The Retarded Third Prince

The Lykus Empire held most of the territory on the continent. There were over five sovereigns under the power of the empire, which was blessed to wield magical powers by the Deity, Shomashom – a guardian beast with the form of a cat with two pairs of gigantic wings that held the power of lighting.

In this empire, strength and prestige were everything. The slaves and common people were treated as tools to satisfy the nobles. And the one who stood atop among everyone was the Empire's Sun, Emperor Yron Lykus together with his wife, Empress Saia Lykus. They ruled the magical empire with an iron fist even to their kin.

Unlike the other territories wherein they leaned on battle strategies and militia prowess, the empire could send one general to the war zone and finish the enemies in one strike. With this, the non-magical sovereigns bend their knees to stop the futile bloodshed and for protection. One of these sovereigns was the Kingdom of Amina, which was famous for its beautiful women and inner talents to compensate for the lack of magical power. Known for their colorful heritage and flamboyant lifestyle, it sparked an interest in the greedy emperor.

Amidst the warmth from the glaring rays of the sun that penetrated the enormous window panes at the eerily quiet throne room, the cold and harsh look of Emperor Yron to his least favored son dropped the room's temperature – his ice magic influencing the environment. Beside the Lykus Empire's Great Sun, sat a dashing woman with a magnificent crown sitting atop her well-made hair, Empress Saia Lykus looked down at the cowering state of the third prince of the empire. "You may stand, Prince Zen."

"This son is grateful to the mother empress," said Prince Zen in a whisper. His head tilted down as he fiddled with his fingers, showing how nervous he was in front of the imposing power couple.

The shivering form of the cowardly third prince was a sight to behold behind the malicious gaze of the empress. Though her words were kind, the poison dripping from it was enough to send the prince shaking in fear. Empress Saia grazed Emperor Yron's arm, leaning onto him like a leech.

The raging emperor cleared his throat to stop the onslaught of moans from escaping his wrinkled lips. Shifting his attention to his youngest son, who barely stood up in front of him, the irritation he felt for the third prince was now much lesser than the previous moment – all because of his empress' provocation. The emperor's reaction brought a triumphant smile to the empress as she purposely showed the third prince her influence on the emperor.

"Third Prince, Zen Lykus, son of Concubine Yoli, I hereby give you this Imperial edict to marry the foreign tribute of the Kingdom of Amina. She is a daughter of General Ronin Mariyah and is now the most beautiful woman in the Kingdom of Amina." Emperor Yron spoke as if he was giving his son a gift, eliminating the fact that the tribute was a concubine's daughter.

His mocking pair of red eyes looked down at his son, who was known as his spitting image and the empire's royal retard. Though the third prince was the only one who inherited his red-eyed orbs and black hair, his son was also known as a coward and a fool which humiliated his image. He loathed the third prince that he could not wait for the day that one of his favored sons would eliminate the third prince in the battle for the throne.

For the first time since he entered the imposing throne room, the third prince, Prince Zen, looked up and saluted his father emperor, and mother empress. His pearly white teeth were shown as he gave the biggest grin to them. "This son receives the Imperial edict and gives his heartfelt gratitude to emperor father and empress mother." Prince Zen bowed slightly while touching the center of his heart – the customary salute in the empire.

"You may leave. I will ask Concubine Mereya to prepare for your wedding. The envoy will arrive tomorrow, but you will have to wait and see your consort in your bed chambers a week from now." Emperor Yron could practically see the entire orchard blossoming at the back of his son's sunny disposition.

Prince Zen smiled sweetly at his father, waving his hand in a childlike manner. "This son bids farewell, emperor father and empress mother." Not bothering to adhere the social etiquette, he dashed outside the throne room with light steps as he hummed a song.

Watching the behavior of his son, no matter how many years it passed since he became a fool, made Emperor Yron's blood coiled. "That useless brat! At least this marriage will benefit the empire."

Empress Saia caressed the emperor's arm languidly before she whispered right next to his ear. "When will you kill that son of yours, Your Majesty?"

A pair of calloused hands cupped the empress' small face. "Let his consort bear a child first. That time, you can finally do as you please to that fool. I promise."

The empress merely pouted, showing her displeasure. Unbeknownst to the emperor, the empress was struggling to keep herself from cracking her calm façade – she wanted to rejoice and celebrate. With the marriage of the third prince to the tribute with no connection to any political family, Prince Zen was stepping into dangerous waters. She was sure that the youngest prince would finally die, paving a way for her son to secure the throne.

The third prince was known for his weak demeanor and childish antics – the Imperial Court dubbed him as a retarded prince, who brought nothing but disgrace to the Royal Family. Born as the only son from the tribute of the southern tribe, Yoli, Prince Zen was destined to die first among the five princes of the empire. With no one to rely on, not even his ruthless father, Prince Zen was the center of the Imperial Court's favor as soon as he manifested the same physical appearance as the emperor – the Imperial Officials thought he would also manifest the same magical power as his father, ice. Long straight hair paired with a beast's red eyes, he was the little version of the tyrant emperor.

Prince Zen became the target of assassinations and schemes from the empress and the other powerful concubines. Everyone thought that he would be the one dying first among the five princes, but one day, after suffering from a scheme concocted by the empress, Prince Zen became a retard. His childlike smiles and simpleton behavior rendered the third prince useless in the fight for the throne.

For the past years that followed, two princes and three Imperial Concubines died, but the retarded prince survived as the people interested in the throne regarded him as the least threatening among all the princes.

THE MOMENT PRINCE ZEN stepped inside the carriage, his smiling face and sunny disposition turned cold. Gone were the foolish grin and the unfocused gaze that he showed in the Imperial Palace. Discarding the red ribbon tied to his hair, he freed his lengthy raven-colored straight hair before setting his cravat loose – as if he was being suffocated. After all, Prince Zen hated the overly neat appearance of the retarded third prince that everyone knew.

The blonde-haired butler sitting across from Prince Zen inside the carriage offered the latter a small opened box, showing a ruby-studded single earring. The latter immediately put on the earring on his left ear. Crossing his legs and arms, the third prince faced the serious-looking butler, who was watching the entire ordeal.

His cold red eyes stared at the butler's cynical gray-colored eyes – a common trait from the people of the northern territory. "So, what did you find out from my consort, Amir?"

Amir immediately handed the stack of scrolls to the prince, who was now staring outside the carriage's window beneath the satin curtain. "These are all the Vipers could find from the woman named Theta Mariyah. She lived a humble life in a pigsty despite being a noble's daughter. Even with her misfortunes, she was still chased by nobles and even princes from all over the continent because of her beauty that could rival the goddess of beauty, Tamina."

Looking bored even with the mention of some beauty for a consort, Amir knew how indifferent the third prince was. His cold red eyes stared at him. "Do you think she is a spy from the empress mother of the Dowager empress?"

Taking back the scroll, Amir answered Prince Zen's inquiry. "Though her background and her history of interaction did not show any connection to the two, the fact that the emperor is overseeing your marriage is reason enough to be wary of the consort."

"Hmmm." Prince Zen touched his chin, his gaze never wavering from looking outside. "It seems that my father is up to something again."

Upon mentioning the tyrant emperor, Amir froze in his seat. He knew firsthand how Prince Zen suffered because of the ruthless ruler of the Lykus Empire. Amir could still remember the cold harsh glare he received as a child when he was offered as a hostage from the northern tribe since he was a son of the chieftain. Treated like a slave, he sought asylum at the hands of the young third prince, who he once thought to be a fool. Though he was not a hostage anymore, Amir refused to go back to the people, who sold him. And pledged loyalty to Prince Zen, Amir swore to see the day wherein his master would sit on the throne – not hiding who he was anymore.

"Amir, what happened to the cargo?" A pair of cold red eyes stared at Amir. The latter was still not used to his master's penetrating gaze as if he could read anyone by simply looking at them.

Amir snapped out from her eternal monologue. After all, they could not afford to lose the cargo. "The envoy told me to show you this, Your Highness." Amir showed the Jade pendant with a carved Phoenix on it – the symbol of the southern tribe's royalty.

Delicate fingers that could snap Amir in two in a split second accepted the Jade pendant and stared at it. No surprise reaction hinted from Prince Zen's stoic face.

Watching the third prince, who was nonchalantly staring outside the carriage, if he did not know any better, Amir would not believe if someone would tell him that Prince Zen was the leader of the secret information and assassination organization in the empire called Crows.

"Where is the envoy staying?" asked Prince Zen. His long straight black hair swayed from the gentle breeze outside the carriage. The buzzing of the people in the capital city of Lykus Empire, Erev City, almost drowned the faint voice of the third prince.

"According to the Vipers' report, they will stay at Crown Prince Lester's Pavillion."

For the first time since he entered the carriage, Prince Zen showed an ounce of emotion – his lips stretched to form a sadistic smile. "Of course. After all, that brother of mine wants to secure the southern mines to support his campaign. My regression is an opening for him to take my last hope for support. Silly brother."

"Should I send the pigeons to the Vipers to bring the envoy to the third prince's palace?"It was a relief for Amir that the third prince was given the most secluded palace within the capital city – it allowed them to operate freely and away from the prying eyes of the enemies.

"Yes, do that. And, send some Vipers to the delegation of Amina that will arrive tomorrow."

What Prince Zen said stunned Amir – leaving the poor butler balder dashed for a few seconds. "You want to protect the consort? She could be a spy, Your Highness."

"Report her movements to me. If you see any interaction that will prove her connection to my enemies, then do the right thing."

With widened eyes, Amir asked even if he knew what Prince Zen meant. "The right thing, your highness?"

"Have you lost your touch, Amir? It is quite simple. If this consort will make things harder for me, then kill her. A road accident is a common thing especially after entering the Lykus Empire's main territory." Prince Zen tilted his head, a finger beneath his aristocratic chin, and his smiling red eyes held a warning for Amir.