The Library looked magical. Sun is reflecting the transparent window.
The wooden floor scent makes me feel nostalgic. Even the natural air I'd been breathing was fresh, and I could feel the dust itching from my nostrils. The air conditioner's cold air has long accommodated my nose, and this felt new. The Earth in the future will continue to be rotten. The books are intricated with fine leather and hardcovers, making them more majestic. There was a table and a chair full of scrolls and papers. I sat on the chair and studied the stacked scrolls. It was written not in English but in an old language which I can't distress that I read them full well. I read its content, and the calligraphy was in fine strokes that I appraised such clean and smooth writings. The Royal Scribe wrote it.
It wrote down the reports that had happened recently in the Empire, it could tell the strokes were shaking, and the Royal Scribe must be traumatized listening to such a dark subject much as trying to record without making mistakes. I uncovered a gruesome truth while, in the unconscious state, there was an inevitable disaster no one could not imagine.
" On the first day of Martius month, Duke Kyrous Fyodor officially reports His Imperial Majesty, Cain Hadrian Vassilis Adamos, was assassinated by a potential threat to the Empire, creating havoc in the high society. The Fifty knights were classified as assassins, The Emperor, who returned from a trip to a neighboring country, was assassinated near the borders of Romigite and Kashgar Prefecture. The Telegraph received by His Imperial Majesty is tended by a Local Healer, who reported his body was battered many times, lost pounds of blood, and had his stitched body. The Emperor is currently in Coma. Kashgar is under lockdown with the high suspicion that it may be a probable suspect in this Assassination. The matter is still under review; During the first week, a hundred villagers are killed at the rally. With no Emperor nor a Crown Prince to reign this devastation, the Trinity Faction–––Prince Astaroz Ransley Adamos has claimed this responsibility and stopped another problem from arising. " I quit midway through the scroll as it becomes more gruesome as the sentences go more profound in its report. There is no need for me to say such a heavy topic in my mouth, fearing karma will come to bite me or a misfortune.
That merciless day of tormenting torture could not even describe in a single word; it was just too brutal, vicious, and vengeful act towards me. The poison was not enough to satiate their revenge but also batter me to death with the remaining traitors. It felt too familiar, and this doesn't sit right with me. The Assassination also had a more significant impact on the commoners. Because of the Political Struggle, they even have to drag these innocent people.
I look at the piled scrolls and keep sighing at seeing them. There is more work to do, and that bastard left his responsibilities to an innocent guy like me! Old Cain accused his young brother isn't the only possible culprit for the Assassination––he looks too young and sincere, but to have all of my knights replaced with bastards must be someone who still has the authority to do that. Abel, my younger brother, is not the only prince of the Emyrs empire and is a possible enemy of mine.
A loud knock woke me from my sigh. " Your Highness, Duke Kyrous Fyodor has arrived." A butler outside notified his arrival. I froze at the slight mention of his name. " Let him come," I grumbled under my breath. Not him again. Much of a headache for an eccentric guy.
The usual forbearing is plastered all over his face, his long love lock on his shoulders. His monocles are placed between his chest. The so-called Duke Kyrous was no other than Argus, and his face frowned when he saw me. I doubt he is not looking at me but at what I'm wearing from how he stares at my robe. " Your Highness, You just recovered. I heard that maid say you woke up from nightmares. State affairs may be important, but your health matters a lot!" He expressed his grief. " And I heard you dismissed all the servants, and I'm more worried about how you were able to put the medicines..." He trailed off when he saw the open scrolls. I tried to hide them from his sight, acting as if nothing had happened. The Duke looked disappointed; I felt like Ive been pampered by many mothers.
It's an unfamiliar feeling to have someone care for me like this. Cain is so lucky, yet he fails to see this. He is such an edgy man.
He looked down solemnly all of a sudden. " So you rushed here to read the report? It has been a few months since no single perpetrator was found, though more Kashgar Kingdom villagers have fallen victim," he murmured.
The Kingdom of Kashgar was the best trading center of the Silk Road. It was the Kingdom I conquered several years ago. The Former King of Kashgar had bad blood with the Emperor of Emrys, aka me. After I reigned as the Emperor, this Kingdom became my first achievement. The war was cruel and ended too fast, and now this conquered Kingdom is involved in attempted Assassination. But the more discord in the territory, the more conflicted innocent commoners will suffer. It is beyond the boundaries of human rights.
My body slumped more in the chair, and my mind wondered momentarily. I could feel my back twitching in pain as this chair was too stiff and uncomfortable. My butt and back can feel numb in minutes. " I would want to, if it were not, the princes would not dare to challenge my throne, that is, The assassination cannot just sleep tightly knowing that this brotherhood we share is only laced with murder in their mind." Snickering from bitter feelings and speaking from the experience.
My mouth sputtered a bold lie in front of a loyal dog, assumably. I'm always ready with open arms if they intend to get my throne. Being an Emperor sounds exhausting with that scrolls building like a skyscraper on the table. It looks like bullshit, and I'm glad they wanted to eat shit for this work. But frankly, being an Emperor is quite lovely. If any gutless man could take this tedious commitment, I bet they are thinking of having a way to flee this hell. There were many novels and comics like these in the future I lived in. Those kinds of genres were sickening but entertaining, at least. Where the Main Character reincarnated and decided to leave their Place to avoid the plot for their own safety, or the Main Character became strong or changed their shitty personality.
I massaged the back of my neck, exhausted and trying to keep my mouth shut from trying to cry. My bruises were pressed on the hard wooded chair. I've let my guard down on this life again. " I...want you to announce to the court that there will be an assembly tomorrow as soon as possible." my voice shook, writhing in pain. My poor back, I could hear its pleading cries to be freed.
" T-There is a matter I would like to discuss with those willy nobles. I wonder how they've been doing from being drunk of paradise while their Ruler is on the brink of death...!? " I stood up with a loud thud on the table and clenched the hardwood–––my bruised knees where my Popliteal Fossa, that diamond-shaped space behind my knee joint, got hit from the hasty stand. My yelp was eaten by my tongue. " C-call..in the Courts assembly...I have long missed their faces. " I forcibly grin, trying to mask my weakness. 𝘋𝘢𝘮𝘯 𝘐𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘴.
Argus gulped from shock and lamented in defeat. " There is no way to persuade you to rest... You are still the same as ever. Well then, I shall ask the messengers for the Telegraph." Argus obeyed me, trembling from the shock I gave him, and his eyes were trying to avert in any direction. Argus's face could obviously tell what he was thinking.
He was frightened. Did I effortlessly make him scared just by that? I was in pain, though? or am I just that too cruel from the past? My dear heavens, what have I even deserved to be this heck of a fellow. He should better off resting in peace than disturbing these people.
I was ashamed of my actions and murmured something to escape. "Aherm... I-uhm will walk around the garden." my shaking body has been crying for help. " The fate will be in your hands, Your Majesty." He bids me farewell, leaving him alone in the Library.
The servants outside of the Library were bowing their heads obediently, waiting for my arrival. They are such a pain in the ass, and looking at them hurts my head. " Where will you be headed, Your Majesty?" the Butler asked, his head still bowing 90 degrees. His white headpiece felt like it was already falling off, bugging me so much to stop it from falling. " I'll head over to the Palace Garden. Also, I don't require that many servants. I am fine with a few to assist me."
The Butler looked lost from my sudden order. His face turned pale from the shock. " B-But Your Majesty, you always walked with several servants behind you, and now that you're still sick, we cant---" My fingers waved to hush him. This Old man talks a lot for a butler. Cain must have patience as the vast ocean of the Pacific. His voice alone irked me, like one of a nerve being touched to electrify my whole body.
I tried to reason with him lest this old-era ancestor was no match for my genius. " Considering my health, Having a few with me is more comforting. Those servants following me makes my back hefty as hell,"
My body felt sore, but I needed to breathe that fresh air. All I ever wanted was to have my time alone without these Servants. Although they couldn't help it, the Emperor always had servants behind him. Their Edgy, His Majesty the Emperor, is no longer here with them. I will reign this Place how I see fit.
" See you." I waved my hand. Seeing the servants were hesitating to accompany me. Not even the old Butler himself dared to follow me in this mood. The hall hasn't disappointed me by making my eyes go blind from the gold and pieces of jewels being too standard in sight. It's all draped in pure gold, the diamond chandelier reflecting rainbow lights inside the Interior. The Palace is too big, and I had difficulty getting out. But it is more lavish than living on that poor air-conditioned sky cruised plane I endured for 10 years. The look of bland sight of the sky and the amount of airsickness weren't to my liking.
I ventured around the Palace, running circles and exploring wherever my feet could land. Till the edge of the Palace was a narrow hall, an inner bridge with both sides having big windows. It is such a bright Spring month. The trees are abundantly growing into new-sprung. My eyes remained to gawk at the vibrant colors in my mind, capturing them in sight. My heart could feel excitement jittering. Never once in my life was I able to see this kind of beauty of nature.
There was only an unsightly of junk and clouds in the sky. It was a shame the number of humanities began to suffocate the Earth leading it to the close of destruction. This life although it was different from what I used to have.
" Oh, I need to in the Greenhouse––" My torso was hit but something small force, and I heard a loud thud from the floor. " Wah! Ouch..." I panicked and gazed down at the poor thing below on the floor. It's a little girl in her elegant heavy clothes, but because the dress layers prevent her from hurting. " C-child watched your step," I rushed over to the girl, and she hiccuped into my embrace, and I swiftly carried her in my arms, albeit her dress was troublesome. My legs hurt more.
" Whoa!" The little girl was surprised, no longer crying. Her hair is like a starry night. Surprisingly, her hair is blue? She also had ambered eyes that I could tell this child looked too much familiar. My confusion stirred my head, but the sudden hug by the child caught me off, guard.
" Father!" Her voice was sweet and full of excitement. I think I'll put her down. Her father could be anywhere since that's what she is spewing. " I miss you, Father! I'm so worried about you!" the child kept clinging to me.
I froze from the bottom of my feet. My ears won't deceive me.
This girl misses who? Father who? Worried who?!? Who is she referring to??? This girl is clinging to me?
" H-huh...W-wa..it child... W-who you callin' Father?" never I felt nervous in my life. She looked me into her teary eyes, and panic rushed me and brought her down to calm herself (myself, actually). " Eh?? Father, this is not the time to joke around. WAAAHH!" she outbursts into heavy tears. Her cries feel defeaning to my ears. I am neither confident with children nor know how to care for one. " Little one, d-don't cry..." I tried to hush her down. She kept looking at me with that teary eyes that made me feel guilty.
That eye color, It's just the same aura as mine... No––no. I don't dare to jump to conclusions first. I don't have a child, right? The memory of Cain's should have told me I have one. Unless.
A memory suddenly crashes on me. It keeps triggering me every time I keep seeing people. " Calliope..." That name, it's hers. I named her when lovingly held her in my arms after birth in the Kingdom I seized. She responded well when I mentioned her name. My throat felt stuck and remorseful. " Yes, Father!" her wide smile beamed so much that it looked blinding. Being a father in this was not something I agreed on. Her hands held my cold, shaking hands, and my breath hitched. " Mr. Argus won't let me see you. I keep trying to see you, but I'm stuck in Pearl Hall until now," she murmurs, tracing the lines of my palm.
My heart clenched. It weighs heavy on my morality... this child. Her mother is from Shule. My dignity and reserve are already stripped away because the man I reincarnated is wild and uncouth. I patted her head, trying to assure this weeping child.
" Your Majesty..." a soft voice of a woman creeps behind me. It was sweet, like a lullaby that can lull me somewhere. I turned my back to look at her and knew who she was without even daring to try to squint. Her bluish-white and long wavy hair and that sweetly honeyed look she always do whenever I'm with her. Penelope is a daughter of a priestess, so I could say she is also from a highly respected family.
Her dainty figure felt like I'm too afraid to come any closer to her. My heartbeat skipped as she came closer with those loving eyes. Although I thought the opposite, and It's not because I am afraid of women or anything––My senses just keep electrifying from the brim, telling me to get away. " Penelope, my dear. I've missed your presence. My life has been empty without you," suddenly, my mouth spoke the cringy and the vomit worth words I could never Imagine. My body is moving, not by my own will. I brought her hands to my lips and kissed them 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺. This must be Casanova's talent. No matter if the owner is dead, that body of a jerk is still lingering here and there. Her face was still softly smiling from delight. Penelope hugged me suddenly.
" Your daughter and I were kept on Pearl Hall for no reason, and every day, I keep praying for the Almighty Creator to save you... F-finally, they have answered my prayers. There are no words that can tell how much I'm happy to see you, dear," she teared up with happiness, trying to feel my warmth. My attention was on the girl and her hands fidgeting. This was not my intention to meet my child and my woman.
The narrow hall was the bridge to the other Palace of Pearl hall. I finally left the stifling Palace, but now this Mother and a Child also bother me to death. Penelope is sure clingy and giving me those smiles, and it's nearly sickening. In the Gazebo, three of us are gathered at a family reunion.
For some reason... I am an Emperor with the wildest life and have a child with the Daughter of Priestess, without not having full memories of them.