Chapter 1: Introduction

You can do it, endure the pain a little more." The head maid said. It is the biggest emergency for the House of Amberlione.

"Call a doctor, immediately!" The master of the house shouted in panic.

Every servant, staff, and member are in chaos for a reason that their mistress is about to give birth unexpectedly.

In the luxurious bedroom, filled with fancy and expensive furniture, the bed made of jewels, a scarlet haired lady lies exhaustedly.

"It's too early, is it supposed to be like this?" Stated by a random voice.

"What should we do?"

"The duchess, the duchess…"

"Hurry-up and bring a lot of silk"

Murmurs and mixed statements lingered in the court-sized room. Duke Riland, the master of the house, tries to calm down and supports his wife Leticia. He was unable to compose himself.

"The doctor is taking so long." It was the duke

Should I kill him once he arrives? He thought to himself, starting to lose his patience. He did his best not to let these words escape his mouth for the sake of his wife.

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It is a joyous and important day for the whole continent. December 22, celebrates the moment of the longest night. Everyone believes that the winter sun is a symbol of apricity. Due to the harsh season brought by winter, low harvest and less employment happen.

Poverty rates during the winter season are the highest but the 22nd day of December is an exception. The sun shows up to warm the places shone by the magical rays.

After the presence of the sun, a long period of nighttime is expected. The event marks the ending of winter and the beginning of prosperous days in the continent.

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Vibrianno Del Vi O' Lantern is the emperor of the Lantern Empire. The empire is well known for its wealth and high economy, as well as the education and military system.

The significant event calls for a conference, between the emperor and the high ranking aristocrats.

The Lantern Empire is a home to nobility, commoners are rarely found in the empire. There is a ranking system for the nobles, from least to the most powerful.

Baron, Viscount, Count, Marquis, and Duke.

Among these is the power that dominates the whole faction and second to the imperial family, the Dukedom. However, four families are entitled to it.

House of Hurlington is the oldest family next to the royalty. They own the largest mine that supplies minerals to the whole continent. The current Householder is Oliver Hurlington, he had witnessed the past two generations of the throne.

House of Amberlione is a noble family well-known to be the wealthiest among all. The riches of the main house rivals the riches of the royal blood. They manage the whole Acacia Forestland. The territory is known to be a habitat of many rare magical creatures and is enchanted.

Raña, the House of Rania, was founded by a foreign man that played a part in saving the Lantern Empire from an upcoming war. As a reward, the second emperor in history granted him a noble name and properties.

House of Parichas, is the last member of the Dukedom. They were on the verge of being a fallen noble, but the previous duke took over once again as the head. Parichas is a relative of Amberlione. The wife of the duke is a member of the Amberlione family.

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*Chup (kiss)

Leticia slowly opened her eyes after feeling a soft peck on her forehead. She thinks that every second of her life is euphoric. The life inside her is the most precious treasure of the whole Amberlione.

"I love you" Riland whispered to her while gently touching his wife's baby bump.

The lovers woke up early on the 22nd day of December as if it was the most special day in the world.

Frankly, today is a special day for the Lantern empire and the other kingdoms, but for the nobles, especially the Amberlione couple, it is an annual celebration. It is unusual to feel above the clouds on a normal day. Or may not be a normal one

Three days ago, a letter arrived at the house. The letter is an invitation for the duke and duchess Amberlione that addresses from His Majesty, the Emperor Vibranno. Which explains the busy and hectic surrounding in the estate.

"How are you doing? We can decline the invitation right this instant. I worry that you may feel unwell in the palace." Riland said with an agonising look at his beloved wife.

She replied, "I'm doing alright, thank you. But I believe that it is not a wise decision to reject His Majesty's invitation."

He sighed deeply, a sign of defeat.

The faint sun rays of the morning sun entered the office, their conversation continued. The love that shelters the best times in each life. They exchanged speeches with eyes and hands locked on each other. Seems like an endless discussion of burning passion. Quite a while passed by instantly and it's already a quarter before noon.

Emperor Vinbranno expects his visitors and subjects to arrive three hours past noon.

After sharing a meal together, the duke and the duchess prepared themselves separately. They were about to leave in order to attend the palace.

So what's happening all of a sudden?