Hiding behind false facades

Adrian was aware that he maybe should be bothered a little more about the fact that his life in his own world had been paused but instead he found himself being bothered about the windows.

This body was emperor and couldn't even attain a balcony? He was sure it would be a nice sigh....then again it was impossible.

With the rumoured bad attitude he would no doubt get killed with such a huge opening. Just breaking the glass would be enough to be able to get in.

It was a shame but instead he settled for exploring, luckily the system was able to make a plan of the way. So without having been in this world or castle he found his supposed study in ease.

After getting rid of the guards and the servant he got ventured towards the soft looking velvet chair, in the farther end of the corner. The desk infront of it littered with dozens of papers.

Upon a quick investigations Adrian could point out that all of them consisted of official business, with an even broader range of topics.

Far north drought, far east shortage of jobs and viable living, mentions of rebels and so on and on.

But hidden underneath them was a paper them piqued his interest even more, it was just a single lonesome draft but contained information over the runaway crown prince.

At the top corner was the swirled name of the boy.

Asani Aamon Axton.

Son of Sophie Arya Axton and Aliya Iluna Ashin, former Empress and Emperor of the dynasty of Ashin. A detailed summary below that made his lack of real information soar and for his first day he felt like he scored.

His nephew had an apparent happy childhood, talented and well taken care off.

All of that was taken away when his father died under suspicious circumstances.

No surprise there as the text later mentioned the prince ran off at the mere age of nine, going as far as leaving behind his rightful birthright, the kingdom entirely.

Having turned the page twice, searching for secret clues, Adrian was disappointed by the lack thereof. Beside a few mentions of sightings there was no definite sighting off the boy.

A boy meant to be Emperor got overthrown by his own uncle and cast away with no one to rely on.

What a shame, an unfortunate play of fate.

The other thing Adrian gained was his, well this body's, name.

Acacius Aeni Axton.

Names starting with A just seemed to follow him around apparently.

Acacius...innocent, Aeni meant pure and true and Axton a sword set in stone.

''Does this family have a history with swords?"

{Your kingdom might not have magic but it's excellence in swords has caused to survive time and time again. Over time you shall receive the memories of the previous owner and as such his life shall become yours.}

{It doesn't happen instantly?}

{It does not.

Every night you shall relieve one year of his life.

It's your job to survive without anyone finding out.}

"Does it matter when I sleep?"

{You can't force the memory, every single evening you shall go to sleep and every morning you shall wake up with a year of memories. Going back to sleep in the afternoon would be for naught.}

"Alright, what about her?''

{She has found it.}

A blue screen sputtered to live in front of him, showing the stunned servant, staring at the bandage where the previous glass shards had layed.

"Good, now she just has to do her job and gossip sneakily.''

Waving the screen away, he turned back towards the scattered paper, the blue strands spreading out in wisps before vanishing in nothingness.

Absentmindedly he traced his tailored clothes and cloak, the fine lines smooth as he wondered how to further accomplish his task.

A year is a short time and considering he needed a whole month to just gain all the memories made his time dwindle even more.

Starting with the servants was easier and he didn't even deny the fact that there was a spy somewhere within the castle. His nephew would be stupid of he hadn't done that, especially considering he would be turning eighteen this year as well.

If he could just find the spies, plant some doubts and have him or her trust him in a time limit of two to three months. Then that would leave him with 7-ish months to let that spy contact his nephew, who would no doubt research on his own and even actively send people in secret.

That would take quite a lot of time and he hasn't even began thinking about turning the kingdom itself in favour towards himself.

Leaning against the chair, he pondered. Maybe he should have picked 1, even his clothes matched the colour of blood already.

With a click to door opened, Adrian....he should get used to referring to himself to Acacious in the future, heard but kept his eyes closed.

A cart wheeled closer, the smell of pastries taking over his study and while he liked pastries he didn't like them that much.

Scent of sweat, mixed with a light tinge of blood closened in and Adrian realised that where stupid people in the world after all.

If it was the real Acacious the servant would have longe since died. On that concept he must look for his sword, how foolish for him to leave that behind.

''He smells like flowers, how unexpectant."

Unexpectant? He would almost by angry in Acacious's stead, just because he was a tyrant didn't mean he didn't known how to bathe!.

"What are you doing!" The hissed whisper wasn't very much the whisper the boy servant probably wanted it do be.

''Shouldn't we wake him? That must be a uncomfortable position.''

""He'..s sleeping?

That hasn't happened before.''

''Well usually we don't enter his study without being called.'' This girl, is quite clueless.

''Then maybe we should leave." Boy pulled the girl away as the last question was answered.

"Why do you think he's so tired?"

"Yesterday must have been busy....he even went for the former empress's check-up late at night.

Brown eyes fluttered open as a grin etched on the face. "So she lives.''

{The former empress?

Sophia Arya Axton has been imprisoned by Acacious Aeni Axton, the day he overthrew the rightful heir.}

Acacious probably kept her alive in case her son would return and threaten his power. Luckily that mere fact could change his life in the coming months.

After all he needed an alibi and what better pawn then the Empress herself?!