The winter party

Daren snapped his eyes open and looked around, trying to focus on the details of the room, enveloped in the first rays of the morning sun. He brought a hand to his forehead, and dragged away the beads of sweat that crowned it.

"What a strange dream I had... It was so real..."

He stared at the play of light caused by the reflection in the large mirror in his room.

It must have been the stress caused by the thought of tonight’s party…

Every year, in the castle of the Intial region, the emperor used to organize a great party to celebrate the arrival of winter, the season that the people loved the most. The kingdom was protected by the blessing of the Goddess of Creation, who ensured the prosperity of the crops despite the cold climate.

This particular year was even more special: a maiden with the blood of the goddess would manifest the powers of creation, as it happened every hundred years, and would be at the service of the empire to further ensure its prosperity.

"I don’t care about goddesses or anything like that, this party will be another annoyance, and all the nobles of the city will try as always to introduce me to their daughters." Daren got up and walked to the window. He drew back the curtains and looked out. The gardeners of the royal palace were already busy trimming the bushes and tending to the countless fruit trees, despite a light layer of snow covering them.

Since becoming emperor two years ago, his advisers had repeatedly tried to encourage him toto choose an empress, but he hadn't even wanted to hear about it.

Women were hard to bear, plus marriage was a bond he didn't want to bow to under any circumstances. He wanted to remain free, without the oppressive presence of a bride.

"Besides, women are fickle and unfaithful. In my life I have never seen even one that could be defined as decent," he thought with a hint of sarcasm, as he watched some of the ladies of the court strolling in the garden path. "They are such ephemeral and vain creatures..."

He let go of the curtain and called the servants to help him get dressed.

When he was done, he went to the dining room and ate breakfast in total silence, while reading the book he had started the night before. No one dared to utter a word, and the maids stared at him with the usual fear in their eyes.

Daren didn't even look at them. He had gradually learned not to pay attention to the female presence in the castle. He hated the sight of women, because he saw in each of them the ghost of his mother and everything that she had done to him.

He shook his head, trying to dismiss those memories. It wasn’t time to be kidnapped by the past. All those years he had fought desperately to become emperor and no longer be a prisoner of anything or anyone.

"Your majesty, may I have a word with you?"

Daren looked up and met the figure of Eldan, his most trusted adviser: a clever and astute young man, who had supported him since he had taken the throne.

Daren relaxed and smiled slightly, running a hand through his snow-coated hair to push the bangs away from his forehead. "You may speak."

"I've completed the checks for tonight's party, everything is in order as you requested."

Daren rolled his eyes. "Can't we cancel everything? I don't want to attend such an antics..." he complained.

"You know very well that it is essential to hold a feast to thank the goddess for her protection. Our earth is blessed with a lush soil even in winter, and the blessing of creation protects us. The least we can do is thank the goddess."

Daren stood up and closed the book reluctantly. "Okay, okay... spare me your usual sermon!"

He left the dining room, followed by Eldan, and went to his study, with the hope of being able to calm down by throwing himself headlong into work. But when he opened the door to the room, he found Jared, the leader of the castle guards, waiting for him.

"Your majesty!" he greeted Daren in his usual cheerful tone. "I've just finished giving the last instructions to the guards for tonight, I've come to tell you that everything is fine and ready!"

Daren noticed Eldan's annoyed expression, and barely suppressed a smile. Jared and Eldan were complete opposites both in character and appearance. Eldan had light hair and eyes and a cold and thoughtful attitude, while Jared had dark eyes and hair and an impulsive and outgoing sttitude They fought like cats and dogs, but Daren was convinced that together they made the best team in the kingdom.

After all, strength and brain are unstoppable together, he thought. He certainly could not have chosen better companions.

"Why are you always so loud? Don't you realize you're in front of the emperor? Have some respect," Eldan said to the other.

"I wasn't loud, it's you who has sensitive ears!" Jared replied.

"Sensitive? Do you know such a complicated word? I’m impressed..."

"I know complicated words, but luckily I'm not as complicated as you!"

“If you find me complicated, then maybe you are not very smart.”

Daren thought he could watch them fight for hours. It was too funny.

Someone knocked on the door at that moment. It was Galiel, the castle's old butler.

"Excuse me, your majesty, your cousin has arrived from the kingdom of Belsia."

Daren managed to hold back a grimace. He hadn't wanted to invite his cousin to that party, because he knew he detested the social events as much as he did, but their kingdoms were on good terms, despite Belsia being a much smaller region, and the court ceremonial - which also included invitations to the most important events of their respective kingdoms - had to be respected.

"Thank you, Galiel. I'll go meet him right away." Daren left Elden and Jared to their argument and headed towards the immense staircase that led to the lower floor, where everything had already been prepared for that evening's party.

When he was little he hated those stairs, because his father used to look at him from the top of them, just as if he were an inferior being.

The burning hatred for that man invaded his chest again, but only for a moment. Then he smiled, pleased.

Now you are the inferior being locked in a coffin, father.

"Daren!"

From the top of the stairs, Daren could see his cousin smiling at him. He was exactly as he remembered him, with slightly unkempt blonde hair and freckles on his face that still gave him a childish and friendly air.

Daren went down with quick steps and greeted his cousin with a handshake.

"It's been a while, Marcel!"

"Yes, you’re right. I'm happy to see you!” the other exclaimed. “You look more and more like your father, you know?"

While that was supposed to be a compliment, to Daren it was like the most terrible of insults. He wanted nothing to do with the previous emperor, but he knew that Marcel had been very fond of him in the past. After all, they were uncle and nephew.

"You look like your father too... And you are in a really good shape."

Despite the still childish features, Marcel had developed a robust, manly physique.

Marcel waved a hand. "Don't be a flatterer, you know I'm still the same. But I admit that I've started practicing more with the sword. In the future I want to be a worthy emperor for my kingdom."

“it's a great resolution.” At that moment Daren noticed another figure standing behind Marcel. The latter followed his gaze and smiled, moving a bit, and allowing Daren to admire the lady who had remained behind him.

She was a pale and petite girl, with large blue eyes and short golden curls, protected by a hat held in place by a bow that she had tied under her chin, blue like the dress she was wearing. She certainly looked like a beautiful and perfect porcelain doll.

"This is Erika, my girlfriend. You know I don't like traveling alone, so I asked her to come with me."

The girl gave a shy smile and bowed elegantly in front of Daren. “I’m pleased to meet you, your majesty,” she said softly.

Ah... Daren thought. She’s exactly the kind of woman I detest, with a fragile and delicate beauty, too shy and innocent...

Daren motioned for her to get up. “The pleasure is mine,” he said in a cold tone. “You must be tired, why don't you go to rest before the party? I will call Galiel to show you your rooms."

He called the butler and instructed him to take care of his guests, then left the salon and retired to his study again, with the intention of working a little before the party. When he set foot there, however, he found Jared and Eldan, still engaged in their argument.

He sighed and clapped his hands to get their attention. "Gentlemen, could you please go and argue out of here?"

The two fell silent instantly, and then left the room with a bow, finally abandoning Daren to the peace and quiet of solitude.

* * *

Evening came in a flash, and the garden of the royal palace began to be fill up with carriages and people. Light snowflakes began to fall just before the start of the party, and those present took it for a good sign.

The warm light of the lanterns, placed along the path of the garden, contrasted with the icy whiteness of the snow that had now covered the lawn, and gave that place a fairy-tale atmosphere.

In ancient times, the region of Intial was enveloped in perpetual winter and people starved to death, but one day the Goddess of Creation had decided to accept the prayers of the inhabitants of Initial and had stretched out her hand to create the seasons. The people had offered her gifts in thanks, and she, moved by so much gratitude, had granted them to have fruit and flowers from the land even during winter.

For this reason, that season was special, because it represented the beginning of Intial, the suffering and the joy, the pact with the Goddess of Creation that had made that region great.

Daren stood for a while in front of his bedroom window, watching the snow falling slowly. He was already fully dressed in his ceremonial uniform, with the imperial sash across his chest along with the shiny war medals, and a fur-trimmed cloak that covered one shoulder and then fell down his back.

He turned, determined to go into the salon, but the large mirror of the room trapped his image, and he stopped to look at his reflection.

There he was the terrible emperor of Intial, the man with ice eyes who unleashed silence as soon as he entered a room.

The heartless emperor, the untamable tiger of the north. The incarnation of the cold season.

He smiled as he remembered those nicknames. He certainly didn't want to be considered like a tyrant by his subjects but, on the other hand, he couldn’t show mercy to those who disobeyed. Furthermore, he knew that no one could ever forget the day he had become emperor and had presented himself in the throne room after winning the war, covered in blood and wounds to declare his settlement after the death of the previous sovereign in that very war.

He walked out of the room and found Eldan waiting for him outside.

"Your majesty, it's time."

Daren closed his eyes for a moment, summoning all his patience. The thought that in a few hours he would finally be free to retire in his room to read a good book gave him some comfort. He just had to hold on until then.

"Yes," he simply answered.

He walked towards the staircase he hated so much, and instantly felt everyone's eyes fixed on him. A chilling silence descended on the hall, and Daren thought he must be feared more than he thought.

He had to admit that it wasn't bad to look at that mass of people from up there. They looked like little ants, like insignificant beings. He was able to catch every expression, every grimace, and every movement from up there, and he was particularly pleased with it.

"Good evening to you all!" he exclaimed. "Welcome to the Winter Palace. Tonight, we pay tribute to the season we love so much, and to the Goddess of Creation who has always protected and guided us!" He glanced quickly at those present. "This is a blessed year, because soon the goddess will manifest within the heart of a maiden and will give us the miracle of her guidance. Now I ask you, has it already happened that the chosen one has manifested herself?"

Silence continued to reign in the audience. Galiel approached him after a while to said that no one had reported anything about the arrival of the chosen one.

"I understand," Daren answered loudly. "Then we just have to wait for the miracle. In the meantime, enjoy the party." He went downstairs and mingled with the crowd who had finally started talking again, at first in low voices, then louder and louder. That constant chatter was already making the emperor nauseous, but he was glad not to have all eyes on him anymore.

He withdrew to a corner, hoping to escape the counts and marquises, ready to talk to him to introduce their daughters.

He leaned against a column and closed his eyes for a moment. Everything was so chaotic and unbearable that he seriously wanted to escape. He missed his books and the balmy silence of his room.

The book I was reading was so interesting... The way it talks about the peoples of the east was compelling, he thought, as he remembered that story to distract himself.

"Are you the emperor?"

Daren's lids parted and his eyebrows furrowed in hearing a female voice.

In front of him stood a girl with long rose brown hair and eyes like rubies, deep and enchanting, which reminded him of those of a snake.

"Are you the emperor?" she repeated.

Daren crossed his arms over his chest and looked away from her eyes.

This girl is seriously approaching me without even being introduced by her father… Pathetic.

"What kind question is that?” he asked with an annoyed tone. “You don’t know your emperor?"

An amused smile appeared on the lady’s lips. Daren didn't have time to react, because she quickly grabbed the imperial sash and pulled him towards her, joining their lips in a kiss that left Daren dumbfounded.

He had never kissed anyone in his life, he had not even felt the desire. He was convinced that it would have left him totally indifferent but, in that moment, he felt totally involved in that kiss, enraptured by the girl's impetus and by her soft lips.

Something inside him stirred and gave him the feeling that he was doing the first right thing in his life.

When the girl pulled away, she stared at him again with those awful blood-colored eyes.

"I know your secret, Mr. emperor," she told him. "I know how you killed your predecessor and the queen consort. I know everything and I can tell and prove to everyone."

Daren felt his heart skip a beat and a cascade of memories crashing down on him. He saw himself in front of the corpses of his parents, he saw the blood on his hands and felt again the painful sense of relief he had felt at that time.

"You..." An anger flashed in his eyes. “What kind of demon are you?”

The girl laughed a bit. “The worst demon.” She didn't seem intimidated.

Daren grabbed her arm tightly. He felt as if she could vanish at any moment.

"How dare you come and accuse me of something like that?"

The girl laughed again. She seemed to have no fear of anything.

"Does the fearsome tiger of the north want to harm a poor defenseless girl?" she asked aloud, deliberately attracting the eyes of some people to herself.

Daren had no choice but to let go of her and tried to calm down. It wasn’t possible for a stranger to know those things, no one should have ... Surely, she must have made these things up to blackmail him!

Calm down, calm down! She's just bluffing! It's not possible that she really knows, it’s not possible that she has proof, you know it too!

"I wasn't kidding," she said, just as if she was reading his mind. "But I am willing to guarantee my silence and to destroy the evidence in my possession... obviously at a reasonable price. I'll see you tomorrow at the Roliand Villa to discuss it, Mr. Emperor.”

The Roliand mansion... she is...

"Sister!" A pink-haired, green-eyed girl appeared in front of them. Daren knew who he was because her father had repeatedly tried to arrange a marriage between them.

Edora Roliand...

"Candace, I told you a thousand times not to go around alone!"

Candace… her name is familiar.

“And I've told you a thousand times to stay away from me.” Candace pushed Edora away and blended into the crowd, but Daren grabbed her arm again.

"Candace Roliand,” he said solemnly. “Come with me!" he ordered.

The girl didn't resist and let Daren drag her upstairs, her usual smile was still on her lips.

Daren was barely aware of Eldan's worried look and the whispers that surrounded them.

My precious book will have to wait...