Let me tell you this story, my dear.
Fifty years ago,
under the roof of a single empire,
ruled by one man,
four kingdoms coexisted together:
Fiore, Genoa, Andorra, and Endland.
They lived in peace with the rest of the lands thanks to that man, Emperor Joseph.
But that didn't mean everyone lived well within the empire. The strong oppressed the weak and enslaved them.
If you were a noble, you would live the best life imaginable for the rest of your days.
In this empire, specifically in the Kingdom of Fiore, in the house of Count Albert, lies the famous Briane family. Known for their striking black hair and green eyes, they looked so alike it was hard to tell them apart.
Our nineteen-year-old hero awakens from his sleep to something unusual...
...
<"Young Master, it's time for breakfast.">
Those were the words of the maid, Margaret, addressing the young master of the family.
"Place the food on the table, Margaret," he instructed.
"Yes, young master," she replied.
The young master, named Kaiden, rose from his bed, had his breakfast, and then read a little from the book his mentor had gifted him in the past.
The book contained a dialogue between William and his student:
William: "And as for corrupt people... do not dwell on them any longer!"
Aaron: "Alright, Master, but does that mean I won't succeed with them?"
William: "The greater part of a person's success or failure lies with the person themselves. And there's no guarantee you will succeed with them. A corrupt companion corrupts their friend. Let's put an end to this matter."
Aaron: "Understood, Master."
Kaiden stopped reading after that conversation. He then went downstairs to a room that no one else entered but him.
As he looked at his family having breakfast, they glanced at him curiously, as usual, wondering what he was doing in that room.
At that moment, a conversation took place between Count Albert and his wife, Luna:
Luna: "It's been a year since his graduation, and he hasn't stepped out all this time."
Albert: "I will talk to him about it."
Kaiden walked out at that moment, sweating, heading to the stairs and intending to return to his room.
<"Do you want to go out with me for a walk?">
It was his sister, Olivia, who was a year younger than him.
Kaiden replied, "I don't think I need to."
Kaiden returned to his room, washed up, and then began reading his favorite novel again until he reached a part that captured his attention:
Aaron: "I want to forget that memory, Master. I see him everywhere, in every person. It's becoming unbearable."
William: "The scent of memories clings to everythingâplaces, people. Forgetting won't work with them. We easily forget our mistakes when no one else knows them.
Sometimes, in the very moment we wish to forget, our souls are immersed even deeper in memories.
But what if you can't forget, Aaron?
Will you let those memories consume you? Will you isolate yourself in your room, away from those you love, just because you can't let go of something that has already ended?
You must move forward, my boy."
While deeply immersed in the book, Margaret entered his room, informing him that the Count wanted to see him.
Kaiden put down the book and went downstairs to meet his father, wondering, What does he want from me all of a sudden?
Kaiden found his father in the courtyard of the mansion.
Albert: "How are you?"
Kaiden: "I'm fine."
Albert got straight to the point:
"So, do you want to go out? Travel? Make friends?"
Kaiden was about to refuse until he remembered William's words about moving forward and forgetting the past.
Kaiden: "I might consider it..."
Meanwhile, Margaret was cleaning the young master's room.
Curiosity overtook her as she wondered what her young master was reading, given her own interest in books and novels.
She closed the novel to read its cover:
Title: The Rise of a Noble
Author: William Ted
Dedicated to: Kaiden Briane
*Based on a True Story
...
Albert: "There's one more thing. Treat your sister well."
Kaiden: "Alright, Father."
Albert: "I have a brother, as you know, but he's not a good man. He was completely corrupt and did something terrible that led to his exile from the empire, to a very distant place.
That's why I don't want you to turn out like him."
Kaiden: "So, does this mean a return to our relationship?"
Albert: "I'm not upset with you, my son. It's just about what happened last yearâŠ"
Kaiden (interrupting his father): "Not this subject again.
You still don't believe me."
In Kaiden's Room
Margaret couldn't understand why the legendary William Ted, the late author, had gifted a book to Kaiden. What was the connection between them?
Did this have something to do with what happened last year?
What did "Based on a True Story" mean?
As she opened the book to answer her questions,
Kaiden entered his room, visibly upset with his father.
Margaret quickly returned to cleaning, leaving the book behind.
Kaiden: "Leave me alone for a while, Margaret."
Margaret: "Alright, young master."
_In the Briane Family Courtyard_
??: "So, this is Adrian's younger brother."
Albert: "So, you've come, Maxwell."
Maxwell: "Adrian asked me to bring his father to the king's party this evening."
Albert (thinking about Kaiden): "Alright, of course we will come."
Maxwell: "Can I go and speak with Kaiden?"
Albert: "Yes, of course you can."
Maxwell knocks on the door.
Kaiden: "Who is it?"
Maxwell: "It's me, Maxwell."
Kaiden: "Come in."
So, Adrian has returned from his mission.
Maxwell: "Yes, it was a difficult mission in one of the kingdoms outside the kingdom ."
Kaiden: "I see. So, what brings you here?"
Maxwell: "I came to check on Adrian's younger brother, of course."
Maxwell: "What are you reading?"
Kaiden: "I'm reading a book by William Ted."
Maxwell: "Wonderful! That's really great! His books were truly remarkable."
Maxwell: "Well done on the choice."
Maxwell: "As you know, Adrian and I were friends with him before he passed. He was a legend, a good friend, and a great father."
Maxwell: "Something no one will tell you is that he had a student named Aaron. He truly made him an amazing young man."
Kaiden (bored): "Yes, yes, amazing."
Kaiden: "I think I'll go have something to eat."
Maxwell: "Alright, I'll leave now."
Maxwell: "Oh, there's one more thing."
Maxwell: "There's a party at the king's palace today. I look forward to seeing you there."
Kaiden: "..."
(Maxwell leaves the room.)
8:00 PM
Everyone is ready to go to the party,
except for one person.
Albert climbs up to Kaiden's room.
Albert (impressed by the beauty of the room): "You're not lazy after all this time at home.
You told me this morning that you wanted to go out now.
So, come with us today."
Kaiden finally agrees to go out.
They all get into the carriage and head to the king's palace.
Palace Guard: "Your invitation, please."
Other Guard: "You fool, this is the Count's family!"
Guard: "My apologies, Count, for my rudeness."
Guard: "Please, come in."
The Count and his family enter the king's palace as the king begins an important speech:
King: "As you know, Adrian has become one of the most important people in the kingdom, and many tasks have been entrusted to him.
But today's task is more valuable and significant, as we are celebrating the first mission Adrian undertook by the Emperor's direct order.
Let the celebration begin!"
At a table while everyone is celebrating
Peter: "This is bad, Mira. Why did you wear that?"
Mira: "That's what you think, you fool. This is what people are wearing today."
Peter: "Women are strange."
Fiona: "Anyone can wear what they like, Peter."
Peter: "Of course, Your Highness."
Fiona: "You can call me Fiona, Peter. We've known each other for a long time."
Mira (surprised by Fiona's sudden interruption): "Wait! Isn't that Kaiden?"
Peter: "Kaiden?! Is that man still alive?"
They look around, only to realize that the princess is no longer sitting at her seat.
She had gone to Kaiden, joyfully holding his hands and saying: "How happy I am to see you again, Kaiden! Come and sit with us."
She didn't give him a chance to reply as she pulled him to the table.
Kaiden: "Hello, everyone."
Peter: "You've changed a lot, man."
Kaiden: "Yeah, a bit."
Mira: "So, what have you been doing all this time?"
Kaiden: "As you know, eating, sleeping, reading, and reading... and reading... and... "
Mira: "Got it, Kaiden."
??: "You finally showed up, Kaiden."
Fiona: "Fiona Mars greets her big sister."
Kaiden: "Kaiden Briane greets Princess Shelley."
Shelley: "You're taller than me now, you rascal."
Shelley didn't have time, as many nobles were trying to speak with her and get closer. She quickly said: "I have to go now. I have matters to attend to with the other nobles."
Kaiden: "Alright, Your Highness."
Kaiden turns to his friends, wondering how they are.
They tell him that they are doing well, but they miss him since they haven't seen him in a year, after they graduated together from the academy.
Kaiden: "I feel the same way."
At another table, between two men
Arthur: "You raised your son well, Albert."
Albert: "But he's not like Maxwell. He's the best in the empire."
Arthur: "What now? Are you jealous?"
The conversation carried on with some laughs, jokes, and friendly chats between two close friends.
...
Mira: "Do you remember Wayne, Kaiden, when he used to play pranks on you?"
Kaiden: "Yeah, those pranks weren't simple. It's hard to forget them."
"It's unfortunate he traveled abroad with his family."
The atmosphere grew strange for Kaiden, as he wasn't used to these kinds of conversations. It made him decide to step outside and get some fresh air alone.
....
On the second floor
Maxwell: "Congratulations, Adrian."
Adrian: "Just wait for me. I'll become the top swordsman in the empire, just like you did."
Maxwell: "Haha, I doubt I'll live to see that day."
Adrian laughed, clearly joking and not meaning it seriously.
Michel arrived, asking his brother how he achieved the top rank.
Adrian: "Is this your younger brother? Kids really do grow up fast."
Maxwell: "That question again, Michel? Anyway, everyone in the kingdom knows I became number one when my friend William died, and I avenged him by killing his murderer."
Adrian: "That was truly a sad day."
Meanwhile, as Kaiden gazes at the beautiful flowers in the king's garden...
Fiona: "Are you thinking about the past?"
Kaiden: "You could say that."
Fiona: "Do you still want to end the corruption in this world?"
Kaiden: "Yes, but I think it's as difficult as the mentor said. How can one person change the entire world?"
Fiona: "If someone heard that, they'd probably laugh and mock you. But I won't, Kaiden."
"I'll always support you and stand by your side."
Kaiden: "Thank you, Fiona."
Kaiden returned to the party with high spirits, heading up to the second floor to meet his brother, Adrian. He congratulated him on the success of his mission and expressed his happiness at Adrian's safe return.
Adrian, delighted, told Kaiden that he was glad to see him leaving the house and attending events again. He also mentioned how much he had missed Kaiden, as they hadn't seen each other for a year and a half.
Maxwell: "We're all happy for you, Kaiden. And I'm glad to hear you're reading William Ted's works."
Adrian, jokingly: "William Ted? What, have you turned into a scholar now, Kaiden?"
The three of them laughed together, while Michel, standing at a distance, watched them with an unreadable expression.
Amid the laughter, Kaiden asked Adrian for permission to leave and return home, as their father was waiting for him.
Adrian nodded in agreement.
Kaiden left for the carriage and found Fiona waiting outside.
Kaiden: "I'm heading home now."
Fiona: "Safe travels."
Kaiden got into the carriage with his family, and there was silence until Albert broke it, saying:
Albert: "So, how was this outing?"
Kaiden: "It reminded me of the past."
Albert: "It's good to hear that."
They returned home, had dinner, and went to bed.
10:00 PM
Margaret opened the door to leave the house.
Kaiden: "Where are you going?"
Margaret: "I'm heading to the market, young master."
Margaret: "Why aren't you asleep?"
Kaiden : "I don't feel like sleeping. I'll come with you."
Margaret: "You can't, young master! You're a noble."
Kaiden: "And that's precisely what nobles do."
Margaret, with a faint smile: "As you wish, young master."
They reached the bustling kingdom market, filled with people and the refreshing night air. The moonlight illuminated the place beautifully. Suddenly, they saw a man shouting in front of a crowd:
"Are you insane? How can you sell this to me at that price? How dare you sell it to me like you would to everyone else? I'll shut this place down!"
The merchant: "Apologies, noble sir. I didn't mean to offend you. Please, take it at whatever price you wish."
Kaiden clenched his fist and started heading toward the man.
Margaret grabbed Kaiden's hand: "You can't, young master. He's from the royal family. You can't confront him; it'll cause trouble for your family."
Kaiden: "So, I should let him do as he pleases just because he's the king's son?"
Margaret: "Please, young master, for your father's sake."
Kaiden backed down after Margaret's words, but his determination to eradicate corruption from the world only grew stronger.
Bryane Residence
Kaiden and Margaret returned home.
Margaret: Do you need anything, young master?
Kaiden: No, I'm going to sleep.
Margaret: Sweet dreams.
Kaiden: You too.
Kaiden went upstairs to his room and opened that book once again, contemplating another conversation as usual.
William: Kaiden, you carry a fire for justice in your heart. That passion will lead you to become a great leader. But remember, the change you seek won't come easily.
Young Kaiden: So, how can I change this world?
William: No one can do everything alone. Strength lies in unity and faith. And you, Kaiden, have the ability to inspire others to join your cause.
Young Kaiden: "I'll carry your words with me always. With you by my side, I feel like I can do anything."
William: I stand by you with all my strength, but you must know that a time will come when I leave this world. When that day comes, you must be strong enough to stand on your own.
Kaiden closed the book with deep sorrow, then hurried to bed.
Kingdom of Genoa
Eugene: I'm leaving now, Mother.
Mother: It seems I can't convince you otherwise... Return safely, my son. Find out the truth and come back. And please, don't take any unnecessary actions.
Eugene (as he leaves): Alright...
Eugene heads to a secret tavern in disguise.
The Leader's Tavern
Eugene sits down and orders a drink.
Eugene to the bartender: Call your boss.
Bartender: I don't understand what you mean.
Eugene: Call Ben.
Bartender: Wait a moment, young man.
After 10 minutes:
Bartender: The boss wants to see you. This way, please.
Eugene enters the room.
He meets Ben, who appears as a heavyset man with a round face and circular glasses.
Ben: Well, well, what an important guest we have today. It's been a while. How can I assist you?
Eugene: Prepare me a carriage to the Kingdom of Fiore.
Ben: Fiore? Why the sudden need to go to such a distant place?
Eugene: There's someone I must meet there.
Someone I've never met before.