Chapter 1: The Princess's Birthday

Ouranian Continents, Gigantic Empire. Year 987 A.D.

As I left my room I noticed that there was no one in the corridors, only the two maids walking behind me.

Even though there seemed to be no one in the entire mansion I could hear whispers in the largest living room of the mansion.

I arrived and stood in front of the doors and as I was about to knock they opened it from the inside. Inside there were few people, but very influential, they were relatives and close friends of the family.

-Happy seventh birthday Desi, I wish you a long and prosperous life," My father was standing in front of all those people, leading the group that approached me.

I was surprised.

-Thank you father," I said giving him a little bow, I suspected there was a high ranking person visiting because the maids had overdressed me so early in the morning. I knew today was my birthday, but it would be celebrated at the imperial palace tonight, so I was not expecting this in the morning.

-Happy birthday Miss Desine," says my uncle, my father's younger brother and my father's right-hand man.

-Thank you very much uncle Feredico.

-Happy birthday Desi~! -she shouted as she ran to me and hugged me, she was my best friend and my cousin, my uncle Feredico's daughter.

-Thank you Neomi," As we hugged more of the people present congratulated me and talked about how fast I'm growing up.

When everyone finished giving me their congratulations they went on to give me the gifts they brought with them; my father gave me a horse of the purest breed, my uncle gave me 2 dresses made by the best tailor on the continent, the others gave me furniture decorated with gold, toys with inlaid gems, tea sets of the highest quality, and all kinds of material luxuries.

I am very happy with all the gifts, I like being pampered in this way, although I doubt I will be able to enjoy everything I was given.

However what excites me most is that today, on my seventh birthday my father will allow me to learn the art of swordsmanship and train me himself.

Since I turned five a mysterious lady has been teaching me various tricks on how to survive in some dangerous situations, and also how to assassinate with needles if I had no other options left....

But nothing was more important than my father training me, since my family is the sword of the empire and the right hand of the imperial family. So all those who will inherit the dukedom learn everything related to the art of war and how to rule their people.

From today I will receive my training, and I will also be recognized as the legitimate heir of the Grand Duchy of Athanatos.

***

When the guests left, we went with Neomi to the courtyard to have tea and while we chatted quietly....

-I see you are having a good time -I hear talking behind me, the fact that someone can enter this place surrounded by elite guards only means that he is family or royalty, in this occasion it is the former.

-Hello Sir Gustav," I say as I point to an empty seat to my left.

-I already told you to stop calling me Sir, you can call me cousin or just Gustav~ -he says as he moves a little closer to me.

Gross.

-What brings you here Sir Gustav? -I ask as I undisguisedly walk away from him.

-I just came to greet you for your birthday, it seems the family met this morning but I wasn't invited, that's rude -he steps back a little and looks at one of the maids who is near us -Miss, could you bring tea for me -she says and winks at him.

He is six years older than me and because of his good looks he is popular with the maids who are not under my father's direct command.

Unfortunately for him, there are only maids around me who are under his command, so he only received a cold nod from the maid before pouring tea for him.

When he saw the cold response he made an annoyed face and turned to me again.

-Since we are alone here Cousin Desi-

-Lady Desine to you, Sir Gustav, and we are not alone, there is also my cousin Neomi.

Hearing my reply his face distorted greatly, giving him an unpleasant look. However, he quickly returned to his normal expression, albeit a bit uncomfortable.

-Yes... I'm sorry Lady Neomi, I've been a bit rude to you.

-You need not worry Sir Gustav, my presence is very dull when I am around my cousin Desi -I could see fire coming out of both of their eyes.

-Since I seem to have interrupted you I will withdraw. -As he stood up and arranged his clothes, he spoke, "I hope to see you tonight at the Imperial Palace, Miss Desine. -Then he turns and leaves.

-That was a little awkward," I say as I turn my gaze to Neomi.

-He's a jerk, and ever since his father started hinting that you have to marry him to maintain the family lineage he's become more brazen.

-Yeah, I guess that's what happens when the crown prince's faction favors you.

-And tonight your own party will be there -as he spoke he sighs and looks towards my father's office -at least if the Grand Duke is there you won't be approached.

-I hope so, although I don't think my father will be able to stay all night, he is getting busier and busier.

-Don't worry, if your father leaves you just have to stay close to my father.

-That's what I was planning to do -I said while I let out a little laugh.

***

In the afternoon, when I had finished getting ready to go to the imperial palace, I found my father standing at the exit door.

He was all dressed up, probably waiting for me to go together.

-I made you wait, father," I said as I smiled.

-I've just finished dressing. -He says as he gives me a tired smile. His dark circles under his eyes are covered with makeup, but if you pay enough attention you can see them.

-You're tired, father," I say as I look at him with concern.

-It's just for a while, when I'm done with work we can go visit your mother's grave. -He speaks as he raises a hand to escort me.

-Sure, but don't overexert yourself. -I accept his hand and we head towards the carriage. But before we reach the carriage, two people approach us.

-It is a delight for my eyes to see you so well groomed Grand Duke Theikos and Lady Desine," he says as he gives a small bow and smiles in a friendly way.

-How strange to see you here Josef," says my father without hiding his displeasure, "and I heard that your son has entered my daughter's private garden.

-I apologize for that, my little Gustav is a bit impertinent -he turns to look at Gustav who at first was calm and with a confident smile, but when my father stared at him and mentioned his actions this morning he panicked.

-Sorry about that Duke, I just wanted to greet my prim- Lady Desine for her birthday. -Although he meant to sound confident and assured he stuttered a couple of times, making him look like an idiot. His father was looking at him with disappointment.

-You could greet her tonight at the palace, or now, when you interrupt the little time I get to spend with my daughter. -My father's withering look made Gustav take a few steps back.

-I'm-I'm sorry about that.

-You don't need to be so hard on my son, Theikos. -He says while making an uncomfortable smile and putting his hand on his son's shoulder.

-I am Grand Duke Theikos to you, don't forget that. -With his voice imposing authority I could feel the atmosphere getting heavier. My father's eyes were fixed on Josef, his left hand was resting on the family sword that hung at his waist and with his fingers he tapped the handle of it, causing a sound similar to a clock counting the last seconds left for a man condemned to death.

A smile escaped me whenever he does that he is so cool but... returning my face to normal, I grab his hand that was on the sword.

-Father, we'll be late," I say as I pull his hand towards the carriage.

The tense atmosphere dissipates a little and we start walking.

-Farewell Sir Josef; Sir Gustav, see you at my party," then we got into the carriage.

As we set off for the Royal Palace I watched through the window as Josef collapsed and Gustav panicked.

It must be difficult for the strongest swordsman in the empire to be openly aggressive against you.

***

When we arrived at the imperial palace I saw that the third prince was waiting at the entrance of the royal palace.

-Happy birthday Desi," he says smiling sincerely and innocently as I got down from the carriage.

-Thank you Prince Alex," I say giving a small bow.

-I prepared a present for you, I will give it to you tonight at your party.

-I will be waiting for him," I smile happily, he is the only close friend I have besides Neomi.

-Good morning Grand Duke, are you looking for my father? -bowing he looks behind me where my father was watching us silently.

-Yes, did his highness send the third prince to escort me? -he asks, taking a few steps to stand next to me.

-No, the crown prince was supposed to come but he hasn't arrived yet," he turns around to look in the rooms, stairs and corridors. But there was no one there.

-I guess I'll have to go alone," my father starts walking towards the king's quarters, who has contracted an incurable disease and since then his stamina has decreased drastically.

As my father was walking up the stairs that split in two in the middle, with one going to the left and the other to the right, he stands looking up at the top of the staircase going to the left, there I could see the crown prince talking intimately with a lady, it was one of Duke Fertios' daughters, someone who openly seeks my father's power.

The crown prince looks uncomfortably at my father and turning around he walks away quickly dragging the young lady with him, almost running away from the scene.

Then, my father continues his way down the staircase to the right until he gets lost on the second floor and I am left alone with Alex.

-I apologize for my brother's actions," Alex says awkwardly.

-Don't worry, you didn't do anything wrong," I give him a smile and start walking towards the third prince's garden while he follows behind me. Anyone who saw this could think that I am the hostess and he is the guest.

***

After I finished drinking tea and chatting with the third prince, I went to the guest of honor room to start preparing for my birthday party.

There was a lot of inconvenience in doing so because the nobles (those of the crown prince's faction) did not want to celebrate because of the health of His Majesty the Emperor. However, it was the Emperor himself who insisted that they wanted a party for me to be held at the Imperial Palace.

Ever since I was a child the Emperor has treated me as if I were his own daughter, I assumed it was because despite my father's situation I was his best friend before he became Emperor, or so the rumors say.

The party will be organized in the largest hall of the palace, and will have hundreds of guests, mostly rich nobles and commoners.

The party will not only be held for my birthday, though. It is also to show that the Emperor can still rule.

***

-We are done Lady Desine, you look beautiful -says with a soft smile the senior maid.

-Thank you," I say as I look at myself in a large mirror in the room.

*Knock, knock

With two knocks the door opens, a butler enters.

-All the guests are present my Lady, you may come down at any time.

-Okay, I'll go now.

I leave the room and walk to the hall. The door was gigantic, it measured at least four meters, it was decorated with gold and silver that gave an impression of wealth and power.

As the doors open hundreds of people enter my field of vision, as I am descending from the second floor I could see all the guests present, there was a lot of diversity of people, with all kinds of costumes, there were also some foreign ambassadors, so many nobles came to show off disguised as peacocks.

From the podium where I stood I spoke -Thank you very much to everyone present who took the trouble to come to my seventh birthday party, I hope you can enjoy it.

People began to applaud as I made my way down the stairs. I had practiced that speech many times, I was nervous, but luckily it went well.

As I was walking down I could see the corner where the gifts were left, it was crammed with all kinds of things, too many to count. Even though I wasn't going to use or even see most of the gifts it made me happy to see that I had been given so much.

As I finish walking down the stairs I take the arm of my father who will be my escort tonight.

Nobles and commoners came by to congratulate me on my birthday. Once everyone had settled down and the formalities were ending the Emperor made his entrance.

With the entrance of the Emperor the commoners kneel down and lower their gaze; the nobles of low rank do the same, those of higher rank only bow looking down, the four princes and the three princesses imitate them; however my father and I look at him as equals, it has always been like that, we are the only family that does not have to lower ourselves before the Emperor.

-I wish a very happy birthday to my sweet girl Desine," he says from the podium where I had spoken before.

-Thank you very much his highness the Emperor," I say giving him a bow.

After our brief exchange all the nobles who stood up greeted the Emperor, inquired about his health, and as always some made slight hints about marriages to his children. However the commoners could only stand up once the Emperor left the hall.

After that the party passed quietly, until I saw my father leave the hall and head for the left courtyard which had a labyrinth. He had a more serious look on his face than usual, and that worried me.

Looking down from the second floor balcony at my father who was standing with his hand on his sword.

My father began to speak, but I could not make out what he said, however a few seconds after he finished speaking some people dressed in black came out of the labyrinth, there were fifteen of them.

Out of nowhere nine of them attacked my father at once, five of the nine moved much faster and more coordinated than the others, clearly they were much stronger. Another five looked and started running towards where I was and the last one went back towards the labyrinth.

Even though suddenly five of what I think are assassins are about to reach where I am I keep calm, since I was a little girl I had a flaw in me, so does my father and any other first born of the Athanatos blood, at this moment, when I know I can die... I am not afraid, I was never afraid.

And when I realized the danger I was in my blood boiled.

Something in me ignited.

It was the legacy of the Athanatos blood, those who were born to be blindly loyal to the Emperor in exchange for having such power.

With my senses sharpened I pull out the four fifteen centimeter needles that were binding my hair, causing it to break free.

I know that with four needles I won't manage to kill the five coming at me, but it was better than doing nothing and just watching. To tell you the truth I never killed anyone, I never even got to be in as much danger as I am now.

Acting like a girl in panic I throw one of my shoes to the assassin who was helping another to make a maneuver to climb up to where I was, when he hits my shoe with his only available hand he realizes that behind it came one of the needles, however he could not react and the needle pierced his right eye, entering at least ten centimeters.

I killed someone for the first time.

But I didn't feel anything.

To the first aeseino that went up to the second floor I threw one of the decorative vases, he did not have time to react as he had just put a hand on the balcony railing and yet with a short dagger he hit the vase, but behind it came another object that he deflected using his other hand... it was my other shoe.

I stuck two needles in the murderer's neck, he never noticed that I had approached.

I killed for the second time.

Removing my needles from the killer's neck I looked worriedly and expectantly into the labyrinth, as I waited for the other three to arrive.

However only one arrived, and he had an injured shoulder and leg, more precisely they were cuts.

When he saw me his eyes widened, I guess he was surprised to see his companion killed at the hands of a girl. He looked surprised, but he was tired and his fear was obvious, his movements were heavy and not very precise.

I dodged his slow blows and stuck a needle in his cut shoulder, when I did so he fell to his knees, he had no more strength. Then with quick movements so as not to give him time to recover, I stuck another needle in his left ear and the last one in his right eye.

I killed for the third time.

When I stuck the last needle I could see out of the corner of my eye my father coming up to the balcony from the same place where the assassins had arrived, he had a worried look on his face.

I could hear from the labyrinth a sound that shouldn't be there, something that should be in my dreams and not in reality.

It was crows cawing.

-Pa- before I could comment to my father about the cawing I heard, he had already hugged me, we were both covered in blood.

I hugged him back, putting my worries out of my mind, although I wasn't afraid, I didn't want to be killed by the assassins.

-I was sorry for not being able to get there in time, they were stronger than I thought, I made a mistake," he had a voice full of regret, "I never wanted you to have to smile like that.

I was shocked.

Smiling?

Why would I be smiling? That didn't make sense.

Slowly I put my hand to my mouth....

I was smiling.