Chapter 1 Emperor's Childhood-1

~Year 388~

In the heart of the Imperial palace, a realm steeped in history and majesty, the first rays of dawn painted the grand chamber of young Arthur with a golden hue. At the tender age of four, the sprightly prince welcomed each morning bathed in the ethereal glow that seeped through the ornate windows, casting intricate patterns on the silken sheets of his regal bed. The fabric, a canvas for tales of celestial dragons, whispered the legends of a dynasty interwoven with the very essence of the imperial lineage.

Amidst the soft melodies of songbirds echoing in the imperial gardens, Arthur stirred from his dreams, his eyes alight with the promise of a new day. With the precision of a well-practiced routine, he rose, greeted by the diligent rays of dawn that graced his grand chamber. The air was laden with a sense of anticipation as if the very walls of the palace held their breath in reverence for the young heir.

"Knock, knock," echoed through the chamber, a prelude to the grandiose entrance of Ginny, the devoted nanny of the imperial scion. The massive doors swung open, revealing the warm countenance of Ginny, a guardian entrusted with shaping the destiny of the young emperor.

"Come in!" Arthur's voice, though small in stature, resonated with a regal quality, an echo of the authority that awaited his maturation.

With a grace befitting the imperial court, Ginny embarked on the morning ritual of assisting Arthur in his princely chores. The chamber, adorned with opulence, witnessed the subtle dance between caregiver and ward, a delicate choreography that spoke of the bond shared within the palace's gilded walls.

Having attended to the morning rituals, Ginny guided Arthur to the breakfast hall, a space that bore witness to countless mornings steeped in tradition and familial legacy. The air in the hall carried the melodic echoes of birds unique to the imperial gardens, their songs a harmonious backdrop to the meal befitting a young sovereign. The table, adorned with the finest porcelain and silver, hosted the young prince as he partook in the nourishment befitting his royal stature.

Breakfast complete, Arthur's inquisitive spirit led him towards one of the many rooms designed for the early tutelage of Crown princes. These chambers, repositories of knowledge and wisdom, echoed with the footsteps of generations past. The walls, adorned with tapestries depicting the exploits of rulers long gone, bore silent witness to the shaping of destinies within the hallowed halls of imperial education.

In the embrace of these chambers, Arthur embarked on the journey of early learning, his mind a canvas awaiting the strokes of wisdom and enlightenment. The palace, a living testament to the continuity of a glorious lineage, cradled the young prince in its storied embrace. As he delved into the realms of knowledge, guided by the echoes of imperial history, the legacy of the dynasty unfolded before him, a narrative waiting to be inscribed with his own chapters.

In the heart of the imperial sanctum, a chamber steeped in the weight of centuries, awaited a figure of profound knowledge. His black hair hinted at a wealth of experiences, and his middle-aged countenance bore the marks of wisdom earned through the annals of time. Earl Volfor, the custodian of the Eldorion Empire's history, stood with an air of dignified elegance. His sharp features, capable of charming any who crossed his path, bespoke a man well-versed in the intricacies of courtly affairs and the rich tapestry of imperial lineage.

"Welcome, Your Majesty. I hope you have a good morning," he greeted with a respectful nod, his eyes reflecting both deference and a quiet confidence in his role as the purveyor of imperial history.

"Good Morning, Earl Volfor," responded Arthur, acknowledging the presence of the man entrusted with unraveling the tales of emperors and dynasties that shaped the very foundations of the Eldorion Empire.

"Well, let's start with today's lesson," declared Earl Volfor, his voice carrying the weight of authority as he opened the book containing the chronicles of the empire.

With a small bow, he initiated the journey through time, guiding the young emperor through the corridors of history.

"Emperor Cardinal and Princess Eldora's son, Edward I, inherited the throne and became the second emperor of the Dracon dynasty," began Earl Volfor, his words a bridge connecting the present with a bygone era.

"He is remembered for the great defensive war where the Pinnacle dynasty of the Astorian Empire invaded through the Heavenly Mountains that divides the Western part of continent from the East. While Our Eldorion Empire dominates the West, Astorian Empire rules the East."

As the narrative unfolded, Arthur's mind absorbed the lessons of his imperial forebears, the struggles and triumphs etched into the very fabric of the empire.

Earl Volfor continued, delving into the strategic prowess of Edward I, who not only defended the realm but expanded its borders.

"Later on, he also incorporated the weakened Aquila Kingdom after their failed assault to capture the Golan Heights, which is now an imperial territory where one day, Your Majesty will rule directly," revealed Earl Volfor, his gaze shifting towards the future sovereign with a subtle anticipation.

The words resonated in the chamber, echoing the inevitability of a destiny interwoven with the grand tapestry of Eldorion's imperial legacy.

In the quiet sanctum of knowledge, surrounded by the echoes of history, Arthur embarked on a journey of enlightenment.

The wisdom imparted by Earl Volfor served as a beacon, illuminating the path that lay ahead for the young emperor within the corridors of power and responsibility.

~Arthur's Pov~

It has been a month since the commencement of the so-called "future Emperor's lectures." To be frank, many of these sessions are rather tedious, orchestrated by aristocrats seeking to bask in the perceived prestige of tutoring the heir to the throne.

However, in this sea of ambition and feigned loyalty, there is one exception – Earl Volfor. His discerning gaze, unlike the others, hints at an awareness that goes beyond the façade of imperial instruction.

Now, you might be curious about my secret.

Well, here it is: I possess an abundance of mana and an innate capacity for magic and aura manipulation. Yes, that means I am the elusive Magic Swordsman. Pretty impressive, right?

Why keep it a secret, you ask? The answer is remarkably simple – my life is in constant jeopardy.

Sure, I might be destined to become an emperor, but in reality, I am nothing more than a puppet. I came to this realization just last month.

Magic and knights have fascinated me since the earliest days I can remember. However, a few months back, strange occurrences began to unfold.

I discovered that I could 'see' other people's emotions, unraveling the hidden intentions behind the polite masks that adorned those around me.

It was a revelation that instilled a deep sense of fear within me.

What shook me even more was the revelation that my own mother harbored such duplicity.

Life, in that moment, changed irrevocably. I wept, grappling with the weight of this newfound knowledge.

Yet, amidst the turmoil, one person emerged as a beacon of genuine kindness – my nanny, Ginny. In her, I found solace and a determination to protect what little goodness remained in my world.

With this renewed resolve, I chose to guard my ability to 'see' emotions as a closely held secret.

Furthermore, before the lectures commenced, I discovered that my aptitude for magic is extraordinarily high, but my aura is tainted due to my frail physical state. Some invisible force impedes my use of this aura.

Despite these challenges, surrender is not an option. I harbor a deep-seated resentment for the nobles who manipulate and control.

Yet, I play their game, bidding my time until the moment I can break free from this gilded cage, escape alongside Ginny, and shatter the chains of destiny imposed upon me.

I never asked to be an emperor; the role was thrust upon me before I even drew my first breath.

Mentally sighing, I redirected my attention to Earl Volfor's teachings. His emotions remained a mystery, neither leaking the telltale signs of malevolence nor exuding overt benevolence.

For now, he stood among the tutors I considered relatively benign, a list that included the Archbishop, whose consistent aura of kindness resonated well with me.

The remainder of the tutors failed to capture my interest, deemed boring and unworthy of mention. They aligned themselves with either Raul or the elderly figure, regrettably, my own grandfather.

Upon concluding my lessons with Volfor, I opted to explore the vast expanse of the Imperial Palace.

Its grandeur never failed to awe me, and playing amidst its corridors proved more enjoyable than enduring the monotony of noble instruction.

Animals within the palace grounds became my companions in these moments of respite, their purity and innocent emotions serving as a welcome contrast to the complexities of imperial life.

I recall the day I unintentionally dozed off in the Imperial garden, surrounded by magical creatures.

Panic ensued among the maids and butlers, but it was Ginny who discovered me and gently returned me to my room.

The following morning, however, I faced a stern sermon. Both Ginny and the maids associated with her emphasized the importance of returning to my room before sunset after indulging in garden playtime.

Having returned, I settled for my evening tea, but soon the palace buzzed with renewed activity.

The distinct hustle indicated the impending arrival of either Raul or my grandfather, their visits marked by a particular kind of commotion.

No, I wasn't in the mood to engage with those old geezers. This time, I resolved to evade them. Unfortunately, my attempt at hiding proved futile, and Ginny caught me red-handed.

Confessing my reluctance, she suggested a ruse – 'pretend to sleep.' I followed her advice, and it worked like a charm. Despite their rude insistence on entering my room while I feigned slumber, my act compelled them to retreat. Finally, I discovered my secret weapon to ward off their annoying presence.

At the stroke of midnight, I awoke to delve into the realm of magic efficiency, a clandestine venture I termed as self-studying.

It was a secret I guarded even from Ginny, my trusted confidante. After honing a few tricks, mental fatigue overcame me, and I succumbed to sleep on my bed.

With the arrival of morning, Ginny roused me from my slumber. This routine defined my life for the past month.

Little did I anticipate that in the ensuing weeks, the tides of change would sweep over every facet of my existence.

-- -- -- -- --

A/N

Booo