Contemplating

In the grand, opulent office, my father, the Emperor, occupies the central position behind an ornate desk. The room, however, is a chaotic sight: shattered furniture and scattered glass paint a picture of recent fury. An attendant stands to the side, trembling noticeably—an unfortunate consequence of my father's latest outburst.

I cast a sidelong glance at my older brother, Linus. His ashy hair gleams softly under the ambient light, and his grey eyes, ever cold and calculating, meet mine. A fleeting expression of disdain flickers across his face, but I brush it off. We're rivals now, each vying for the throne, so such sentiments are to be expected.

Drawing a breath, I decide to speak up, breaking the tense silence. "Father," I begin, drawing the Emperor's attention away from the scattered debris. His gaze is sharp, impatient, as he focuses on me.

"Lucina has reached marriageable age," I continue, letting the weight of the announcement settle in. "My fiancée from Brendholm, along with her two brothers, will be visiting soon."

My father regards me with curiosity, clearly puzzled by the sudden shift in conversation. I press on, clarifying the significance. "Lucina is of an age to be married, and the two princes accompanying her are still single."

A moment of realization dawns on the Emperor's face. Understanding lights up his eyes as he processes my words. A sardonic smile spreads across his lips as he responds, "Ah, I see now. Let her be someone else's concern." His laughter fills the room, mingling with the remnants of his earlier frustration. 

The conversation swiftly shifts to matters of national policy. I present some proposals, drawing heavily from ideas I've adapted from Earth. I watch with satisfaction as my father's expression transforms from disinterest to impressed intrigue. Catching his reaction, I cast a victorious glance toward Linus. All's fair in the race for the throne, after all. Apologies, big brother, but I won't be holding back.

A few minutes later, we exit the office and are greeted by Stella, my twin sister. Her entrance is met with an unmistakable smile from our father, a gesture that clearly marks her as his favorite. "Father," she calls out, her voice brimming with affection.

"Ah, my little sunshine," the Emperor responds warmly, clearly pleased to see her. Stella seamlessly links her arm with his, a level of familiarity and comfort that even surpasses what I've seen between him and the Empress.

Stella winks at me, and I can't help but hide a smile. Her charm is irresistible. As Linus bows out, excusing himself from our conversation, I watch him depart through the magnificent palace halls, his figure receding amidst the grandeur of crystal pillars.

"Father, you simply must hear me play the Ererse," Stella says, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I've been practicing diligently."

Unable to resist, I decide to accompany them. Watching Stacy play the Ererse is always a mesmerizing experience. The music she produces is ethereal, the colors and patterns that emerge from her performance are like nothing else, transforming the room into a realm of enchantment.

*

I stretch my arms languidly, only to encounter the warmth of another body. Looking down, I see a cascade of brunette hair and a slender back peeking out from beneath the luxurious covers. A smile tugs at my lips as I recall the pleasures of the previous night. Indeed, the privileges of royalty are many.

Gently, I rouse my companion, who, upon realizing the situation, scrambles to dress quickly. She's one of the maids serving in my palace, and her hurried attempts to cover herself are endearing. I slip into a robe, draping it loosely around me, and make my way to the bath.

In the bathhouse, I catch the eye of another maid and give her a playful wink. Her cheeks flush with a rosy hue—charming, really. I lower myself into the enormous, heated bath, letting the warmth envelop me as two maids begin to meticulously tend to my body. This is the essence of indulgence—power and beauty in equal measure.

As I luxuriate in the soothing waters and the attentive ministrations of the maids, my thoughts drift to the recent swordsmanship competition. The knight who emerged victorious has piqued my interest. His skill and prowess would make him a valuable asset to my faction.

I close my eyes, letting the steam and the gentle scrubbing lull me into contemplation.