Every day remained the same.
But today he got away! Ha! Jokes on Riri, he is finally being left alone. It's more like he managed to secure some alone time for today. A white lie is fine, right?
He opened the books that he had chosen from the shelves in this private library. At first, he thought that this kid did not have any because he did not look like someone who liked to study or read. He can't judge a book by its cover, can he?
Moreover, this kid is an imperial crown prince. Surely he must be studying to become a proper prince to rule this empire in the future.
"Let's see what I've got here."
First, he found a history book about this world and empire. He needs to know how this world functions. Is there magic? Some kind of power? Or, just a normal Eastern historical world with just technology and science?
First book with a thick cover and many pages, it looks like today won't be enough to finish all the books he picked. He should bring all the books back to his bedroom.
"There are more countries than I thought."
He murmured after he read the first page, which contained the map of this empire, or more likely, this continent.
[The Dradgim Empire, ruled by the Kristafall imperial family for millennia, was located on the vast land of the Eastern continent. On the land with many sources of mother nature and the richness of the natural resources. The beginning of this imperial family was not known, but it was one of the oldest kingdoms that had been uprising into an empire throughout the years. The neighbouring kingdoms and empires have established a diplomatic relationship with the Dradgim Empire since long ago. The Dradgim Empire, which has been blessed by our Lord Teresa, the goddess of immortality, has become a strong and sturdy Empire without being shaken by outside forces. The former kings and emperors who had been born in Dradgim were blessed with prosperity and a long lifespan.]
"So, the centre of religion in this empire is this Lord Teresa?"
Immortality. Quite a big word to use for the human world. He didn't doubt that if he read further into this book, there were actually more things he could discover, such as demons and angels, or maybe some fantasy creatures like elves, giants, and witches.
'It said that Dradgim is one of the empires in the Eastern continent. Does that mean there are other continents? Western, Northern, Southern, or even centre continents? Or maybe another continent has not been discovered yet by humanity?'
He just brushed it off for now. He will eventually get the answers if he continues to read. He turned to the next page after examining the map properly.
[Humans were the first inhabitants in Dradgim, according to the record of the second king. The second king of Dradgim, the one who was naming this land, had spread his reach to establish the kingdom at that time. He was reaching for a neighbouring kingdom by using his knowledge of politics. That is the only thing that has been mentioned in the record regarding the second ruler of Dradgim and the first patriarch of the Kristafall family, Sen Kristafall. The seat for the next king was given to his only son at that time to continue his legacy. Here is a brief introduction to the ruler of Dradgim throughout the centuries.]
'Does the second king not know about the first king? Their history is lacking, and some parts are not told. Not like it's my concern, though.' He shrugged.
After all, it is history. Who would know the real truth anyway?
There are many names written on five pages for the duration of the ruling. No picture had to be expected. Dradgim had been standing for so long—too long—while being blessed all this time. He could also see the name of his father, the current emperor, Asteric Kristafall, in the list.
"He had become an emperor for 20 years? That long? Wait, how old is he?"
He pulled out his short fingers to count.
"He was born in the year 1502. Now is the year 1539. 20 years ago, which means he is 37 years old! If that's the case, he had become an emperor when he was just 17 years old!"
Oh wow, this kid has a great father, huh? Not just great but also loving. Lucky.
He remembered that he was still struggling in high school at that age.
[After the expansion of the Dradgim Kingdom for centuries, the 20th King of Dradgim invited more species to reside in Dradgim. He pushed away the prejudice and suspicion of other people to welcome other species into the kingdom. The elves, nymphs, and fairies resided in the biggest forest on the West side of the kingdom at that time, now named the Forest of Miracles. The dwarfs got their own village on the Southeast side, while the beast people like werewolves, werefoxes, and two-coloured cobra beasts resided on the East side of this land. Not to forget, white raven beasts and hawk beasts had their own land on the Southwest side, and hare beasts and blue-fur cat beasts on the Northeast side. There are more mystical creatures out there, but these species listed just now are the official citizens of Dradgim with identifications. Maybe other creatures and species secretly resided on this land, but the 20th king, Tenol Kritafall, had made a declaration to not harm any of them and let them live in peace however they wanted as long as they did not attack anyone.]
He read the rest about the other creatures. From that, he could conclude that this world is not a normal one like his past. This is a fantasy world inhabited by many unknown and mystical creatures that he has never encountered. Would he encounter one later? He was kind of excited to know what they looked like. He should find a book about them too.
"At this point, all the animals that I knew would become beast people in this world."
He began to read for the rest of the afternoon and evening. He learned about magic and the technologies used in this world.
[Magic has been the source of power in Dradgrim since long ago. It is becoming the only source of power for the imperial family and the citizens to continue living. The technologies, which are the other sources that blossomed in this empire, were brought by the 25th king of Dradgim, Selez Kristafall. He was the one who introduced technology into the kingdom and raised Dradgim from a kingdom into an empire. The technology, from the energy produced by using a wheel to a generator, was the idea that was brought by the 25th king when he visited the Northern continents as an envoy. At first, his idea was opposed by the council, but by proving the worth of the technology he created, the council finally agreed to test the technology.]
There is also some kind of academy for children from 13 years old to seventeen years old. There is some advantage if people get into the academy by recommendation. Children could also start early and end earlier than the rest based on the result.
Not all could graduate earlier than expected because people said the final test was difficult. Some of the students either repeat the year or drop out.
When the thought of going back to school came to his mind, he felt dreadful. Could he avoid going to school again?
He read and read without noticing the time. By the time servants found him, he was already fast asleep on the pile of books.
Yes, Michaelis didn't know that his disappearance had worried the entire palace; no, they were panicking and running everywhere to look for Michaelis like a headless chicken.
Riri, who was finished with her duty, came back to check on Michaelis at the place they promised to meet, but his not being there was the first trigger.
In the end, one of the butlers found him. The butler informed the others, and all of them began to cry. This news was heard by the emperor, and he quickly ran towards his son's room.
A sense of relief washed over them when they saw that he was fine with no injuries whatsoever. Michaelis experienced a sweet dream while people were panicking because of him. He was being lectured the next day.
×××××
One book was placed on the table.
"Did he read this book?"
The one putting the book on the table nodded their head.
"Yes, but there were more books surrounding him when I saw him. The title is about the beast people, the history of Dradgim, the academy's system, and politics."
"Politics? Michaelis? He can't even stay awake even though he read a storybook with pictures in it."
"Maybe he has changed after the incident."
The woman hummed.
"But this is too much change. Why the sudden interest in Dradgim and politics? An 8-year-old who doesn't like to study before? Could losing memories also change someone's personality?"
"That's something we need to investigate."
"Yes."
The woman tapped the book's cover with her finger.
"Keep watching him and report everything to me. Oh, and try to suggest something different that differs from his interest before."
The person bowed before they took the book back and walked away.
"Micha, you've changed."