Sasha left after tidying up Edmund's room but his mind still lingered on the problem.
With no court meetings scheduled, his thoughts were free to dwell on the task at hand—obtaining a fragment of bark from the silver oak tree.
As he dressed in simple attire, Edmund pondered the significance of the tree. Its supernatural properties were said to be unmatched, and it was a symbol of the kingdom's prosperity. But more importantly, it was the key to completing his first goal.
He decided to take a stroll around the palace grounds to clear his head and perhaps find some inspiration. The gardens of the palace never failed to impress, even after all these years. The morning air was crisp, and the scent of blooming flowers filled his senses as he walked.
As he approached the central courtyard, he saw a familiar figure... It was one of his step-brothers.
Lucien was preparing to leave for the kingdom's finest vampire academy. Lucien was a spitting image of their father, with sharp features, dark hair, and an aura of arrogance that seemed to precede him wherever he went.
He was a sight to behold in his vampire academy uniform.
Lucien's uniform consisted of a tailored jacket and trousers made from the finest black velvet, which shimmered subtly under the light, giving it an almost mystical quality.
The jacket was fitted perfectly to his athletic frame, emphasizing his broad shoulders and slim waist. The high collar and lapels were adorned with intricate silver embroidery, depicting ancient vampiric symbols and the emblem of the academy—a stylized bat with outstretched wings, clutching a blood-red gemstone in its claws.
The front of the jacket featured a row of silver buttons, each engraved with the crest of the Darkblorn Kingdom, glinting with every movement Lucian made.
Underneath the jacket, he wore a white shirt that was almost luminous against the dark velvet. The shirt's collar was high and stiff, fastened with a black silk cravat pinned by a small ruby brooch that caught the light with a fiery gleam.
Despite being a year younger than Edmund, Lucien looked more physically mature. This was because he had unlocked his essence since he was around the age of five.
"Morning, Lucien," Edmund greeted while trying to keep his tone neutral.
Lucien glanced at him as surprise flickered in his eyes before being replaced by his usual disdain. "Edmund. Surprised to see you out and about so early."
"I could say the same," Edmund replied with a forced smile. "Heading to the academy, I assume?"
"Of course," Lucien said while adjusting the collar of his pristine uniform. "Some of us still value our education."
Edmund felt a twinge of embarrassment, remembering that the original Edmund had dropped out of the academy over a year ago. "Right. Well, have a good day."
Lucien smirked while stepping into the royal cart. "I intend to."
With that, the cart was pulled away by two magnificent griffins. Their wings beat the air as they ascended into the sky. Edmund watched them go, feeling a prick of envy. He initially wondered why he wasn't attending the academy himself, only to remember his predecessor's decision to drop out.
He facepalmed while letting out a deep sigh. "I'll deal with that later," he muttered to himself.
Determined to focus on the task at hand, Edmund made his way towards the path that led to the sacred garden. The path was lined with ancient statues and meticulously kept hedges, each turn bringing him closer to his goal. However, as he approached the entrance, two guards stepped forward with stern expressions.
"Your Highness," one of the guards said respectfully, "this area is restricted. You cannot proceed further."
Edmund tried to keep his tone light. "Come now, surely the crown prince can take a peek at the sacred garden?"
The guards exchanged nervous glances. "We have our orders, Your Highness. No one is allowed beyond this point without express permission from the Emperor."
Edmund sighed, trying to think of a way to persuade them. "Look, I'm not here to cause trouble. I just want to look around."
The guards remained firm. "We understand, Your Highness, but our orders are clear. Please don't make this difficult for us."
He could see the fear in their eyes. Not fear of him, but of the consequences they would face for disobedience. It was clear that no amount of smooth talking would get him past them.
"Fine," Edmund said in frustration. "Can you at least tell me where the keeper of the garden is? I need to speak with her."
The guards shook their heads. "We don't know, Your Highness. She comes and goes as she pleases."
Realizing he was getting nowhere, Edmund nodded curtly. "Thank you for your time."
He turned and walked back towards the palace with a defeated look. His mind was filled with thoughts of what to do next. The sacred garden seemed impenetrable, and without access, his goal remained out of reach.
Back in his room, Edmund paced restlessly. "There has to be a way," he muttered. "I need that bark."
His thoughts churned as he took a seat. How could he convince his father to grant him access to the garden? The Emperor was an unmovable figure, not easily swayed by sentiment or persuasion. Not to mention that he and Edmund didn't really have a father-son relationship but Edmund knew he had to try.
After several minutes of contemplation, he came to a conclusion. He would need to present a compelling case, one that aligned with his father's interests and the welfare of the kingdom. But what could possibly convince the Emperor to grant such a rare privilege?
Sasha entered the room, carrying a tray with his midday meal. She placed it on the table with a concerned look upon noticing his troubled expression.
"Edmund, you look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders," she said gently. "What's bothering you?"
He sighed while taking a seat; "It's the silver oak tree, Sasha. I need to get a fragment of its bark, but the garden is off-limits. I have no idea how to get my father's permission."
Sasha's eyes widened slightly. "That is a difficult task, indeed. The Emperor guards that garden fiercely."
"I know," Edmund replied. "But I need that bark. It's important."
Sasha sat down beside him with a thoughtful expression. "Perhaps if you could present a reason that benefits the kingdom, your father might consider it."
"That's what I was thinking," Edmund said while nodding. "But what kind of reason would be compelling enough?"
Sasha pondered for a moment. "The silver oak tree is a symbol of our prosperity, yes? Maybe you could argue that understanding its properties could lead to new benefits for the kingdom. Enhanced defenses, new magical properties, something that aligns with your father's goals."
Edmund's eyes lit up with hope. "That's brilliant, Sasha. I could present it as a matter of national interest."
She smiled, pleased to have helped. "Just try to be compelling enough, Edmund. Your father is not easily convinced."
"I know," he said with steeled resolve. "But I have to try. This is too important."
With a plan forming in his mind, Edmund spent the rest of the day preparing his case. He gathered information about the tree's historical significance, its rumored properties, and potential benefits that could be derived from studying it. He rehearsed his arguments, refining his points until he felt confident.
The following morning, he requested an audience with the Emperor.
Edmund's heart pounded in his chest as he made his way towards the throne room. His steps echoed through the corridors, and the guards he passed looked up in shock. Their eyes widened at the sight of him but they quickly made sure to maintain composure.
It was rare for Edmund to venture into these parts of the palace, and they still feared the reputation of the cruel crown prince, despite his recent change in demeanor.
As Edmund approached the throne room, the massive double doors adorned with mysterious carvings loomed before him.
The guards stationed there straightened and cast wary glances at each other before opening the doors with a synchronized motion. The hinges creaked, revealing the grandeur within.
The throne room was a sight to behold. Massive columns lined the walls, each one carved with scenes of ancient battles and victories. Rich displays hung between the columns, depicting the lineage of the vampire royalty.
The floor was polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflecting the golden light from the chandeliers above. Vampire guards in gleaming armor stood at attention around the room.
At the far end of the room, on a raised dais, sat the throne. It was a spectacular structure made of dark obsidian. Its backrest towering high was adorned with detailed designs of bats and twisted vines. The throne itself seemed to pulse with a mythical energy as if it were alive.
Seated upon the throne was the Emperor, Edmund's father. His presence was overwhelming, exuding an aura of absolute power. His sclera were a deep, unnatural purple, and his pupils and irises glowed a vibrant crimson, cutting through the dim light like beacons.
Despite being over a century old, the Emperor looked no older than twenty. His features were youthful yet impossibly sharp.
To his left stood a figure that did not look entirely human. Draped in dark, flowing robes, its face was obscured by a hood, but a pair of glowing eyes peered out from the darkness. Edmund felt a chill run down his spine at the sight of the figure.
The Emperor's gaze fixed on Edmund as he approached, and for a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath. "Why are you here, Edmund?" the Emperor's voice was deep and resonant, filling the vast space.