"The Imperial House Atlaesus has… a gift.
For one reason or another, they can awaken latent powers within people.
Nobody knows exactly how they can do it or if every person can receive a special bloodline gift, but those who serve the Imperial House Atlaesus are the only ones who can go through the process.
This ritual hasn't been controlled by another noble House and has always been the exclusive skill of the House Atlaesus."
James said up until Esmond interrupted him with a question and answer to the problem at hand.
"And now that I have awakened the Bloodline of Amelia, May, and Layla, the House Atlaesus must be curious to know how I have achieved something like this, right?
But why would they care, after all I am the son of their Crown Prince."
"Actually, per the rules of the House Atlaesus and every noble family of the Empire that they cannot be considered a member of the House until they are of 21 years.
Up until then they must live life as average people who aren't custom to or aware of the power that comes with wealth and strength.
It is done to help the future generation understand the power their Houses wield while also understanding the value of their work to the Empire and world as a whole.
Right now, regardless of all the work you've accomplished as Esmond Manston, you still do not have the power to content against them… until I saw this place and now… I don't know anything anymore." James sighed while leaning back in his seat with his eyes closed.
"Your father… *Sigh* has asked me to make you aware that the House Atlaesus won't come find you or anything of the sort, but that doesn't mean they want you to awaken other people's bloodline without their permission."
While keeping his eyes shut, James continued to speak.
"So… with the girls having been the only people I have helped activate their bloodline, what does this mean for me and them?" Esmond asked as he looked over at Carter curiously, wondering why he kept so much information from him.
"Those who have their bloodline stimulated enough to activate, serve the Atlaesus Empire and its citizen's full time.
This is supposed to include the three girls as well…
The Emperor and the Crown Prince have asked… that they head over to the Empire immediately and start serving the Imperial Crown.
As per the laws of the Empire, those who can activate their bloodline will serve their noble Houses like the Pendragons, who I am from as is Amelia, but we aren't core members of the House because of the purity level within our blood.
Similarly, the same goes for Layla and May, with the main Houses, Qin, and Macedon, who have hundreds and thousands of members across the world, but only a selected few who are considered part of the main family."
"So, none of them… would be in fact treated with respect or care, right?"
Esmond asked, having put the pieces together in his mind.
"Essentially, yes…
That's why I am here, as a spokesperson for your father and the Crown Prince, who asks you 'gracefully' to send them to the Empire."
James said, having opened his eyes and stared directly at Esmond with an uneasy tension written across his face.
"You don't want them to go, do you?"
Esmond replied back, only to stop once Amelia entered the lounge with some snacks to enjoy.
"No, I do not.
If they leave for the Atlaesus Empire, I am positive the Houses will use them for their own plans, such as organising their marriage with others, even if you're the son of the Crown Prince."
James felt furious he was given an ultimatum by his old friend to send his daughter and the others immediately to the Empire.
More than anything, he wanted to punch Daniel in the jaw for even suggesting they send the girls over to the Empire.
James understood the troubles within the noble Houses, including the internal politics that would see his daughter without any allies or friends.
"… Carter, call my father… no.
Call the damn Crown Prince of fucking Atlaesus Empire." Esmond chose not to hold back his anger anymore, quickly alerting Carter that Esmond was about to rip his father a new one.
James saw this as brass and stupidly pointless, but he chose not to interfere with the troubles of a father and son.
.
Within a few rings, Daniel picked up the call from Carter, only to find Esmond staring straight at him, ready to rip him to shreds like a hungry predator.
Before Daniel could say anything, Esmond started addressing his father with a sharp tone.
"Crown Prince of the Atlaesus Empire…
I'll make this simple and brightly clear for you, right away.
The girls won't be leaving my side at all.
Hell, send your armies and people to take them.
I'll make sure to send you their fucking heads once I dismember each and every single one of them.
And regarding the Bloodlines… I suggest you remember what assistance I gave you and the Crown Princess to give you an edge unlike any other in this world.
Also, fuck you and mum for hiding so much from me!
What? You think I would happily accept this bullshit with open arms?!
Fuck you and your fucking Empire!"
Esmond ended the call before his father could say anything, only to see the stunned expressions of both James and Carter.
Only one of them knew what was coming next though.
"If you think I'll give up the location of the Atlaesus Empire, then your mistaken Esy…
Clear your damn mind and think things through properly.
While I understand how you feel, don't make a damn rash decision that you'll come to regret." Carter appeared more than angry at Esmond's sudden outburst at Daniel.
It wasn't appropriate nor was it wise to say such words to his father and the Crown Prince, who could just as easily retaliate without any troubles or issue.
Even though Carter was aware Daniel wouldn't do something brass or stupid to attack his own son, the ways of the Atlaesus Empire might behave otherwise.
James understood this better than anyone and started disciplining Esmond as if he were his own child.
"Do you have any idea what you have done out of anger?!
Your father won't be able to hide the conversation which will reach the Emperor and the other Nobles who've never been challenge in their entire reign that lasts nearly 5,000 years!
I understand you have this 'Place' to help you, but it won't stop them from reigning all hell fire and fury on you!
Until 21 you aren't considered someone even remotely related to them!"
James continued to yell and shout at Esmond that it alerted Louise, Amelia and the others who came running into the lounge, only to hear the shocking news directly from Carter, leaving those who knew about Atlaesus in shock.
Louise went from instant pale to frail as a stick once she realised her daughter would be taken away from her to serve the Pendragon House.
May and Layla were also around to hear the troubles all befalling them out of the blue, making the two of them call their parents for answers.
While everyone tried to understand what was going through Esmond's mind to viciously shout at his father, only Carter could understand how he truly felt.
.
'You shouldn't have visualised them as those brutish parents who left us in the wild…
Fuck, Esy… what the hell have you done, brother?'
'*Sigh* I know… I fucked up…
I was just furious to see Dad after so long, only to see him dressed in some noble attire and sitting in a fucking throne.
Ugh… what do we do Carter?' Esmond struggled to keep his emotions intact after his explosive aggression towards his father.
'… I have a way, but I need Igdra to help me.'
'Take whoever and whatever you need.
I'm going hunting to cool down.' Esmond flashed outside the Cabin home and left for Astelan to find strong beasts while Carter explained to everyone that he left to cool down.
Carter also called over Igdra and explained their plan to deal with the chaos Esmond started.
.
Hidden and secluded from the world for more than 5,000 years, the Atlaesus Empire located roughly in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
It was closed off from the world through an unknown technique that gave them the assurance of safety from the outside powers and influences.
The land of the Atlaesus Empire was quite vast and open that it required the help of noble Houses to deal with the administrative aspects of the land.
Deep within the centre of the Empire's land, the Imperial Capital City expanded out in all directions in a mixture of modern, ancient, and futuristic styles that made the lands greatly different to anything else on Earth.
As the centre point for all technology, culture, and civilisation, the people of the land were the most advance humans of Earth.
While they knew of this fact, no one ever dared to believe they were the very best since they'd learnt from history that humanity could produce some unimaginable results.
Those seated around a large semicircular table with several chairs at the very head of the desk, knew this better than anyone else and always worked hard to prevent individuals from scheming to do something dangerous and harmful.
On a holographic projection emitted from the table displayed the conversation Esmond had with his father, even though it was far from a normal father and son conversation.
After listening through everything, the heads of the noble Houses were all gobsmacked by several details.
Nobody expected Esmond glow in such an unnatural that it felt supernatural, like those who had mutant bloodlines where conflicting bloodlines would create a stronger individual with unique traits and skills.
This already made many of the noble Heads worry needlessly about Esmond and the strength he held, with one noble Head already making his feelings known about their possible future Prince.
"He cannot continue to live!
To make such a proclamation against our Empire, he should be hunted down immediately!"
Shouted the noble Head only to find himself being coldly stared down by the aging yet vigorous and healthy Emperor who found a breath of fresh air after meeting his son again.
"Savi Lurie!!
Hold your damn tongue!
Even if he isn't considered a child of this land, he still is the son of your Crown Prince!"
The Emperor roared as he slammed his fist onto the table out of anger.
He felt ecstatic to see his grandchild, but the anger and hate in Esmond's eyes alarmed the old leader too much that he couldn't help but take the threat serious.
Daniel, who sat beside his father and the Emperor with a solemn expression after witnessing nothing but furious anger from his son.
He figured Esmond was furious over how they left him without saying a word, only to send James with news about controlling his actions and the girls.
Daniel struggled to understand how he should deal with his son while he heard shouts from noble House leaders who wanted his head on a spear for threatening the Empire.
Better than anyone, Daniel understood how his son felt because he'd gone through something similar in his past when it came to Ruby.
Her parents wanted to marry her off to another instead of following through with the century old agreement between the two families.
The main reasoning behind the decision of House Munkah-Yamia was their eldest son who married the daughter of House Ain Ghazal.
To their surprise, House Ain Ghazal had long fought to increase their strength outside of the borders of the Empire, yet they failed several times until they worked with another House to expand their influence.
Because it was hard to send out official members of their Houses, they typically worked to increase the strength of unofficial members by providing help to the next generation who could possibly join the main House.
They were known to accept a decent number of people with every generation, but more Houses hoped for greater control outside of the Empire.
Ruby's eldest brother decided to engage her with his wife's younger brother, only to learn his sister escaped with the Crown Prince.
While the two Houses weren't overly angry about the escape since their main focus became ensuring their survival from the wrath of the Emperor who was furious over their actions.
He blamed the two Houses for making his take such drastic actions, which now bound the future of the Atlaesus House to hate the very Empire that praised his name.
As the noble Heads continued to argue that it would be best to attack Esmond and learn how he'd learnt about awakening bloodlines, they all stopped dead in their tracks once they caught sight of two majestic women, walking down the stairs leading from the Inner Palace.
"If any single of you stupid fools dare to even harm a single hair on my boy, I will end your lineages as you get to watch me destroy your family's existence…"
Ruby didn't need to yell or speak with a loud tone with Igdra beside her, fully capable of amplifying her voice throughout the enclosed room of the palace.
Following the two, Carter projected himself in a similar manner to Ruby and Igdra as they all gazed down at the nobles who were enamoured by Igdra's beauty.
Only the Emperor and Crown Prince felt a familial connection with her, which left them confused rather than lustful or infatuated with her.