Invitation

Edited by: Chip

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the Hirean Empire’s Imperial Palace, the Imperial Prince Ronan Hirean was sitting in the Emperor’s study for an unofficial meeting.

The surname, Hirean, was given to the First Emperor by Sohtris and it was the same name as the Empire. Only members of the Imperial family or those married into the Imperial family were allowed to use the surname, Hirean. If they marry out of the Imperial family, they would have to change their last name to their spouse's surname.

In the room, the Emperor and Prince Ronan were sitting on sofas opposite from one another. In the middle, there was a coffee table with cups of tea and finger sandwiches. There were no sweets because they didn’t like them all that much.

Emperor Ermir Hirean was a tall, muscular man who fit the stereotype that they do not look muscular until you take off their clothes. He always had his silver hair slicked back during the day, showing off his green eyes that showed his strongest attribute was wind.

As the Emperor, he always had to wear some variation of an outfit that donned a purple cape. This outfit looked like a black suit in Atlas’ and Cyrus’ previous world, but there were a lot more intricate details like gold designs on the shoulder, gold linings, and a purple layered almost puffy tie. He didn’t have the look of puffy pants or puffy upper arms. His outfit was much more fitted, which was in line with the current style.

“I heard you ran into Cyrus Alnhart and Atlas Alnhart on the commercial street,” The Emperor stated because he read the report given to him by one of his retainers. His voice seemed cold and unfeeling. “Were they disguising their hair and eye color?”

Overall, he was a handsome man with a cold personality fitting for an Emperor.

As for Prince Ronan, he looked almost like a small carbon copy of his father, he just had parted bangs that were neatly cut above his icy blue eyes. His strongest attribute was Ice, a variant attribute. He wore a similar but simpler outfit to his father. He didn’t have a cape or a crown on his head, like the Emperor. His black, gold, and purple tie outfit was more in line with what noblemen and children wore.

Prince Ronan responded to his father, confirming the Emperor’s report, “Yes, Imperial Father. Lord Atlas was wearing a similar hood that Lord Cyrus wears when having to meet people. It is not a surprise.”

“He also had a large silver wolf as a tamed companion. It is much stronger than we could imagine. I had felt a strong but divine magical energy coming from the wolf. If I had to guess, it could be a divine beast.”

Emperor Ermir took a sip of his tea and couldn’t help but sneer. “It seems the Alnhart family is hiding a lot of secrets. Their estate is as guarded as the palace, almost impenetrable. The spies sent were always sent back with a warning.”

“Now, what do you think we should do, Ronan?”

Ronan felt like his father was giving him a test and he knew he had to pass it. The Emperor has always been like this. His older sister passed all of his tests and his expectations while he, though considered a genius, was too unattached to this world and to everyone around him. He could not be considered a good Emperor.

That was why his Imperial Father continued to test him, trying to get him to feel something at least for the country he was born in.

“I should send a letter to the Alnhart family, asking if I could visit as to give my thanks to Lord Atlas for ‘saving’ my life,” Ronan responded after going over all the possibilities. “That way, I could gauge how the people around the Alnhart family treat Lord Atlas, Lord Cyrus, and the wolf named Sir Walter. And, if possible, establish a friendship with them.”

Prince Ronan was the same age as Atlas and Cyrus so it wouldn’t be an issue to try to be friends with them.

“And do you think you can achieve this?” Since the Emperor asked this, Ronan's answer was correct.

“I should be able to come over to visit if I say I had brought a thank you gift and would like to give it to Lord Atlas personally to show my sincerity. As for establishing a friendship, I do not know if I have the capabilities of doing that, but it is worth attempting.”

Emperor Ermir felt a headache coming every time he interacted with his son, Ronan. For some reason, his son, from birth, didn’t cry, laugh, or scream much. He seemed to be in a perpetual state of boredom and indifference.

How did this happen? Outside of being an Emperor, he was a man of passion and had a lot of hobbies and interests. He loved his wife and his children and wanted what was best for them. He had all of the emotions people should be able to feel but his son… That was why he didn’t want Ronan to be the next Emperor. If something happened to his only daughter, his named heir… He needed a backup plan.

It would be detrimental to the people of the Hirean Empire if he was not prepared.

He did not want an Emperor who could not see the suffering of the people, who could not understand their wants and needs. As a leader, especially one who followed the Dragon God, they had to make sure that the lives of the people were cared for, just like the Dragon God wanted.

A person like Ronan would not be able to do that.

Again, he was grateful that his daughter was older, wiser, and much more suitable to be the next Emperor.

“Then, I will permit you to go to the Alnhart estate and do your best to form a friendship with Lord Cyrus and Lord Atlas. You do not have to do that if you are uncomfortable, but it would be good to understand what is going on in the Alnhart family so we can be prepared.”

He didn’t think the Alnhart family was planning a coup because the Guardian Dragons had not mentioned anything of that matter.

So what were they hiding?

*****

At the Alnhart estate, Duke Everet, Duchess Mirabelle, Sirius, Cyrus, and Atlas were sitting in Everet’s study.

In Everet’s hands, he was holding a letter with an Imperial stamp. They had already read the contents and were deciding on how to respond.

Actually, they knew how they had to respond. They could not deny a member of the Imperial family a visit. Not only that, it was a personal visit from the Imperial Prince Ronan to give his thanks to Atlas for ‘saving’ his life during an attempted assassination attack in the commercial district of Hirim.

They had to accept the visit and allow Atlas to meet with Imperial Prince Ronan once more.

“I can make sure Atlas will not be alone with him,” Cyrus volunteered.

Atlas felt that was a good idea too because he might say something he shouldn’t say. He also didn’t have a lot of faith in himself when it came to serious matters. “I will do my best to stick with Cyrus.”

Everet sighed. “I understand… Then, Cyrus, I will leave this meeting to you. Be sure to protect your and Atlas’ identities well. We cannot hide you two forever, so think of this meeting as a practice run. The two of you have a birthday coming up soon and you will have to meet most of high society.”

“Your father is right,” Mirabelle spoke up. “Atlas, I know you are still getting used to formal language, so use this opportunity to use what you have learned over the past few months.”

“I understand, Mom, Dad.” Atlas smiled trying to reassure his parents and Cyrus and Sirius that he could handle this.

His smile made them a bit worried but they could only trust that he would do well…

As for Sirius, he unfortunately had plans on the day of the meeting, so he could not be there. Still, they allowed him to sit in on the meeting just in case his appointment was canceled or he had arrived home early and could help Cyrus out.

“About Sir Walter…” Cyrus pointed out. Sir Walter was there and fought against the assassins. Even he knew that Sir Walter’s divine aura leaked out every time he fought. It was something that he could not control.

“Oh, I can have him take a nap during that time,” Atlas answered because Sir Walter was his companion. “He wouldn’t mind it and he can take care of Starlight.”

They also had to hide Starlight.

Starlight was a rare magical beast called Black Panther. As an adult, she would be considered an S-ranked magical beast. Black Panthers were solitary beasts and only created a family when reproducing. After their children become able to fend for themselves, the two parents part ways, leaving the children to survive on their own.

Since Starlight was young and didn’t seem to be able to protect herself, she may have been stolen from the Black Panther’s abode or something happened to her parents.

“Oh, my lovely and sweet Mirabelle, why do I feel like we have so many things to hide.” Everet nuzzled Mirabelle’s head, openly flirting in front of the kids.

“Honey… Time and place.” She was shy but accepted it.

Cyrus felt a little annoyed. Why were both sets of parents in this world love birds who didn’t care for those around them…

Sirius and Atlas were used to it and didn’t mind and had a conversation of their own. Sirius asked Atlas about how his studies were going and if he was having fun living with the Alnhart family. Of course, Atlas was quite animated about his experiences and happily talked about everything and anything he could think of.

They all forgot to send a reply to the Imperial family until Cyrus finally reminded them…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Grandpa Marky: I hope there won't be any confusion with the Emperor's thought process. He tests Prince Ronan because he is trying to get him to feel something, anything for the Hirean Empire.

He worries that if something happens to him, or his daughter (the crown princess/named heir), Prince Ronan would have to take over. It would be terrible for the Hirean Empire because it seems like Prince Ronan could care less about the Empire, and what goes on in it. That's not how a leader should be and that's what worries him. Still, it's just in case something happens to him or his daughter.

Alright, one more chapter to go!