Chapter 5- Changing Breeze

Eternal Cloud Palace; Ducal Palace of Quinzel, Grand Hall of the Palace.

With the outbreak of the civil war among the Imperial family each faction successor ran to the part of the empire where their supporters were the most numerous. First Prince Louis now Emperor Louis Henry Regulus von Superbia laid claim to the Central empire, with half of the Army's support and the wealthy central aristocrats at his back. Third Princess Kathleen Theresa, became the Empress of Moon Lotus, in the Eastern Empire at the ancestral roots of the Imperial Family backed by several scholar families and magi houses, in the main trading base and home of the Imperial Navy, proclaimed Empress Theresa Victoria Regulus von Superbia, after running away with the Empress's regalia before her brother's wedding. Prince Emmet became Emperor Edward Nicholas Regulus von Superbia, Emperor of Frostwater, backed by the other half of the army for being a warmonger with the top 4 of the nation's military academies. Finally Prince Zachary, moved to the west and supported by the nation's greatest magic academy, as well as his mother, Second Queen Consort Ophelia Nicole Franc don Superbia familial backing as well as the popular support of the people. However despite the powerful backing of each Crown candidate, not one had manage to lay claim to the power that unknown until now ruled the south. The Southern Aristocrats answered and followed the lead of Duke of Kinterra. Making this even more complicated there was only 3 brothers and the House of Quinzel was reestablished under the family's old leader Duke Alexander and the only imperial who knew him intimately was pinned to his throne but a week ago.

As such the last time all the siblings gather peacefully was in the southern region of the empire, bearing gifts for the Duke, Marquis and General who happily reunited 10 minutes before the 4 Imperial Crown Candidates arrived.

After deciding the order the would present themselves, to the Quinzel Family all members but Andrea and Alex were present, the First Prince in with lavish dignity and self confidence stepped forward. " Your Grace, I ask that you dismiss my confused siblings, and properly recognize, my claim to the throne, and settle this tug of war, anything less will be treason to the crown. Much like you, Your Grace, I am an eldest son who lost his father, and it is right and tradition that his father's burden befalls the eldest."

" I must agree with you, Young Emperor it is the eldest son's duty to follow in his father's footsteps and bears his burden." Duke Michael stressed eldest in his sentence, taking a glance at George to make sure his second brother heard him.

"However, brother, we cannot always assume that the eldest is the most competent and capable to complete the job, isn't that correct Highness Theresa?" George said coyly, looking pointedly at the Empress of Moon Lotus.

"Quite Marquis George, it would be unfortunate if my eldest brother and the Duke of Kinterra are two of a kind. Believing age decides capacity for accomplishment, that is." The young princess sharply remarked, smiling at the Marquis quickly reaching his understanding.

The duke turned red than purple, then red again, switching between a tomato and eggplant. "Your Highness, you are an imperial, well educated in politics, however that is no place for a woman-"

"Your Grace, we are simply speaking interns of capacity, at which time did that ever implicate gender." Cutting him off with a snared, her eyes practically burning holes into the Duke's eyes.

"I must agree with my sister, Your Grace, and for this reason of messy and disorganized politics, the overstepping of boundaries, is why I am the best candidate for the throne. The Quinzels are a military family, in service is where they belong, and as the head of the military, it is my power and authority they should obey correct, General Quinzel." The King of the North, had spoken looking at his direct subordinate intensely

"Yes Commander, the House of Quinzel established itself through military means and grew on merchant lines and expansion. The family will always obey the Emperor and all other Imperials", The General quickly said his piece making sure he remain politically correct. Not once attempting to pick any side.

The discussion circled like this for hours the each Crown candidate with the exception of one had one of the Quinzels under their thumb or in agreement with them each with plans for each for the others allies and enemies alike. Each group eventually came to recognize the competition among each family and both intended to exploit it.

Prince Zachary had no leverage over any Quinzel and announced that he would be leaving because of preparations he need to make in the west. Waving a hand to his eyesore of a daughter the duke had Alisha escort the seventh Prince to the door.

After reaching a fair distance away from the hall, Alisha made a sharp turn to the south wing of the palace where she lived. " This is not the way towards the exit, Countess Quinzel. Your father and my eldest brother sent me to be assassinated, no." 'his guards' drew their weapons and quick turned to slash the Seventh Prince who closed his eyes accepting his fate.

" Long live Emperor Louis! "

"Long live Empress Theresa!"

"Long Live Emperor Edward!"

Each calling in the name of their respective liege, bring their blades down on the prince and each other. 'Are they going to stab me or what?' The Prince opened his eyes out of curiosity, only to witness eleven of the twelve he brought were headless surrounded by towering armored knights. The final one had turned to kill the Countess but was silently screaming as the electric cage the magically inept girl hand pinned him under slowly cooked him before three of the armored knight shoved their blades though his body. Not at all bothered by the bolts of electricity arcing off their bodies. The young girl released the spell as the knights tore apart his body. A swift wind circled the prince before levitating him toward Alisha. She completely disregarded him turning to the knights " Clean up this mess and note to self change command sequence-"

" You do magic! But at birth your family announced that you had no magic talent!" the shocked Prince exclaimed.

" My Grandfather lied to protect me. At the very least Prince Zachary you should thank your savouir."

"My apologies thank you Countess Quinzel for saving my life, I am in debt to you. But might I ask why you did you save me or even brought me this way?"

Turning to walk on down the hall she replied, "For the very words you said to me before, debt from an Imperial Crown Candidate. Just like how your siblings are going to start killing each other, my father also wants to kill my uncles, mostly Uncle George. Each at that stand off in the hall already chose the Quinzel and Imperial they wanted in power. That is where you and I have something in common, we are the hidden underdog in the succession crisis. Easy collateral damage and the perfect excuse for a war. That is why I chose you, so you can become Emperor and I can save what's left of my grandfather's legacy, before the coward and the pigs ruin it."

"Why would I help you ascend? On the pure pretense of saving my life is not enough."

"Saving your life is the excuse I can use to make you listen, the fact you need a Quinzel in the South to support you is why you will agree. The Second Queen Dowager's family can only support you so far once you show your inability to take action beyond their word. The Francs will replace you with the Emperor's illegitimate son with the family head's wife."

"But there isn't one, all my uncle's sons are with his wife, how could they prove it?"

" The only other person who can deny it is dead, that would only happen if you aren't already their puppet. Regardless of how you look at it you can't win this without me, a Quinzel. And none of the ones in that room will help you. So what do you say are we in business or do I need to wait for an answer?" She said looking completely bored out of her mind, wait for the words she wanted to hear.

"Yes I will work with you, Countess Alisha Quinzel" He said after hesitating.

"Good, we have much to talk about", she turned on her heel down the hall. Marching along her way the Prince took one last glance down the hall, to see it cleaned without a speck of blood on the white marble columns that were once dyed crimson with the scent of lilies and lavender in the air. The vanishing of the bloody scene sent a chill down his spine as he hurried after the mysterious Countess.