Preparations for the Campaign

While evander and the others looked for the grand dime they finally found them. The dukes were already in a bad condition and they had to be rushed back to the capital. Time was now slipping away from evanders hands but also for the princess. Soon enough they'll be married but one of them isn't so happy about the marriage. By this time evander still doesn't know about Emperor Kishendren's plans. He never received a letter informing him of this. But it was reasonable that the Emperor hadn't sent out a letter as evander still wasn't seen as a man as he was only 17. But evander only had one thing in his mind currently and it was to rush back to the capital to make sure his father was okay...

At the capital lucious was getting restless. Evander was yet to return and he was now worried about his standing in court. 2 of his beloved people are not in the empire with him but in one of the most dangerous provinces. It was time he sent a letter to the princes. He was no longer gonna wait around for evander and the dukes to arrive. His suspicions were starting to get ahold of him now...

"Royal Prince Damien and 2nd Prince Rahim,

I Duke Lucious sent you this letter to ask you both something. As you know the grand Duke and Duke Maximus went to your province nakusa to convince the both of you to return. It's been months and they have yet to return back in the capital. Your highnesses I am starting to worry about the grand Duke. And I don't have anymore patience left to give. So if you know anything about what happened to my godfather it's time that you say something about it.

-Duke Lucious"

Lucious wrote this letter to simply threaten and warn the princes about the grand dukes disappearance. It was written to show them that if anything was to happen to grand Duke armista lucious would make sure that neither of the princes would sit on Trystia's imperial throne. And lucious wasn't bluffing as he made sure his army was always ready for battle. He made sure he gained the support of the ministers by rewarding them whenever they won at battles. He was already 20 years old and he was still a robust young male and he was still in his prime. But any so he wanted to know what the people thought of him. So one day he planned to dress as a common Lord and go through the common folks markets. There he saw the struggle of being in poverty and the struggle to keep shops up and running. It was clear many were happy with their current lives but lucious could see children working at a very young age. He asked around and many praised the great Duke lucious for his achievements in assisting the empire without knowing it's him. But he also asked on what was the problem and why the people were struggling so bad and almost all replies led to the same problem...

"The government can't afford to give us any help at all!"

"It's because we don't go to enough campaign's anymore! "

"We can't afford to buy raw materials anymore because of how hard it's been to trade. "

Many all pointed to the lack of money and space to trade. And lucious understood why they were complaining. They weren't wrong at all either and lucious considered their problems. He himself decided to buy a few acres of land. He ordered huts to be made and lakes to be constructed so the place could be beautiful. But bridges were also constructed to connect the acres of land together as some parts of the land were going to be used for farming crops but also barns were constructed for cows, chickens, sheep's and etc. Lucious decided to hire men in and children in poverty and provided them housing with the huts. He wanted them to have a home while getting paid salary for farming. These crops and meats were often given out to orphanages and people in poverty. But lucious still had a problem. Many still wanted to go on campaigns as the capital was getting crowded so lucious went to the palace to seek the emperor's approval to go on a campaign. But there he overheard the Emperor talking to princess amaris about the wedding plans.

"My daughter I think we should start preparing soon right? I mean evander and you will wed as soon as possible anyways. "

"Of course father... Anything you say. "

Lucious froze in shock. He wasn't even informed that evander and amaris were getting married. He didn't know why but it felt as if his heart was shattered into a million pieces and he didn't know why. He hurriedly left the palace and rush back to the grand dukes place. Lucious was in a panic as his chest was starting to hurt. Was was happening to him he said. He was so confused and upset at the same time. It seems his hold against the Emperor was slipping through his hands and it was clear as day that he was no longer in control.

"No! I will not let this happen! I've spent 2 years climbing up the ranks and I will not go down like this! Never! "

Lucious returned back to the palace once the sun was down. He began to discuss to the Emperor about the current problems of the empire and the need for the campaign. Emperor kishendren understood what needed to be done for the empires stability to return.

" I understand your worries and I appreciate your report... It has been long since the last campaign wasn't it? I think you will handle the campaign perfectly lucious as you are still young and your still in your prime. So I'll leave you in charge of the campaign. Go now and prepare for the campaign's start!"