The Azuki clan largely known for their unique features and mass production of weapons, were headed by the infamously known Yuki.
Her contributions over the years had made her an indispensable tool to the empire especially her unique connection to house Altair granting her profound support among the higher ops in the noble society.
Kassius sat at a table near the edge of the wall enjoying a drink with Silas as they had a friendly chat. The nobles around the all exchanged greets and discussed whatever they desired.
"So, you slept with the duchess's daughter…. Hmmm that's interesting" I said taking a slip from the glass.
"I didn't know she was the duchess daughter when we met"
Silas held the whole bottle of wine has he drowned his sorrows, it wasn't really fun being the target of one of the most power people of the empire.
"It's funny cause she was the one that came on to me, I wasn't even going to do anything but she seemed to know my weakness" he said lamented dropping the bottle.
"ohh, and what is that?", I asked genuinely curious
His face twisted has a serious look covered his expression. He seemed fragile trying to open up about something very serious has he turned towards me.
"B.. boobs"
"What?", I cleaned my ear struggling to hear what he had said. Did this bastard just say boobs.
"Her boobs Kassius, they were one of the largest I've ever seen"
"You crazy bastard", I said as I stared at the man people recognized as the perfect heir. This was who was meant to succeed the Duke and rule the south, all hope was lost.
"Kassius you need to understand me, I couldn't believe it when I first saw it. But I had come to realize something today, it's hereditary", Silas couldn't have been more serious trying to explain to me.
"Now that I think back to it, I was the victim here kass", he seemed to finally let reality dawn on him as a tear drop from his left eye.
I always found it intriguing how vastly his personality varied from when he was away from all the preying eye's.
Contrary to popular opinion Silas wasn't a perfect has he led on. he loved drinking wine, exchanging pleasantries with women and was largely more carefree but he knew he had responsibilities not only to his dukedom but also to the empire.
But his responsibilities didn't not seem to hold him down, he relished in it. Eventually both sides of his personality made him who he was and I truly admired it
We were in a room full of nobles and yet the corner we sat seemed to be detached from the rest of the room. It was our own space where we could be ourselves.
"Didn't you sleep with her, how are you the victim", I asked
"Ohh forget it, you wouldn't understand"
"You know kass, this is last semblance of peace you're gonna get", he said with his tone becoming darker but it was short lived.
"But you know it isn't all that bad. Although the path ahead is rough, I want you to live your life to the fullest.
I truly wish you the best in the path ahead younger brother", he said sending me wide smile.
The image of his smile radiated in my mind before I replied, "I wish the same for you too brother"
We stood in silence a little before we broke into a wide laughter, there wasn't really anything funny about it but it gave us a feint joy as we let go for our burdens.
******
The room which was filled the life suddenly turned silent, the nobles no matter the rank remained quite as the attendant announced the entrance of a particular figure.
"HIS MAJESTY YVES RULER OF THE GREAT GRAHAM EMPIRE ARRIVES"
"ALL HAIL HIS MAJESTY", Everyone in the hall said in unison bowing their heads in show of respect.
A man entered with his family behind him as his wife stood next to him. His stood tall gazing at the most powerful people within his empire, a white baggy shirt covered his upper body has the black trousers complimented it.
It was no way for a king to dress but who were we to question his authority. His face twisted into a disturbing smile sensing the discomfort in the hall, all the nobles still had their heads bowed at him for he had not instructed for them to lift them.
He raised his hands slightly drawing everyone's attention towards him. He had a figure that command respect and loyalty, but I could also perceive the overwhelming feeling of dread.
"I welcome you all into my humble home, I have called this meeting to celebrate my daughter's coming of age ceremony. I do hope you all treat her well", he said approaching the throne.
Sitting on the throne his head rested on his hand losing all interest, the room was once again filled with music as the voices of the nobles drowned the hall in noise.
I stared at the emperor from the side as I went to refill our drinks. I wouldn't say I wasn't shocked when I saw him, he was decently handsome and had a physic closer to that of the thinner side.
His platinum blond hair was on the shorter side but it was enough to cover does hideous eyes of his.
Does eye's didn't look like something that belonged to a human, it was a crimson spiral that seemed to suck anyone that stared to long.
The scarlett hue gave the impression of having been drowned in the blood of thousands.
'Is he even human', sweat trickled down my face thinking of the monster that sat on the throne.
No matter what anyone says he looked more inhuman to me than anything else, his facial expression also didn't help the matter has it's smile gave a sense of dread.
Although I couldn't explain it my instinct where never wrong about this kind of things.
Aside from him the rest of the royal family looked relatively normal. The queen wore a gentle smile on her face as she chatted with the other noble women, her straight black hair went below her shoulders matching the her gorgeous rose dress caressing her body.
She wouldn't have caught my attention if not for the princess who was engaging in a conversation with the beautiful Mrs Yuki. She wore an air of confidence around her proving to be capable.
"She's almost as beautiful has the duchess," I said unconsciously
But it had seem to reach her ears, fixing her gaze upon me a pair of jewels which contained the raging waves of the ocean stared at me.
"Thank you," she mouthed turning her attention back to the duchess.
'What the hell was that,' I thought still frozen on the spot.
I made mental note to stir clear of the royal family making my way back towards silas.
Lost in thought I had bumped into someone making the wine splash onto their cloth, cursing my luck I stared at the short haired youth who's white coat had been dyed red.
He directed his jade gaze towards me has his face twisted into a disgusting frown, trying my best to organize my thoughts I was about to speak when a fist was thrown at my direction.
"Shit", I muttered under my breath thrown onto the floor. A crowd slowly started to form as my oppressor stood ready to end me.
The taste of iron slowly filled my mouth fueling my rage, unfortunately for him I didn't take kindly to assaults. In a moment of blind rage I clenched my fists getting back up to deliver a clean blow to his chin.
He was shocked to say the least taking step backwards….
'A full whole punch to the jaw only made him take a step backwards,' the situation wasn't looking good. His eyes already dyed black as he adjusted himself.
My thoughts on the situation came to a halt coming to a conclusion as the sclera of my eyes became pitch black
"I don't know who the fuck you are, but this isn't going to end well for you," the short haired youth informed Kassius
Fortunately, that suddenly made things a lot easier has a twisted smile appeared on Kassius's face.
"Since we've both hit one another I guess they isn't any room for compromise, is there?"
This was going to hurt but there wasn't an option, Kassius had to stand his ground. After all this would impact his standing in the eyes of the nobles.
The tension gradually grew, indicating whoever made the first move would have the advantage.
When a low voice reverberated throughout the hall, each word felt strained leaving behind the weight of the user's words.
"And who gave you permission to fight in my presence"
His majesty eye leds seemed to finally open drowning the hall in a sea of crimson.
A feeling so primal gripped Kassius by neck, his body was frozen losing all will to fight. Sweat slowly dropped onto the ground as he breathing became disheveled.
An overwhelming source of malice and dread filled the air
It was a sense Kassius was all to well familiar with
For it was the one thing all men were equal in
It was 'DEATH'.