Dannamore Castle, Elysium Empire

The chief butler nervously adjusted his bow before giving a loud knock on the massive double doors. The uniform felt suffocating more than usual, or is it because of the terrifying aura that the room owner exudes that anyone could feel it even from this distance? There was no need for guards because his bloodlust was terrifying enough to fend off intruders. The Emperor of the Elysium Empire, Zachariah Alexander Ross Winthrope had made an indelible mark as the strongest warrior in all of history.

No one would even dare to walk near his room. The servants couldn't even step inside to do their duties because he had been camping inside his office refusing to eat and talk with anyone. And it is one of those days that Howard felt even more on edge. No one wanted to be the chief butler of the frightening war monger of an emperor but now it is his job that he must perfectly carry out because he chose to be by his side.

What has happened that puts the emperor in a foul mood? When everyone thought that the decimating population would finally be resolved with the appearance of the woman from the prophecy both of the individuals in question are locking themselves inside their rooms refusing to talk.

Several minutes passed by when finally, a gruff voice cut through the silence and allowed him to enter.

Howard gently opened the door and saw the emperor hunched down on his desk skimming over a document that looked like it had been crumpled several times. He is almost buried with layers upon layers of documents that need his approval. It seems like despite his apparent plan to overwork himself, the tasks are not diminishing.

"Greetings, your Majesty. I hope everything has been well."

The emperor glared at him, his mouth setting into a thin line. Clearly, nothing good has happened. Instead of balls and tea parties, a funeral should probably be in order. It looks like he is on the verge of his killing spree. He has not been taking his medicine for the past few days. He fears for the life of his servants which will earn the brunt of his ire.

"Stop with the niceties, Howard. What do you want?"

Howard ignores his scathing attitude and moves toward the window situated at the back of the emperor. He pulled the heavy curtains apart to allow some light into the room. After doing so, he looks back at the tired monarch in front of him. He looks quite vulnerable but still fierce and it's a feast in the eyes. The Prime Minister would have loved to see this look and see him crumble in front of him. However, there is no way he would allow the emperor's enemies to see him like this.

"Your Majesty, the ministers have been asking about your whereabouts for these past few days. I believe it is about time for you to resume your duties,"

"Does it look like I'm not doing my job?" he motions to the piles of papers scattered around the room.

The room was dark except for the rays of sunshine that had gone through the opened curtains. It has not only been tended to for the past several days but the place already looks like a pile of manure. Aside from scattered books and papers, there are broken glasses and an empty liquor bottle. A dingy and pungent smell wafts through the four corners of the room.

"Hardly, If I may be so bold as to say."

His ochre-colored eyes flash in anger. It almost looked reddish as if matching his mood. "Get out!"

For the second time that day, Howard ignored the emperor's fury. He could be angry all he wants but we needed to get to the bottom of this.

"What is the problem this time? That woman waiting for you in the harem, is it not the right one?"

Silence ensues followed by a loud exhale. His hand holding the wrinkled paper feebly shakes. Realizing his physical reactions, he tried to hide it by letting go of the paper and instead running his finger through his ash-blonde hair but it was not enough to fool him. Ultimately, that was the only answer he needed. He has a lot of questions but he wouldn't dare to ask the emperor about it. As his loyal servant, it is not his duty to do so.

"Then, I will proceed with the necessary preparations. Since she is a woman with unknown origins, it is not possible to officially recognize her as a Royal Concubine. I can send her to the temple or give her a work recommendation in one of the noble houses."

The emperor tilted his head, fatigue marring his majestic visage. "Let her stay in the harem."

"She is not the woman from the prophecy," Howard stated matter-of-factly.

The emperor gave him a vacant look. "It doesn't matter. I need to put an end to this unrest. She will act as the woman from the prophecy, that's the only way."

"But Your Majesty, the people even the temple will catch on to your lie"

"It doesn't matter what the temple thinks, as long as the people believe in her that is all that I needed. I will deal with the temple myself."

Howard bows not wanting to push it further. He must have a plan and the only thing he needs to do is follow his will. "I understand. Then I will send in a maid to deliver your food and medicine. You need to take it for everyone's sake."

The emperor's body has been growing weaker as the days passed. It's a sickness that has been contracted by every male heir of the royal bloodline for generations. And every time, the emperors couldn't survive the sickness and eventually succumbed to their deaths. No one knew the cause of the sickness and how to cure it. Some even call it a curse for defying the gods until an old document hidden beneath the Dannamore palace was unearthed detailing the sickness that has been plaguing the royal family since ancient times. Among all those piles of documents that were translated, all those hearsays were confirmed to be true. The sickness that had been plaguing the royal male heirs was a curse and the only solution was to find the woman bound to his soul.

The emperor remained quiet. He stands up and looks over from this office window watching as if in deep thought. "Will I be able to find her in this lifetime?" the emperor murmured as an afterthought.

"Yes, you will find her, your Majesty. You will survive this." Howard exclaimed looking more determined than ever.

For us his people to survive, the emperor need to survive.

The emperor looked at him in surprise followed by a soft chuckle, suddenly looking a bit more relaxed than earlier.

"I hope you're right. How about the magic tower? Is there any news from them?"

"Your Majesty, the tower has sent word that the Grand Mage will be visiting the palace instead as scheduled. He will personally report the result of their research."

He nodded and motioned for him to get out. Howard bowed deeply his thoughts plagued with concern about the emperor. Although the previous rulers were unable to survive this curse, the current emperor had to survive. It is the only way for this empire to change for the better and prosper in the future.

As he exited the room and walk through the long hallway, Howard felt a newfound resolve. He will do his absolute best to welcome the Grand Mage into the palace, perfecting the kind of hospitality befitting his position, and Howard hopes that he will come bearing good news for the emperor. He hopes the darkness looming over the empire will finall bathed with light.