~ A Few Days Earlier~

Pan-An’s Pov

I sighed as I listened to the meeting I was stuck in, I slowly looked across the room looking at the future elders; I will be appointing once I become emperor. It was a tedious meeting because they seemed to can’t agree on whether we were supposed to increase the tax on wheat or we were supposed to start taxing water. I shook my head, releasing a small sigh. 

“You know what, get out for the future elders, you are all being indecisive. Should I look for new ones because you should have already agreed on something by now” I growled.

“Your Highness, we need to be sure that what we do is the best course of action. We can not just choose one or the other simply.” I glared over at one of my younger cousins.

He wasn’t even supposed to be here, he was just sitting in for his father- my uncle. He knew he could challenge me with anything even if it got him in trouble.

“Ok since all of you elders need some more time, how about this, you go on and continue this cycle of a conversation and tell me the results when you are ready,” I said getting up from my chair quickly going through the door.

I strolled towards my office that was just on the other side of the Administration Building, as a crowned prince I have plenty of tasks on my hands to deal with a bunch of power-seeking elders. I passed my secretary with him, giving me a simple bow as I went into the room. I went around the table and decided to look at the jobs my family and I had today. I quickly glanced over it, seeing that I was to have a small meeting with some future wives. I winced as I thought of all the women the list came down to a girl just turning 18 who was very young and adorable but has the attitude of a toddler, a woman around 25 years of age that wears too much makeup to be healthy and a shy distant cousin from a noble family outside the palace. 

“The batch is ridiculous as always, I might just turn them down too.” 

I looked over at my siblings and cousin, laughing at some of the tasks some had.

“Hahahahaha, Maybe that's why Yunmo was so mad at me today, he has to go help my father’s wives to move out of the Consort Houses. They are going to turn him into a doll again.”

Then my eyes fell on my youngest sibling’s task- attended the coronation of Star Platinum for the Hun Empire. He was going with his friends but they wouldn’t come back with him, he would be travelling with the chauffeur alone. 

“Well normally I wouldn’t care what Tsubaki does but for now I can’t afford the main family member getting attacked. Lee!” I yelled.

A few seconds later, there was a time push in the door and it slipped in Lee, a small man for the age of 34 years calmly bowing as he addressed me.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“My brother Tsubaki, does he have any protection when he goes on his trip today?” 

“Not that I know of? But I did overhear His Majesty about the chauffeur that he will be travelling with.”

“Is the chauffeur good at protecting the prince?”

“Well, his martial arts and power levels are quite lower than what is required for a royal chauffeur.”

“I really shouldn’t be caring about this.”

“Do you want me to ask a guard to accompany him?”

“Should I?”

“You do seem worried about your little brother, your Highness.”

“But you know I don’t care about any of them, I need to focus on becoming emperor….. Tell Min Rong’an to go with my brother, I don’t want to have a funeral right before my coronation.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I quickly signed a scroll detailing the arrangements and handed it to Lee who went to deliver the message. I looked out my window for a second and saw Tsubaki running after one of his friends. I frowned a bit remembering what my father said about him. Father should really either lock him up more or make him train his body- he is so feeble and incapable of anything.

“His heart will get him killed one day.”

I was drawn back to reality when a small knock came on my door. I allowed the person to enter, looking to see that my Father’s messenger came in. He quickly bowed, placing a scroll on my desk. Reading it, my siblings and I were to report to my father’s office for a short meeting which seemed to be urgent.

“I shall escort you, your Highness.”

I was then led to the very place we were to meet, my presence being announced when I arrived. I took a seat on one of the many couches in the room, scanning to see all were present except Tsubaki of course.

“You sure took your time. I know you have crowned prince and all but that is disrespectful.” Zackri smirked.

“Says the one that is late for most meetings because of science. I am surprised you are here actually.”

“I was nearby.”

“Stop it, I don’t know how you guys always fight so much. Act civilized with each other for once.” Lingjiang spoke out.

“You can’t expect much from them, they are supposed to be the smartest people out of all of us.” Juneko rolled his eyes.

“But isn’t Tsubaki the smartest of us? He is a bookworm.” Anoki asked.

“Says the one with a book right now.” Fanui pointed out.

“Be quiet all of you.” the emperor spoke out.

I looked at my father who wore his emperor robe with his emperor hair clip- a long single beard on his chin with black and grey hair contrasting his deep red eyes. The shocking thing is he never looked like that before according to people who knew my father. Before he had long brown hair with green eyes- they say after he received his powers just like all the leaders before, his hair turns black and their eyes red. I frowned at the thought of me going to experience the same thing. 

“I am here to tell you of the changes in date in the coronation.” he started.

“Did you upset father again Pan-An?” Rouqiu stared at me.

“ I swear all I did was release my bloodlust to some annoying maids who were gossiping instead of working. I didn’t injure them like last time.” I responded.

“Or he is tired of your nonsense and decided to make me ruler instead.” Yunmo grinned.

“You do realize that there are four heirs other than me before you right?” I laughed.

“Ok enough, no more distraction. It is not that we are going to move the coronation to next week instead of late spring. The reason is that the elders and monks have foreseen that the blood moon will be in the sky for this entire week. So I will use this opportunity presented by our god to give Pan-An my power this week.”

The room fell silent, once hearing the news. Don’t get me wrong I was elated to be finally promoted to Emperor status but that means after this week, I won’t be able to see my father ever again. I liked the old man to an extent so of course, I felt a small strain in my heart. 

“No Uncle, we aren’t ready for you to go yet.” Yui started to cry.

“We don’t need to give Pan-An the power now. Can’t we skip the blood moon?” Yunjin questioned.

“You guys don’t like me being emperor, do you? Well, suck it up, because I am also sad that my old man is willing to give up his life earlier than necessary for me. Do you want to waste his request?” I rebutted. 

They all fell quiet and I smirked, “That's what I thought.”

“I am not happy about my early death either, but I shall not waste our god’s gift to us. But I need to send you guys out of the palace- remember what I told you about transferring power in this empire. It might be even worse because of the blood moon- the elders and I have decided to send you guys out of the palace to be safer from the process.” he spoke again.

We all nodded as we discussed where we were going to reside- some decided to go visit friends outside the empire and others just decided to go to an inn in the empire wearing peasant clothes to not give themselves away. I ended up being the one to write to my younger brother’s guard about the sudden change in plans. It wasn’t that hard since the Empress of the Wolf Empire offered her hospitality which means less work for me. 

I continued my day signing documents and reading archives that needed reviewing, hearing messengers telling me when either a sibling or cousin had been safely transported to their destination. The palace did get quieter as servants went to their respective households as a means of safety and security. I looked out the window once more to see the moon starting to come out and I took a deep breath in as I got up to go to my father. When I arrived at the door I stopped, intrigued by the conversation from inside between my father and maybe another of his elders.

“Your majesty please, believe me, I do not think that the Crowned Prince will be our next emperor.”

I froze as I growled softly, who dared oppose my authority deserves to be beheaded.

“Nonsense, my eldest had prepared for this moment. He will be the next ruler.”

“But your majesty, it’s the blood moon, I believe you should let Lord Fenix decide the next ruler. This is the whole point of the Blood Moon Ritual: you present all of your children and Lord Fenix decides who should be the next.”

“And I am telling you that I won’t have her endanger my children, I will present my eldest to her and she will accept him as the next ruler. My other children can not rule this empire as my eldest son can.”

“But your majesty, you might anger Lord Fenix with that way of thinking. Legend says the blood moon is when she is her most ruthless. Please don’t make her angrier than she might be.”

I paused what did our god and the blood moon legend had to do with my coronation. If this elder is on to something, that means I might not become the emperor again after the transfer of the royal power. 

“You underestimate my son and you undermine our god- Lord Fenix will understand my plea.”

“Your majesty, Lord Fenix, might kill the prince.”

‘Kill me. I am the eldest so the royal power should be mine.’ I thought.

“Ok, then, who do you believe should be the next emperor since he isn't my eldest. Tell me who?” my father challenged.

“Well your majesty, there are three but it is ultimately up to our god. Lord Fenix is the true decider of all our faiths.”

“Who are the three?”

“Well Princess Lingjiang is capable, and Prine Tsubaki and Prince Peru ar-”

“Be quiet.”

I heard a scream followed by a thud sound, and I inferred that my father or the Emperor in this instance just either attacked his elder. Father is still as brutal as ever I see.

“How dare you, sure Princess Lingjiang was alright but Tsubaki and that boy. I am sick that Tsubaki can’t fight to save his life, or even kill when he is told to and the other how I am disgusted that he is my blood- he can’t even manage his powers properly and gets sick all the time. I can’t wait til he dies so I don’t have to bother with him anymore. You will never disgrace my child like that again- you will serve him whether you like it or not.” 

I moved from the door as I heard it open and out came the elder clutching his arm as it dangled beside him- running to the direction of the Medical House to heal.

“Pan-An I know you heard everything come in.”

I slowly went in avoiding the blood and instead looked as he sat at his table slowly sipping his tea. I bowed not knowing if my usual nod would suffice in this mood.

“You will not fail me son, or I will be very disappointed with you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He got up from his chair, went to the door and signalled for me to follow him in which I did. We ended up walking for about an hour until we came to the shrine for my inauguration of power. I looked to see Monks in ceremonial clothing, incense and gifts. I quickly looked up, seeing the moon starting to be in full view. 

“I am proud of you son. Now come take what is yours.”

My father went to one of the central circles and I followed suit in the one in front of him. Going into a sitting position and watched as the Monks sat at different parts of the two outer circles around us. They moved through their ritual ceremony, repeating words in the sacred language gods use to communicate. The Monks then released their powers causing the ground beneath me and my father to rise, facing the Blood Moon.

“Our Lord Fenix, we bring to you your servant, the eldest son of the Hun Empire, to be the faithful and loyal servant of your word as emperor of our nation.” The monks sang.

They started to tell a story, and I silently listened for my part, I emptied myself of everything and stopped using my powers as I prayed.

“Lord Fenix, please examine your servant’s soul, and crown him ruler of our nation.”

I quickly opened my eyes and stared at the blood moon, prepared for the pain I was to start undergoing, but nothing happened. Not after a few seconds, or minutes. The room didn't fall under the visual of a bloody battlefield of memories. This made me very uneasy but my father broke his silence.

“What is the meaning of this?” he asked angrily.

“Your majesty, the ritual is in progress.” one of the monks responded.

“But I am in no pain or discomfort, I didn’t even see any eyes looking back at me,” I screamed.

“Your majesty, it seems that someone else is receiving the power of the nation. It is a child from the main house- who is not your eldest” another spoke out.

My eyes widened as I shouted at the top of my lungs, “It was supposed to be me?!”