Many years ago, the Emperor and Empress of Velangion Empire had only a daughter which they raised with all the love in the world. The princess grew up to be a very bright, intelligent, kind and beautiful girl. She was loved by all and she loved all. Being the only heir of the crown, she was crowned Crown Princess of Velangion Empire. This created a controversy among some of the nobles, for a Princess has never inherited the throne in the history of the Empire. But the nobles had to conform to the decree after witnessing the capabilities of the Princess . Not long after being crowned as a Crown princess, the Emperor and Empress died in an accident, leaving the young princess all alone in the vast world.
That was just the start of the miseries the young princess had to face. She lived in fear and worry, not knowing whether she would see the light of the next day. The Empire was in chaos, without an acknowledged ruler. The princess was too young to be crowned the Empress. Moreover, she was busy struggling to live for another day. The once bright princess had become a dull and broken girl. Her eyes were lifeless and her smiled had disappeared. But it all changed when she met the 3rd Prince of Doir, a neighboring kingdom.
The young princess had fallen in love. Her eyes shone again with the light of countless stars. Young love brought back her smile, like a burst of blooming flowers at the arrival of spring. The prince had come to Velangion as an envoy from his kingdom. Within the month of his stay in the empire, he confessed to the princess of his love. He said he would love her for eternity and beyond and promised her of his return as someone worthy of her hand.
After a few years, the princess was crowned the Empress. The young and weak girl, had risen to power as a strong woman. The whole Empire rejoiced the coronation of Empress Cassandra Velangion. She ruled the Empire with wisdom, virtue and kindness. Under her rule, the Empire became more powerful, richer, larger and happier. She became more beloved to the people than she already was.
The 3rd prince of Doir came back to her as a war hero. He had helped his kingdom expand by half. He asked for her hand and she agreed. Their marriage was held very grandly. People from far and wide gave their blessings to the newly married royal couple. The story of their love had spread across the land and seas.
Years passed by but the queen never bore an heir. After consulting many reknowned doctors and priests, the Empress finally concieved. The whole kingdom awaited the arrival of their little royal heir. A beloved seed it was, blessed and loved by the whole land, even before its birth. Days and months passed and the Empress became weaker. The child in her was eating her away, but still she loved and cared for the child within her with all her heart. The night the unfortunate little prince was born, the Empress passed away. The whole kingdom mourned the death of their beloved Empress. Even the Gods in the sky were crying that night. However, the person most affected by the death of the Empress was the Emperor.
The Emperor had become, a changed man in one night. He slaughtered every person who had any relation with the queen in terms of her childbirth. He blamed the midwives and all the doctors and Priests and their families and beheaded them without mercy. The Emperor went berserk every night and killed many. He became a wild animal, thirsty for blood and unquenchable still. The royal palace was washed with blood of many in just a few nights.
On the 5th night of the death of the queen and the birth of the prince, the Emperor finally decided to kill his newborn son.
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A tall and handsome man with a gloomy aura strode the hallways from the throne room to outside. It was the Emperor. The moon was bright and it was the only source of light outside. He strode with heavy feet as he dragged his sword on the ground. The metal shone brightly with the reflected moonlight and it produced a rustling sound as it was dragged along the grass. He was on his way to kill his son, the cursed and wretched being who took away his wife. It took him a long time to decide but, in the end his resentment won. He had to kill him. Maybe then, the raging fire burning inside him might die. He tightened his grip on his sword.
The Emperor walked through the royal garden. Beautiful flowers were blooming softly with a tinge of silver on their petals. Even the leaves seemed lustrous. He paused for a moment to stare at the scene. It reminded him of the day he fell in love with his late Empress. It was on this particular garden at night that he saw her. A beautiful fairy like girl was in the garden, showered in bright moonlight. She looked so pure and untainted by the mundane world. Her white gown made her shine and seem even purer. She was leaning slightly to run her fingers through the water in the fountain. A delicate and beautiful fairy who thrived under the moonlight was who she looked like. He felt a surge of emotions when he witnessed the beautiful scene. He felt like he had discovered a beautiful secret treasure, that should be hidden perfectly from everyone. The fairy turned to look at him and smiled, her eyes curved into a beautiful crescent. He didn't even dare to breathe. It was the sweetest smile he ever saw.
He was awoken from his daydream by the sound of the water gurgling in the fountain. His expression darkened and he clenched his sword. "Cassie..." he whispered with a hoarse voice. Suddenly he swung his sword and cut a branch of roses in full bloom. The branch fell on the ground with a soft rustle. A stray petal fell softly and smoothly without a sound. The red petal was lustrous and looked velvety against the grass. The Emperor looked down at the petal lying softly on the ground. It looked especially fragile and soft. A glint appeared in his dark obsidian eyes and he picked up the petal. It felt very soft, smooth and slightly cool. He dropped the petal softly in the fountain. The red petal float like a small boat on the surface of the water. Ripples of water made the reflected moonlight dance with the movement of the little petal. Such a scene looked delicate and harmonious, contrary to the mood of the man. He pursed his lips. "Cassie...", he whispered again with an emotional voice "I'm sorry... so sorry..".
He strode faster as he moved towards the palace where the newborn prince was staying. He kicked open the heavy palace door and it creaked as it opened. The palace wasn't brightly lit, with only a bunch of candles illuminating the hall on a table in the corner. No one was seen anywhere near. "Where is the child?", the cold voice of the king sounded. No one answered. He snorted coldly and sounded again, " Don't make me repeat again. Where is the prince?". A maid rushed from behind the door and kneeled on the ground, trembling. " Y-your Majesty, please punish this servant! But please, please spare the prince!" she cried with her face pressed on the floor.
She had heard about the Emperor turning into a madman these past few days where he had killed many. Almost all the servants ran away from the palace for fear of the Emperor. She stayed only because she pitied the little prince. He would die with no one to take care of him. But, while taking care of the prince, she always feared that the king might come to get rid of the child who came to the world at the cost of the life of his mother. And just now, she was scared out of her wits when she saw the Emperor with his sword. But she had to protect the child she had been taking care of and had come to love. She continued in a trembling voice, "The prince is only just a child, Your majesty! He.. he doesn't know anything! Your majesty, please have mercy!". The Emperor looked down on the shivering maid wailing and sobbing with his cold and cruel eyes.
He swung his sword and pointed it to the maid. The tip of the sword was less than an inch away from her eyes. She froze at the sight and her eyes widened and almost popped out from her skull. "Lead. The. Way", the Emperor commanded in a low but deep voice. His tone was chilling, like cold wind during the cold winter. "Yes, Your majesty ", the maid struggled to get up and tried to walk with her numb feet. She staggered and trembled with fear as she lead the Emperor to where the baby was.
She opened the door and never closed it even when the Emperor went inside the room. She trotted quickly towards the crib. If the Emperor was about to harm the prince, she would take the prince and run as fast as she could and leave the palace. She couldn't let the child die. The child was too precious and lovely. She would raise it herself as her own and protect him in every manner. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists, trying her best to overcome her fear as the Emperor loomed over the crib.