“The tale is about an orphan, who after drinking spoiled milk, died in the middle of the streets of the village he lived in. No one touched his corpse, however in the next morning the boy woke up, he frantically asked the people around him who he was and where he lived. However, being an orphan in a poor village, no one knew who he was. The boy then, took a name for himself and his body that before was lacking mana, now overflowed with the blessing of the god of the sun. His golden mana became his trade mark as he crossed the territory with no money and a shabby sword. A hero everywhere he went, he became a knight for the king, however the king was greedy and attempted to kill the boy after he got everything he wanted. The boy however, smarter than the king, tricked the man into leaving his throne, and stole his crown. His story was told all across the continents. The hero that became the Emperor. Aelius Exos Chrysl.” After speaking in a soft tone, almost as if singing a lullaby, Else breaks down to tears. It's just a tale, a legend to counter the one told in history books. A different origin to the first Emperor, however, there isn't certain proof which is the true origin of the man. If Nyx's origins are well depicted through the books, Aelius was covered in mysteries, and maybe that was his intention. The tale Else read was deep into the Palace's secret library and the book was so poorly maintained that she had a hard time translating it. To think that this tale would be reflected into our current lives. 

“So, it is possible to acquire mana, however one needs to have none and then die and revive without outsiders help…” Magnus finishes putting on his clothes, his expression is dark and the room grows quiet while Else cries in silence and Magnus becomes deep in thought. “Does that mean…” he stops for a second. “Nikias died? Alone? And no one helped him?” The sudden realization of how far his neglect affected his children hits the man. He clenches his heart and his eyes close with pain, he doesn't cry like the Empress, however, his heart hurts just as much as hers.

❥

A faint knock on the door wakes up Nikias that slept middle-writing, he blushes with the realization, a bit of ink got smashed onto his cheek, his hair became messy and his eyes are red with exhaustion. The lack of proper sleep got to me. Nikias thinks as he cleans his throat. “You can enter”, he says loud enough to not need to get up from his desk. Another Prince enters the room, Alkaios is wearing a lean black shirt with white pants, on his hands are a tray with a suspicious looking soup. The older brother smiles faintly as he enters the room of the youngest, which is now filled with the warm rays of the sun. Nikias eyes are dropping sluggishly as the man stares at his brother. Cute, Alkaios thinks, their age difference isn't that big, however, he always saw Nikias as a cute kitty, even if he couldn't approach him before. I'll take care of you now, brother, I hope it isn't too late. 

“Oh, good morning…” Nikias’ voice is low, no one would consider his voice as something besides sexy, however, Alkaios seems to be the only one that finds it adorable. He sounds like a baby bear. Honestly, Alkaios thoughts towards his youngest brother are nothing but delusions of a doting brother. What should I address him at? Brother is what I say the most, however should I try his name? Or a nickname like mom? For a fact, if Nikias attempts to call Alkaios by his nickname, the older man might never let the younger go, to his dismay. “Brother”, he ends up going for the usual, he attempts a smile but ends up yawning.

“Your servant told us that you were busy this morning”, for a second Alkaios almost pouts, however he stops himself as he isn't sure how Nikias would react to him being different from usual. Barely does he know that Nikias wouldn't really notice the change. “So I brought you a soup, it's good for your health, since you don't seem fully recovered yet”. Those words make Nikias finally wake up, he nods slightly as his brother places the soup at the table in the middle of Nikias' room. The youngest gets up from his desk quietly, attempting to not think too much. After all, thinking about his current brother makes him think about… the man shakes his head as he sits at the table. His eyes drift from his brother to the soup in front of him. 

It looks absolutely disgusting. “Brother, I won't eat this”, Alkaios seems confused by his brother's words. The soup is nutritious and healthy, it'll be only beneficial for him to drink it. Vahe ate a lot of disgusting things in his lifetime, he even drank stationary water once. However, he isn't homeless anymore. 

“Why?” Alkaios asks and Nikias looks at him with madman eyes.

“Because it looks disgusting!” He exclamates, Alkaios turns his head, blushing. He's so fucking adorable, I could never talk about how cute my little brother is before… I wish I had my communication orb to take pictures right now. Daniel would be so jealous! His little sister and brother don't hold a candle to Nikias! His love truly knows no bounds, it's better to not know everything that goes through Alkaios head. Neglect can fuck with people's head, however, combine neglect and power and you would have… well, these brothers. 

“You need to eat, so you can be healthy again”, the oldest tone is soft and Nikias' expression softens. He doesn't know yet, how he lowers his guard closer to his brother, even if he keeps thinking about how to trick him into liking him. Well, Alkaios already adores his little brother so Nikias plan isn't totally blown. 

The youngest Prince grabs the plate with his hands, even if there is a spoon right next to it, he doesn't know how to properly use it. Alkaios observes his brother blow the soup before sipping it directly from the plate. He even forgot how to eat, if I ever find out who hurt him… the man thinks with anger in his heart. Nikias getting hurt was always what the man hated the most, even when he found out that the boy was kidnapped years ago…

Alkaios was 17 while Nikias was only 14 when it happened, the older Prince was out hunting and when he came back he discovered that his brother was kidnapped while he was away. He never found the culprit, however, Nikias seemed to be in one piece and the men that brought him back became his servants. Whatever happened isn't quite clear as when Alkaios found the mercenaries that kidnapped his brother, he murdered the men before even asking questions, therefore he doesn't know who the mastermind was. Even so, when it comes to the health of his little brother he kills first and asks questions later. 

After finishing the horrible tasting soup, Nikias cleans his throat. He wants to ask his brother for something, but how can he? Was he ever shy before? As Vahe he doesn't recall how he acted with Zerah, his older brother, therefore he isn't sure what would be natural to ask a brother for and what isn't. If he took care of me yesterday means he doesn't hate me as much, right? Even if Alkaios eyes are cold as usual, Nikias’ hope of seeing a glint of care makes the boy see it even if the emotion doesn't leak through Alkaios facade. “Can I ask you for a favor, brother?” Nikias asks with caution, and even if Alkaios is screaming of happiness on the inside, he keeps his cold expression.

“Of course.”

The youngest Prince takes a deep breath. “Could you be my escort for my ball tomorrow?” He closes his eyes and turns his head, scared of the answer. I shouldn't have asked, even if he and Evangelia aren't engaged yet, they'll be soon so of course he'll escort her… 

“Do you even need to ask?” Alkaios' tone is soft, he smiles at his brother, although his eyes are still cold. “Of course I'll escort my little brother to his coming of age celebration!” 

Nikias fidgets his fingers “Thank you”, he mumbles softly. Maybe this new life won't be all bad, the younger man thinks, fighting his own smile. Alkaios opens his mouth to say something else, however he's interrupted by the door of the room opening. Lowe enters, bowing to both Princes.

“I greet the stars of the Empire”, Nikias nods and the servant walks to the desk of the Prince, leaving the things the man previously asked for there.

“Thank you, Lowe”, Nikias tone is cold and distant as usual, the warmth that was in the room before completely dissipates. Alkaios sighs, he wishes to stay longer with his brother, but as the Crown Prince he has other duties.

‘’I’ll leave, if you need me don’t hesitate to call’’, Alkaios says ruffling Nikias’ hair, the youngest nods and watches as the oldest leaves the room. The Prince sighs, leaning back onto the chair he’s sitting on. 

‘’Being a Prince is exhausting’’, he mumbles, gazing at his servant that only nods in silence. ‘’What’s the problem? Lowe?’’ He asks although he can guess what is.

Raphael returning hurt wasn’t something they were expecting, the twins constantly go to town to run errands for Nikias, however if the ones targeting them finally catched on, even the Palace isn’t safe anymore. Lowe is probably thinking about running away, even if it meant being labeled as a traitor, the mana pact is a pain, as it prevents him from doing anything Nikias doesn’t approve of. That’s probably what is in his mind, at the moment.

‘’Lowe, I lost most of my memories and I can’t promise that you’ll both be safe here. However, you’re not anyone, you’re my people now. The pact might benefit me the most, but don’t forget it benefits you as well’’. Nikias says as he gets up, walking towards his desk to work more. He still needs to check his assets as a Prince; he probably has some lands and other businesses. 

When the mana pact is made to someone with no mana, the brand on the ones who made it is faint, but the crown on Lowe’s wrist is bright and anyone who sees it will know. Prince Nikias property, that’s why a lot of lovers do the pact, even if right now the brand is hidden by his sleeve, as soon as anyone catches a glimpse of it, they’ll all know. 

‘’Pardon me, my Prince, but you have no power right now’’, and that’s a fact, no one respects him and he has absolutely no protection. But that won’t be for long.

‘’That’s why I need your help, I don’t intend on having the crown, but I also won’t sit back and lose all the power I have because of my surname’’ Nikias words are filled with confidence, the man sits at his desk, he smirks at Lowe. ‘’The Empire will soon learn to respect me, don’t worry, for now, just assist me, and you’ll reap all the benefits soon enough.’’

‘’You’re right’’, Lowe says with a sigh. ‘’I’m just worried about Raphael’’. Nikias nods, grabbing the newspaper. 

‘’You can leave for now, go check on your brother, if I need you I’ll call’’, the Prince says and the brunette bows with appreciation before leaving the man alone.

A Genius in the Slums!

A name that will certainly be marked in the history of the Exos Empire Academy, Fleuri is a genius that rose inside the Academy during his academic years. Excelling in all areas, the now man grew in a orphanage in the south of the Empire, inside the slums he could’ve been lost in poverty if it wasn’t for Count Mazus Auclair, that during his times as a teenager did charity work at the orphanage where Fleuri resided.

Now at 20 years old, the genius boy is rumored to be approached by high-ranking nobles to be adopted even being already an adult! However those rumors seem to be unfounded as the man himself declared that he doesn’t wish to enter nobility. What a loss of geniality!

Nikias taps his finger on the desk, Fleuri? That name wasn’t in the novel, or at least I don’t remember him. A genius? If he truly never rose to be a noble, it makes sense that his name was lost in history even with his good prospects. If the boy truly comes from the slums, he probably resents nobility more than anyone, and if his hatred was nurtured during his academic years, he probably will never want to be part of the nobles. However doesn’t he even feel grateful for the man that helped him when he was only a child? After all, he still finished his studies. Interesting.

After thinking more, the youngest Prince decides to write a letter to said genius. Due to the Prince’s reputation he probably won’t get a reply, however if he decides to appeal to the man’s pride, maybe he’ll get to at least meet him. I’m at least confident in my ability of provoking someone, he thinks with an amused snort. As he finishes his letter, the man proceeds with his reading of the newspaper, although most articles are of gossip and events the following week, he manages to find at the end of the newspaper a small column about his coming of age.

Useless Prince Becomes an Adult at Last

The least favorite Prince of the Empire is about to complete 18 years of age during this week, his ball will be held at the Lily Ballroom, reserved for events of least importance inside the Palace, although the presence of the Crown Prince, the Emperor and the Empress are guaranteed, what can we expect of a ball held for a Prince with no life prospect? No abilities with weaponry or even mana in his body, Prince Nikias Gregor Chrysl is guaranteed to be erased from history as soon as his death comes upon him.

For best or for worse, the whole Empire clamors, for the death of an useless Prince.

That’s harsh, Nikias thinks, and even if he knows that he isn’t the one being talked about in the column, he can’t avoid but feel hurt. If someone hates you, that's life, but if everyone wishes for your death, that’s another thing. How can I change the reputation of someone that has already hit rock bottom? He shakes his head, it's useless to feel like this, I need to think forward, the damage is done, if I'm starting from the bottom, the only path I can take is up.