister look on his face, "But if I remember correctly you were never inclined to mathematical theorems and neither were any of your children." The King's eyes landed on Aether, "It seems you have been keeping a secret from me."
Aether froze as green eyes stared right at him. In a matter of seconds he found himself unable to breathe. It was like there was an invisible hand wrapping around his lungs preventing him from taking a breath. The sound of his heart beating echoed into his head and his limbs were going numb.
"Your Majesty!" His father yelled and all at once Aether could breathe again. He slumped to the floor, clutching at his chest as he took deep breaths. An arm came to rest on his shoulder, hoisting him up so he was at least in a sitting position.
He blinked away the blurriness to find his brother behind him, holding onto his shoulders as he stared defiantly at the King.
"It seems he can't handle my greeting." The King said, a hint of disappointment laced in his voice. He scoffed and rested his head against his hand. Seemingly bored with Aether and everything that had transpired.
"Tilan." His father seethed.
Despite Aether trying to focus on catching his breath, he caught the strange name and shot his father a quizzical look. 'Tilan?' The name was unfamiliar and one that wasn't mentioned in the novel.
"There is a reason I did not introduce my youngest son to you or anyone else before today." his fathers face darkened as he glared at the King. The King did not move. Instead he let out a huff and waved his hand, urging his father to continue speaking.
"My youngest has no abilities."
The hall went quiet.
"What?" The King stood up from his chair. His eyes wide and his mouth agape as he looked at Aether with new found interest. Aether flinched and looked away. He was not fond of being gazed at like some sort of interesting test subject.
"Are you sure?" The King was giddy as he spoke. He paced back and forth in front of the throne, his eyes never leaving Aether.
His father clicked his tongue and maneuvered himself slightly in front of Aether. A poor attempt to block Aether from the King's view. "Yes, he has been tested multiple times. The result…is always the same."
"The test could be wrong." The King argued back, "You know how broken those old methods are." He began to walk down the stairs.
His father shook his head, a sneer on his face, "We also thought that the test could be wrong, but he is also incapable of withstanding magic just like the records said of the previous non-users." His father glared at the King, "That's why you should refrain from performing your little greeting in his presence."
The King's gaze turned to Aether's once again. He had already made his way down the stairs and stood next to his father. "Truly." He whispered, his eyes wide and full of interest.
Aether grimaced at having him so close to him, especially with that look in his eyes. Unconsciously he found himself leaning further into Leon's arms. Leon stiffened underneath him, but at the moment he didn't care if Leon was uncomfortable.
"I have never seen a non-user before. Look," The King hit his father on the shoulder and gestured to Aether, "he is so…so weak! What would happen if I continued to use my abilities on him?" The King asked with a sinister smile.
His father sighed and put a hand to his forehead, "He would probably die, though strangely he hasn't yet." He muttered the last part, but everyone in the room heard it.
Aether furrowed his brows at the comment. 'Does that mean the previous soul didn't die either when others used their abilities on him?'
"Are you saying someone has already tried? And nothing happened?" The King's smile grew even more, "How magnificent!" he clapped his hands together like a toddler.
His father rolled his eyes at the King's behavior and waved him off, "Yes, yes, his abnormality might have been the leading cause of his intelligence." he gazed at Aether with a thoughtful gleam, "Guess I should have paid more attention."
"Oh? So he's the one who solved my problem." The King hummed. Turning on his heel he faced Aether once more, "A non-user with Intelligence. Show me the answer." The King demanded.
Aether refused to look into the King's eyes. At this moment his body was perfectly situated so that Leon was giving him a pathetic excuse of a hug while he buried his head into Leon's shoulder. It gave him the perfect coverage to roll his eyes and huff out in aggravation.
'Show you the answer? What answer! I don't even know what problem I solved!' He silently laminated.
His father must have either noticed his reluctant behavior or must have known that Aether had no idea what the hell they were talking about as he responded to the King's command even though it wasn't directed at him. "Right away, Leon."
Leon flinched at the mention of his name. He hesitated for a moment before gently pushing Aether up and to the side. He gave Aether a look over and stood up. Aether watched from the ground as Leon got into a stance and began to twist his hands. He mumbled some words that sounded foreign to Aether's ears and twisted his hands around him in a giant circle. Following the motion of his hands, a blue semi-transparent shield appeared and covered his entire body.
'So that's what I solved.' Aether was confused on how a mathematical equation could have created a blue transparent shield, but he couldn't voice his questions. If he voiced such a question the people around him might see that something is wrong with him, especially if it's common knowledge.
The King grinned, "Perfect." He turned to his father. "Erik, you and your sons must stay for lunch." The King hoisted an arm around his fathers shoulders as if they were best friends and pulled him close despite the obvious disgust on his fathers face.
"Of course. We would be honored." His father did not bow. "I'm assuming that your sons will be joining as well?" He let out a long sigh and rubbed his forehead.
"Hahaha! Of course! It would be a perfect opportunity to rub it in their faces that a Frenzel was the one to solve my problem and not them." His eyes darkened and he took a step back, but Aether could still see the cruel smile on his face, "Just imagine their shock when they learn that a child with no abilities was able to solve the theory before them."
Aether's hands clenched and he bit his lip, lowering his head so that the trio could not see his expression, 'Fuck. He was so dead.'