Chapter 4: The Emperor

"What is the commotion I hear?" Emperor Edward asked as he turned his head towards the door.

"I asked the servants while you were still sleeping. It seems like something happened to the wall's barrier," Empress Isabella replied as she placed a wet piece of cloth on the emperor's forehead.

"The barrier? *cough cough* What about the barrier?" Edward asked as he tried to lift his head.

"Don't force yourself dear. You had a rough night with this fever," Isabella said as she placed her hand on his shoulder, signaling him to lay back down. "Whatever it is, I'm sure Victor will bring us a report soon."

"Victor…because of my illness he has so much to carry on his shoulders…" Edward stared up at his bed's canopy and stared at it. He closed his eyes briefly, thinking about how things had worsened in one year.

 "*cough cough* Not only am I a useless emperor, but also a useless father," he said as he clenched his fists.

"Don't say that," Isabella replied as she held his hand, "Victor is only doing his duty as the future emperor. He is well aware of the situation you're in. Plus, we didn't raise an incapable son now did we?" she smiled as she tried to ease his worries.

Edward gave his wife a tired smile. Just how much longer was he going to last in this condition? He thought about the dark marks that were spreading all over his body. One year ago he thought he had a common cold to deal with. He took the usual medication, expecting to be better in a week. Instead of getting better, he realized his fevers were more fierce. After a month, he noticed a dark mark on his chest. The doctors could not explain why this mark had appeared. 

Though none of them wanted to say the possibility, it was rather obvious that the emperor had been cursed. There was no other explanation, at least not a scientific one. Edward's condition had only worsened as time flew by. After a while, he noticed he was getting tired more easily and found it difficult to stand for too long. He then proceeded to have shortness of breath. He also found himself having constant nightmares, along with dangerously high fevers, that would keep him from getting proper rest. He constantly felt cold and would sometimes lose a sense of reality. There were even times he felt he was being watched as he slept. He would feel a penetrating and murderous gaze. The terrifying part was that he could not move nor scream during those moments.

After one year, he was lying in bed, wondering if the gaze that haunted him was the gaze of the grim ripper mocking him until his time came. It had been a while since he had shown his face to the public. For the last 3 months, his empress and crown prince had been taking care of everything for him. He felt lucky in that aspect, having people he could trust and rely on. There was also "him." Yes, with "him" the royal family and the people were protected…

"But who will protect him?" He muttered under his breath.

"What was that dear?" Isabella asked feeling his forehead to check if the fever had subsided at least a little.

"It's nothing. Just a random thought *cough cough*oh, this cursed cough," 

Isabella passed him a handkerchief so he could cover himself.

*Knock knock*

There was a subtle knock on the door

"Who is it?" Isabella asked standing up from her chair.

"It is I, Victor," a low and husky voice responded from the other side of the door.

"*cough cough* Victor…come in," Edward replied as he once again turned his head to the door.

Through the curtains of his bed, Edward saw a tall figure opening the door and walking into the room. Each step he took was full of confidence and grace. Placing his right hand on his heart, the figure bowed down before the emperor.

"I greet the light of the empire," he said firmly with his face down.

"*cough* Victor…" Edward called out his name as he tried to lift his upper body so that he could see his son.

"Dear, you must lay down. Please stop forcing yourself," Isabella said as she encouraged him to lay back on the bed.

Edward closed his eyes as he struggled to get up. He then felt a strong, yet gentle grip on his left shoulder.

"Father, please lay down. It's alright, I'm right here," Victor reassured his father.

"*cough cough*" Edward laid back down as his son gently helped him place his body back on the bed.

As he opened his eyes, Edward saw the face of a young man. Black hair and white fair skin like his mother, the crown prince was always known for his fine features. Though he took after his mother's looks, the emperor saw his own eyes in the eyes of the young prince. Deep, determined, blue eyes looked at the emperor with gentleness and worry. Eyes the emperor knew could look like a serene lake in the middle of summer but could quickly turn into a strong storm when the situation asked for it. 

Edward noticed a certain weariness in those blue eyes. 

"*cough* Victor…have you not been sleeping well?" Edward asked worried.

"I'm alright father. An emergency happened last night so I've been up for a while," Victor said as he forced himself to smile.

It had been a long night. Not only had he finished going over documents late, but an incident at the wall kept him up longer than he planned.

"Not only was the wall damaged…but lives were also lost…all because of the barrier…" Victor thought as he tried to keep himself focused and overcome the fatigue.

"Victor, what exactly happened" Isabella asked as she looked at her son's eyes. 

Though Victor was almost perfect at keeping his demeanor intact, he still could not fool his mother who could perceive his restlessness.

"Last night, a three-headed snake attacked the wall. Not only did it cost damage but lives were also lost…" Victor paused for a moment as he thought about the soldiers who did not make it back to their families.

"*cough* No, but how? *cough* what about the barrier?!" Edward asked as he grabbed Victor's arm.

"The barrier…was not up…" Victor responded as he avoided eye contact.

"Why was the barrier not up? What was the wizard doing? That's his duty every day before the sun goes down!" Isabella stated with a worried and interrogating tone.

"The wizard…was found dead by some soldiers on the night of the attack," Victor said as his eyes turned dark.

"*cough* dead?! *cough* what…*cough* who?*cough*" Edward struggled to speak as he thought through what was happening. 

"This needs to be *cough* investigated *cough* immediately *wheeze* *cough*" Edward's eyes were full of anguish and fury. 

It was obvious that someone was plotting to harm the empire now that things were so uncertain. The emperor was cursed, the day of Rebirth was approaching, and now the city of Aphillas was vulnerable because of the attack from the night before. 

The emperor knew the people were now full of fear. 

"If only…if only my body was well…" Edward grunted and felt frustration at his current weakness.

"I need to go there. I need to go see the injured soldiers.." Edward declared as he forced himself to get up.

"Edward, don't force yourself. Please, we need to stay calm," Isabella said with pleasing eyes.

"I can't just lay down here and do nothing. My people need me. I'm the emperor. I need to be there for them. I need to *cough* know what's going on…" Edward fell back down on the bed as all his strength left his body.

"Father, look at me…" Victor said as held his father's hand.

At the tender age of 21, Victor already possessed the presence of a ruler. He was known throughout the empire as a devoted successor. Yet, at this moment, he was only a son who wanted nothing more than to put his father's mind at ease. 

Victor had always seen his father as a strong and prideful man. Someone who showed no weakness and had determination in every decision he made. Now, the man he had seen as unstoppable, was lying down before him. He was fragile and tired. Even now, as he held his hand, Victor worried that if he pressed it too hard it would break.

Despite all this, the man before him was still his father. He was still strong within and had a heart for the people. He was still the man he loved and respected. 

"And someone out there is trying to hurt you and my family…" Victor's eyes showed a small storm as he thought this.

"Father, I want you to listen to me very carefully. There are things going on that will put the fate of, not just the empire, but the rest of the world at risk…" Edward turned to see the storm forming in his son's eyes.

"Based on your tone…I can assume that you have a plan for all of this…" Edward said as the same storm formed in his own eyes.

Victor smiled at his father.

"But of course I do. If I didn't, then I wouldn't be able to be called your son," Victor said as he stood up and looked towards the door.

"You can come in now!" he commanded the person on the other side.

Through the curtains, Edward saw another shadow approach him.

"Long live the light of the empire," said the shadow as he kneeled before his ruler.