CHAPTER 03
The Imperial Palace of Dreart, Conference Room
Early in the morning, four knight commanders and the young Lord of Tenebres took their seats at the round table.
The Crimson Flame, Blaze.
The Azure Storm, Tempest.
The White Frost, Freeze.
And the Golden Thunder, Lightning.
Each bore the power of their respective dragons, and the masters of that power served as the commanders of their knight orders.
The Lightning Order, being the Imperial Guard of the royal family, was also called the Gold Guardian.
Originally, there were five knight orders in the Empire. The fifth was the Black Dragon Order of House Tenebres, a ducal house. But as fewer and fewer people qualified for it, it was eventually excluded as an official order.
“Is that child the Black Breath?”
“Shh, even if he looks young, the young lord’s aura is formidable. Watch your tongue.”
Two voices murmured softly, inaudible to ordinary people. They belonged to Raiden of Tempest and Eisner of Freeze.
The boy sitting across from them, though young, was the only one recognized to possess the power of the Black Dragon—Black Breath. Just as those with the power of thunder and lightning were called Gold Guardians, those with the Black Dragon’s power were called Black Breath.
“So he’s the youngest Sword Master in history… but he just looks like a kid.”
The golden-eyed boy sat upright, perfectly poised.
“They say his eyes turn red when he uses his power. I’d love to see those rare red eyes at least once.”
While Raiden whispered, the door to the conference room opened and a steward announced:
“His Majesty the Emperor enters!”
With a swirl of his crimson cape, the Emperor entered, followed by his two sons. All in attendance immediately knelt.
“May the Dragon’s Glory and the Sacrifice of Darkness be with the Sun of Dreart!”
“Be seated.”
With the Emperor’s command, the meeting commenced.
No nobles other than the knight commanders had been summoned. There was no need for them to know.
The Empire’s knight orders were powerful enough. Graham’s Holy Knights could never defeat them.
And yet, Graham had brazenly demanded the Emperor’s daughter. As Leodian shared the contents of Graham’s letter, the young princes were the first to speak up.
“We knew they were arrogant, but this is intolerable.”
To hand over their newly born sister—how outrageous!
“I agree with my brother.”
Alex and William, still thinking of Rosiana, were filled with indignation.
“What do you all think?” the Emperor asked.
The knight commanders were equally outraged.
“They want the newborn princess?”
“This is unprecedented and unthinkable.”
Sir Sudden of Lightning and Raiden of Tempest frowned deeply.
“They’re not even worth dealing with, Your Majesty,” said Eisner of Freeze, clad in white armor.
“Sending such an insolent letter should be punished harshly,” said Commander Blair of Blaze, fiery as her red hair suggested.
The power of the dragons resonated with their masters, and Sword Masters often shared similar personalities with the element they wielded. Their appearance even changed to reflect that power.
Raiden had bright blue hair, Eisner pure white, and Sudden had golden yellow hair.
Blair—whose name literally meant flame—had rich red hair tied high in a ponytail, which shimmered like fire whenever she flared in anger.
While everyone was adamant that the princess could not be given away…
“…”
The Emperor’s gaze shifted to the one silent presence at the table—the six-year-old boy.
“Asterios Britas Tenebres.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Despite being only six, the young lord responded without hesitation.
“What is your opinion?”
“If I may offer my humble thoughts…”
From the mouth of a boy who had only lived six years came the tone of someone six decades older.
“First, I believe it is true that Graham received a divine revelation. If it turns out to be false, both the temple and Graham’s prestige would be utterly ruined.”
“So, you believe my daughter is indeed their saint?”
The Emperor’s voice and gaze turned cold. Asterios looked up calmly to meet it.
Two pairs of golden eyes locked.
“I said I believe they didn’t lie, not that the revelation itself is true. I believe Graham truly thinks their vision is real.”
The young heir’s words were mature beyond his years, and the Emperor found them intriguing.
“Go on.”
“Graham would never start a war it knows it cannot win. Their claim to be willing to sacrifice everything only underscores their desperation.”
As everyone listened closely, William whispered to his brother.
“What does ‘underscores’ mean?”
“It means that’s what he thinks.”
“Oh, so he’s just saying what he thinks?”
‘Why not just say “I think” then?’ William thought, confused by Asterios’s fancy speech. Still, like the others, he continued listening.
“It could also mean Graham is confident in the revelation. Perhaps there’s something they know that would leave us no choice but to accept.”
The Emperor leaned in slightly.
“And what would that be?”
“I don’t know yet. But if I were Graham, I’d only make such a claim if I were sure I had something to back it up. Graham has a history of tactics like this.”
“I’ve heard the same,” added Sudden. “Like that time they made a shady deal with the Mage Tower.”
“Ah, that mountain full of mana crystals,” the Emperor recalled.
That incident had caused a permanent rift between the Mage Tower and Graham.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Graham bought Eden Mountain—rich with magic stones—cheaply from the tower after claiming to receive a revelation to build a temple there.”
The wizards didn’t like the self-righteous priests, but they lacked a clear reason to refuse the deal.
They sold it. And regretted it deeply.
“As soon as Graham began construction, they started mining large quantities of mana crystals.”
The Tower was outraged and had to buy the crystals back at a steep price.
“Do you believe Graham knew about the crystals from the start?”
“I do. Hiding certain facts and stacking the deck in their favor—this isn’t the first time.”
“So you think they’re hiding something again?”
“Exactly. And until we know what that is, I don’t believe we should agree to anything.”
The Emperor found the young lord’s calm logic deeply satisfying.
It wasn’t just, “She’s a baby,” or “She’s my daughter.” It was sound reasoning—the kind Leodian valued.
“We don’t know what tricks Graham may try, so the princess must be closely guarded. Sudden.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Assign three elite Gold Guardians to Rosiana.”
“Understood.”
“Also, it would be best to have someone capable near her—someone who can keep her company.”
At this, the two princes rushed forward.
“Father! I’ll do it!”
“No, I will! I’m better at it!”
Leodian gave the two eager boys a measured look.
“We need someone who can stay by Rosiana at all times. You two have your own royal duties. Instead…”
For once, Leodian’s lips curved upward.
“The two princes and the young lord shall accompany me. I have something else for you to do.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
As the Emperor left with the three boys, his aide Cedric pushed up his glasses and followed.
The Emperor seemed to have his own plans to uncover Graham’s hidden intentions, and Cedric, burdened with worry, followed in silence.
But then—
“Oh! Father!”
William suddenly called out.
“What is it, William?”
“I just saw Mother and my baby sister. Rosiana winked at me!”
William gushed with pride, words tumbling over each other.
Cedric inhaled sharply.
That sudden cheerfulness was a jarring contrast to the heavy tone of the meeting. William’s face shone with pure joy.
“She didn’t wink at you. She winked at both of us,” corrected Alex.
At that, the Emperor’s brow twitched. A faint crease formed between his perfectly sculpted brows.
“So… what you’re telling me…”
His voice dropped like thunder in the hall.
‘Oh no. He’s annoyed.’
Cedric swallowed hard. Graham’s scheming alone was headache enough. Now the princes were being immature?
“You two saw Rosiana’s wink before I did?”
Eh?
Cedric blinked. What? That’s not the problem here, Your Majesty…
“I must go see her at once. All of you, come with me.”
Without another word, the Emperor turned and strode toward the princess’s room, taking the boys and attendants with him.
Cedric was left alone in the hallway, jaw agape.
“W-Wait! Your Majesty! I’m coming too!”
And with that, Cedric hurried after them, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.
