While he never got his proper acknowledgement, Durian was a man who worked his hardest to be given the right to inherit the name Noaste. He cared little for the fact that the name had become nothing more than that. Even worse, it was dragged through the mud and torn apart.
He simply needed the status of a noble. Then he would be given a lot more privileges compared to a simple commoner. The thing was, his father never bothered to give him anything, pushing him out of society.
Hidden in a far away village with little to no interest to anyone, he would be stuck there until his death. What he didn't expect was that Durian had a great talent as a merchant. He started his business quite small, selling stones carved from the very Stars above... or that was his pitch.
After some time he made some deals with local farmers and slowly started to grow into a bona fide merchant. He was far from the best, but good enough to have some connections. Now he heard that his father had passed away from choking on his own food.
'A fitting way to die for a pig.'
He cared little for the man, after he ditched him in some outskirt village, and taking his mother away from him. Durian survived on his own and was now given a great opportunity. All he had to do was prove his bloodline, without a father to attest to this, it would be quite difficult.
What he did have was a ring, the ring of his house, given to him by his mother when they parted. He had kept it safe for all this time, waiting for this golden moment. All he had to do was show that the ring he kept on his finger was the same as his father's, then with his mother's approval he would be able to become the heir of an empty name.
When a family receives the rank of a noble they are allowed to create a ring under the supervision of the Emperor. The ring has to contain a symbol that is meant to convey the power, status or origin of the noble. Then the engravings are kept in the records and spread to the other nobles in order for them to recognize the newly created noble lineage. The way the ring was created as well played a big role, adding another layer of complexity for people
The only issue was that the throne was keeping the body for some reason. He didn't exactly know, but he would find out, he just needed to show the Emperor his ring and compare them to the ring on his father's body. If the Emperor agreed to it, he would be a noble.
"Finally, the capital.", spending a few days on travel, he reached the beating heart of the Empire. Noticing that the light at the top of the castle was still active it meant that the people here were still working. He himself came from a place where they didn't have the means to procure such a light. So his own biological clock was ticking at a different rate.
'I'll just have to hold on until the deactivation, then I'll sleep. I should look for an inn.'
Wandering around the streets he found some places to sleep, comparing the prices as he went. He didn't want to spend too much, but also wanted some good service. So he would rather spend a little extra if he could sleep comfortable.
Waiting around was simply too boring, so he went to scout the castle. Arriving at the gate, the Royal Guards stood proud. 'No matter the rumors, seems like these men stay loyal, how rare. Or perhaps they just get paid enough.'
"Excuse me, I would like to meet with the Emperor."
The men at the gate didn't bother looking at him, only the oldest looking of the bunch had the energy to bother with him. "Do you have an invitation or an appointment?", his voice lazy and bored.
"I have come here to inherit my father's noble bloodline. I need the Emperor's acknowledgement for this.", showing off his ring, he expected the men to be impressed, but the old man simply yawned and send him away.
"Sorry kid, even if the High Aristocracy comes here without an invitation we are ordered to send them away. I'm afraid you'll have to ask for an appointment."
"Then give me an appointment. I was born to be a noble, I won't stand here waiting for no reason."
"Listen", his voice descending an octave, "this cycle is about to end, so let's get this over with quickly. If you want an appointment you need to visit the administrative center. We can't give you anything except advice."
While stern, the man was quite helpful in the end. Not that he liked being spoken to in such an arrogant manner. As a merchant and a bastard he was often insulted and ridiculed, but now things were finally going to change.
'I just have to put up with it for a bit longer!'
"Fine!", Durian was disappointed, but staying down wouldn't result in any favorable progress. 'To the administrative center it is.'
As he made his way through the streets he found a building standing out between the typical houses. It was taller and looked more protected, there were guards here as well. Right as he stepped towards them the light in the capital went out and a bell rung trice.
One of the men looked at the source of the light for a second to confirm that the light went out before entering the building to announce the end of their shift. The other guard stood outside, waiting for his friend to come back to be relieved from his duties.
"Excuse me, is this the administrative center?"
"Hmm? Sure is."
"Great.", Durian stepped forward, but the sudden appearance of a light blue spear blocking his path stopped him.
"What are you doing?", Durian said with a hint of anger in his voice. He might not be a noble, but this was no way to treat a respected merchant.
"I should be asking you that. The center is closed during this part of the cycle. Come back when the bell strikes once.", the man said with a tone of confusion. He stared at Durian with a sharp glint before opening his eyes wide.
"Ah! I see! You're not from here, are ya? Well, let me tell you, son. In the big cities and the capital we use this light to let the people know when to wake up and work. Otherwise, people don't wake up around the same time and it creates a big mess. When the lights off, most services are down as well."
"I know all that, you.."
'No, don't say that! I should remain dignified as a noble should be. If I don't handle as one now, how would the Emperor ever acknowledge me.'
Durian coughed twice for effect, before straightening his back and giving the man his business smile. "Of course, then I shall come back some time later. Thank you."
"No worries man, it's my job!"
Durian found it hard to contain his annoyance towards this ignorant man, but he was surprisingly able to do so despite his entire body wanting to punch the man in his dumb smiling face.
He went to the inn he found some time ago and took some time to rest. Some time later he heard the massive bell at the top of the castle. Reinvigorated by the sleep, Durian ate, washed himself and moved towards the center first thing in the morning.
'I'm going to get through this as fast as possible.'
He easily got in the center and even got his request approved in record time. He simply requested an audience with the Emperor, which should be enough to satisfy his wish. At the end he got a paper with a cycle number on it and a seal of approval.
The only issue was that he had to wait for 3 cycles before his appointment. Waiting all that time was definitely frustrating since he didn't have any other business in the capital.
Perhaps he could search for some business opportunities, it was a better way to spend his time then doing nothing at all. There were a few small things that piqued his interest. If he had a way to have a reliable source of certain materials, he would be able to create a decent profit on them back home.
Yet as the time passed, the cycles went by, and he was able to finally go to the castle. Seeing the guards again, they smiled as he pulled out his papers, allowing him entrance.
"Finally.", speaking under his voice, he was guided towards the throne room. He would finally meet the man who was running the Empire all by himself.
With the doors opening he was greeted with a rather young man with large dark circles under his eyes, sitting on a recently cleaned throne. There was an empty throne next to him and what seemed to be a scholar on his other side.
"Your Starbound Majesty, it's an honor to finally meet you.", he bowed low and followed the etiquette he learned from his mother. The disappointing looks from the guards in the throne room said enough about his performance, not that he noticed.
"My name is Durian and I have come here to inherit my father's noble lineage."
The Emperor took a few seconds to get a good look at Durian before speaking in a low energy voice.
"Durian, rumored bastard child of Alex Noaste. Abandoned in a small town and raised by the temple there. I assume you've come here to prove your legitimacy."
While he was speaking in somewhat hushed tones, his message was clear and direct.
'He knows so much about me? Did he do a background check on me or something?', either way, the Emperor was capable of ruling over such a massive county using these kinds of methods. Not by an iron fist like the previous Emperor, but by using the people around him.
Together with Carian and Lucas, they formed a group of skilled workers comprised of mostly former Scholars and reputational soldiers that went around performing the tasks that the Emperor had no time for.
"Yes, you Majesty. For proof, I have brought this ring.", while kneeling, he raised his hand, making the back of his hand face the Emperor. Of course, from so far away, there was no way for anybody to recognize it.
Luckily, the Scholar next to the Emperor came close with a wooden plank and some parchment. "Please, give us your sign. We'll compare it with the records.", pressing his ring on the melted wax that was on the paper, the Scholar returned to the Emperor's side.
'Okay, perfect! Things are going great. Now with that seal they'll be able to prove my authenticity.'
The Emperor took a look at the seal and nodded. "It's exactly the same, no need to check the records. If I remember it correctly, all we need to do now is compare the craftsmanship of the rings."
'Even if he looks like that, he's actually quite experienced, isn't he?'
"Indeed, the only issue is.. I have heard that your Majesty is keeping the body of my father. I don't suspect anything nefarious, your Majesty, but I would like to know why."
For once, the Emperor almost showed a hint of emotion, his side eye to the Scholar made the target of his stare a little uncomfortable. He coughed lightly before walking to a door in the back of the throne room and knocking on it lightly before entering it.
The Emperor took some papers that were laying on his armrest and started to read up on another issue. Reading halfway through the first sentence, he put them back down and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Durian."
"Yes, your majesty?"
"As far as I'm aware your father has created a generational debt. Yet you still want to inherit his position? You do realize the position you're pushing yourself in?"
"Yes, I'm aware of my father's misbehavior. Still, I have been dreaming of the noble status and would take such a blow if it meant I can have it. Besides, I have heard that all my father's possessions have been sold to pay back the debt."
"I'm afraid not.", the cold voice echoed through the room. A chill went down his spine. 'All that money didn't go to paying back the debt?!'
"Your father's assets were sold through the black market, the money didn't make its way back to the rightful owners."
"No way..."
The Scholar came back from the room and whispered something in the ear of the Emperor.
"Durian, the ring is the same on the body, I can vouch for it. All you need now is my approval.", the Emperor said with a emotionless tone. They didn't bring the body back, he hadn't even seen it, yet the Emperor so casually declared it was the same. He didn't even have to give his ring away.
Durian wanted to see his father for a last time, but they were hiding it for some reason. Luckily, he just needed the approval and he would get what he desired. No need to take a risk before getting his prize.
'Hm? So I can't see my father's body?'
"Your majesty, would you please acknowledge me as the rightful heir to Alex Noaste and grant me the status of a noble?"
"Durian, I'll give you a choice. I can give you the status of a noble and place that debt on your back. Besides that, you'll also have to provide us with an offering, which will most likely push you down a dark path."
If it meant getting what he wanted, Durian wasn't afraid to accrue more debt. He could just pay it off later. Even if the following years would be terrible, the future behind that would be great.
"Or I can give you the noble status, scratch your debt and offering for a few cycles. In return, I expect you to be fully loyal to the throne. If we have an inkling of you going against us, we'll strip you of your title and release the debt collectors."
The last part was a hidden threat, because while it sounded like he would get visited by a bunch of bureaucrats, he would receive the Royal Guard who would strip down his house if needed.
Durian needed a moment to think this choice over. If he chose the first, he would have a lot more freedom, at the cost of all his income for perhaps thousands of cycles. That or being chained to the throne. There were some benefits being so close with them, especially if things started to become dower.
"Then I would follow you, your Majesty."
"Good, then I proclaim you from this moment a noble. You will be exempt from paying your offerings for the first 100 cycles. Then I expect you to contribute to this country."
"Thank you, your Majesty.", he expected his adrenaline to overflow and make him jittery, but after achieving his goal, there was a strange calm. He had done it! It was finally over!
"Your Majesty, I know I'm overstepping my bounds, but could I see my father's body one last time?"
"No. It's not that I don't you to see it, but rather, you can't. It's not that I want to deprive you of your grieving, it's just that he has already been buried in the castle's garden among the other's that have passed in this castle."
"My father wasn't worthy of such a place! Thank you, your Majesty. Excuse me.", Durian got up and left the room not long after.
"How did I do?"
"Your performance was exquisite, Thurin."
"I don't like lying, but I guess I've grown accustomed to it."
"For the first thing, it's technically not a lie. Augustinus did pocket the money from the sales, but since they were done exempt from tax, they aren't noted in any ledger. Thus, it never happened on paper and can't be seen as legitimate. For the other thing... I apologize in his stead, Thurin. It wasn't meant to go this way."
"No, don't apologize, if that poison really did kill someone so quickly, it would only make sense to study it. Let him be and bring in the next person."