The time has come. The long awaited evening that everyone has dreaded and anticipated- The return of the Emperor's dog, Duke Eckleis. The Eckleis family held high regards towards the Empire's current Emperor, they invested in him. It was very well known for everyone who knew of the Eckleis name to have such strong bonds with De Lucas. For a very long time, they had bet against all odds for Norton de Luca to take the throne through blood, sweat and tears. With the death of the Luca's youngest daughter, it only served as a harsh push towards the throne. Through it all, The Eckleis family's only son was the Former Emperor's son's only distraction. A friendship bound through politics. However, it would be a tasteless lie if Norton were to say he did not enjoy this friendship with the Eckleis's son, Hera Eckleis. Despite starting off on a wrong foot, both boys thoroughly enjoyed the other person's equally annoying personality. So on the day Hera Eckleis showed eternal loyalty towards the Crown Prince, he was pledged to be his right hand. To this day, Hera Eckleis, now Duke of the Eckleis Estate after his father continues to serve under Norton de Luca, the Empires current Emperor, as his Guard Dog. Four months ago, rumours flew around the Empire of a disaster happening around the Outskirt regions of the continent but rumours were only rumours, still the Emperor sent Duke Eckleis on an expedition to survey the outskirts. After all, it would only serve to be more problematic in the future if the disasters were to find it's way into the Empire. Not long after Duke Eckleis departure did the rumours died down, and no one mentioned anything about the outskirts since. Now they were celebrating Duke Eckleis return as if he had just come back from a long vacation. What joy!
A sunny bright sky was the perfect day to have a welcome back party indeed. The ones who specifically looked forward to it were the young ladies having the opportunity to dress and get dolled up. This was no exception towards Lady Floran either whom stood in front of the mirror within Jayus room, adoring her new hair accessories.
"Can you believe it? Duke Eckleis is coming back, I've been wanting to meet him personally since he received the order from his Majesty," Polished jade green nails ran through the auburn curls of her cascading hair as she fixated her eyes at her reflection in the mirror and making sure her bow sat neatly on her hair. Jayus rolled his eyes from his spot on the bed and Floran glared at his reflection from the mirror. "Why? Are you planning to seduce the Duke?" Jayus joked, leaning back on his hands as he threw a playful smirk at Floran. She responded only by gently pulling on the ribbons in her hair, making sure they were tight enough not to fall out. She shook her head "No, I'm curious of what he found by the outskirts. Despite his Majesty's words and the rumours dissipating about the regions, our students made researches about the outskirts and found that any road towards the regions were blocked and forbidded entry. I believe the Empire might be hiding something," She paused, twirling in front of the mirror as she checked herself. Jayus himself gave it a thought for a second. It's true, no later than Duke Eckleis departure were the rumours then buried. If it really were nothing than rumours, why would his Majesty send the Duke on an expedition at the same time as the rumours started? Or was it a coincidence... No, it doesn't matter to him. Regardless of the reason, there's no point of Jayus getting involved. If anything, his father would be the one involved considering he was the one working under the Emperor.
"Why? Are you planning to seduce the Duke?" This time, Floran threw his words right back at him. He shot up from his spot on the bed sitting straight, crimson eyes staring dangerously back at Floran. She raised both her arms in surrender "It was a joke, just a joke." She said, laughing at his reaction. Jayus let out a frustrated sigh, surrendering into the comforts of his bed. If only he could just not go to the party. He could already guess who would be there and he dreaded the thought now that he knew who was behind the Tritus scheme. Ugh, to think he'd have Malin Tritus do some dirty work for him. Malin Tritus definitely got something out of this, considering Viscount Deborah's overwhelmingly increasing influence, it definitely had something to do with the mines he found. Malin Tritus...that greedy son of a bitch. "By the way, I forgot to thank you for letting me stay in the estate for a while. It means a lot!" Floran collapsed on the bed beside Jayus as she sighed in relief "Who knew renting a room at the Capitol could be so expensive? Have they no heart at all?" She groaned.
"Why are you even staying in the first place? I thought you would immediately go back to the Academy once the party was over. If I remember correctly, you couldn't even be away from your work for even a second," True enough, Jayus remembers clearly how she spent days with no rest running the academy, she even missed out on a couple of his birthdays. They had been friends since childhood, so it was only natural for Jayus to be a bit disappointed when she missed out on his special day for the first time since running the academy. Then the second time, then the third... He shook off the thought immediately, he understands though. Even he got busy as he got older. Even he started managing some business handed by his father, so it was only natural that things stopped being as they were before. He shouldn't be unreasonable.
"Hey, that was different. I was genuinely tweaking when my students made a research for when rats would take over the world, you think I could take a break when my students look like they need counseling?"
Suddenly, a knock on the door made all heads turn as Judith emerged from the door followed by a row of endless maids. However, that wasn't the end of it, at the end of the line walked in a middle aged lady with strict poise wearing a cold glare behind her monocle. She wore a beautiful dress, one suited for formality as her hair tied neatly in a bun. Jayus stood up abruptly. Fuck, what is she doing here? In a split second of a decision, he sprints towards the window in a panic. I have to get out of here.
"However fast you are, my Lord, you can't outrun me," Before Jayus could jump out through the window, a row of maids quickly blocked his way. Surrounding every exit he could see, he clicked his tongue in frustration. Of all times, he should have been aware his parents would have called this vicious old hag!
This old hag sighed. Miss Lauyeer, a true perfectionist at heart and the oldest wealth to exit I'm the empire. That is to say, every time Miss lauyeer were to grace you with her presence, it was only natural to crave her validation, after all, she had social connections to anywhere and anyone. Miss Lauyeer is the social circle itself. To displease her would have everyone turn their back on you, because anything that displeases Miss Lauyeer is nothing but a sore thumb. And she happens to be Jayus greatest enemy. Why must that be? There's only one answer for that question.
"You are still as immature as ever, young lord." Miss Lauyeer said, shaking her head, a rush of excitement bubbling up her chest. She held up a hair brush in one hand, the other stayed behind her back. "Now let's gets you dolled up." She took an eager step forward. Floran watched as the maids circled around the Marquess's son and laughed. It seems like everyone still adored the idea of dressing Jayus.
"The last time I fell in charge of my lord's appearance my reputation boomed to another continent. Please allow me this wonderful chance to dress you up again, my Lord."
Circling within the estate and falling on deaf ears, a faint cry for help slowly faded out within a distance as Jayus spent the rest of the day under Miss Lauyeer's mercy.
The palace was one known for its intricate details above high ceilings accompanied by the pearly white floors and marble statues sculpted by famous artist around the world. It was a wonderouos pleasure to lay eyes upon the architecturals within the Empire, but if one were to look for the Emperor, he could not be found in his room but upon the highest floor, sealed away from everyone. Within the highest floor in the Empire was a place restricted from everyone, in the middle of that room, you could find a tall young man with pitch black hair and ocean deep blue eyes, and a face riddled with moles scattered like constellations. The emperor crouched in the middle of that vast floor. Around every corner of the dark room circled a stream of clear blue water, magically flowing towards the man at the center as it glowed. It swirled around his palms before falling like a stream down the tiny pond beneath his hands. The serene sight and focus of the man was temporarily disturbed.
The emperor, Norton de Luca, turned towards the figure emerging from behind the double doors.
"Duke Eckleis!" Norton smiled. "What a sight to see such a familiar face after all this time." dumped the rest of the water in his hands into the pond, flicking away the droplets that remained. He stood up from his position on the floor as Duke Eckleis waltz into the room running a gloved hand through his hair. "Please, do not call me that."
Norton laughed, poking a wet finger at the grumpy man's cheek once he got close enough to touch. Hera Eckleis, the star of the soon-to-be held Welcome Back Party, and the Emperor's closest friend.
"I'm expecting the expedition went well?" Norton asked. Hera begrudgingly swiped away at the hand continuing to poke him. He shook his head "Someone is purposefully spreading the curse starting from the outskirts. I've managed to gather some information but..." Shoving a hand into his bag, Hera retrieved a few neatly kept documents and handed them over to Norton. Scanning the papers as quickly as he could, Norton could only hum in response. He scratched his chin in thought, behind the papers, ocean blue eyes glanced over at the younger man "You think someone is doing experiments and failing which caused the recent outbreaks?" Norton asked.
"The corpses found at the scenes couldn't be written down as any sort of sickness or what-so-ever. Other than that, faint magic lingered on their bodies even after clerics tried to purify the bodies-" Hera said. At this, Norton walked over the tiny body of water on the floor, he glanced back and forth at the paper and the water as if he was hesitating.
"-We don't know who started this or what their intentions may be." Hera continued, he grabbed the back of his neck in exasperation as he grunted, already tired. All he wanted to do at this moment was to crash in his bed. He was about to excuse himself but stopped as he watched Norton making eyes at the paper and water. Uh oh.
"No!" Hera quickly grabbed Norton's arm, trying to hold him back from his next movements but Norton only laughed at his attempt. "You can't call her! She has nothing to do with this," Hera reasoned "I do not want anything to do with her!" He desperately tried to persuade Norton.
"I wasn't gonna. I was just thinking about it, gurl." Norton said. Earning a glare from Hera "Well don't think about it. I get a headache just from hearing anything regarding her."
Norton rolled his eyes. Such an exaggeration. He couldn't help but laugh. Still, he thinks Hera's right. If he called her now, she would not have hesitated to deal with matters immediately but with her way of doing things... It was best to keep her away from things. From every things.
"Let's cast this aside for now. You're finally back, it's a time to celebrate! Not brood over problems," Norton grabbed Hera's shoulders from behind, leading the man and himself out the door. Hearing this, Hera couldn't help but be concerned "You're the Emperor, you shouldn't be saying things like that,"
"It's merely a temporary position, and I'm doing wonderful at it! There's no need for worries-" Norton paused, blue eyes widening as he realized something "-Ah, you didn't immediately come to see me after you entered the empire, did something happen?" Norton asked, however received only silence from the other person. He continued to wonder if something must have gone wrong on the way here but was completely taken aback as he gazed at Hera. Norton couldn't exactly see his face from where he stood behind him but could see the red hues covering Hera's ears.
"I...met someone on the way here," Hera replied, embarrassed. Oh! This new information excited Norton more than anything. In his excitement, he continued to walk them out of the room to get them prepared for the party that evening "Tell me everything!"
After all, there was nothing more exciting than hearing about the interests of someone who he considers a brother. Specially if it involved romantic interests.