The sun had barely risen on the bustling city when the imperial emissary Stheden stumbled upon an earth-shattering revelation. As part of the Emperor's relentless quest for immortality, Stheden had been dispatched to gather information from the most unlikely sources, but nothing could have prepared him for the discovery he made that fateful morning.
Stheden had always been a diligent and meticulous servant, devoted to the Emperor's cause with an unwavering loyalty. His search led him to the residence of the Fourth Prince, Chance, where he mingled discreetly with the household staff, hoping to unearth any hidden secrets that might aid the Emperor. To his astonishment, he found a traitor among the prince's servants. This turncoat, driven by greed or fear, revealed the existence of a device beyond Stheden's wildest dreams—a time machine.
The servant spoke in hushed tones, his eyes darting nervously as he recounted the incredible tale of the time machine and how Chance, alongside Princess Rossy, had discussed using it to traverse black holes and journey through different epochs. Stheden's heart raced as he listened, the magnitude of the information nearly overwhelming him.
A time machine? The implications were staggering. The Emperor's dream of immortality, of endless life, could finally be within reach. Without a moment to lose, Stheden sprinted from the prince's residence, his mind ablaze with the enormity of his discovery. He ran through the winding streets of the capital, his feet pounding against the cobblestones, heedless of the curious stares from passersby. His urgency was such that one of his shoes slipped off and was left behind, forgotten in his mad dash to the palace.
Breathless and disheveled, Stheden burst into the Emperor's private chambers. The courtiers and guards were taken aback by his sudden and unceremonious entrance. The Emperor, seated on his grand throne, looked up with a mixture of curiosity and irritation at the sight of his normally composed emissary in such a state of disarray.
"Stheden," the Emperor demanded, his voice tinged with impatience, "what is the meaning of this? Speak quickly and make sense."
Stheden struggled to catch his breath, his words tumbling out in a frantic rush. "Your Majesty... the Fourth Prince... Chance... he has... a time machine!"
The room fell silent, the weight of Stheden's words sinking in. The courtiers exchanged bewildered glances, and the Emperor leaned forward, his interest piqued. "A time machine?" he repeated, his voice soft with incredulity.
Stheden nodded vigorously, his eyes wide with excitement. "Yes, Your Majesty. One of his servants, a traitor, revealed everything. Chance and Princess Rossy spoke of it—how it allows them to travel through time using black holes. The implications... Your Majesty, this could mean immortality."
The Emperor's eyes widened, and a slow smile spread across his face. He rose from his throne, his regal bearing infused with newfound vigor. "Immortality," he mused, the word rolling off his tongue like a sweet promise. "Finally, the secret to eternal life is within my grasp."
The courtiers watched in awe as the Emperor's demeanor shifted from weary monarch to exuberant conqueror. He began to pace, his mind racing with the possibilities. "Imagine the power we could wield," he murmured, more to himself than to anyone in the room. "With a time machine, we could learn from the future, correct the past, and ensure the everlasting prosperity of our dynasty."
Turning to Stheden, the Emperor's eyes gleamed with excitement. "You have done well, Stheden. This news is indeed monumental. Summon the Fourth Prince immediately. I must see this marvel with my own eyes."
Stheden bowed deeply, relief and pride washing over him. "Yes, Your Majesty. I will fetch Prince Chance at once."
As Stheden hurried to relay the Emperor's command, the courtiers began to murmur among themselves, the implications of the time machine igniting their imaginations. Whispers of potential exploits and fears of unknown consequences filled the chamber. The Emperor, however, was lost in his own thoughts, envisioning a future where he ruled indefinitely, his wisdom and power growing with each passing century.