In an underground cell, enclosed by iron bars and a door secured with a heavy lock, a person lay on the ground, beginning to wake from unconsciousness. That person was "Seraphin."
Suddenly, an unknown man said to him—sitting on a chair, holding a sheathed sword, and crossing one leg over the other in a mocking manner:
"Good morning, Seraphin."
Seraphin woke from his slumber in a panic when he saw the man, rushing toward the bars and saying:
"What... what are you doing here? How did you reach the Imperial dungeon?"
The man laughed and said:
"Haha, and who said we are in the Imperial dungeon?"
Seraphin replied in astonishment:
"If it isn't the Imperial dungeon... then it is the Group's dungeon. I survived! But... how?"
The man said in a sarcastic tone:
"I don't think those failed guards who were watching you are capable of stopping one of our men. We have individuals inside the Imperial dungeon, and even in the Kingdom of Swords."
Seraphin asked him:
"Then why didn't you save the Emperor?"
The man replied:
"The Leader said we have no more plans to use the Emperor. His matter has been fully exposed, as you know; that boy Kayden can continue to rule for some time. As for you... you are that insect, the genius in intelligence and planning, even though Valerian manipulated you. But we can make use of you, anyway."
Then he stood up, heading toward the door while laughing, and said before leaving:
"Isn't that right, Seraphi?"
Seraphin gripped the bars tightly and shouted angrily:
"I told you not to call me by that name again!"
Then he turned to the guard and said with disdain:
"Why are you laughing, you fool?"
He sat on the ground and sighed, then said to himself:
"I must rearrange my plans once again..."
Albert approached with steady steps, his eyes never leaving the man standing before him. He spoke in a voice filled with doubt:
"How did you enter the Empire? Was it thanks to Kayden?"
Harry smiled a thin smile and replied calmly:
"No, rather it was thanks to Freeze."
Albert's eyebrows rose in surprise, and he asked again, his voice rising slightly:
"Freeze? How can that be? How could you cooperate with a man like him?"
Harry answered in a confident tone, hiding a deep conviction behind it:
"Freeze is not as bad as he is rumored to be, Albert. He is a man who believes in bartering. I pledged my loyalty to him, and he opened all the doors for me."
Albert's gaze shifted to the young man standing beside them, and he said with an indignant tone:
"So, you are Kayden! How dare you strike this alliance?! Is this what you have come to?"
Kayden took a step forward and answered with confidence despite the tension of the situation:
"Freeze helped me because of my uncle, and without him, our plan would have suffered from serious flaws. His presence was necessary."
Albert opened his mouth to reply, but another voice interrupted him. Freeze entered quietly, a mocking smile on his face:
"It seems my presence causes you anxiety, Mr. Albert."
Albert replied in a firm tone:
"All I want is for my son and my brother to be safe."
Freeze knelt on one knee, placing his right hand on the ground in a formal salute, then said:
"Freeze greets Emperor Kayden."
Kayden looked at him with a light smile and said:
"I thank you for your efforts, Freeze."
At that moment, Eugene approached and said in a low but serious voice:
"Kayden, there is a matter you must attend to immediately."
Kayden nodded and said:
"I will take care of the Empire's affairs at once."
The two left the palace and boarded the royal carriage. As soon as the carriage began to move, Kayden turned to his companion and said:
"Speak, Eugene."
Eugene replied with gravity:
"We must head to the Kingdom of Andora. We must meet King Arthur and find out if he possesses any information about the book."
Kayden looked through the window, as if memories were beginning to assault him, then said in a low voice:
"How can I forget?! Everything started from there..."
After a few days had passed, the Bryan family arrived at the royal palace. As soon as Luna, Kayden's mother, set foot on the palace grounds, anxiety began to creep into her heart because she did not see her son among them. Her face showed tension and worry, but her husband Albert approached her gently and whispered, saying:
"Calm down, everything is fine. Kayden is just busy with some tasks related to the Kingdom of Andora."
She looked at him in astonishment, as if she were still trying to grasp the magnitude of the changes that had occurred, and said in a low voice full of wonder:
"So, the news is true... Kayden became the Emperor? I am still unable to believe it. Are you alright, my dear?"
Albert laughed a light laugh and shook his head with confidence:
"Of course I am fine, Luna. How can any harm befall me when your son is the Emperor?"
Then he turned to Adrian and patted his shoulder gratefully:
"I thank you, my son, for your care of your mother and sister during my absence."
Adrian replied humbly with a smile:
"This is my duty, Father; it does not deserve thanks."
Albert approached his daughter Olivia and passed his hand over her head with tenderness, saying:
"I told you before not to be angry with your brother. Why did you make yourself sad because of him? I believe he is now on his way to solving the problem from its roots."
In the Kingdom of Andora, Kayden stood before Arthur, examining his speech carefully. He asked in a calm voice:
"Are you saying that William was carrying out this request for you, based on your own request?"
Arthur nodded and answered with confidence:
"Yes, he helped the Kingdom of Genoa a lot in its engineering designs and trained the workers there. Therefore, I requested his help here as well."
Eugene intervened, with features showing doubt, and asked:
"And does this include making a weapon?"
Arthur answered:
"Yes, despite the bad reputation of the Kingdom of Andora regarding weapons, I was aspiring to make a weapon that is easy to use and has a long range, to help us without causing uncalculated destruction."
Eugene looked at Kayden and said in a serious tone:
"Shall we take him to prison now?"
Kayden shook his head, then said:
"No, rather take him to the Kingdom of Peace."
Eugene was surprised and asked in bewilderment:
"What?"
Kayden answered calmly:
"Disguise yourself, and start a new life with a different name. Search for the genius who exists there; Master William would certainly have entrusted someone with making the weapon. When you find him, help him complete it. As for you, Arthur, you are barred from ruling the Kingdom of Andora."
Silence prevailed for a moment, then Arthur bowed, showing shock, saying:
"Your command, O Emperor."
After a few days, Kayden and Eugene returned to the royal palace. The atmosphere was warm and filled with emotions, and as soon as Kayden entered, he saw his father joking with Olivia. He smiled and stepped toward him quickly, saying:
"Father, I want you to take over the rule of the Kingdom of Andora."
Albert was surprised for a moment and asked:
"Then, King Arthur...?"
Kayden answered in a firm tone:
"He was imprisoned in a distant place to atone for his mistakes, on the charge of fraud."
Albert nodded and said calmly:
"I understand, Kayden."
Then Kayden turned toward his sister Olivia and said jokingly:
"How are you, my little one?"
She raised her eyebrows and answered with a lovable coldness:
"The difference between our ages is one year, as you know."
Kayden laughed and said:
"But you will always remain my little sister, no matter how much we grow."
Luna intervened, she who had not been left by the astonishment of what was happening, and said with a smile:
"Since you have become the Emperor, Kayden—though I am still unbelieving—why don't we hold a simple family celebration?"
Kayden replied with enthusiasm:
"A wonderful idea, Mother."
At that moment, Freeze approached, saying respectfully:
"I apologize for the interruption, O Emperor, but why don't we make the celebration on the level of the Empire? It is expected that nobles from outside will attend to congratulate you."
Kayden nodded in agreement and said:
"Let it be so. We will hold the celebration on the level of the Empire, in celebration of my coronation as Emperor."
After a few days, the celebration began in the Empire. Everyone was filled with happiness throughout the Empire. The celebration was not limited only to nobles who possessed money or personal invitations; Kayden's room—yes, that room filled with books—overlooked a balcony visible to many people. The celebration in the capital was focused on that area the most.
Emperor Kayden entered the luxurious hall with his usual prestige, but this time, he was not carrying a sword or wearing a war cloak; rather, he came in simple royal clothes, reflecting his respect for the occasion.
While the sun was leaning toward the sky, and the scent of incense flowed throughout the great hall, delegations of nobles followed from the edges of the Empire, each entering alone, holding onto the prestige of their house and status, moving forward with solemnity and offering respects to the young emperor, Kayden Brayn.
No guards or servants accompanied them; rather, their prestige marched before them as they entered the hall with confidence, as if they were declaring their clear and direct recognition of Kayden's sovereignty.
Beside them came young girls, belonging to the most ancient noble houses, preceded by adornment and perfume, their eyes hiding clear goals behind forced modesty. They were wearing the most beautiful things sewn in royal sewing houses, and their movements were calculated with precision, as if every step was part of a carefully drawn political dance.
They came not for love... but for ambition.
All of them knew that marriage to the Emperor does not grant only a crown, but grants their families unparalleled power and influence. Some of them whispered in low voices when they approached the throne, and others cast long looks toward Kayden, hoping that one of them might win a smile, or even a passing glance suggesting more.
For Kayden was standing, neither smiling nor frowning, watching those ambitious ones in silence, as if he saw through the embroidered fabrics hidden intentions dancing between the jewelry and the sweet words.
On the eastern side of the square stood a tall man, his skin dark, topped with a golden turban of a strange style, placing on his chest a symbol in the shape of a black sun. Beside him was a woman wearing a blue dress decorated with geometric shapes no one had seen before, and behind them stood guards wearing green armor and holding spears decorated with colored symbols.
Whispers rose among the people:
"Who are these?"
"It is said they are from the Kingdom of Kalahar... it lies beyond the Southern Sea; it hasn't been in a relationship with us for centuries!"
"And is it reasonable that they come from that distance just to attend Kayden's coronation?"
The foreign delegations approached the platform and bowed with a slight bow showing respect without submission, which made some local nobles look at them with hidden disdain, but Kayden smiled and extended his hand to them in welcome.
Kayden said in an audible voice:
"That representatives of distant kingdoms attend me is proof that our new era will transcend the borders of the Empire. We will build bridges, not walls."
Once the hall quieted and everyone settled in their places, the entry of Freeze was announced.
His entry was different; no crowds marched behind him and no announcement preceded him, but when he took his first steps, glances diverged toward him with interest.
He bowed before Kayden and said in a voice with something of humor and something of cunning:
"My Lord Emperor, the nobles of the Empire and outside have honored us today from every side, and even their daughters have come—some offered as gifts are offered on holidays."
Kayden did not comment, but the spark in his eyes was enough to arouse the curiosity of Freeze, who continued:
"I ask your permission to host them tonight in my private wing; for in the night intentions are revealed, and words are said that are not said before the throne."
Kayden looked toward him for a long time, then said calmly:
"Do so, but remember, Freeze... that he who invites wolves to his table must secure the closing of the doors."
Freeze smiled and bowed again:
"And I am skilled in choosing the keys."
Then Kayden approached the attendees and began to gather the nobles and girls around him, walking among them like a leader distributing roles. He whispers to this one and compliments that one, suggesting to each that they are the closest and the most important.
One of the noblewomen approached him and said with a slight smile:
"It is said that women are the adornment of kings... so may I be your adornment, my Lord?"
Kayden answered her calmly without looking for long:
"The throne does not occupy me as much as what occupies my heart occupies me... and it has been occupied for a long time."
Then he turned away from her with steady steps, heading toward Fiona's father, having decided to start the conversation that had been delayed for so long.