Coming Of Age

Boy, I'm sure am nervous. Tonight is the night of the ceremony—my social debut. But unlike regular coming of age ceremonies, a Coordinator like myself will go to the Emperor's royal palace and receive his blessing in front of important people. My brothers will be there, the same as my father. I'm not sure what will happen afterward, though. Maybe an afterparty?

"It's time, young master,"

Lilith informed me.

I took a deep breath and stood up from my seat. I checked myself on the mirror one last time before stepping outside with Lilith and several maids behind me.

A smirk was grown on my lips.

Hehe, I have an idea.

To make my coming of age ceremony to be the most shocking event in history.

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"Master Ezra Conover has arri— hiyaaah?!"

The announcer squawked in horror upon seeing me.

I smiled innocently. "Why thank you,"

The announcer slumped down to the floor, shaking in fear.

"Kyaa!"

"Huaa!"

The guests inside the palace tried to stifle their screams. They took several steps back away from me. Their happy faces shifted into horror.

And a proud smile formed on my face.

As I march down the hall, the music, guests, they all stopped whatever they're doing to watch me. Some of them watch me in awe, amaze, but mostly, terror.

I don't blame them though.

Because I decided to bring my bodyguards with me!

Io, on his demonic form, floating beside me. And Callisto on his demon form behind him. Lilith beside me, and Lavender behind Lilith. Two tall orcs, and four hellhounds.

After seeing the expected reactions, I couldn't bear the excitement and keep smiling.

People better talk about this for days!

"My, my. I have to admit; this is what a Conover would've done,"

And in front of me, right on the throne. The Emperor laughed upon seeing my dramatic enter. And on the side, I saw my brothers holding their laughter and father nodding his head. Proud of my decision.

I grinned at them.

"E-Ehem, shall we start, t-then?" The pope timidly asked the Emperor.

The Emperor nods his head.

Everyone took their seats that are provided in the grand hall. They observed the ceremony seriously.

It was a long ceremony. The pope said some words first; then, I also said some words, et cetera. It's boring.

It really is.

At the end of the ceremony, the Emperor walked up to me with his sword. I kneeled on the floor. I heard my hellhounds growled. My demons must have disliked me kneeling in front of someone else.

"I hereby declare, Ezra Conover as official Coordinator of-"

"Y-Your Majesty! the Crown Prince!"

"!!!"

All of us stunned in shock when a squire is running inside the palace with blood all over his body.

The Emperor frowned and pointed the sword to the squire.

"I demand you to tell me, what happened to my son!?"

"A-Assassin!"

"Impossible," I heard my father said that out loud.

"T-The Crown Prince was killed?!"

"How?!"

"Kyaa!"

In a split second, everything turned into chaos.

I stood up from the ground, stretched my arms, then crossed it. My hearing turned into buzz, and all I can hear was gibberish.

"Search for the assassin," I said quietly.

Without having to say it twice, my demons disappeared into thin air.

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This is a sign.

A sign that a war will break out. The news about the Crown Prince being killed spread like wildfire. Lavender caught the assassin, but he committed suicide before any of us can interrogate him.

Two weeks had passed since the assassination. After grieving, everyone now is in panic. Quietly, panicking.

Currently, I'm standing on the palace's balcony. I need fresh air after going through those three hours of meeting about the inevitable battle. With the generals, knights, and Arden.

Arden, during his time as one of the palace's knights, he had captured the Emperor's attention and allowed him to participate in the meeting.

And the result of that meeting was; a war in a month.

Yes, I will have to go to war in a month.

There are two kingdoms from far away land beyond this nation, that declared that they would officially start a war to seize Crolia; our kingdom.

"Ezra,"

I heard Arden's voice behind me. I turned around to see him smiling at me. It was a thin smile. He looked tired. I don't blame him. The knights, everyone, they're exhausted because ever since the assassination.

"I'll take you back home," He continued.

"What about you?" I asked worriedly as I walk toward him.

Arden chuckled softly. "There are several duties I must do in the palace. I can't go home yet,"

"..." I frowned.

... Poor Arden.

But I can't help it. I'm upset. It's selfish of me to think this way, but, ever since my coming of age ceremony, Arden has gotten busier. I imagined that we could spend some time together after the ceremony.

As lovers.

"!"

I widen my eyes, surprised when Arden's warm hand touched my cheek. He gazed into my eyes with his piercing eyes.

"... You don't have to worry, ok?" He said softly.

Ah. He's sharp like always.

I only nodded quietly and let him embrace me until the sun quietly setting across the horizon.