The Imperial Palace Of Eden.

The hall was dimly lit. The windows were covered with thick black curtains embroidered with gold. They allowed no more than a faint luminescence. Hence, except for the beautiful golden-black carpet, features of this room could not be seen.

Humans and dwarves sat around a long, crescent-shaped, blackwood table placed in the centre of this circular hall. They were dressed in formal attire. Their books and papers were placed in neat piles across the table. A few candles floated around. The table faced the massive throne - The Sacred Draconic Throne.

On the Draconic Throne sat a man whose dimensions exceeded the average man's: he was six feet tall man with muscles so large that a cat could be fit in his biceps. This man was covered in darkness from his head to his chest but one could see his most defining characteristic - the glowing green eyes; the eyes his family had inherited from its first matriarch. The most charming yet devilish eyes, they could make the soul of a person churn and quiver.

The man wore a black armour, at the centre of which was a gold dragon. A sword was placed right next to his arm, of which only a small portion could be seen through the sheath. The most distinct irregularity was the sword's colour: it was red as fire itself and had a dim glow to it. This was the imperial sword Magna, a hereditary object passed down by the first emperor to his successor.

"Primus, how are the preparations for the crown prince trials going?"

"They are on full throttle, your majesty. The imperial generals have decided that Holy Trinity will be the grounds of the exam this time," a man sitting in the centre of the table spoke after standing up. His visage was not visible because of the darkness

"Good. So when are they to be conducted?" every word of this man carried the will of the empire. Although the Prime minister, or Primus, was used to this, the rest of the courtiers were not: they rarely saw the emperor's face much rather listen to him speak, but today was a special occasion. The emperor attended court every month, but his opinions were conveyed by the Primus. For the first time in the past fifty years had he finally spoken to the court.

"Your majesty, they will start the next summer and will continue for an estimated time of nine months according to the generals," said the Primus. The courtiers sat there in silence. None dared to look into those eyes.

The trial of the crown prince was to begin in two months' time. The emperor had four sons among whom only one would be selected, on merit, to keep the lineage of the empire strong. Thus, the trials were set to find the optimum successor.

The throne of the emperor was placed ten feet above the ground of the court and only his lower body was visible at all times. The Empress had a seat two feet below the emperor, on the right and on the left was the throne of the crown prince, two feet below the imperial throne. Both of them were empty. While the crown prince was yet to be chosen, the empress did not wish to attend the court out of love for her children.

"Very well, Primus. I heard that Lawrence had been in a coma recently?"

"You are right, Your Majesty, his Lordship the Earl of Triston was injured severely by the terrorist organization - Night's Hand. This organization had been spotted in his territory. Numerous reports of such an organization have come from all over the continent. However, the Earl has recovered significantly."

"Tell Lawrence I wish to meet him. I haven't seen him in ten years after that incident," the emperor paused," Lawrence is to be the Chief Guest of the trial. Send down this decree!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Alright, then today's meeting is over. As for the rest of the matters, I think you can handle them for me, Primus. I have some urgent matters to tend to," the emperor said as he stood up from his throne. People could finally see this towering muscular figure wearing the black armour from chest to toe. Everybody present stood up and bowed.

"All hail THE HOLY DRACONIC EMPEROR, VIKTOR ARCADIUS TYCEON!" yelled the gatekeeper.

"ALL HAIL THE HOLY DRACONIC EMPEROR, VIKTOR ARCADIUS TYCEON!" everyone said in unison.

The emperor walked of the courtroom through the door behind his throne.

Five seconds later, everyone crashed into their seats, finally letting out a deep breath. Beads of sweat started to fall from their heads as if a dam had just been opened.

"The draconic pressure the emperor exerts is unbearable. If he had stayed any longer I would have fainted," said a courtier as he looked at the imperial throne.

As the court settled down again, the Primus ushered them into silence and started to continue the regular administrative business of the government. He had not imagined that the emperor would make Lawrence, the man infamous for his manners, the chief guest of the crown prince trial. This trial was a very important event in the empire's history.

The crown prince trial was a four-stage event of selecting the crown prince.

The first stage, known as Res Animo, is where the princes are mentally tested and challenged to find the sharpest, the most cunning.

The second stage of the crown prince trial is the Battaglia, where the princes display their military prowess by commanding specific battalions of the imperial army and show their military strategic arts.

The third stage of the trial is the personal battle stage where the princes fight each other to the last man standing. This proves the personal power and strategy of the princes individually.

The fourth stage of the trial is the administrative battle. The princes are made to govern respective cities and the change in the economic condition of the city after six months decides the rank of the prince.

The winner of the majority of the events is then be named crown prince. In case of a tie, the events are reconducted to choose the crown prince. This is the process of eliminating the weakness any emperor might pose. It is difficult to conduct, but it is worth the effort - the might of the emperor is preserved.

The other princes are given important imperial posts. If a prince scored high in personal battle, then he would be the commander of the royal guard. If a prince scored high in Battaglia, he would become a military general. If a prince scored high in the administrative battle of the trial, he is made a minister in court.

***

Triston. In Lawrence's room.

A letter is kept on the Earl's desk; it has the royal seal of the emperor. Lawrence is carefully contemplating the letter by looking at it. Beside him stands Katherine.

"Will you open it already?" asked Katherine.

"It's a trap honey," said Lawrence as he rubbed his chin.

"We all know it's a trap, Lawrence. Anything sent by the emperor is a trap to lure you to his side, but that is no reason for you to stare at it and not open it at all!"

"All right I'll open it," Lawrence reluctantly broke open the imperial seal and took out the letter. He started reading its contents.

As he read it, Lawrence's expression kept on changing: at first a frown, soon followed by a smile, and then finally a sigh.

"What does it say?"

"The emperor wants me to attend the crown prince trial... as the chief guest," Lawrence said. He was significantly troubled by this invitation. A man of his attitude was not suited to be with the imperial court. He knew it; the imperial court knew it, but the emperor chose to pay no heed to it.

"Well then make an excuse, he has a soft spot for you," Katherine said and shrugged her shoulders. Lawrence burst into laughter. He grabbed his stomach, and then his laughter turned to sorrow.

"What is it?"

"Read the letter, you will know," Lawrence gave a bitter laugh.

Katherine opened the letter. It stated:

This is an Imperial Decree Of The Highest Order -

The Holy Draconian Emperor, Viktor Arcadius Tyceon has cordially invited The Earl Of Triston, Lawrence Julian Wells, to the imperial court as the Chief Guest of the VII Crown Prince Trials.

A few paragraphs followed, stating how and where it was to take place. Katherine noticed that there was another page in the envelope. It was handwritten by the emperor.

Dear Lawrence,

I have heard of the near-death incident you experienced some time ago at the hands of James. I am regretful of the fact that we were not able to kill him all those years ago, but I have decided to set an elite intelligence group on his trail. Do not fret, the chance to kill him shall soon be presented to your house.

Yours truly,

Viktor Arcadius Tyceon

"You have also been requested at the behest of the emperor to stay at the imperial court until the crowning ceremony of the victorious prince. Only, this letter is truly the emperor's. The rest is a royal decree. Honey, it is impossible for you to reject. Rejecting a royal decree is treason."

"You think I don't know that? Alas! This dreaded day has come when I must leave my home and spend time with the uptight imperials. Ughhh! Why must God be so cruel?"

"And he says he will catch James."

"It is a formality. He has said this plenty of times."

"That is true, sadly. Who told him about James though?"

"Oh! That! I posted a picture of me injured on ManaNet. Primus sent me a personal message asking when his family can come for a holiday in Triston since I am injured and can't show them around. I told him that James and his Night's hand were messing up my territory so it would not be suitable for a holiday destination for now."

Katherine facepalmed. Her husband was horrible at using social networks.

"I know from where Damien caught that dumb attitude."

"From where?"

"Nevermind, by the way, how is Damien doing?"

"Oh! I got a few texts from Alexander saying that he was having fun, but he broke the statue of his third wife, and his daughter had a quarrel with Damien. Apparently, she broke his nose and beat him up."

Katherine sighed, "I knew he would get bullied in school, but this is way beyond my expectations."

"Talking about bullying, I got several videos from Oliv- I mean nothing," Lawrence quickly covered his mouth

"What is that bastard doing with my son? Tell me now!" Katherine glared at Lawrence.

"Fine, Oliver banged up Robert quite a bit in the past few weeks-"

"WHAT THE HECK!?"

"I mean Robert was beaten up quite a bit by Oliver, my bad, I have to revise my vocabulary. Anyway talking about that, Robert has made his resolve and is fit to be an assassin."

"God," Katherine said bitterly, "So he will become an assassin too. I was hoping he would fail and Oliver would send him back."

"He has your blood after all."

"What a pity."

"And he fought with a hundred goblins too! Aren't you proud of him?!"

"I am, Lawrence, I am- wait, did you say a hundred goblins?!"

"Well, he is with Oliver," Lawrence laughed weakly.

"Wait till I meet him again! I will surely knock some sense into him next time."

"How mannerless," said Lawrence in a sarcastic tone.

A vein bulged on Katherine's forehead.

"It is because of YOUR influence!"

"It was simple sarcasm, honey!" Lawrence felt he had dragged himself amidst a hurricane.

"You know what? I just think it is funny that..."

Lawrence was down for one big lecture.