Prince Leonard

On the southernmost point of the Zlatan Empire stood a colossus of a city. It was a sprawling metropolis that was bustling with activity. This is a Zlatan City, the capital of the empire. 

A city where 3 million citizens live, a city where the largest port of the empire was laden with ships. At the southernmost point of the city lays the towering collection of palaces that represents the home of the imperial family. 

The towering peaks of the palace towers were visible from anywhere in the city as they dwarfed the buildings around them. You could see the shiny red, blue, and golden towers from miles away. 

They were coated in paint made from shiny metals. This led them to reflect light in a way that made the palaces seem like heavenly structures. 

This was the sight I saw as we entered through the gates of the capitol. 

The guards at the gates made minimal checks of our carriages and then let us in. There was no point in being vigilant against one of the most powerful clans in the land. 

The guards wouldn't be able to do anything to us even if they found something suspicious. 

We quickly made our way through the busy streets and entered a quieter section of the city. 

The roads here were pristine and the foot traffic was absolutely minuscule. All around were sprawling mansions. This was where the elites of the capitol lived. 

It is probably the most expensive residential real estate in the empire. Given our wealth, we had our own estate here. Granted it was smaller than our estate in Sofenia but there was nothing to be done about that. 

The land in the crowded capital was limited. 

The line of carriages split up as everyone had their own place to go. The richer nobles had a home in the capitol while the less wealthy were staying in fancy hotels. 

The Zocratnes split up from us early on as unlike in Sofenia, they lived a decent distance away from us. 

As soon as we made it to our capital estate, I ran off to my room. Having been here many times, I already knew where to go.

I hurriedly hopped into my bed and snuggled myself under the blankets. Finally, I could sleep in a proper bed. 2 weeks of sleeping on a bed that wasn't as comfortable as the usual one was grueling. 

I fell asleep within seconds of tucking into the familiar bed as it was a perfect replica of the one that is in Sofenia. 

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Prince Leonard:

Clang!

A dagger clashed against my armor, unable to even leave a scratch. 

"Tch!" I clicked my tongue in disgust. "They can't even send capable assassins anymore. This doesn't even qualify as a warmup." 

The assassins in tight black clothing were continuously clashing against my full body armor. I just stared at them in contempt through the slivers in my helmet. 

My left and right had each held a sizable axe but I didn't even need to use them. These bugs were too weak. They don't deserve to die to beloved axes. 

"For the princesses!" yelled one of the bugs. 

This made my eyes twitch. 

"You bugs! How dare you!" Their mention of the princess had infuriated me. 

Though they didn't dare say her name, just the mention of her existence was enough to grant them a slow, painful death. I was going to just cast a spell and end their pitiful lives in a flash. 

But they had dared to mention that retched princess. They were going to suffer as long as I wanted. 

"HAAA!" I lifted my right axe and slashed down with fury. 

Shlick!

The hands of an assassin were sliced off. 

"AAAHH!" the assassin screamed in pain. As expected of cheap assassins, they weren't taught pain resistance. 

This would make it easier to torment them. 

I continued swinging my right axe, being careful not to ask for any of their vitals. All I did was cut off their hands and feet, making them stream their heart out in pain. 

The annoying noise these bugs made was intolerable but I couldn't take their tongues out just yet. 

It didn't even take a couple of minutes as a dozen assassins all lay in a pool of their own blood. They were dying quickly as the ends of their limbs were gone. 

"Riccardo!" I called for my butler. 

Swoosh!

He appeared out of nowhere as gusts of wind accompanied his arrival. 

"Yes your grace." he said while in a deep bow. One hand was on his chest and one on his back. 

His graying hair still had specks of black in it. His robust muscles hadn't faded as the butler's suit could not hide his strength. His deep brown eyes had decades of wisdom that had proved useful to me since my youth. 

"Get some healers and take them to my dungeon. I want them alive enough to torture for weeks." I ordered. 

"As you wish." he replied. His expression was calm as his aged face didn't even flinch at the sight of these almost dead men. 

I walked out of the courtyard of my palace and out to the garden. 

The garden was a nice change of scenery from all the bugs I had just crushed. The beauty of bloomed flowers is something that soothes my mind. 

I strolled through the garden, looking at the servants who maintained the beauty of these flowers. 

They only took quick glances at me and then turned their gaze back to the flowers. 

Even though they tried to hide it, I could see the fear in their eyes. It was only natural. I was walking through this serene place while my silver and gold armor was splattered with the blood of bugs. 

I didn't mind the gazes of fear as that is what I wanted to see from them. My family had plenty of kind people who made the servants smile. 

I didn't need to needlessly add to that. The servants needed a little bit of fear sometimes to keep them leashed. 

"When are you getting rid of that crude habit elder brother." a voice as sweet as the honey said. 

I looked to the left and saw one of my younger sisters. A setup of pure white tables and chairs had been placed in the garden center. There was a tea set from which my sister took a cup. 

It was steaming with freshly poured tea. 

"This not a habit Meltria. It is the role I have taken on." I replied while walking towards her. 

The weight of my armor left an imprint on the grass beneath my feet as I heaved over to the girl. 

My younger sister, the 5th child and 2nd daughter of our dear father, Meltria was wearing a rose-colored dress. 

It matched her soft, curly, rose-colored hair. The dress covered her body with care is somewhat highlighted her soft curves while also keeping her modest. Her rose eyes looked at me in displeasure. 

"Heh." I scoffed while sitting down at the small table.

"Did I ruin your evening tea time?" I said with a sarcastic tone. 

She must have realized her expression as she quickly adjusted. Her eyes now looked at me with indifference. She still wasn't good enough to hide her emotions from me. 

"Not at all elder brother. Your presence is appreciated. After all, this is your garden." she said with a softer tone. 

"Whatever mine is also yours, my beloved sister." I said in a mocking tone. 

Her eyes twitched just like mine did earlier. It meant that she was annoyed and infuriated. The eye twitch is a common trait we inherited from our mother. 

"Hmph, if that was the case you would let me use your axes." she said. 

"Hahaha! I would let you have it but this is a gift from father. It's not something I can give to you."

The axes that were on my waist were a present from my father for my last birthday. Something given by the emperor can't just be handed to another. 

"That means you lied. Not everything of yours is mine." she said with a glare. 

"Hahaha! I guess you're right. Is there something else you might want?" I offered. No matter what, I will always have an excuse for not giving her anything. 

I just enjoyed the annoyance I caused her. Seeing her holding back her anger really pleases me. It's probably my favorite pastime. 

"Hmm. How about taking me to the noble's ball in 2 days?" Her glare quickly faded, replaced by a cunning look. Her mouth curved up to a smirk. 

Shit! She played me!

I could find a million excuses not to give her anything but the ball was different. That wasn't an item of mine. It was a privilege of being an adult. Only adults were allowed in the palace ball that was being hosted for the nobles. 

The ball was going to be rife with political maneuvers as they would be vying for Father's attention using the gifts they had brought. 

Those under 16 were not allowed at the ball. Father preferred to keep the young ones out of politics. 

But father did say that we could bring the young ones to the ball if the older ones felt like they were ready. 

"I don't think you are ready yet." I said bluntly. That was all I could say. I knew that my little sister had already aced her political studies but I still wasn't sure of allowing her into the real thing. 

"It doesn't matter what you think. Mother has already approved." she said snidely. 

She got me again. As much as I could deny everyone around me, I couldn't defy my mother and father. Mother especially as she was far from nice. 

"Hah..." I made a long sigh. "Are you sure you want to go? This year's ball is going to be the most tense yet." 

I tried to convince her not to go as with the coming war looming over us, the nobles were going to go all out this year. 

With Meltria's beauty, status, and intelligence, there will surely be some young nobles who would want to marry her. She will be drowned in attempts of courtship. Most of the ones courting will be doing it with the intention of reinforcing their status before the war begins. 

I don't think that is something she is ready to face just yet. 

"Elder brother, I am sure I can handle it now. You know I have been spending time with Aunt Karina. She has taught me some of the tricks she used to avoid courtship in her younger years." 

She revealed something that shook me. Aunt Karina had hidden her talents and strength during her early years. This made her a viable target for many nobles who wanted to add royal blood to their family. 

But somehow, she had dodged all the ploys and marriage proposals she had received. It wasn't until the day she revealed her 9th-tier strength that the proposals and courtships ended. 

For her to deftly dodge the piles of proposals she had received and to play around all the political pressure that was on her, she must had quite effective tricks. 

If Meltria wasn't lying and Aunty had really given her some advice, I was more than willing to take her. Out of everyone in this family, I trust Aunty the most. 

Even more than my parents. 

"Okay. I will take you." I said while standing up. I needed to go get my armor cleaned before the sunset. 

"Thank you elder brother." she said with a soft smile. Underneath though, she was probably celebrating.

She had managed to prepare so well and catch me off guard in a way that I couldn't possibly deny her request.

Honestly, I felt proud of her growth but I wasn't going to say that out loud. It wouldn't want her to get too cocky. 

"Whatever. Let's talk about this tomorrow." I said 

"Hmm." she nodded. 

I took one last glance at her and then went on my way. I needed to talk to Aunty. She must have come back today. 

I hope she wasn't too injured.