4.3

In the temple, the emperor rose from his throne and attracted the attention of the entire court to him. Its imposing aura was felt by the last guest in the last row of seats, it was so big. He swept his eyes all over the place, seeing the faces of companions and greedy nobles, a sight he had long since grown used to.

"Everyone here knows what today's ceremony is and what it's about."

The nobles rose and bowed their heads in respect to the king, attentive to the next words of greeting before starting the event.

"Today is a day of celebration. A day of honor and respect. A day to reward those who have accomplished incredible deeds for the empire. Their deeds have brought benefit to all and will bring a bright future for us. Glory to the empire!" The Emperor exclaimed at the end.

"Glory to the empire!" And the nobles shouted in unison.

Felix smiled at the sight before him. "Let the awards begin!"

A sound rang out from musicians playing their instruments and the emperor returned to his throne, with the nobles taking their seats again. The ceremony was starting and the whispers were inaudible over the music that was playing. The sun came in through the beautiful windows and lit up the whole place, especially the path that the winners would walk through, highlighting all the decor. The whole environment was incredibly beautiful and worthy of an awards ceremony.

A man walked to the emperor's front, standing below his throne and at the end of the walkway they would walk. He was the ceremonialist, the one who would introduce the guests. He was fat and had a full mustache and glossy black hair. His face was friendly and seemed to be kind. The man smiled at everyone and began to introduce.

"The strategist who guided everyone to victory in the war. The one who with his brilliant mind and keen cunning created astonishing plans. Son of His Majesty, His Imperial Highness, Prince Aiden Valkirien Yulard!"

The announcement reverberated throughout the room and with it the door to the main hall opened.

At the entrance, the second prince was standing, wearing luxurious and at the same time understated clothes, which matched his elegant and refined appearance, making him a little sunnier and more cheerful than he really was. Of course, the smile on his face wasn't entirely for the occasion nor was it fake, because at a glance he could see the faces of disguised hatred on the idiotic nobles of the other factions. If he could, he would definitely laugh out loud at the distorted expressions.

His feet took the first steps and he walked the path to the stage where the Emperor stood, with his brothers and sisters beside him. All the way, his natural arrogance was expressed, with his back straight and his head held high, showing everyone that he had managed to get there successfully, angering some nobles who couldn't express their frustration. The raised corner of his mouth never lowered since he appeared, mocking them all.

The emperor looked at his son, who was walking imposingly, and he couldn't help but want to sigh. He was aware of what was going through his head as he thought of some nobles that came to mind, but he couldn't help it. He wasn't worried either, as much as his son is a bit willful and mischievous, he isn't reckless. He was proud of him too, because seeing him, he remembered himself years ago, in the same place as him before his father.

Aiden reached the end and, in front of the emperor, knelt with his hand on his chest, waiting for the king to speak to award him.

Felix rose and walked to the end of the stage and held out his hand to the ceremonialist, who handed him a royal edict spelling out the prince's awards. Brown eyes dropped to his son's blond mane and studied him some more before opening his parchment. The whole environment was silent, with their attention on the two central figures.

"Aiden Valkirien Yulard, for your achievements and your efforts in the war against Torzik, you will be given one hundred thousand gold, the title of imperial commander, a medal for your bravery and the 'Sword of Dawn'."

With the emperor's speech, a growing buzz rose among the nobles. Many were astonished that the second prince was rewarded with such a sword, for it was a treasure of the imperial family and of great renown and famous throughout the empire, having been forged by a splendid blacksmith and used by the third emperor, which increased the boundaries of present-day Yulard.

Felix closed the edict and looked at his son, with such seriousness that Aiden's senses felt the burning in his head.

"Moreover, I, Felix Varkin Yulard, Emperor of Yulard, hereby name you my crown prince and successor of Soleil."

The declaration was made, not only shocking the nobles who were stunned in their seats, but also the prince who was kneeling, as well as the other royals. If the 'Sword of Dawn' created conversations on the part of the nobles, with some being against it, such an announcement made it irrelevant. The crown prince's decision is something to take seriously that would impact the entire court and lead to a shift in power.

Aiden lifted his head to face his father and looked into his eyes, confused by the move such an emperor made, when that's not like him, only to see that he was resolute and firm, so serious that it reminded him of the day he decided whether to go to war against Torzik or not. This was surprising to him that although it was not official it was an indisputable fact that he would be the heir but he didn't think the announcement would be made at this time. The same can be said for her family, who, seeing their reactions, certainly weren't warned.

"Prince Aiden is the crown prince? How? I haven't heard any of that!"

"Didn't you tell me that Prince Daniel had a chance of winning?"

"Hahaha! I always knew we would be the winners!"

While Aiden was thinking about it, the nobles were creating conversations, discussions on all sides. The first prince's faction had their hair on end in shock that the emperor had decided on their crown prince without any warning or rumour, with not even a naming ceremony, just a unilateral declaration at the award. The second prince's faction was in revelry, rejoicing over the misfortune of their old enemies from the faction next door and for supporting the right prince; even Count Miller was almost laughing with joy beside his wife. And the third prince's faction was not shaken too much, many expected such an outcome and even thought about going to the others, until they returned to the neutral faction that was indifferent.

The most frustrated of all this is Dominique Oliveira Santos, Duque Santos, for being on the wrong side. He couldn't believe that the second prince's arrogant brat had gotten the position he so desired for the first prince he supported. Nor did the Emperor make such a declaration; every time he quoted or mentioned something like that to the sun of the empire it was like he was talking to the wall or was looked at with those cold eyes and warned not to meddle in the throne's affairs. Even if he didn't side with the former, he couldn't side with the latter, hating that obnoxious personality.

And frustration turns to anger, which flares up even more when remembering that since the war ended, Duque Noir has begun to spoil his plans and no countermeasures to the other party's advances have been effective. That pair of damn dogs always got in his way. What's worse is that he couldn't express, even break something, being in front of the crowd and still at a public event. All that was left for him was to breathe hard and calm down, as well as having to work up the patience to deal with the nobles of his faction who created pressure on him with their eyes.

If Prince Aiden knew the situation with Duke Santos, he would laugh out loud and let out a sarcastic comment, enjoying watching this old snake die of rage. Well, it's not like he couldn't imagine such a moment after the event.

The Miller family was stunned by such a sight, especially Ivan who looked serious on the outside but was laughing on the inside. Even Claire the countess watched him and knew what was going through her husband's mind, but she wasn't much different, she never liked the leader of the first prince's faction and a few others, although there are many good nobles, the leadership was just bad. And for Phillip, since what he witnessed in the army, he doesn't have a good impression of some nobles, one of them being Duke Santos, so he thought it was well done, because he knew that he was a rival of the second prince's faction.

Johannes, Brandon and James didn't have an opinion on the matter. Johannes is a foreigner from a defeated nation, the one who becomes the emperor and court battles are not something she takes into account at the moment, especially as she is engaged to the second son of an earl. Brandon is a servant and is not politically involved, even though he knew that the second prince was the main candidate for the throne. And James just didn't care.

However, both Brandon and James thought they were witnessing the story; especially Brandon, being a servant, being able to see the emperor and the prince, even more so a declaration of crown prince, is something unimaginable for someone of his class.

"Brandon, is this good?" James whispered to Brandon as he leaned into him a little.

"For us yes." Brandon answered. "You support the second prince, so your appointment as crown prince will benefit all those who support you, including the earl."

"Oh." He nodded, not asking any more.

James still had a few questions to ask, but he knew this wasn't the time. In addition to being at the awards, the environment was open and there was always someone who listened too much.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Aiden rose and bowed to the king, moving to the side.

He knew that the time of his prize was over and there were still others who would earn their rewards, as well as that he couldn't delay the entire event for the sudden surprise the emperor made.

The music rang out again through the musicians, a different one than before, but still as beautiful and melodious as before. With her, the agitated nobles began to quiet down, they realized that it was not the time. Many still want to speak out but have decided to keep quiet. The ceremonialist took two steps ahead of where he was and, still nervous about what just happened, began to present the second winner.

"The general who led the soldiers to war and who fought valiantly in the conquest of the enemy capital. The Celestia of our empire, a man with superb skills and a reputation as a genius swordsman. A native of Linden and family head, the only Grand- Duke of the empire, Cédric Isis Noir!"

Just like the first time, the door opened a second time, revealing a man dressed in black from head to toe, looking more like a crow than a man, but nothing could hide that combination of black eyes and jet-black hair, so harmonious that seemed to give an ethereal feeling. His clothes were all of simple design, without much embellishment, but still as good-natured and well-tailored as the second prince's, highlighting his white skin and masculine figure, in addition to the impression of being taller, because the pants on his legs fulfilled performed such an act.

Some ladies looked at the man and were enchanted, not remembering the terrible rumors that surrounded such a person.

However, even though the nobles glared at him and the ladies didn't leave the sight of his face for even a minute, he ignored them as well as he did in the streets of the capital. The steps were neither fast nor slow, they were just right for him to demonstrate his cold temper to anyone he saw; he wasn't even hiding his aura, giving chills and pressure to everyone who was close to him. The high chin, slicked-back hair, eyes as cold as snowy mountains, and neutral expression giving nothing away. He looked like an ascetic so alienated from the crowd did he seem.

However, in the middle of the crowd, without even stopping his step, he felt the pain in his shoulder, the burning sensation arising, so similar to the first time he felt that he quickly associated such an event with what he had spent a few days on the street. He discreetly scanned the entire place, seeing and analyzing every face his eyes took in until he got to the one he wanted. A redhead with green eyes stared at him with fascination and paid all his attention to himself.

Having him over her eyes and focusing part of her mind on him, the mark on his shoulder grew hotter, as if it were burning over her skin.

'Again?'

Cédric didn't understand why he felt that way. It looked like his shoulder would catch fire at any moment and only when that boy was next to him. However, he didn't have anything too much in him. He had asked his assistant to watch him and look for his information, receiving in a short time a complete report on the person, and the conclusion was that he was an ordinary person. The redhead who made his mark burn was an employee of a count since he was younger and was the son of a former personal maid of the countess, working until today and taking care mainly of the youngest son, who is still in his early teens.

Information from him included his background, the fact that his mother died of an illness at the age of sixteen, having practiced lessons with the young masters of the house where he works, and being an assistant to the earl for the past three years. They even had the fact that he had participated in the discovery of a case of fraud and child abuse at the orphanage. And that just proves there was nothing suspicious about him, as his background was clean but consistent, not a single sign that he'd been modified.

'He's nothing out of the ordinary and he seems like a nice person. But my mark looks like this the two times I see him…'

In addition, he discards the almost unlikely idea that he was a Celestia, as nothing around him said anything of the sort, proving what he felt about him the first time he saw him. But that doesn't explain his brand change. And neither did other ideas he had in mind, but for now he would put them aside.

Cédric knelt before the Emperor, just as his friend Prince Aiden had before him. The ladies felt sad that they couldn't see them anymore, but those servants near the stage didn't shiver from the cold they felt.

The emperor stared at the man kneeling before him, remembering what a poor child he had been when he was younger. There wasn't much to do at the time of the unfortunate events in his life. He was the emperor, but he could not interfere in the family life of the high nobility. A mixture of guilt and regret appeared over the brown eyes and what he could do now was resign himself to such feelings. And now that child that existed in the past had grown into a sullen adult who lives for his duties. The worst thing is that he understood why he lived like this, but he wanted to advise him not to.

He almost sighed again, but controlled himself, opening the edict.

"Cédric Isis Noir, for your great leadership of the imperial army, for your prowess in front of the enemy army and, mainly, in your fight against the Celestias from the other side, I will reward you with one hundred thousand gold, tax exemption for three years and reduction for the people of your territory, as well as granting you one wish that is within the best of my ability as Emperor."

Félix closed the public notice and the public became even more attentive, waiting for the next second to see if there was another surprise announcement like the last time, but there was nothing else.

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor." Cédric said, standing up and bowing, going straight to the side.

"Does that mean the Grand Duke won't marry the princess?"

"Aren't there rumors it would be for the mercenary?"

"I heard that the emperor made the offer, but he ruthlessly refused."

"Poor Princess, she was heartbroken by such a man."

"That's why I say he's not a good thing."

This was completely unexpected by many. The nobles were sure that the emperor would propose to the Grand Duke the hand of his first daughter in marriage to him as a reward for his achievements in the war, but this did not happen. At least to appease those who had a thought of superiority against the commoners, before being made to the new Celestia of the empire, but only rumors were made, without any reliable source. Of course they were all sure that the Grand Duke would refuse even if the offer was made. He doesn't seem like the type to get married in the first place.

Brandon looked from afar at the man he'd bumped into on the street days ago, wearing the same colors as the first time he'd seen him, but incredibly handsomer than he had been back then. He looked different from the look of it, but still had every indifferent expression he'd seen before. There was no way not to say that he was not beautiful, for his standard, the man was more than perfect among all those in this room.

To Brandon, the rumors of Cédric, the Duke of Shadows, were just rumors, and even if they were true, there were exaggerations and lies mixed in with the truth so they wouldn't be as credible as they actually are. Such rumors also said nothing about the person's personality, he is someone who believes in 'seeing is believing' and would have to witness all the bad things, or at least see the Grand Duke do some in order for him to change his opinion.

Anyway, he had no contact with the man, but that didn't stop him from feeling sympathetic to the other's struggle.