Edmund took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Father," he began, the word feeling strange on his tongue. He had not addressed the Emperor as father since he was five. "I have come to present a matter of great importance."
The Emperor's eyes flickered with surprise for a brief moment, then settled back into their usual inscrutable gaze. "Speak."
"Father," Edmund continued, "I have been reflecting on our kingdom's heritage and the importance of the silver oak tree. It is a symbol of our prosperity and strength, and I believe it holds untapped potential that could benefit our kingdom greatly."
As he spoke, memories of his father's distant attitude flashed through his mind. The Emperor had always seemed to avoid him, and Edmund could never understand why. Yet, as he addressed him now, there was an almost indiscernible softness in the Emperor's eyes.
"I propose that we study the tree's properties," Edmund said, his voice steady. "Understanding its magic could lead to new advancements in our defenses, new sources of power, and even new magical abilities. It's a matter of national interest, one that could strengthen our kingdom."
The Emperor listened, his expression unreadable. When Edmund finished, the Emperor's gaze turned icy. "None of that will be happening," he said coldly. "The sacred garden already serves the purpose it is supposed to."
Edmund was taken aback by the sudden change in tone. "But Father, if I could just—"
"Enough!" the Emperor's voice boomed, silencing Edmund. "You should focus on becoming the next Emperor and unlocking your essence. Your focus is in the wrong place, and that is why your essence remains locked."
The Emperor rose from his throne with visible anger. "All of your brothers have unlocked their essence, yet you remain stagnant. You are a disappointment, Edmund. Prove that you deserve the title of crown prince, or you will lose it."
"Father," Edmund tried to interject, desperation creeping into his voice, "if I could just enter the sacred garden—"
"Get out!" the Emperor roared, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "If you have nothing more to say, leave my sight!"
Edmund stood there for a moment, stunned and defeated. He bowed his head, turned, and walked out of the throne room the heavy doors closed behind him with a resounding thud.
As he made his way back to his chambers, his mind raced with thoughts. The Emperor's harsh words stung and he couldn't help but wonder if he misread the initial softness.
From what he knew about his father based on the rumors he had heard, the vampire Emperor was no easy figure to be in the presence of. He was cold, arrogant, and vicious. He always gave off the vibe that made one believe they would lose their heads if they spoke out of place.
For most people, it was like threading on thin ice. This was to be expected since he was not a forgiving person. He would have even a royal beheaded if they didn't perform their duties.
Edmund sighed while wondering if his father hated him but when he thought about it more it felt like the original Edmund hated him instead.
In his room, he sat down heavily on his bed, replaying the encounter in his mind. "I need a new plan," he muttered to himself. "If I can't get permission from my father, I'll have to find another way."
He thought about the keeper of the garden, the mysterious figure who guarded the sacred place. If he could find a way to speak with her, maybe he could convince her to grant him access. But how would he even find her? She was elusive, her comings and goings known only to a select few.
Sasha entered the room with a worried expression. "Edmund, what happened? You look troubled."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I tried to convince my father to let me study the silver oak tree, but he refused. He told me to focus on unlocking my essence instead."
Sasha frowned, sitting beside him. "That's not surprising. What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know yet," he admitted. "But I'm not giving up. I need to find the keeper of the garden. Maybe she can help me."
"That's a risky move," Sasha said, her tone cautious. "But it might be your only option."
"~sigh~ I don't know how to go about it," Edmund said.
"I'll try to gather as much information as I can," Sasha voiced with a tone of skepticism.
...
The following morning Sasha arrived in Edmund's chamber and informed him about her progress in relation to gathering information about the sacred garden keeper.
She had asked many other maids and workers in the palace and even gathered books as well as scrolls that might be helpful.
Despite their best efforts, they had yet to uncover the identity of the keeper or a reliable way to gain access to the garden.
Sasha sighed. "We've hit a dead end, your highness. Every lead we've followed turns up blank. It's as if the keeper doesn't exist beyond her duties."
Edmund rubbed his temples. "We can't give up, Sasha. There has to be a way. If the Emperor trusts her to manage the garden, she must be reachable."
"I know," Sasha replied with a determined tone. "We'll figure something out."
They continued brainstorming, poring over old records, but every potential plan crumbled under scrutiny. The keeper remained an elusive figure, shrouded in mystery. It was as if she operated outside the normal channels of the palace, leaving no trace of her movements.
By midday, their progress was still negligible. Sasha sat on the edge of the bed, deep in thought, when she suddenly remembered something. "Wait, Edmund. I recall hearing something about the palace apothecaries and their connection to the garden."
Edmund looked up, intrigued. "Go on."
"I heard that the high-grade medicinal tonics prepared for the Emperor, you, and a few other royals require ingredients that can only be procured from the sacred garden," Sasha explained.
"But if no one besides the Emperor is allowed into the garden, how are those ingredients procured?" Edmund inquired with a look of confusion.
"That's the point. How do they get them? I'll have to make inquiries about it," Sasha said while getting up to head out.
Edmund could only sit indoors and wait for the time being.
...
Sasha didn't return until nightfall, right before the consorts were supposed to visit.
"I did some digging," Sasha voiced immediately after she entered, "and it turns out the palace apothecaries drop a list of ingredients they need in front of the sacred garden. They don't go in—they just leave the list there and return later to find the ingredients waiting for them."
"That's it!" Edmund exclaimed as a plan took form in his mind. "We can add the silver oak tree bark to the list of ingredients. If the keeper sees it, she might provide it."
Sasha nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "But we have to be very careful. We can't let the apothecaries find out, or they'll know something is up."
Edmund paced the room, considering the logistics. "You'll have to infiltrate their workhouse and add the silver oak tree bark to the list of items they'll need without being noticed. Can you do it?"
"Hehehe leave it to me," Sasha voiced confidently.
That evening, under the cover of darkness, Sasha set her plan into motion. Dressed in a simple maid's uniform, she moved silently through the palace corridors. The moon cast a silvery glow on the marble floors, creating an eerie yet beautiful atmosphere.
The apothecaries' workhouse was located in a secluded wing of the palace, away from the main hustle and bustle. As Sasha approached, she could see the dim light of lanterns flickering inside. She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves.
Carefully, she crept towards a side entrance she knew was rarely used. The door creaked slightly as she pushed it open, slipping inside with ease. The workhouse was filled with the scent of herbs and potions, the air thick with the mingling aromas of countless ingredients.
Sasha moved quickly, staying close to the shadows. She could hear the soft murmur of voices from the apothecaries working late into the night. Her target was a small desk near the back of the room, where the list of ingredients was usually prepared.
As she approached, she spotted the list lying on the desk, half filled with the usual requests for rare herbs and mystical components. Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up the quill and added "silver oak tree bark" to the list. The ink glistened in the lantern light, blending seamlessly with the rest of the writing.
She placed the list back exactly where she found it and turned to leave. Her heart hammered in her chest as she retraced her steps, every creak of the floorboards amplified in her ears.
Just as she reached the door, a voice called out.
"Who's there?"
Sasha froze, her breath catching in her throat. She could hear footsteps approaching, the soft thud of boots on the wooden floor. She glanced around, spotting a large cabinet nearby.
Without a second thought, she slipped behind it, holding her breath as the footsteps drew closer.
A figure appeared in the doorway with a lantern held high. It was one of the junior apothecaries, his face creased with curiosity. He peered into the darkness, his lantern casting long shadows that danced across the room.
"Probably just the wind," he muttered to himself after a moment, turning back towards the main work area.
Sasha waited until his footsteps faded away before slipping out from behind the cabinet. She exited the workhouse as quietly as she had entered. Once outside, she took a moment to catch her breath as a triumphant smile spread across her face. She had done it.
She left back to Edmund's chambers to inform him of the news.