5 The Captain of Knights

Jeremiah was walking across the cobblestone path when he paused and his eyes lifted up towards a certain window of the palace. It was Princess Johanna's room and he felt a sudden strong surge of mana coming from there.

He thought about checking out if the princess was safe but this morning Izekiel has commanded that the knights outside her room shall be increased and thus it would be impossible for even a harmful fly to enter her chambers.

Such magical occurrences were normal in this palace where more than half of the inhabitants were mana users. So, Jeremiah didn't think anything further about it and continued to walk ahead.

He remembered his earlier encounter with his majesty.

When the morning was fresh and the sun had just risen, the captain of Imperial knights was looking all around the palace to find the emperor. In the end, he found the emperor peacefully sleeping in the enchanted garden along with a maiden. She was none other than Princess Johanna.

It was strange.

Perhaps the emperor was so exhausted with recent increased work in the court that he didn't mind being with someone while sleeping.

That's what Jeremiah told himself and yet he couldn't help but find that occurrence very odd. He has known Izekiel since childhood and the emperor always preferred to sleep alone.

For someone like him to sleep with a woman he barely knows was hard to understand.

When Izekiel woke up at the first ray of sunlight, the darkness of his eyes seemed to have decreased a bit. The expression upon his face was less cold this morning, he seemed a bit confused and then watched the maiden as if she was a strange creature.

A small smile formed over Jeremiah's face.

The morning for Izekiel had started well, but the first words he spoke after waking up caused the smile to fade as soon as it came.

"Execute her."

"How can you execute your wife to be?!"

Izekiel blinked in confusion, he glanced at Jeremiah and then glanced back at Johanna. Jeremiah wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry, Izekiel hadn't even seen Johanna and had the marriage fixed only to create some conflict between kingdoms.

Izekiel stood up and fixed his clothes.

"Execute the guards that were appointed to her."

"The priest has requested his majesty to be generous and kind today, at least don't kill anyone."

"Discipline your knights then. They seem to be taking their job too lightly."

Jeremiah watched the sleeping Johanna with pity. She was sleeping soundly while embracing a bottle of wine as if it was her lifeline. The rumors about princess Johanna being the most beautiful woman in the east were indeed true, she has an innocent face and peaceful aura around her.

How can such a person offend the emperor in a single night?

Jeremiah looked at Izekiel.

"What even happened last night?"

Izekiel narrowed his eyes and his gaze became distant.

"The princess shall not be allowed to drink from now on,"

Jeremiah chuckled as he recalled this incidence. Though reluctant, Izekiel has carried Johanna to her room. He even replaced the guards and increased security.

The few maids who encountered Izekiel and Nesrin sleeping together have spread the talks of this incident to all over the palace. Rumors flew fast within these walls.

From afar, Jeremiah could see smoke rising from a certain place. There were traces of magic in it. As he walked closer to the courtyard, the grunts and sound of metal clanking together could be heard.

The two knights following Jeremiah exchanged nervous glances. Jeremiah smiled at them,

"Don't worry, it's just his majesty."

The courtyard marked the beginning of the emperor's private palace. He trained here most of the time, and this is where he handled all administrative work which didn't require his presence in the court or anywhere else.

The knights that sparred with Izekiel were panting and shaking from all the training. But they didn't hold back or give up, five of them swung their swords at the same time upon Izekiel.

His eyes were calm but sharp. There was no visible strain upon his face or posture as he swiftly dodged the attack and with one swish of his hand, he summoned violet light that slammed the knights down.

"There is an hour remaining before the ceremony starts," Jeremiah dodged a wave of condensed mana and casually walked up to Izekiel, "We should go."

A maid brought him a towel and Izekiel patted his face and neck. There was a sheen layer of glistening sweat over his skin that caused the maid to blush but despite her wishes she didn't dare to look at the emperor.

The emperor ran a hand through his raven locks and walked back inside the palace. The knights following Jeremiah remained outside and only the two of them entered. Jeremiah repeated the words he was told by the priest.

"The priest said a few things; 1. Don't shed any blood today, 2. Getting blessing from your parents is considered fortunate, 3. After the vows-"

"I am not getting married for the first time."

"Well, even though you signed the marriage documents it was not really a traditional wedding."

"The documents are the only thing necessary. I don't understand why father insists on such trivialities."

Jeremiah only shrugged in response.

He has known Izekiel from a long time, it won't be far fetched to say they were companions now. Izekiel was not the kind of person who can or who would understand the emotional value of such 'trivialities'.

Izekiel's first wedding didn't happen as per his wishes. He has already forgotten the person to whom he was betrothed. And after the former emperor had gone for the pilgrimage, Izekiel completely neglected Princess Lillian who was waiting for him all these years.

She has sent countless letters to Izekiel but the emperor never replied to even one of them. He refused to even marry finding it too bothersome and annoying.

It was only after the former emperor came back and convinced Izekiel to marry, did the emperor consider a marriage. It was the time of war and so he only took the vows and signed documents with the princess.

They entered the bath chamber, where a steamy pool of hot water awaited him. The maids quickly sprinkled herbs and flowers, along with perfumes and oils inside the bath.

Izekiel removed the laces binding his shirt. Even though he was the emperor, he has no personal attendant. He found the presence of attendants too crowded.

However, since it was his wedding there were two ladies waiting to attend him.

The robes slid down from Izekiel, revealing a smooth fine skin. Despite the years they spent in the military, Izekiel didn't have a single scar upon him. His healing ability was too advanced from a young age.

Izekiel has spent almost his entire life practicing magic and training himself to become what he is today, the fruit of his hard work was also visible on his body. He had a fine skin and well sculpted figure.

Jeremiah thought about how big harem his emperor could create if only his charming looks didn't come along with a cold personality.

Izekiel entered the water.

"I still find it strange," Jeremiah folded his hands and leaned against the wall, "You said you will never marry like the other monarchs. Then why did you take princess Johanna as your second wife?"

Izekiel closed his eyes.

"Scram,"

"The harem might not stay empty for long I suppose," Jeremiah chuckled,

Above his head, a cold freezing water splashed down on him. This made him sneeze and shiver. The glow around Izekiel's hand disappeared.

'If you weren't the emperor, no woman would have married you' Jeremiah thought to himself and used magic to dry his clothes.

A few minutes passed, then there was a sudden commotion outside. While Izekiel wrapped himself in his clean wedding robes, Jeremiah walked outside the chamber. The two knights that had earlier followed Jeremiah were arguing with a maid.

One of the knights said.

"We have to see his majesty now! It can't be delayed!"

The maid hissed in reply,

"He is bathing for heaven's sake! If you wish to die then you can but don't drag us down!"

"You have no idea what-"

They all became silent when Jeremiah came outside. The maid curtsied before leaving and the knights gave a quick bow. Their voice carried urgency as they reported the incident to Jeremiah.

"The west tower barrier is breached! Something is hindering the repairs, the situation is dire we need to get there as soon as possible!"

Jeremiah frowned.

"Calm down, how dare you bother his majesty for such a small matter? The elite knights can easily deal with something like this."

"They tried, but something strange is happening there. No one is able to approach the rift in the barrier!"

Izekiel came out from the chamber and placed a hand over Jeremiah's sword before speaking in a cold indifferent voice.

"What exactly happened?"

"W-we received a message from the communication array. A blast occurred out of nowhere in the barrier and a rift was created. All the stationed guards were killed. Those who found the rift said only his majesty can do something now. Before we can hear more, the link was disconnected."

The communication array was a telepathic link established between willing people. It was a common efficient way the guards and knights used.

The other knight added nervously:

"They sounded as if they were in extreme pain, there was a painful cry before the link went off."

Izekiel pulled the sword, the two knights fell down even before one could blink. Blood begins to pool around their bodies quickly. Their breaths left within a few seconds and with that, the charm was lifted. The faces of the two knights changed.

"Fools," Jeremiah said, "The barrier was taken down for maintenance in the west tower."

"There are intruders."

Izekiel remarked as he watched the small red stain in his wedding robes darkly. Jeremiah chuckled carelessly.

"Guess you have to change your clothes again now."