Athan stood there, stunned by his mother's unexpected decree to leave the palace. Confusion mixed with wonder adorned his features, giving his countenance an air of bewilderment.
"Mother, what do you mean? Could you please provide me with more details?" he implored, his voice tinged with curiosity.
The Lady of the Palace looked upon her son with a pained expression, her gaze filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination.
"Athan, your sixteenth birthday has recently passed. As a member of the Imperial family of the illustrious Shenron Empire, it is customary for you to undergo a two-year immolation outside the borders of our realm. Have you forgotten, my dear?"
There was a momentary pause as Athan realized he had indeed forgotten about this tradition amidst the chaos of the capital and the whirlwind of his early years.
The Lady's voice quivered as she continued, tears welling in her eyes.
"Athan, please, don't go. I will handle your father. I will not allow him to send you away."
Athan was taken aback by the depth of his mother's love, her willingness to defy his father's wishes. Yet, what surprised him even more was how his mother, known for her wisdom as the Empress, could act so irrationally when it came to him. Knowing well the inflexibility of Shenron Empire's rules, Athan feigned grief.
"You need not worry, Mother."
Athan understood the futility of challenging his mother's resolve. Instead, he decided to awaken the Empress within her.
Maintaining a firm expression, he continued, "As the prince of the Shenron Empire and as your son, it is imperative that I adhere to our traditions, Mother. Failing to do so would undermine the importance of these age-old rules within the Royal Family and among our subjects."
In the midst of this conversation, Athan's excitement began to grow. The prospect of venturing beyond the confines of the Shenron Empire and fulfilling his long-held dreams ignited a fire within him, fueling his determination.
The Lady's melancholy deepened, her concern evident in her voice.
"After what happened to your older brother, I am reluctant to let you go."
It seemed that Athan's attempt to awaken the Empress within his mother had fallen short. Undeterred, he pressed on.
"Fear not, Mother. I am not my brother. By fulfilling this rite, I shall prove myself worthy of the title of prince. Furthermore, failing to complete the immolation would strip me of the privilege of being called the Empress's son within this Empire."
A melodramatic statement, perhaps, but one that seemed to satisfy the Empress.
Her eyes shimmered with a mix of contentment and sadness as she smiled softly.
"Very well, I shall not beseech your father to postpone the immolation."
Athan couldn't help but find irony in the term "beseech." It was less a request and more a form of blackmail. How amusing it would be if the people knew that the Emperor of Shenron was being coerced by his own wife!
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Just then, Uncle Gerald, the trusted advisor, made his presence known.
"Your Majesty, the Empress, His Royal Majesty, the Emperor, requires your immediate presence at the Royal Palace."
The Empress turned to the head butler, issuing instructions with regal grace.
"Gerald, kindly explain the intricacies of the immolation to Athan and address any queries he may have regarding this matter."
Butler Gerald responded with utmost refinement and poise.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
The Empress rose from her seat, her majestic yet fierce aura emanating from her being.
"Then, I shall make my way to the Royal Palace and ascertain the cause of my dear husband's distress."
With that, the Empress departed from the Novalie Palace, her carriage befitting her regal stature, en route to the Royal Palace.
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The dining hall was now empty, save for Athan and the ever-present figure of Gerald. The butler stood silently, patiently waiting for Athan to finish his meal of Crab Louie and Brigadeiros. Athan couldn't help but feel a sense of intimidation in the presence of Gerald, who stood motionless while he indulged in his favorite dishes. After what seemed like an eternity, Athan finally set down his utensils, a faint grimace crossing his face.
"Uncle Gerald, why did you not partake in the meal I offered you?" Athan inquired, his voice filled with curiosity.
With his usual unwavering tone, Gerald replied, "Your Royal Highness, it is not proper for me, a servant, to share a table with you. Furthermore, it is not permissible for me to dine during my designated working hours, regardless of any allowances for shared meals with servants."
Athan couldn't help but admire the perfection with which Gerald carried out his role as a butler. Beneath his seemingly cold exterior, Athan knew that Gerald possessed a caring nature, a trait he found endearing. It was a rare quality, one that he hadn't encountered often in his previous life.
Curiosity gnawed at Athan, particularly regarding the concept of "immolation." The very name carried a weight of significance.
Speaking softly, Athan queried, "Uncle, could you provide me with a precise explanation of what immolation entails?"
Gerald's attention sharpened as he answered attentively, "As you may have surmised, Your Highness, immolation involves sacrificing the comforts of home for a period of two years. It is a test that takes place on the seventh day following a prince's sixteenth birthday, a tradition established by the Founding Emperor, your esteemed ancestor. It is a mandatory rite for a prince to be officially recognized as such."
Athan was taken aback by the realization that he would not be recognized as a prince if he failed to complete the immolation. The words he had uttered to his mother, intended to persuade her into granting him permission to venture beyond the empire's borders, now carried unexpected consequences.
Contemplating the gravity of his mother's concerns, Athan's mind became a whirlwind of thoughts. Other peculiar inquiries emerged, begging for answers.
"Are there other families in the empire that adhere to this tradition?" Athan asked, his curiosity piqued.
Gerald's expression flickered, although only for a fraction of a second. He swiftly resumed his composed demeanor.
"Yes, Your Highness, there are three noble families within the empire that maintain this tradition," Gerald replied, his voice steady.
Intrigued, Athan pressed further, "Pray tell, who are these families?"
Gerald, with his ever-composed voice, responded, "They are the three ducal families. They adopted this rule out of fascination with this unique method of testing the male heirs."
Athan couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in Gerald's countenance upon hearing this information. It lasted for a mere moment, a rare occurrence for the typically composed butler.
Curiosity still burning within him, Athan continued, "Well, it also serves as a means of understanding the common people, which can prove advantageous from a business perspective. It is understandable that these families would uphold such a tradition."
A subtle change came over Gerald's face once again, this time lasting a mere second—a rarity for someone as stoic as the butler.
"What is the matter?" Athan inquired, sensing an underlying significance to the reaction.
With renewed sternness, Gerald replied, "That, too, was one of the motivations behind the inclusion of this tradition within their families."
The answer to Athan's next question would be the most harrowing revelation he had received since entering this world. It was an answer that would cast a shadow over the next two years, making them all the more arduous and distressing.
*****
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