I followed Bernard to the inner part of the storage room as we walked in the interior was like any old storage room a one you can find anywhere. It was filled with old documents pieces of Artwork and antiques things you regularly see in a storage room. To my surprise the storage room was actually much bigger then it looked there were a lot of turns and twists along the way I assumed if you did not know your way around you will surely get lost.
We finally reached an open space it was really big too in the middle of the open space rested a small box on what looked a broken pillar no not broken more like cut cleanly by a sharp instrument and on the ground beneath the pillar existed another complex magic circle it looked like it was created by the same person.
"Your highness please stand back a bit" Bernard asked of me.
I nodded and stepped back a few steps.
Bernard used the same method from before to release this magic circle.a bright light shone once again before the magic circle was released.when the light ceased Bernard stepped inside the magic circle stretching his arm to reach the box on the pillar.he picked the box up and brought it back to where I was standing,he then offered me the box and said "please open it your highness".
I obediently took the box from him and opened it. With a loud creaking the box opened and its inside was revealed to me.
****
"Where did his highness go?" Questioned Alfred.
He looked around for the prince after returning from his errand but was not able to find him.he was not training in the garden like he is used to. Nor was he resting in his bedroom.most of the servants were busy due to the trip the prince will be taking to the capital soon so he did not ask them not wanting to disrupt their work.
He then realized that the old man was also missing so he knew he was the one who took the prince. He remembered that old man mentioned giving the prince something which has been entrusted to him by the prince's mother the late empress.
So he decided to just wait for them since they will eventually be back, after the old man gives the prince what he needed to give him.
****
Inside of the box was an earring.
It was quite a unique earring as it radiates a a huge amount of holy power,it was also in the shape of a beautiful white sword with a baby blue colored jewel similar to Reynard eyes craved into its hilt.as I marveled at the fascinating piece of art in front of me I vaguely heard Bernard voice.
"It seems to be to your highness's liking"
"It is very attractive"
"This earring is called the empress sword" he stated.
"The empress sword..."I mumbled.
"Just like it's name it is a real sword".
"A sword? This earring?"
He nodded " yes in fact it is. It was created by the first empress of the alphen empire, a legendary sword with tremendous holy powers stored within it.she designed it in the shape of earring to be easier and more convenient to carry, not having to worry about its weight and length."
"Hmmm..that is truly much more convenient then carrying a regular sized sword."
The empress was a rather interesting type of person in my opinion. Making a sword into a piece of jewelry.
"So how do you use it?" I asked.
"you wear it on your earlobe and if you wish to use it you touch it slightly with your fingers" he explained.
I was astonished" it's just like that?"
Chuckling lightly Bernard elaborated"yes its just like that. But it will only work if you have the alphen imperial family blood flowing through your veins.otherwise you will be burned to the ground the second you wear it".
I stiffened upon hearing this.
Unconsciously I murmured"Haha...burned to the ground how frighting"
"Hohoho her majesty the first empress was very attached to her possessions and treasured them greatly"
This far beyond mere attachment it's obsession too much obsession.quite terrifying.
....or is it?
This is an imperial treasure an extremely valuable item,something that should not fall into any hands as it might cause a disaster. The I guess what the empress did was only logical.
Hmmmm... maybe a bit severe?....will doesn't matter.
Let's try it for now.
I picked up the earring and handed the box to Bernard,as I brought it closer To my ear I noticed that my hand was slightly trembling.
Hahaha..I guess I am a bit worried. Well who wouldn't be after hearing that. But it'll be alright since I am of the alphen bloodline or this body is.
Click.
I wore the earring, luckily nothing happened.Without me realizing a sigh slipped out of my lips.
I took a bit of time to calm my racing heart.then I raised my hand and lightly very lightly I tapped the earring with my fingers.
All of a sudden an unprecedented amount of power bursted out surrounding me.I felt my consciousness
Slipping out and my vision was blurred before I blacked out, the last thing I registered was Bernard urgent voice calling me.
"Your highness!!".
****
As I was awaiting his highness's return.I felt unfamiliar and unbelievable power coming from underground. I realized it was from where his highness and the old man were.
I panicked and ran down there with all might. All that was in my mind was his highness's safety and well-being.
Please let me make it.
Please god don't take his highness from us a second time.
****
"Old man!!".
When I finally reached the place where the power came from what greeted me was the sight of his highness unconscious body being held by the old man who was kneeling on the ground.fear creeped into my heart.it was the exact same sight I watched helplessly for years the sight of his highness lifeless unmoving body.something I did not to see ever again.
I bit my lower lip and approached the old man trying to verify the situation.
"W..what has happened?"I asked clenching my fist.
The old man shook his head and said" I..I don't know"he then took a deep breath and continued saying" I..really don't.his highness suddenly lost his consciousness after touching the earring he wore".
The old man was visibly confused and shaken seemingly not expecting what has transpired.
"Earring?..is it the thing that has been entrusted to you To give to his highness?" I questioned.
He nodded in answer.
"So what should we do? Will his highness be alright?"
He did not answer me right away.he looked lost in his thoughts, and I noticed that he has calmed down significantly.apparently coming to realize something.
After a while he spoke" I believe his highness will be fine.and we shall patiently wait for him to regain consciousness"
I felt a bit frustrated not knowing anything and worrying endlessly. So I voiced my frustration"What do you mean by that? What has happened to his highness?"
He glanced at me and said"it's a test".
I was confused" A..test?".
The old man nodded" his highness should be going through the first empress test.it is said that the first empress puts those who wish to own the power of the empress sword through a test to determine whether they are worthy of that power or not".
"I....see".
"Then Will His highness be alright?"
"Yes his highness will be fine.it's just a test to decide whether he deserves to earn that power or not.when it's over he shall return".
"that's a relief".
After finishing his explanation the old man picked up his highness and started to go upstairs walking towards his highness's bedroom.I quietly followed after him.
****
As I regained my bearings and opened my eyes I noticed I was in unfamiliar place.everything here was white the floor the walls the ceiling there were no doors or windows nothing was here only whiteness never ending whiteness.it made me feel suffocated and lost.it was a new feeling an unwanted one.
As I was looking around trying to find something or some clue to help my situation I heard a voice it was a beautiful melodic voice one I never heard like before.
"Hello there young man" the voice was smiling while calling me.
As I turned around I found the source of the voice.it was unparalleled beauty pale white skin, long flowing blonde hair big bright eyes the same color as mine,a straight nose and lips the color of cherries.she was stunning.
I stared blankly at her.
"Hmm...Won't you answer my greeting handsome young man" she said smiling playfully.
I snapped out and answered while bowing down"I apologize for my disgraceful behavior, greetings beautiful lady"
"Fufufu aren't you a respectful and very attractive young man"
"I'll have to say I have not seen such a good looking young man before, your quite the eye candy" she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Te
"It is the same for me I have never seen a lady so beautiful before. I am feeling blessed" I stated smiling brightly.
"Oho you are also a sweet talker"
"I am just saying the truth"
"Goddess aren't you quite the gentleman"
"I am honored you think so"
"Then handsome gentleman,this lady here is called Latina de alphen.the alphen empire first empress"
I thought so.she was truly the first empress one of the heroes of the ancient war and the founder of the alphen empire. To think I would meet someone of such status a legendary figure this early or more like at all is quite astonishing .let's use this great opportunity throughly.
"It's a pleasure to meet Your majesty the first empress. This insignificant young man is called Reynard de Kaiser, the second prince of the Kaiser empire."
"Hmm..the Kaiser empire. So you're not a prince from the alphen empire?"
"That is right I am not.my mother was a princess from there so I inherited the alphen imperial family blood from her" I explained.
"I see.."
"So you're half blood"she questioned.
"Ah..yes I am"I answered.
"Well that's a first"
"Pardon?"
"It's the first time someone with half blood comes to own my sword" she clarified seeming amused.
"..."I became a bit worried at her amused tone.
"Fufufu don't worry yourself such trivial details don't matter to me"
"I am thankful for your consideration"
"Now then shall we start the test?"
As I thought. She won't just give it to me for free.I wanted to sigh.
Noticing my concerns the empress said "It won't be a difficult one no need to fret"
"I understand"
"Well then"