Chapter 20: A Message from Mother

It had been nearly two weeks since the battle that had scarred both Leonis's body and soul. The empire's corridors now echoed with whispered stories of the shameful prince who had risen above expectations. Despite his initial recovery, the weight of the fallen men hung heavily on his heart, and even the awe-stricken gazes of the citizens as he walked through the halls couldn't shake the sense of guilt gnawing at him.

But now, with the magnificent blade crafted by Baldric at his side, he felt more prepared than ever for the challenges ahead. The empire had taken notice of his feats, but Leonis knew it was only the beginning. A war was brewing in the east, and he had to be ready. As he adjusted his cloak in the mirror, admiring the fine embroidery and the elegant insignia on his chest, there was a knock at the door. Leonis turned just as it swung open to reveal his second brother, Caius Perdium, the arrogant, sharp-tongued prince who never failed to make his disdain for Leonis known.

Caius, dressed in his military regalia, looked every bit the picture of a hardened warrior. His features, like all of Emperor Valerian's children, bore the unmistakable Perdium mark: emerald eyes, golden hair, and an air of authority that came naturally to them. However, where Leonis had recently earned respect, Caius had always commanded it with his 5-star martial prowess. He was the second in line to the throne, but his cocky demeanor and resentment for Leonis made it clear that he thought the title of crown prince should've been his.

Caius strode into the room without invitation, his face set in a scowl. "Father ordered me to bring this to you," he said curtly, holding out a letter sealed with the Perdium family crest. "It's from your mother."

Leonis's chest tightened at the mention of his mother. Empress Isolde, the first wife of the emperor, was known throughout the empire for her grace and quiet strength. Though all of the emperor's children were born to different wives or concubines, there was something undeniably special about the bond between Leonis and his mother. She had been a noble before her family was massacred by demonic beasts when she was just sixteen. The only reason she had survived that horrific day was because of Valerian, who had slain the beasts and saved her life when he was only nineteen. It was a story Leonis knew all too well, the foundation of his parents' love.

Caius lingered for a moment, his expression unreadable. "You should read it," he added, before turning sharply on his heel and leaving without another word.

Leonis stood still for a moment, his hand gripping the sealed letter tightly. There was always tension between the brothers, especially Caius. But there had been something different in his tone just now. Something unsettled. Ignoring the knot forming in his stomach, Leonis moved to his desk, carefully breaking the wax seal with a letter opener.

The parchment was delicate, and his mother's familiar handwriting flowed gracefully across the page:

"My dearest Leonis,

It brings me joy to hear of your recovery, though I wish I could have been there beside you through it all. I know you carry the weight of the lives lost in your heart, but my son, you must not allow it to drown you. Those men believed in you, and their sacrifice will not be in vain. You must continue to rise, not just for them, but for the empire and for yourself.

I write to you now with a mother's request, one that I hope you will consider with all your heart. Your father and I are aware of the growing threats on the borders. There is much to be done, but you are not alone in this.

In the days to come, you will need to take great strides in preparation for what lies ahead. You were born for this, my son. You carry the blood of the progenitor, and I believe in your strength. Trust in the sword your father has gifted you, but more importantly, trust in yourself. The time will come when you will need to make a choice, and I pray that when it does, you will choose the path that aligns with your heart.

With love,

Your Mother, Isolde."

Leonis set the letter down, a deep sigh escaping his lips. His mother's words, as always, held a gentle wisdom that stirred something inside him. He could almost hear her voice as he read, the warmth and encouragement she always offered even in the most difficult times.

Her belief in him made him pause. I carry the blood of the progenitor. It was true that all the children of the Perdium line shared the same hair and eye color, the same noble bearing passed down through generations from the very first emperor. But only he knew the full truth.

A sense of unease washed over him. The growing demonic forces, the battles to come, it was all happening exactly as the novel had predicted. But what his mother could not know, what no one could know, was that the weight of destiny lay even heavier on him than anyone realized. He was the chosen one, the heir to the progenitor's power, and if the future played out as the novel had foretold, the trials he faced were far from over.

As the day continued, Leonis made his way to the armory once again, this time not just to inspect his new sword, but to meet with the council. His actions in the battle had earned him the attention of many, and word had spread quickly throughout the empire. The shameful prince had risen, and the empire now whispered his name with awe and respect. Yet, as he walked through the corridors, the reality of what lay ahead gnawed at him.

When he arrived at the armory, his mind still reeling from his mother's letter, he was greeted by several of the emperor's trusted advisors. The air was thick with tension as they began discussing strategy, but Leonis's thoughts kept wandering to the future, the choices he would need to make, and the challenges he was destined to face.

Just as the council was getting into the details of troop deployment, the large doors to the chamber swung open once again. Leonis turned to see his father, Emperor Valerian, stride in. His presence commanded the room, and everyone fell silent as he approached.

His eyes, the same piercing emerald green as Leonis's, met his son's for a moment before he nodded in acknowledgment. "The time has come," Valerian began, his voice deep and authoritative, "for us to face the threats that gather on our borders and reclaim the east. Leonis, you have proven yourself capable, and as your mother reminded you in her letter, you were born for this. You carry the weight of our legacy, and I expect nothing less than greatness from you."

Leonis swallowed hard. His father's words, spoken with such confidence, only made the pressure he felt intensify. But he knew there was no turning back now. The path was set, and soon, he would be tested in ways he could never have imagined.