Everess’ felt her heart racing as the guards escorted her and her mother towards the Council Chambers. Uneasiness clung to the air, and her mother’s tight grip on her hand offered both comfort and a sense of vulnerability in their own home. The echoes of their steps resonated in the halls filled with their banners and the Trasidars, as well as statues of past High Wizards. The aged doors creaked as they entered, their haunting sound filling the hall along with the murmurs from the chamber beyond. As they stepped inside, an oppressive silence enveloped Everess.

The gaze of all the councilors bore down on her. Her mother exchanged looks with the High Wizards, who were also her father, and the guards positioned themselves in front of her mother, subtly signaling that she should step aside. There was a moment of hesitation from her mother, but then her mother released her hand and moved to the side. The doors creaked shut again, leaving her with an Imperial Diplomat whose gaze was fixed upon her.

It was a gaze that made her feel not uncomfortable — but fearful. For a reason she cannot fathom, fear washed her all over. She froze as the elderly diplomat, garbed in green and dashes of gold, faced her father once more.

“Can I now proceed, High Wizard?” the Diplomat asked her father.

“You may, Moselei,” her father answered.

She kept her gaze on her father as Moselei cleared his throat and then glanced around the room, his eyes finally settling on her.

“The Trasidar Empire, Protectors of the continent of Arumar — of Unibeltrasia — has a dire message to tell the remaining realms. Our Prince — our beloved Prince Tamiron Lluch — has betrayed us and chose to rebel against the fatherland.” the diplomat declared, his voice quivering. “The Arch Chancellor is now calling to arms the strongest, the mightiest of warriors that the remaining free kingdoms of Unibeltrasia, who have enjoyed our generous protection has now come to ask, to help us put a stop to this Red Prince. For the Empire’s survival, means the survival of the entire free kingdoms as a whole,”

She was stunned. The Imperial Prince? Rebelled?

The entire council shared in her disbelief. She glanced at her father and witnessed an expression she had never seen on his face before — fear.

Disarray enveloped the council, and she could sense the unease in the room. Her attention shifted back to the diplomat, who was now directing his gaze squarely at her.

“And because of this, my dear councilors of the Orderian, we expect you to heed our call as a representative of the Trasidar Empire directly. We understand the autonomy the Imperial King of old has granted you, but this time, we can’t merely seek your permission. Consider this a command from the Arch Chancellor for the survival of our beloved empire, and the free kingdoms beyond our western borders. As long as Princess Everess Ressei answers this call to action,” Moselei concluded, leaving the Orderian Council in shock.

“How dare you make such demands? Just because we fly your flag does not mean we are Trasidar! This is clearly a Trasidar issue and must be dealt with by you!” another councilor shouted.

“Who is this Arch Chancellor? Where is Imperial King Madarick Lluch IV? Is he too high up in his golden throne that he had a proxy send these kinds of requests?” asked yet another.

“Because of the treachery that has unfolded in the Black Plains of Vagabar, I regret to inform you of this dire message: that the Imperial King is currently ill. Due to his son’s actions, it struck His Majesty, the Imperial King, at his very heart, rendering him unable to rule. The Imperial Council swiftly appointed Menoich Anarchu as the Arch Chancellor of the great Trasidar Empire, until the return of His Majesty, the Imperial King, or the ascension of another Lluch.” Moselei explained.

The council erupted in an uproar.

She found herself at a loss, unsure of what to do or say. Despite the chaos around her, she stood her ground silently. The Empire singling her out left her bewildered. With all the information presented, there was no apparent reason for her specifically. The moment overwhelmed her and her dumbfounded face betrayed her inner confusion.

“How can we even trust this Arch Chancellor? I heard the rumors circling around your chancellor. Even the Imperial King can’t control him,” another council commented.

“He’s a dog that cannot be leashed back to a pole! That’s what he is! The only reason he hasn’t run amok the Empire is because of the Imperial Monarch and the Imperial Court. We’d rather see the Imperial Princess ascend the throne herself!” added another, a sentiment the council seemed to agree upon.

“Rather? Heck, we will even support it! If our autonomy is being threatened by this command, then we will openly support someone for the throne! We need to have a Lluch sitting in the Throne of Four Horns for our own security and guarantee of freedom!” Suggested by yet another councilor.

“I am pleased to inform this council that we have sent the Princess a letter informing her of the current situation. This letter effectively requires her immediately back to the capital. She should be on her way now from her studies at Remolus. The Imperial Grand Council is now waiting for her arrival at the Capital to claim what she rightfully owns,” Moselei said proudly.

“How can we be sure that the Arch Chancellor and the Imperial Council will hand over power smoothly? I doubt that the Imperial Princess is safe right now because of this,” another councilor voiced her concern.

“I assure you of the safety of the Imperial Princess, my friends. I came from Remolus myself and I promise you, we will not let any harm come to the princess,” Moselei assured the council with open arms. “Right now, however, we need to deal with a threat that can destroy the very foundations of the Empire,” Moselei added and the Orderian Council quieted down after that.

Then, a high-ranking councilor, adorned with silver bracelets and a large silver necklace with a blue gem, stood up to question him, “You come here, not as friends but as our overlords, and command that our Princess represent the Empire? Does the Red Prince really pose such a threat? Why not do it on your own as you always have been, may I ask?”

“I offer my sincere apologies if we have to put out this request strongly,” Moselei said as he bowed his head.

“Strongly? Ha! We haven’t been treated like this since the war with the Trodonars. Even then, the Imperial King of Old gave us a choice. Now you command us like we are one of your underlings!” the same councilor pointed out.

“But you are, aren’t you? You are enjoying the safety guaranteed by the Imperial Army. Of course, you have your own standing army, but far too small to be even called at that. You have the freedom to roam the empire and the entirety of the continent, recognized not only as an Orderian, but as a citizen of the Empire, are you not? Therefore, despite our different tone now, we have every right to call out like this to our vassals,” Moselei explained. It stumped the councilor, leaving him speechless and frustrated as he sat back.

“The Imperial Prince is renowned for being the strongest man in the empire. His mastery of all forms of fighting across the continent, the art of war and tactics, along with his understanding of the land, has no match. Combine all that with the Tamiron Stone and the Iron Gauntlet, and we have a nightmare at our hands that we never thought would come back. This is the exact same situation back when the Red Prince of Old was still alive. Prince Tamiron knows where to go in and out without being noticed. He crippled his own army with him near the plains of Vagabar in one swing. That’s how powerful the Red Prince was and even more powerful now, with the Xerxecians behind him. Even with the remaining armies of the Empire, it will never be enough. If he takes out the empire then soon enough, the free kingdoms will be free no more,” Moselei explained.

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“If what you are saying is true, then why would you even think we would even consider sending out our own to capture him? Why ask our beloved Princess Everess Ressei to do it for you?” asked the same councilor as he pointed at her.

Moselei sighed. “I’m sorry for not making myself clear,” He said as he faced them. “We are not capturing the prince — no. We intend to have him killed,”

“That is madness!”

“What gives you the right?!”

“The Imperial King will have the kingdom burn first before he gets his own son killed!” shouted by another.

The entire council shouted their disapproval at the diplomat. And all she could do was stand by, listen, and watch all of it unfold. She looked at her father, who was quiet all throughout, then her father looked at her as though he already lost her. She then turned her sights to the Imperial Diplomat and found his eyes on her as well.

“I’m afraid that with the power the Red Prince possesses, it would be wise to do everything that is necessary to end him. As it stands, He is the greatest threat the continent has ever faced since the Red Prince of Old,” Moselei pleaded as he looked at her. “That’s why we request — no, command the Orderian Princess to arms. Because we know that only she can stand against him now,” Moselei walked towards her slowly. As he walked closer, his smile slowly faded away and then looked at the High Wizard. “Have you not told her?”

“I would advise you to choose your words carefully now, my friend,” her father suddenly warned Moselei. “I know what you are about to say, and as of right now, we haven’t determined if that is indeed the case,” her father added.

“What?” she suddenly asked. “What’s going on? What is it?” The room fell into immediate silence as the council, along with her parents, hushed. “You are all talking about me as if I’m not here with you in this very room — I’m here. Tell me. Why does the Empire want me? Why me?” But no one dared to tell her.

Nobody looked at her. Her mother was already in tears by then, and her father seemed lost in his own thoughts. Then she shifted her gaze to Moselei. “If you expect me to comply, you better tell me right now what’s so special about me?”

“Everess, please, let the—”

“If you won’t tell me, then I will have them tell me! You know how long I’ve been struggling? I’ve always thought that there is something wrong with me, yet no one can give me a straight answer. If they have information that might help with that, I’m willing to listen,” she lashed out at her father, then turned her gaze back to the Imperial Diplomat.

Moselei only sighed and looked at her. “My dear Princess, it has come to our attention that an old Orderian myth — is not a myth after all. I am not at liberty nor dare to let you know myself. Only the High Wizard can tell you that. And that is your father. What I can tell you, however, is this — the Empire knows enough to confirm who you are — what you are, and with what you can do.”

“Enough of this, Moselei Faktu!” Her father suddenly shouted.

“I am a father too, High Wizard Daurandoff Ressei. And I trust my own children to know the truth,” Moselei said in a loud, booming voice, then looked at Daurandoff. “The fact that you haven’t told the Orderian Princess — your own daughter — means you don’t trust her enough at all,” Moselei asserted.

“How dare you, Moselei!” Daurandoff shouted.

“Not only as a father, but as a High Wizard, you are failing the Orderian, my dear friend,” Moselei said sharply.

“Escort Moselei Faktu out of the room for now, while we discuss the request of the Empire,” her father ordered.

Stunned by the revelation from the Imperial Diplomat, she looked at him as he was being escorted out, seeing the weight of his words etched on his face. When their eyes met, the diplomat gave her a reassuring smile, and the doors finally closed.

At that point. The council erupted once more.

There she stood, surrounded by pandemonium, as it tried to decide what to do with her and the Empire’s command. Irritation brewed within her as they ignored her, treating her as if she wasn’t even present. Not one of them, the so-called representatives of the people’s interests, bothered to ask if she wanted to be a part of it.

“This is Lord Arvales all over again! Is the Trasidarkind cursed?” remarked one councilor.

“They even call him the Red Prince. The Red Prince! A Trasidar, let alone the Crown Prince bearing the name, does strike an eerie resemblance, don’t you think?” The other wizards nodded in agreement.

“We cannot risk anymore Orderian blood in this debacle of theirs! Or allow our Princess Everess to taint her own hands to even follow such an order! They have a lot of noble blood in all thirteen vassal kingdoms of theirs! They should handle it themselves!”

“Haven’t you guys been listening? They stationed the bulk of the imperial army in Bastominad. Did you hear what Moselei said? The Red Prince rendered that army useless in Vagabar. The defense army is one of the best trained and well-equipped soldiers, along with some of the other races there too, and he ended them! We need to take this seriously as they do!” emphasized one of the high-ranking councilors.

“Please refrain from calling him the Red Prince? Arvales did more damage than he ever will,” voiced one of the elder councilors.

“We need to support the empire in thwarting the rise of a second Red Prince. Let us not wait for him to gain more land and a larger force!” urged another councilor.

“Given King Madarick’s unstable condition, we must ensure that the autonomy we currently enjoy survives — even if the good Imperial King doesn’t. We owe it to them. Now is the time for us to return the favor,” added another.

“We owe them nothing!” A councilor shouted as he pounded his fist on the table. “What happened back then was their fault! They only looked like protectors because they were trying to contain the Trodonars themselves! If it wasn’t for the Trodonars, they would’ve expanded into the free kingdoms!”

“He is right! That’s the very reason the free kingdoms endured to this day!” Another Councilor pointed out.

“And you should remember who ensured that the age-old promise was upheld all this time. It’s thanks to the Imperial King! Despite our disagreements, are we truly going to disrespect them now? Have you no shame?” A councilor retorted vehemently at the two.

“An enemy that is led by the strongest warrior in all the land? The Xerxecians will be unstoppable with him alone,” expressed a concerned councilor.

“How many times must we owe them favors for something granted long ago? Enough is enough!” the same councilor added.

“They are taking our right of autonomy by doing this!” shouted one of the councilor.

“They are not taking — they are simply enforcing how it should’ve worked all these years. Perhaps you forgot that they are technically our overlords, Councilor. I might have to ask you to read a book,” another councilor pointed out, eliciting some laughter from the assembly.

“Wait, we are ignoring the real question here —” another councilor pointed out as they stood. “How did the Empire found out about Princess Everess?”

“It must be a spy!” someone suddenly exclaimed.

“A spy within our midst?! That is outrageous! How dare you accuse one of us as a spy?!” another retorted.

“Why are you reacting this way? Maybe you’re the spy!”

By then, the council erupted even more. Chaos unfolded right before her very eyes. She didn’t even know what to do or think. The onslaught of information clouded her mind, leaving her overwhelmed.

“What am I?” she suddenly asked. The room was washed with an unbearable silence. She looked at all of them, to her father, and saw defeat on his face.

The feeling became unbearable at that point. “Why won’t anyone tell me anything? It seems like the Empire was more ready to trust me with this information than all you here,” she then looked at her father. “That the Empire trusts me of something that may explain what’s wrong with me. And it hurts to know that my own father doesn’t trust me.”

“It’s not that we don’t trust you, Princess. It’s just — a bit complicated you see,” pointed out by another councilor.

“Then what is it? You of all people know that I am more than capable of handling this kind of things. I’m your best student, remember?” she pointed out to the councilor, who was one of her instructors.

“This is my life. This is something that I should know, especially if it can help me with my current situation. I’m twenty-eight years old and I cannot even perform a simple magic spell without it turning into a disaster! I’m desperate for answers! I’ve tried everything!” she began to cry at that point.

She had struggled for all these years, trying to find out what was wrong with her. She had tried all the remedies she found, but still, nothing.

“We’ve also been debating this for a while now. With your father and mother too, of course. But if we found out that this is true. Then —” but the councilor wasn’t able to finish.

They left her hanging, as everyone held their breath. “What? Tell me, go on. You’ve gone that far,” she asked the councilor as everyone averted her eyes. “Why won’t anyone just tell me, please?”

“Guards, escort the princess to her quarters for now. This has been too much,” her father ordered.

“No! I’m not leaving until I find out why the Empire wants me!” she shouted.

“You will know soon enough, my daughter. For now, I want you to trust me, just this one time for now. Let us talk about this,” Daurandoff said.

“I said I’m staying!”

“Enough, Everess!” her father shouted.

That was the first time her father shouted at her. She was stunned. She stepped back and returned to her chambers with the guards who accompanied her. The last thing she heard was the creaking sound of the old doors closing.

End of Chapter II