Chapter 4 - First Day

The sun ascended, and Cain woke up, realizing he had been asleep the whole day. Thankfully for the loud ringing of bells and the songs of the choir singing merrily, he was awake now. The pain subsided entirely, yet Cain still felt limp. Yesterday's pain of sorrow was worth today's plan. But it was chaos to make him comprehend what was happening. Despite having too many reality checks, Cain could not find any faults. He got sent here because the owner of this body requested a thing he couldn't even decipher.

Wait a minute. Cain realized.

Old "Cain" did not even say the slightest word on behalf of what could be his reasons here. After all, he was just a feeble Scientist, and the body he possessed was not only a respectable person, not just because he was almost like a tyrant, but the title of an Emperor shouldn't even be taken lightly. The stately affairs are not his taste, nor is he even born to be in this political standing.

He sat on a chair near the window, tending to his injuries while looking at the people orchestrating outside. "What could that fuss be all about?" He asked himself. The melody reminded him of the child singing on the so-called 'afterworld,' but it sounded heavenly and pleasing rather than eerie. It was a delightful orchestra of the Latin language. And he just realized that he could understand what they meant.

"Let shall be there light against the darkness,

Cast a life and human beyond the vast,"

Such a sacred song.

Alas, the loud horn trumpet halted the choir in an instant. A man with a lavish outfit, with a scrolled paper in his hand, as he read the contents. "By Imperial Household of His Majesty of all-knowing, The Emperor of Emrys has blessed us with such joy to be awakened from the Coma. And by the Mandate under Duke Kýrous Fyodor, all nobles, villagers, peasants, and servants can rejoice in His Majesty's recovery." The man's voice was loud enough to be heard in his room.

The choir outside, residing near the grandeur stairs, kneeled and shouted the thankfulness of the news. They wailed Hallelujah and praised the God Almighty and so on. Cain thought they looked dramatic and painfully hurt to watch by the windows above. He cringed at the sight of them and looked at his injuries. "I can't imagine seeing these injuries back that 'day.' These stitches are so deep." Cain traced the stitched wounds. It gave him shivers that he had never felt like being stitched deep in the flesh.

"I am glad, though, I can still walk... This body had been thrown many times and fallen into the river. "And he was in Coma. It was a miracle, actually.

He decided to walk outside the room, his feet might be wobbly, but it suffices to walk. Unlike the other day, the hallway was surprisingly quiet, with no soul crying. It was peaceful, just what he needed; peace of mind to sort out his mind. Cain traced the wall nicely carved and painted with pigmented golden-red colors. It was all draped with curtains and bouquets of flowers.

His eyes wondered. "Arts of the long lost histories, never appreciated by the time passes, "Cain felt wretched. By the future and the new generation, art will decay---never to regress by an advanced civilization. As he wandered deeper into the hall, he suddenly halted when he saw gigantic portrait paintings hanging outside the hallways. "A painting in this part?" He looked up. It was a vast and tall painting of A young man with an arrogant smile plastered on his face, a heavy crown tilted sideways, and his left hand is supporting the hilt of a sharp thin sword, as it was glowing like a light. Body bent for his other hand to rest on his fair face. As if he was threatening to bow down and cower in fear. He never felt ashamed as of right now.

"Accurately scary." But he thought that a ruler should also look like that. Menacing and feared. Cain still felt hateful towards him. 'With those angelic smiles, he did at me doesn't look angelic anymore. I couldn't even think I made a fool of myself.' He sarcastically laughed.6 How funny it was to stare at the painting.

He kept walking, more astonished, in the hallway until footsteps echoed the hall alerted him. "Shit, I should hide." he cursed, looking everywhere to camouflage, but then he remembered. Oh, How come he forgot.

"An Emperor is not guilty of anything." He recalled. The footsteps and water clanking from a bucket echoed throughout the hallway. A woman's voice humming at the same tune as the choirs. A frail maid appeared as she began to mop. Her aura made the Maid look aloof and uninterested. Then he realized, It was that Maid who served him yesterday.

"Servant," Cain called her. "Huh?" The Maid turned around. "Your Majesty?!" she was astonished by the sight of the Emperor standing before her. Standing as if he wasn't almost taken as a limp man, he did not just wake up from his Coma. How can Emperor generally walk as if the injuries were just a joke?

On top of that, he is almost half-naked in front of her. Disgraceful was she to land her eyes on his exposed chest. The Maid was seething with smoke inside.

She stood frozen. Cain stares at her, waiting for the Maid's response. "How could a servant, a peasant, rudely dare to gaze at the eyes of a holy?" Cain expresses his displease. He held back the forming smile that was about to burst. 'Oh, this is fun,' he thought.

The Maid flinched as she quickly dropped her mop and kowtowed on the floor as her eyes remained closed. " Pardon my rudeness. What should I be of help, your majesty?" she shakily said. Cain hummed in a satisfied response. "I just need the tea that you served last day. What was that again?" he asked curiously. That green and muddy tea that tasted heavenly was too hard to forget. The Maid was shocked by the question but still forced to comply. "It's a Matcha latte, served with milk." she could hardly breathe.

Cain nodded and was satisfied with the answer. "Bring me that. As soon as possible." He ordered, and the Maid stood up, still shaking. "Will do, your royal greatness." The Maid obeyed and bowed one last time before she scurried herself away with her mop.

'Why is he picking me out of sudden.'

Lorelei, a lowborn maid that resided in Abel's quarters, grumpily mixed the tea and milk together. Put them all together till mixed and pour them on the tea set. Carefully and indeed, she steers the tea. The art of brewing tea is a precise and concentrated practice of patience and perfection to have the best quality tea.

And It's this humble Maid's specialty at its finest. "That bastard should be thankful I'm serving him tea despite working at His Highness Abel's Palace," she mumbled and took the tray slowly. Lorelei may not be too scared to mock the Emperor but too scared of breaking the tea set. She heaved a sigh and went out into the kitchen.

The Main Palace of the Emperor, Known as the Aureatean Kastro, is bustling like a market in the streets. The number of employees increased each hour, and servants started to be occupied, dusting every speck of the Palace. Lorelei carefully tiptoed herself, carefully not bumping and ruining the tea. "Where is the luxury of the Palace if it looked like a night market on the streets," Lorelei snarled, passing by the busybodies. A few days soon, The Emperor will be back at his feet and do his affairs, draped with his finest robes and walking with his golden tiles as he rules above all humans.

The Palace of the Emperor is an extravagant sightseeing place one could ever ask for. A place out of the Imagination of fantasies

Such a divine image that one might mistake him for an Angel. And Lorelei was one of them. Fooled by the innocent appearance, she thought a man like him was a Saint. When she walked at the hall, a teenage boy stands in front of the Statue, looking up at the Statue. He was sighing deeply. "Your Highness!" Lorelei called while carrying the tray.

The boy shifted his gaze at Lorelei, and he beamed. "Oh, It's you, Lorelei." he greeted, bowing to each other. "...How... A-ahem... How is the Emperor..?" he shyly murmured. He was fidgeting his hands, shaking and nervous to ask. Lorelei's heart dropped seeing such a loving brother worrying over his sibling.

Abel looked more discouraged than usual, missing his Brother so much. Even if his own Brother won't spend a single glance of him. He thought it was his fault, which tolled a lot of guilt around his heavy heart.

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. Lorelei bit her lip, holding her teary eyes. The urge was there to hug him tight and cry herself in the boy's stead. "Your Highness, I am about to send a tea to His Majesty. I will help lead you there." Lorelei suggested, but when Abel heard it, he quickly stammered a refusal. "H-he... He'll hate me more.." he whispered agonizingly.

"I am here, your Highness. Trust me. If you are afraid, cling to my dress as we go there." Lorelei comforted.

Cain whistled his way to his room; he decided. It was better to stay private and sort out the confusion.

When Cain rested on his humble abode, a knock came knocking on his door. "Your Highness, It's time to have breakfast and take your medicines." Argus' optimistic spirit dampened Cain's mood. These eccentrics keep coming to him.

"Say 𝘢𝘩𝘩, Your Highness."

Has this guy known shame at all? Babying him like that and a grown-up being treated like a child. Unfunny. "Argus, you are making me lose my appetite if you keep acting like that," Cain grumbled as he turned his head away from the spoon. "But you are still hurt," Argus said while holding a bowl of hot porridge.

The Emperor cringed. "Seriously---" yet a mouthful of porridge was suddenly in his mouth. "Hey!" Cain almost choked on the food, but before he could add another word, a spoonful of food was shoved into his mouth, which forced him to eat it all. "A servant should do what it takes to make our Master healthy and have a prolonged life." Argus hummed. Like the worst nightmare, he is. The Emperor was annoyed himself. "Give me that bowl, I'll eat themself." Cain snatched it from Argus' hands and ate it with vigor, hoping he would shut up soon.

"You've been so energetic, Your Highness. Are you excited about what political affairs or land you will conquer next?" Argus grinned, showing his sharp-shaped teeth. He side-eyed Argus' usual creepiness, trying to be unbothered by it. "I couldn't wait to see you teach a rascal a lesson or two." He chuckled, having a great plan on his mind. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦?

Another knock on the door. "Your Grace, a 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳." A head maid called in the door. The Duke groaned as he stood up, changing his demeanor. "What is it?" He asked. But the head maid was quiet, signaling him to look outside. And he knew what he would be expecting. "Pardon me, Your highness," the Duke hurriedly went out to see a troublesome person in front of him. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.

His expectations did not include Prince Abel, and not only him, but he was also accompanied by Lorelei, another troubling individual whose mouth is fouler than others. He snarled. Abel could feel the Duke's negative tension on them and decided to step back, avoiding the Duke's gaze. "Your Grace, A pleasant day to you." Lorelei greeted him 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘭𝘺.

The Prince also mustered up the courage to greet him. "Hi..." he shyly waived his hands, too guilty to have his presence on the Duke. Argus crossed his arms and was much rather displeased. "What is a lost bunny doing on the Emperor's turf?" He scoffed. The shy Prince was rattled with Argus and delicately hid at Lorelei's back. "Please, help me," he whispered at the back of Lorelei. Holding back the tears of fear. Lorelei frowned upon seeing him in this state.

The Maid sharply stares at Argus, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵. "I am here to serve the Emperor his tea!" Lorelei shouted, which Cain heard. Argus raged with fury inside for the audacious stunt in front of His Majesty. "Your Highness, But—-"He stopped mid-sentence, remembering he has no position to make decisions. Disappointed by this outcome, he pierced a scornful look at her. However, she did not take an ounce of a glimpse of his disappointment, but Abel couldn't ignore him completely. "Lorelei—!" Abel hissed, now holding tight to her shoulders.

"Come, My Prince, let us go." She replied. Leaving with no choice, Prince Abel follows her. Cain was leaning on his bed, shocked to see the boy. "We greet the Royal Imperial Majesty. May the God of Fate bless you more about your health," Lorelei announced, slightly bowing carefully not to spill his tea. Abel also bowed.

Not only a day, but everything is coming at once. At least let him have a break from the Coma. 'Another disaster for a fine day. Oh, Dear, How am I going to deal with this child? Barely any memories with are good and merry. I still need to sort out what I plan in here..' In Cain's memories, He deeply loathes Abel. For Cain knew himself too that one day... Abel will also defy him. Kill him by any means.

He, who was born with a tongue worth more than diamonds, by Gods chose him to reign in a land of wonders—such high standing of society, everyone had high hopes for him. What should be the worth of the tears and blood he shed for the sake of his worldly responsibilities for him to bear? The answer would be the Crown he deserved to be. A crown that will show he is worthy of praise for people. Poor Cain, as human as he is, he grew more inhumanely. He played all by the rules. He becomes a perfect being molded by the ideals of people and Gods. That makes him loathe Prince Abel, who did barely anything but flamboyantly show his little kindness, and his face would swoon people and win their hearts. Hypocrite, that was Cain thought so. He deserved the Crown, not the other way.

Abel was still shyly looking down at his feet, fidgeting again. He was shaking at his presence alone. When will Cain strike? Will he shout? Would his Brother throw the piping hot bowl into his face till it burns and will be barely unrecognizable—or is it much worse? He mentally counted the seconds Cain would speak.

1

2

3…

Cain barely sees his face since his pinkish blonde covers, squinting to see a good look on him. "Raise your head. The Emperor is here, not on the floor." He commanded. Prince Abel flinched at his sudden command. It caught him speechless. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. "he stuttered and raised his head. He looked like an angel painted in Renaissance painting. How uncanny was it that they almost looked the same. "How have you been?"

"Barely fine, thanks for the concern. Your dear Brother is still in good condition," Cain reassured softly with a genuine smile. The Prince was speechless by Cain's current demeanor towards him. Was this the first ever normal conversation they have initiated? Many years have passed since everything felt right to him.

"That's good," Abel trailed off, shifting his eyes to the other side. Cain just continued to finish his porridge. 'When does he leave?' The silence was killing the Prince slowly, so he carried the tea Lorelei had put near the table and sat beside Cain. The Emperor was shocked and put down the bowl slowly on his lap. "What are you doing?" He asked. "I'll serve you tea, your Imperial greatness. "This will be the least thing I can do," he said, preparing to pour the hot tea into a cup. Cain sighed in defeat, "Fine."

The Duke's back leaned in the wall, arms crossed and rubbing his temples. He was going to explode in flames. "You are really such a bold maid for bringing the Prince here. I am surprised," he laughs with a pathetic sigh. Lorelei raised a brow." It was his Highness's plea to bring him here. How come me, a humble servant, not get him here?" She retorted, giving him a shrug.

"You already knew what would happen once you let the fire and water collide," Argus chided. Lorelei pokes his chest. "I'm helping both of them, not having a hard time with their misunderstandings," she replied.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯. "I will hate Prince Abel as His Highness do. The Emperor has a very right to hate him so. " Argus looked away in annoyance. The Maid snickers as she rolls her eyes.

The door opened slowly. Abel stood there still, wholly dazed and in shock as if he just saw a ghost. Lorelei rushed to his aid. " Your Highness, what happened?! Why are you pale?" she said out in worry. Abel could barely let out a word. He looked at Lorelei, holding her hands and keeping her close. " W-we have a normal... conversation..." he whispered at her in disbelief.