Adorned in his emperor attire, Wildan stood at the center of the grand hall in the heart of Ebonridge town. His azure eyes were filled with a sense of determination, his presence commanding the attention of those gathered before him. As the Southern Emperor, he carried the weight of the kingdom's hopes and fears on his shoulders.
The reports, which came from Duke Ironclaw, scattered before him, told a grim tale of the ongoing war. The conflict had been relentless, and the kingdom's forces were facing defeat after defeat. The losses were staggering, and the outlook was bleak. The once-vibrant town of Ebonridge had been affected greatly. Homes and buildings had been damaged or destroyed, and the streets bore the scars of conflict.
Amidst the chaos and destruction, the people of Ebonridge were suffering. It was evident that the war needed to be stopped, and the only way to do that was for the Emperor himself to intervene. The situation was dire, and the people longed for peace.
Wildan knew that he needed to make a public appearance as the emperor to announce a peace pact between the Wolfrein Kingdom and their adversaries. The decision weighed heavily on his heart, but he understood the gravity of the moment. It was his duty to bring an end to the suffering and destruction.
'To think your job is hard, Mom,'
Wildan couldn't help but empathize with his mother. As the crown prince, he was well aware of the complexity of ruling a kingdom. He knew his mother's commitment to her role and how much she must have sacrificed. His heart swelled with admiration for Seline, who managed to balance the weight of the crown with being a loving mother to him and his siblings.
He cherished the moments he had with his mother, though they were far too infrequent. Wildan longed for his father's presence but understood the responsibilities that kept him away. Their family had been apart for a long time, but he hoped for a future where they could be reunited.
Seline had instilled in him a sense of duty and responsibility toward the kingdom, which he was now preparing to inherit. The burdens and the expectations weighed heavily on Wildan, but he knew he was privileged to have a mother who was both an exemplary empress and a source of love and guidance. His mother's strength was a source of inspiration, and he felt determined to do his best to uphold the legacy of the Southern Territory.
Wildan's drawing depicted his mother's beauty with remarkable precision. In the portrait, Seline appeared as the epitome of grace and elegance. Her ebony hair cascaded like a river of night, framing a face of delicate porcelain. Her eyes, a brilliant sapphire blue, shimmered with wisdom and strength. Wildan's artistry had successfully captured his mother's ethereal allure.
As his gaze moved to the drawings of his siblings, he couldn't help but smile. The likenesses were uncanny, capturing their spirited and mischievous natures. He cherished these drawings as they felt like precious moments frozen in time.
Then there was the girl who had become a constant presence in her dreams, a figure he had never met but had sketched over the years. her image was a blend of mystery and familiarity, a women with fiery red hair that cascaded around her shoulders, much like his own. Though they had never crossed paths, he felt a deep connection to this enigmatic figure from his dreams, a connection he couldn't quite explain but longed to understand.
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Wildan examined the report with a mixture of concern and frustration. It was apparent that Viscount Ardianto and Viscount Miko, under the apparent guidance of Count Aris, had suspiciously sought aid from the royal family to fuel the ongoing war in Ebonridge Town. The fact that such behavior had likely occurred during his mother's absence only intensified his irritation.
'This Nobleman, I need to found the evidence.'
He clenched his fists in frustration, knowing he needed concrete evidence to bring these noblemen to justice. Their actions seemed almost impeccable, and their movements were shrouded in secrecy. His role as the emperor compelled him to seek justice, but the odds were stacked against him.
In this dire situation, he found himself thinking about the organization known as 'The Corps.' This group had played a significant role in stabilizing Ebonridge town's financial situation, preventing it from descending into chaos.
As he thought about the corps, a sense of awe washed over him. In the border's war-torn landscape, this new mercenary organization had not only survived but thrived. The common people's preference to buy products from the corps over the traditional nobility had left many nobles angered.
Countless letters had been sent to the royal kingdom, demanding intervention. Wildan couldn't help but feel a sense of irony. The nobility had been quiet when their interests were at stake, but when their power was challenged, they howled like alarmed chickens.
The report delved into the modus operandi of the corps and revealed that it had been founded by a commoner, a young girl whose identity remained a mystery. This ingenious individual had orchestrated a revolution in Ebonridge town, introducing numerous innovative products such as a bathroom soap that had become famous even in the royal city. What made this young girl's accomplishments even more astonishing was the fact that she had never been associated with any educational institution.
Wildan was both intrigued and impressed by the young girl's abilities. The fact that she had learned and created these groundbreaking products entirely on his own raised a lot of questions. The desire to meet this brilliant mind and, perhaps, recruit him into his cause started to take shape in his mind. He recognized that a talent like his could be a valuable asset to his efforts in restoring order to Ebonridge town.
"She is such an Exceptional girl."
As Wildan contemplated the mysterious young girl behind the corps, he couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her resourcefulness and resilience. Her ability to innovate and create successful products without any formal education was remarkable and spoke volumes about her intelligence. He couldn't deny the intrigue that had taken hold of her.
"I need to meet her."
The idea of meeting this enigmatic figure was both thrilling and challenging. He understood that convincing her to join his cause might not be an easy task. After all, she had managed to maintain anonymity while creating a powerful organization. However, Wildan was determined to try. He saw the potential for her talents to make a significant impact on Ebonridge town.
The reports on the corps and its founder had opened up a new avenue in her efforts to restore stability to the region. Wildan was aware that it wouldn't be an easy journey, but he was willing to take the necessary steps, including seeking out this remarkable young girl.
As Wildan continued to peruse the reports, his concentration was momentarily disrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. A gentle and melodious voice soon followed, saying, "Here you are."
When Wildan looked up from his reports, his eyes were met by a stunning young lady. The newcomer had a radiant presence, and her beauty was captivating. A genuine smile graced Wildan's lips as he acknowledged the visitor.