As the heavy door closed behind Emperor Solon, the room fell into a serene quietness. The only sound left was the soft breathing of little Zeph as he lay in his cradle, still processing the intense encounter with his father and grandfather.
Soon after, his mother, Selena, entered the room, her expression one of concern and care. Following behind her was Elara, who also looked worried.
Selena moved with grace. She gently picked Zeph up, holding him close to her chest as if he were the most precious thing in the world.
Elara was busy tidying up the room, ensuring everything was in order. She occasionally glanced at Zeph, smiling as she saw him nestled safely in his mother's arms. After a few minutes, Selena laid Zeph back down in his cradle, satisfied that he was well and content.
"Everything looks fine," Selena said, her voice soft but filled with relief. "I'll leave him to rest now. Come with me, we need to talk Elara."
Elara bowed her head, "Of course, Your Majesty."
With that, both women left the room, leaving Zeph alone once again. But Zeph was never truly alone. Inside his mind, Lucian and ROSE was dissecting todays incidents.
Zeph remained quiet for a moment, his tiny hands waving in the air aimlessly. But his thoughts, those of Lucian's as well, were deep and focused.
The encounter with his father and grandfather had left a profound impression on him. There was so much more going on behind the scenes than he had initially thought.
"Lucian," Zeph finally spoke internally, "What do you think about what just happened?"
Lucian, who had witnessed and felt everything through Zeph, responded calmly. "The emperor is a difficult man to read. He's not easily swayed, Zeph. Manipulating him will be far more challenging than your mother or Elara. Although he showed that he cared about you there won't be much chances for both of you spend time together."
Zeph nodded, his tiny eyes staring up at the ceiling, deep in thought. "I could feel it too. He's different from Mother. She's easier to read, easier to influence. But the emperor… I don't know if I'll ever be able to get him to see things my way."
"That's likely true," Lucian agreed.
Zeph's mind wandered back to the conversation between his father and grandfather. The weight of ruling an empire seemed far heavier than he had imagined.
From the outside, it looked like his father, the emperor, held the ultimate power, but from what Solon had said, it seemed like there were unseen forces at play, noble families pulling strings in the shadows, keeping the imperial family in check.
"Lucian, what did Father mean when he said the noble families were keeping him from doing what he wanted? Isn't the emperor supposed to be the most powerful man in the empire?"
Lucian sighed within Zeph's mind. "In theory, yes. The emperor holds the highest title in the land, but power is rarely absolute. In every empire, the noble families are deeply entrenched in the government. They control wealth, resources, and influence. Your father might wear the crown, but his every move is watched, and every decision is weighed against the interests of these noble houses. If he were to act too independently or too recklessly, it could lead to unrest, maybe even rebellion. Manipulating him would not only be difficult but dangerous."
Zeph frowned, or at least he would have if his tiny face could express such complexity. "So if we try to control Father, it might bring more attention to us?"
"Exactly," Lucian confirmed. "If the nobles sense that you're influencing your father, they'll take notice. It could put our plans in danger."
A brief silence followed as Zeph considered the implications of what Lucian had said. Manipulating his father was out of the question for now, but that didn't mean all was lost. His mother, Selena, and Elara could still be his pawns, and as long as they were by his side, he had a foundation to build on.
"What about Grandfather?" Zeph asked, his thoughts returning to the mysterious figure that had appeared from the shadows. "He said he would protect me. Can we trust him?"
Lucian was quiet for a moment, considering the question carefully. "Your grandfather, Vorian, is an enigma. He is powerful, and his promise seems genuine. But he is also a man of the empire, just like your father. His protection comes with its own risks. But for now, I believe he's sincere in his desire to keep you safe. With him watching over you, we can focus on other things—like your training."
Zeph's mood lightened a little at the mention of training. Ever since the formation of his mana core, he had been eager to learn more, to understand the science behind magic, to see how it worked, and most importantly, to grow stronger. Manipulating people was one thing, but the real power lay in understanding the very fabric of the universe itself.
"I'm ready to train," Zeph said with determination. "I want to understand everything—mana, the core, the way magic works. I'll do whatever it takes to get stronger."
Lucian's voice held a note of approval. "That's the right attitude, Zeph. The more you train, the closer you'll get to understanding the mysteries of magic. But you must be patient. These things take time. Your mana core is still new, and there's much we don't know about it."
"For now, we focus on building your strength and understanding the basics. ROSE and I have our own plans as well, so we won't be able to guide you as closely as before. But don't worry, we'll still be here when you need us."
Zeph understood. The thing Lucian and ROSE were planning, it was important, and it would ultimately benefit him in the long run. He trusted them, knowing that their goals were aligned with his own.
"Alright, Lucian," Zeph said, his eyelids growing heavy with sleep. "I'll focus on my training. You and ROSE do what you need to do."