____

As much as I wanted to, my 3 months worth of vacation from Imperial duties came to an end.

From the frequent tea parties I had with Klydeur and Aureus, Eldest revealing herself as a deity, the festival that caused chaos, to my sudden dissappearance and reappearance through another dimension.

I sulked, arms crossed as I stay seated in my chair. In 3 months of situations I faced, it felt like more than 3 months, years even! Also, I should be happy that the Empress decided to give me my own space for an office, but I couldn't really find it in me to be grateful.

First, I just met a ton of piled paperworks. I had no time to praise the beauty of my office.

Second, just on the other room is where Klydeur's office located. The thought of my white lotus of a brother made me shudder for a bit.

Third, Jamie and the other maids are busy since our birthday is drawing near. I remembered it late, not until I recalled the conversation I had with the Duke's daughter, Lady Beatrice.

I'm sure her birthday had long passed, and it's a pleasure to know that I prepared a gift in advance before. I do hope my servants managed to send it properly, since I didn't attend the party.

Klydeur took my absence as a chance to show off himself. Well, that couldn't be more surprising, considering that I planned not to go for him to have one decent spotlight.

And for the last reason of my sulky mode...

"I did pushed her off to get the book, but still." I grumbled like a child who got deprived of their candy. "What's taking her so long?"

It has been weeks, a month even, since Eldest left. And it has also been a month since I returned to studying and doing other matters to aid the Empress without her.

Aside from being alone, I felt annoyed whenever I see Klydeur around with his loyal assistant of a princess. They even dare to question where she is. I had no choice but to lie smoothly through gritted teeth.

As I rested my elbow on the desk, I put my chin ontop of my palm. "Ha. She says she's omnipotent than the other Eldest, but the other Eldest could surely do better—"

I didn't even get to finish my ramble when a blinding light suddenly flashed infront of me. Fortunately, no one is inside the office except for me. And I had a clue for the reason why such light suddenly emitted in the room.

As soon as the familiar flash of light dissappeared, there stood the same girl I was busy dissing earlier. She flipped her blonde hair quite aggresively with an eyebrow raised at me.

"You can just say you missed me rather than compare me to a cowardly deity, Cly."

"...."

I got tongue-tied, and had no choice but to smile awkwardly. After so long, she's already here. But what horrid coincidence that she had to return when I was busy comparing her to another deity?

I scratched my nape, slightly ashamed. "Sorry."

"Nah, just say it." She walked over to my desk, elbow rested on top as she leaned over to me with a piercing stare. "Go on. Tell me."

Poor me, scrambling to back away from the presence of a dominant deity. Geez, Eldest, personal space is a must respected space!

It seems she can read even my innermost monologue. She squinted her eyes at me, clicking her tongue. "Fine."

"Phew."

Silence drew once again, until I realized something important. "Wait, how did it go?"

She stared at me, before flashing me her signature grin. With a snap of her finger, a familiar book poofed out of air and fell into my desk. "Here you go, my prince."

Ignoring her sudden politeness mixed with her effort to tease me, I internally celebrated with joy and relief. I held the book, even examining it, before briefly scanning the pages while nodding my head.

Yup. She really did her job.

"Thank you!" I was about to scurry off and read the whole thing when she pulled me back, making me sit back into my chair. "Er...what is it?"

"Where's my reward?"

I blinked my eyes, fazed. "R-Reward? But you're filthy rich, didn't you say so?"

She almost slapped me in the face, but chose to slap her forehead instead. "I'm not asking money. I'm talking about a different reward."

If it's a different reward, what else can I possibly give to a filthy-rich of a deity? I thought hard and even ended up thinking of jewelries, but Eldest can only frown her lips into thin line.

"Ah, wait!" In a panic, I blurted out an idea I shouldn't have. "Jewelry...would you like a matching ones?"

She made a 180° turn as her face brightened, as if she's heard a wonderful idea. "Brilliant. Which orb should be used?"

"Uh, that, I—" I internally slapped myself to talk straight before I continued. "—whichever you prefer. It's your reward, isn't it?"

Eldest shrugged. "I prefer whatever you choose anyway."

I closed my eyes, thinking of a gem that could match with a silver eyed prince and a golden eyed deity. Silver and gold is too common. We should choose something else. Just like...

An idea popped in my mind.

"How about vermilion?"

She blinked her eyes, processing my suggestion. "That's not an orb, is it?"

"Well, yeah but I mean, a deity like you can probably do something about it, right?" I reasoned with a small shrug.

"..."

"..."

Silence passed between us, and I felt like I got rejected. Geez, this hurts like hell. Before I can suggest something else, she raised a question.

"You mean the empire, your last name, or that brilliant red pigment made from mercury sulfide?"

Another round of awkward silence. Eldest and I stared at each others for a solid 3 seconds. Probably the longest 3 seconds of my life.

I internally sighed before replying. "...the cinnabar."

She then hummed, eyes sparkling with delight. "Hm, alright."

Out of curiousity, I took my turn to shot a question. "If I said what I meant by vermilion is my last name, what will you do?"

Turning to me, she gave me a nonchalant response. "I'll extract blood from you then. Last name comes from the family bloodline, am I wrong?"

Yikes.

Good thing I can still refute by saying they are different since the spelling matters. Vermilion is totally not the Imperial family Vermillion.

"Ah, how about if I chose the empire?" I asked one last question.

I also wonder, since I am confused whether we got our last name due to the empire named as Vermillion first, or did the empire had the name Vermillion because of the family.

But based on common sense and our previous studies about history, it could be either of them. There may be other circumstances for it, and other empires are probably the same.

She didn't even hesitate to think about her response. "Same thing."

I narrowed my eyes at her suspiciously, preparing myself for the worst. "Can you elaborate?"

"I'll just have to take every single parts of the empire and combine them into a new existing orb that can be the perfect antithesis for cinnabar's vermilion."

I wonder how she had enough breath to say those words like she was just rapping. And so basically, combine every solid, liquid, and gas that belongs to the empire, is that it?

I maintained my smile, not entirely sure whether to praise her for being so dedicated or scold her as to not go too far. But then again, atleast collecting everything didn't apply to what she'll do with the family name.

Imagine if not only blood but also bits of my organs?

And the fact she casually stated all of that as if it was a natural occurence. I tried so hard to maintain my innocent smile.

Why is everyone insane here anyway? A deceptive brother, a manipulative princess, a tyrant empress, now a problematic deity?

My poor 10 year old body shivered, but fortunately it is left unnoticed by the deity before me. I laughed, even if nothing's funny. "Ahaha, is that so?"

Eldest raised a brow, blinking at me. "Why do you ask? Do you want me to take them as well—"

"NO NO NO, you don't have to!" I immediately declined before she can even finish her sentence. Good grief and she didn't take offense over it.

She sat on the desk, unbothered. "If you say so. If you become Emperor, make sure you announce vermilion as the national orb."

I sighed, but nodded along anyway. "Sure." That's easy as cake. The empire is already rich in vermilion powder, I'm sure there won't be any objections especially if it turns into an orb.

As Eldest sat on the desk, I sat awkwardly on the chair. I couldn't even try to swat her away or focus on the mountain pile of paperworks.

Does the Empress even do much paperwork than I do, or does she secretly pass on half of it to me?

Haaa, and speaking of Aureus, I suddenly remembered Archduke Shaman—nope, not thinking about it.

"About what?" I almost forgot. Dang it, can't I have privacy? The Archduke's dignity is also at stake here! My method of blocking and guarding my thoughts doesn't work against her either.

Shoo, shoo, don't look!

The latter, although confused, didn't question me further. I guess reading my thoughts is enough for her to pick up a clue.

With a sigh, I tried to erase other matters in my mind for a moment. I wanted to read the book earlier, but now I remember I have to finish my paperworks.

So before I indulge myself into reading the book Eldest managed to retrieve, I need to survive my duties first.

___

"Haaa..." If Jamie is here, she'd probably have a heart attack of what I've become. I look like a deadass corpse, all pale, sweating, and white as snow.

Confusing as it is, I feel cold. And yet I had to bother myself in wiping off the cold sweats. Just what is going on with me?

Is this constipation? Indigestion? A fever?

Being so healthy must be impossible in this world.

Good thing I was able to wrap up everything. Eldest may or may not notice my condition, but she kept me company. I guess that alone is enough.

Before leaving my office, I made sure to organize everything and lock up the door, my own key now hidden in my pockets. As I strode the hallway that leads to my bedroom, Eldest followed suit behind me.

"It's still early, are you not going for a walk?" The moment I heard the question, I glanced behind to look at her whose eyes are narrowed at me.

I shrugged. "I'm tired. Maybe some other day. Besides," raising the book I gripped with my left hand, I continued. "I am more invested with reading this."

"Hm, alright. Understandable."

As I returned my gaze infront, mixed thoughts flooded my mind. I finally had my moment of truce, all I need is to read the book. But somehow, I feel like something is still wrong.

What if, I am not ready to know the truth?

If I am mentally and emotionally unprepared for it, will it affect my mindset?

Maybe this is the reason why I'm feeling unwell today—

"."

I halted, hearing Eldest click her tongue, before focusing my silver orbs to the same ones infront of me. His silver hair shone, with an orange-like effect all thanks to the sunset outside.

Behind him is the ever familiar princess, Ashley. The bitch who does not know how to give up in spoiling my mood.

Like seriously, our first meeting is already bad as it is. I don't expect anything good from her from that point onwards.

Despite feeling so shitty this day, I cracked a smile. However, I'm uncertain whether the smile I flashed looks decent or forced.

There was silence. He probably expected me to say something, but I only gave him a half-assed smile. I took a glance of Ashley's face and she's literally trying to cover up her intentions with an innocent look plastered in her face.

Klydeur stood infront of me awkwardly, but before he can say anything else, Ashley stepped up for him. "Oh my, is there something wrong, crown prince? You look rather pale."

I waved a hand to dismiss her fake concern. "It is nothing to worry about, princess."

She smiled, but I know fully well that she's sneering at me. "Ah, is that so? I wasn't concerned tho, pardon me."

Klydeur chuckled, as if trying to lighten the mood before I can even react from such a bold attempt to insult me, again. "You jest, Ashy."

"That pet name really embarasses me, my prince."

"Then call me whitey—oh wait, that's how a certain blonde calls me."

"Aw, too bad."

As they fake a laugh among themselves with those common "Ahaha" and "Hoho" type of laughter, I only stared at them with my forehead creased, no longer able to contain my reaction at their interaction.

But what more to a certain deity who seems prepared to flip the entire universe just to send these two straight to hell?

___

If ever there are grammar or spelling mistakes, please do pardon me! I'll have them checked and fixed once I reread this again. I'm posting 3 chapters today in one go (this chapter included). Thank you to those who continued reading this story!

-