《The Crown of Rhinsburg》Chapter 1
Advertisement
After classes me and Hedrick would talk, we’d have lengthy discussions on different topics. Some of political interest, some of random passing thoughts. It felt normal. It was the one aspect of my life that was comfortable. I love speaking to him. Status mattered not; to me he was more human than any noble. Something about our conversations felt so visceral, so meaningful. He loved life. He was blessed with a loving family, great intelligence, and luck. Never was I jealous, though. I understood that my position was much better. I had wealth, backing, and power. I could do what I want. He could not. While my path was paved, his was forged. In a school where he was looked down upon for his birth, he proudly erected his back, never wavering in his pride. It is said that those who believe themselves to be smart are the greatest fools. This is something I believe to be true. He was a rare breed of man: one who was confident in his intelligence, not out of idiocrasy but reason. He didn’t view himself superior but was glad to acknowledge his strengths. Even in school he had managed to befriend a group of nobles. His charisma was infectious to those around him. He was not humble nor arrogant. It was a charisma not of reach, but of substance. Many disliked his attitude, but a portion gravitated to it. He surrounded himself with other like-minded individuals. When I say the words ‘like-minded’ I mean not of similar thoughts, but of disposition. Those who question, who think for themselves and learn from each other. Many times, I interacted with this group. I considered them not my friends, but I knew them to be good. I was not fond of others. I didn’t enjoy the company of people as others did. It wasn’t that I hated being in another person’s presence. If asked whether I considered myself sociable or unsociable, I might just say neither. If forced to be clearer, one might say that I had a slight preference for being alone. Even with Hedrick, I wouldn’t always want to speak. Sometimes I would return home to read in isolation or pass time meaninglessly. Only he could be so accepting of my brash attitude when it came to how fickle I was. If he came up to me after class during one of these moments, our conversation would follow such a track,
Advertisement
“Hey, Emil! I just heard something interesting from Thomas. Come with me, its quite the story.” He would go on.
“No, sorry.” I would respond.
“Ah, do you have some engagement, my bad.” Hedrick might add out of concern, or not.
I felt no need to lie to him though, and would truthfully tell,
“There is no such engagement, I just feel like being alone today.”
He’d laugh my words off carelessly and leave to do some other activity. My heart felt warm at these actions. He understood me better than even my family. Others would ask if I was okay if I spoke in such a way, but I knew he understood. When I said I wanted to be alone, it wasn’t a statement of sadness. It was the truth and he had no issue with it.
My fortune in life was having such a friend. He put on no pretense. There was no need between us. Due to my formative years I realized that the idea of family was false. Blood mattered not in determining human relations. It was an irrelevant factor that chained together abuser and abused. I had no issue with loving families, I respected them deeply. But children from dysfunctional families are forced to live with those who hurt them. Family is the only thing you can trust. You must stick together. Never abandon family. Bullshit. Should I worship my father because he fucked my mother? No. To gain respect it must be earned, even from children. To me, family is not defined by heredity, but by merit. People must earn your love. That is why Hedrick is more of a brother than my elder ones. Hedrick is more of my family than anyone else. Heretical I may be in thought, but I am true. I am right. He’s my brother; no one else holds that title in my heart. At sixteen, I was still attending school as per usual. Nothing in my life had changed across a year. That is, until my father called for me. A butler told me to go, it was urgent. This alone left me deeply suspicious. I had a deep sense of foreboding; he never talked to me for any normal matter. I arrived at the throne room where he sat. I stood a small distance from him as he began his long-winded prologue.
Advertisement
“It has come to my attention, that a negative influence has been cast upon you for many years. It deeply tears my heart to see someone of my kin being corrupted by such vile things.”
“What may those things be, my dear father.” I asked with a slight tremble in my voice.
“That common boy. It is unbefitting a Royal to associate with such low-class peoples. If only that damn parliament hadn’t forced their foolish policies through.”
The anger in his voice was palpable when speaking. My gaze shifted down as I tried to understand the situation. What was he going to do with Hedrick?
“With that said, my dear son, I have failed as a King and a parent by letting such a thing happen. Fear not, for I will rectify it from now on. I have arranged that boy to be sent to the Farlands. His family exiled with him for lèse-majesté. He has tainted Royalty and shall not be forgiven.”
My mind was boiling at his words. He dared to call me his son when he did such things. He cared not for me but for the purity of his foolish Royal line.
“Father! I beg you to reconsider!” I blurted in a burst of madness.
At my minor act of rebellion, his eyes turned cold. He couldn’t comprehend how I would be questioning him. He was saving me from beasts. It enraged him that I dared to do such a thing.
“You dare to insult my decisions!? I am your father and your blood! You have become deluded. Question me more and I will have you sent to an institution.”
His words chilled my skin. I realized my mistake and my mind went empty as I fell to my knees and asked for forgiveness. There was no chance of reconsideration to begin with. It was already done. Kings were tyrants, he was just in every action and untouchable in status. My opinion mattered not.
Advertisement
- In Serial80 Chapters
Godly Otaku Divine System
G.O.D.S._________________________________________________________The Otaku Zhen Shi died and reincarnated in another world. Cliche much? Yup!Then he got a system! Cliche again? Yup!But, this system steals stuff from Gods and kindly gifts them to the less fortunate... namely to himself! Huh... That's sort of new...He also has a magical library in his mind! Wait... isn't that strangely familiar? Flaws!Also, his best bro is the Legendary Great Merlin with a plus one! Now is that cliche...?________________________________________________________________________________________________ Zhen Shi was a nerd and an otaku that had traveled all over the world with his absent parents until... he was pushed off a cliff? But fortunately, he reincarnated in another world with a system! This new world seems to have unexplained connections to the Gods and Deities of almost every mythology back on Earth, and their influences are seen everywhere, from every kingdom to every clan... Thankfully, Zhen Shi isn't an ordinary person. He is a bookworm easily entranced by the workings of the world and very familiar with world history and mythology. So he has an advantage over everyone with his knowledge! Moving on, did I mention he's a shameless bastard at the forefront of ridiculous situations? With even more shameless Merlin and Co. to keep him company? With his beloved but mischievous system *cough* scapegoat *cough*, Zhen Shi embarks on a journey facing happiness and sorrow alike as he attempts to reach the heavens!________________________________________________________________________________________________ AUTHOR NOTE This is my first novel. But I intend to finish it!Release rate: 5 chapters/week [DEFINITELY! Sticks and stones may break my bones, but this will happen!] The story will bring in some references from popular Chinese novels, games, and anime. But it will mainly include real-world mythology. Also, the cover is original. Also, you can hop into a fun community and learn much more on discord, https://discord.gg/NWW2AGy
8 683 - In Serial69 Chapters
Heartstone
Book 1 is complete. Book 2 is currently updating. For centuries, the portal to another dimension remained closed. Now, it is mysteriously open again, and the link between Earth and Heartstone allows us to journey once more to this magical realm. Book 1 - Arwin arrives in Heartstone and meets some lovely damsels who are unfortunately in distress. He faces off against blue blood nobles to help the people of the Blue Region. Book 2 - Arwin befriends Yaz, a talking skeleton and sets off for adventure. But before they get going, they stumble across a tribe of gorgeous nymphs. All seems fun and games until the goblins arrive. This series is a portal fantasy (isekai) that features wordplay and puns and plenty of cultural references. Reminiscient of Piers Anthony's Xanth series and Terry Pratchett's Discworld, but for a more adult audience. Book 1 is also available on Amazon and other online stores. You can also download from Patreon.
8 67 - In Serial22 Chapters
Darkborn
The Unbinding series Arc: The Dark Spiral Book: Darkborn Shae is broken. Deeply hurt by life, unable to fit in and without the perspective to understand what the people around her mean by their actions. Her only link to the world around her, a pet cat, dies, and her world is turned upside down. When an opportunity presents itself, she grabs onto it, unaware of the part she is made to play in plots that may well determine the fate of mankind. Forum post: https://forum.royalroadl.com/showthread.php?tid=100419 *** 03-May-2018 For all intents and purposes, this book is now finished. At least the second pass. Editing a book is soo much slower than writing it in the first place :( Book 2 of the Unbinding series, chapter 1 has been submitted, and should be readable any moment now. Please check it out, read it, enjoy it and maybe even comment on it. Join me on twitter to get updates on my progress, @mroysson *** Cover background Photo by Joel Filipe on Unsplash Cover design by Al Pearce (https://twitter.com/alpearcedev)
8 197 - In Serial9 Chapters
Cheating Side Kick
Noel was a normal ordinary modern-day man who died in a car crash. After his death, he got an offer which you could not say no: Get reincarnated with extra cheat-like ability tailored to his soul into a fantasy world. How big a surprise was, that his ability is to “dupe”? And even bigger surprise, he was not born into the MC, but into his fat and useless cousin? This story is about a journey in xantia-like world where also a kind-of system exists. Partly dramatic with some xantia troupe comedy. Its also about character development….and of course, there will be power level jumps. Let's follow Noel into his very honest try to climb at the top of the food chain, battle calamities, and conquer impossible dungeons. P.S: English is not my first language, I will be happy if you point out my mistakes, thank you. EDIT: Curently HItaus on Mount Forever. :/ . I m sorry.
8 95 - In Serial9 Chapters
Chaos Rising: A Dungeoncore Fantasy
“I’m innocent!” Chaos shouted at the seven black walls of her cell. She considered her words for a few moments before adding “Of this particular crime! Come on, idiots, let me out!” Chaos, the firstborn, goddess of fire and games, has committed her fair share of sins. Heresy. Rebellion. Theft. Assault. Insult. Abduction. Seduction. Warmongering. All the classics. Mostly for a good cause, occasionally by mistake and sometimes for the sheer fun of it. She was innocent, however, of the murder that landed her in prison for seven times seven lifetimes. But her sentence is over. She’s out of her cell and out for revenge. To win back her power she'll need mortal followers to use as pieces in the games the mortals play. But Chaos has been away a long time. She is betrayed, fragmented and forgotten, a shadow of her former self. Her only ally is Snotgut, a one-armed goblin who eats his own toenails and fears absolutely nothing - except soap. Together they must build a dungeon and raise an army so that Chaos can once again become the greatest being in the universe. All that stands in their way are every god and goddess Above, the Empire of Order Below, the titan kings, the heroes’ guild, the mages’ academy, and every other mortal and immortal institution which Chaos had offended, which is all of them. Empires will fall and heroes will rise as Chaos schemes her way back to her rightful position at the head of the pantheon of gods! Dungeoncore! Comedic fantasy! Epic fight scenes! Space ships Elves throwing fireballs! Welcome to the Universe of Above and Below where chaotic good(ish) characters sometimes save the day! Updates Wednesdays and Sundays!
8 191 - In Serial118 Chapters
Baby of the family
The story of Decs life(or my version of it)
8 118