------------
(3rd Person POV)
In a world, one empire ruled over all the land as far as can be seen.
Phoenix Empire...
According to the myths written in the royal edicts, Edward Phoenix and his five companions fought against the great evil that endangered the world itself.
Edward, with his incredible strength and bravery, put the world's most malevolent entity to eternal rest.
He united all different kingdoms that were involved in a war against each other and was hailed as the emperor of the empire.
Five of his friends were also given their fiefs and made the Dukes of the empire, a noble position second to the king itself.
They formed their own dynasties.
The Black Agriches...
The Blue Pedelians...
The Yellow Bertiums...
The White Huipelions...
And the Red Gastors...
For thousands of years, this world has faced drought, earthquakes, famine, plagues and rebellions.
Change is forever certain in the mortal plane, however, in the past thousand of years, one thing remained the same.
The Phoenix Family still ruled above all...
And commoners might not know, but there was a saying passed after the head changed from generation to generation in the five families.
'Never go against the Phoenixes.'
In recent times, people don't know how much time has passed since the founding of the empire but currently, the continent is in peace except for a few skirmishes here and there between families.
In the palace named Aula Regia resided the rulers of the empire, The Phoenix Family.
The current living members consisted of the king, William Phoenix and the crown prince, Aston Phoenix.
The royal section of the palace was decorated with lavishness and blended with dazzling colours in a perfect ratio. A place fit for the king of gods itself to reside.
In a room at the topmost floor, was a man sleeping without a care in the world and anyone who would see him would say that man was enjoying the sleep of his life.
An old man could be seen standing beside the bed. Anyone observing the scene for a few minutes would have known that the old man came near the bed as if he had materialised out of thin air. With a serious expression, a broad build and a sharp stare in his eyes, he looked like a warrior of high stature.
His deep voice came out and slightly echoed through the big room, "Your Highness, it's time to wake up."
There was no response from the person in sleep...
The old man sighed as he again repeated with a tint of exasperation in his voice, "Your Highness, I don't know why you play this game every day. Why do you like to trouble this old man at this age so much? It's apparent that you have woken up."
And then, the eyes of the person sleeping opened, what peered the surroundings was an iris with a fiery-orange shade and an inhumane asperity.
He rose up from the bed and said to the person beside him with a smirk, "Good morning to you as well, Edmund."
Edmund bowed his head and said in a voice that oozed honour and respect he was speaking to, "Good morning to the crown prince, Aston Phoenix of the great Phoenix Empire."
Aston Phoenix, the preeminent crown prince of the empire got out of bed in a manner that exuded royal bearing.
His appearance was as if God himself had taken time out and carved it with impeccable beauty.
With a pale but dashing face, luscious black hair, fiery-orange eyes and a Greek God build complimented with royal clothes was a sight to see.
Aston said in his usual deep husky voice, "Get the breakfast ready, Edmund and be sure to inform Father as well."
Edmund nodded and melted into the shadows to follow his lord's order.
Aston got ready for breakfast with the help of several handmaidens around him.
After the bath, the new royal clothes enhanced his already royal aura to the next level.
He walked through the hallways to reach the dining room and opened the door.
The sight that greeted him was a long table full of immaculate delicacies and several butlers as well as maids present in the room to provide immediate assistance if needed.
At one end of the table was an old man, looking like in his 70s sitting. He was the current king of the Phoenix Empire, William Phoenix.
Aston greeted him with great enthusiasm and respect after entering the room, "Greetings to the sun of the empire!"
William Phoenix acknowledged the regard and ushered him in a feeble tone, "No need of courtesy between us, my son. Come and have your breakfast."
Aston nodded and had his breakfast in a decorous manner. After both attendees had their fill, Aston ordered the servants in a firm voice, "All of you are excused for now."
The servants began taking up the unclean utensils and leftover food.
When one of the maids came near the crown prince to clean up that part of the table, she had a slight twitch in her movements.
When she slightly glanced at him, she was met with a beaming smile by the crown prince meant as a form of encouragement which led her face to redden, and with unsteady actions, she completed her part in cleaning.
When the maids were going out of the room, there was slight whispering between some of them. Though, it was not low enough that it couldn't be heard by someone sitting in the room.
"Oh my god, Lyla! The prince smiled at you. You are so lucky! It's my turn to clean his part of the table tomorrow. Still, even a single view of his charming smile has made my day better."
"Oh yes, Rhea. Our prince looked so dashing today, kyaa! I just wanted to be promoted to become one of his handmaidens. I would love to be near him so much. It would just make my day if I could be around him so frequently."
"Hey, stop. Don't get ahead of me. I have been trying for 5 years. You need to have a perfect record in all aspects and-"
This was a perfect representation of how much the crown prince was adored by the public. He was already called the next coming of Edward Phoenix due to his otherworldly feats, which spread wide around the empire.
This chattering was heard by the people who were present in the room. The muttering died down as the servants had gone from the dining hall, and silence reigned in the place.
William Phoenix tried to say something in a nervous and stumbling voice, "Ah, l-listen son-"
A sharp voice came and cut through the atmosphere, "Don't continue this farce when we are alone, you inane imbecile."
This stopped the supposed king from saying anything and he just sat there with his head bowed down while shivering like a leaf in the autumn wind.
Aston said in his commanding voice, "Edmund, come."
Edmund appeared behind him and asked, "Yes, your Highness?"
"State all the important events that happened yesterday."
Edmund spoke, "Yes, your highness. These are the major ones. One of our spies was caught in the Gastors estate."
"Was he properly disposed of?"
"Of course. They can't track it to us. Also, our underworld guild got into a conflict with the Pedelians."
Aston's scathing voice said in a harsh tone, "Bloody Pedelians. Those righteous fuckers and the ones who annoy us the most... What happened to them?". He grabbed the golden glass kept beside him and squeezed it like a paper mache.
"The Pedelians lost a large number of their forces, stationed in that region. This was possible because our Tenebres Squad was present near."
"Hmm...How did the Pedelians get to know about the underworld forces?"
"It seems it was mismanagement by the head of that region. He gave wrong orders which resulted in the Pedelians sniffing them out."
"Of course, they could do that. They are our empire's mutts with sharp noses. Bring the head posted there to me by tomorrow. I want to question him personally. Anything else?"
"There was a major incident yesterday night. Due to our clash with the Pedelians, there were fewer people posted near the eldest son of the Pedelian family, Cassis Pedelian. He was abducted by a group."
"Which group, I might presume, Edmund?"
"You already know your Highness, The Agriches..."
Aston's face bloomed into a big smile as he heard about this, "Oh my. Finally, an interesting event."
That excitement and that subtle bloodlust that was carried in his voice and aura led to fear running down the spine of the two other people present in the room.
-----------
(End of the Chapter)
[Aston Phoenix Illustration]
[William Phoenix Illustration]
[Edmund Illustration]
If you enjoyed the story, please drop some power stones. Comment about things that you liked, disliked or any suggestions for the fic. Give a review as well to ensure I can improve my work.
Join my discord server - https://discord.com/invite/Vr4cnbxGvy