chapter 1

The Lersinean Empire. Ruling over many star systems, it can even be considered a Galactic Empire in terms of power. It is ruled under a system of Sami constitutional monarchy, but there was a constant tug of war between the Emporer and the Parliament. emperor Nicolas Le Francir, head of the house of Francir, will be later known as "The Fallen King."

In a room filled to the brim with expensive items, paintings hanging on every available surface on the walls. Small piles of jewellery lying around. With a plain wooden desk in the middle of it all. Placed near a floor to ceiling window. A man sat in a Throne chair behind the desk. A tall and slender man. With hair as dark as the abyss. And irises that resemble the colour of blood, he suddenly became all the more intimidating.

He wore a royal uniform which was a nice black that contrasted well with the white Buttons made of soft pure gold that kept everything together. A white aiguillette hanging on his shoulder, A golden raven medal hanging on his neck. A simple yet elegant crown of golden branches wrapped around his head. Adorned with a red, white and emerald green diamond. The gems sit on the index, right and left of the crown respectively. Each gem represents something. The red for the Red King, the white for the White Country and the emerald green represents the Goddess of Darkness Nokias the patron God of lersinean and Allia illtus the Goddess of temptation

This was Nicolas Le Francir. The Emperor of the greater Lersinean Empire.

He leaned back on his chair and sighed. 'I never thought that being emperor was so stressful.' He muttered to himself as he reached out to grab a jug of water. He poured it into his glass and was drinking when a knock sounded on the door. 'Who is it?' He called. 'it's me, sire. your Royal Guard' Came to a reply. 'Come in then.'

The man walked into the room and bowed respectfully, before delivering his report.

'Duke Oleander Nerium requests an audience with you, Your Majesty.'

'Oh. Very well, let him in then.' The guard bowed again then walk backward to his post in front of the King's Study and informed Duke Oleander that he may enter. The Duke was a head shorter than Nicolas and skinny. bright green hair framed brilliantly with emerald green eyes. Which was currently scanning the absolute mess the room was in. He wore the Imperial Royal Uniform, a white tunic with a bach white vest inside. On top of his head was a bicorne that was worn side to side with a cockade attached to the bicorne.

On the left side of the uniform. More medals than people would care to count were pinned to the uniform. Showing the number of achievements and contributions he had made to the Empire.

*

One medal caught my eye. It was shaped in a cross made of gold with a red diamond sitting in the middle. It was quite glamorous. I awarded him the medal because of his contribution to the nation and the Wretched citizens. I've always wondered why he cared so much about them. Little did I know that he brought grave news with him while I was lost in some of my thoughts. I noticed the worried expression on his face as he walked closer, an expression that is rarely seen on the calm and composed Duke. 'Good afternoon Nicolas.' He greeted in an oddly calm and stiff manner, which contradicts the expression on his face, he smiled as he slowly walk towards the desk.

Something was wrong. I thought to myself. 'Well hello there Oleander, how are you?'

I asked, a worried smile on my face. 'I'm quite well thank you.' As he took off his bicorne then nodded. 'So what happened? It's not like you to be worried olly.' i asked. He paused for a moment then said 'We lost one of our key planets, Rooma, to the rebels.' Came the anxious reply. My face turned grave as I processed his words.

I leaned back against my chair, hands shaking slightly in disbelief. Quickly getting a glass of water, I took a sip before asking. 'How many...enemies were there?'

I asked in a soft but slightly sharp voice, as I look into his eyes. and despite me staring he does not flinch, "ah" he is still as calm as ever, i thought to myself.

'Our scouts estimated one thousand infantry Army division. Six hundred armoured calvary Army Division and one hundred shield class fleets.' 'How many have we lost?' I asked swiftly. 'Estimated total of eight million ground lost.' he replied calmly 'Which officer led the defence?' i asked yet again

'Vice Lord Admiral Chessa and Lieutenant General Nira. we speculate that the both are dead.'

I raised my hand to my mouth partially covering it as I said 'Why did you only report now? Such a grave defeat.'

'I do apologise.' said oleander. 'Does the Parliament knows about this loss yet?' I ask

'No. Well not yet.' he replied with a confused face. 'Good. Keep it that way and block all forms of communications from that planet.' oleander then said 'As you wish Nico.' i pressed my back against my chair then said 'We need to maintain political stability in the Empire. If the Parliament knows about this I'm afraid they will use this reason to provoke scepticism and Incredulity about my authority. You know I can't trust those dogs.' Oleander "nodded" then said. 'And what about the soldiers that we lost?'

'Who cares?' i shrugged. 'As long as I'm in power, everything is expandable, we can always recruit more troops and build more ships. Losing a few million soldiers is better than losing the whole Empire.'

I Yell out for my butler Mr Charl.

then waited for a minute and then hears a loud thumping coming across from the door. then a moment later something collided with the door creating a loud "BANG".

oleander and i turn both our eyes to the door eagerly waiting for the mysterious person to open the door. A moment later the door creeks open and there was a petite pale skinned young man who slowly walk through the half opened door. he had ginger red bushy hair and bright red eyes. he has a reddish blush on his cheeks and nose, he wears an oversized glasses, and it seems that the lenses had been cracked from banging his head on the door. 'Are you okay Charles?' i asked.

'I-i'm fine your majesty, please don't be worried' said Charles as he covers his head.

"Sigh" 'how many times had i told you to be careful when running?' i said with a concerned voice.

'I-i'm sorry your majesty, I'll be more careful' Charles said with a startling voice

'Good. anyway, would you mind calling Orange Gem Christof, Mr speaker shenovok and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lauran for me? Tell them to meet me in the dining hall and it is an emergency matter.' I commanded.

'Y-yes, Your Majesty as you wish.' Charl hurriedly retreated, bowing before running out to call for the three officials.

I look as he walks out of the room, thinking to myself if he gonna hurt himself somehow, I glanced at my watch, realizing how late it was. 'Look at the time! Oleander, let us discuss the full details in the dining hall, shall we?

I for one am quite hungry.' I then ask oleander 'Have you eaten?' he turns to me then said 'Not yet, I have not'

'Well, let's have lunch together?' 'Of course.' he smiled lightly.

I gently clapped my hands to call a butler in. A lady in her early twenties, dressed in a butler uniform come walking into the room and then said 'How may I assist you, Your Majesty?' I then said. 'Get the dining hall ready. Oleander and I are going to have lunch.' she nodded then said 'Yes Your Majesty. It will be ready in a few minutes.' The butler then walked out of the study to call servents to prepare the dining hall. I chatted with Oleander in the study for about ten minutes while waiting for the dining hall to be set up. The head butler of the palace enters the study after knocking. 'The dining hall is ready Your Majesty.' 'How time flies. Let's head on to the dining hall shall we?' Oleander noded.

*

Nicolas and Oleander stood up and start walking to the dining hall.

The hallway was decorated with dozens of paintings hanging on the walls and some other items on display. All of it is worth billions of Lish. The head butler who stood ready at the entrance then opened the very large door to the dining hall. In the middle, there sat a giant dining table that can sit over forty people.

Built from the thousand year old tarentara tree. The oldest and rarest type of tree.

There are only about five hundred seeds in the universe. In fact, some people worship the tree. it has been a big controversy about Nicolas spending too much money on buying these luxurious items but he ignores it.

They sat at the end of the table and two butlers poured wine for the two of them.

Nicolas took a sip of wine before the butler presented lunch.

Lunch was roasted titan butterfly steaks and a side of baked Cathar flower and salad. Nicolas was about to cut into the steak when a butler knocked and came in.

'Your imperial Supreme highness, his grace Orange Gem Christof, The Minister of Foreign affairs and

Mr Speaker is here to see you your highness.' i raised my hand slightly then said 'Let them in.'

three men walked into the room. Mr speaker Shenovok wore a black robe with a red sash and a golden collar around his neck. On his head sat a dark black top hat. On the other hand, Minister Lauren wore a cream coloured vest with a blue coat. A top hat that is the same colour as his vest completed the look. The Orange Gem wore the Lesinean Imperial Army uniform of blue and sharp gold contrasting together. A red pelisse hung on his shoulders. And a scabbard hanging on his waist sheathed in it a silver rapier with a gold handle. On his head, sat a red shako with the emblem of a golden crow. The three Elites took off their hats and shako then bowed their head in respect to the Emporer. 'Why have you summoned us, sire?' Fire Tulip Marshal Christof inquired the Emperor.

'Take a seat first before I tell you.' Nicolas replied.

When all three men were seated, the butler brought out three wine glasses and poured some wine in them, one for each of the newcomers. 'So what is it about sire?' Minister Lauren asked.

'We lost Rooma to the rebellion. According to general Wilhelm, they used the Blitzkrieg strategy to attack Rooma. They then proceeded to advance into Rooma's capital (Rabin) and took control of the military bases. We were unable to send reinforcements in time as they had surrounded the planet with their fleets. So now they have full control of Rooma.' Oleander answered.

'Where did they get all those weapons and vessels from?' Asked Lauren yet again while the others stayed silent.

'The LID (Lersinean intelligence Department) spy said that the Republic or (The United Federation of Socialist Communist Republic) were behind this attack. In addition, the ships they used showed distinct similarities to the Republic's Destroyer and Fregate ships.' oleander answered, again as he took a bite of the steak. 'What is it that you want us to do sire?'

Lauren inquired, turning his attention to Nicolas. 'I want Minister Lauren to send an Ambassador to try and negotiate with the Rebellion. Orange Gem Christoph will get the army ready in the event that negotiations fail. Mr Shenovok as you are the speaker of the Parliament. I would like you to keep an eye on those Senates. If they show any doubts regarding my authority report to me at once. Minister Lauren, I want you to contact the Prime Minister of the Pataivian Empire. Say that the Emporer requests a reinforcement of fifteen infantry and armoured calvary Army Division and twelve obliterator class fleets. Till then. We must be ready for any possibility... If there are no questions, then go and start preparations immediately.'

'Yes sire we will set off to prepare at once.' said The Orange Gem Cristoph.

'Good. Your dismissed.' said Nicolas as he turned his head towards oleander's direction and gave him a gentle smile. 'So what now?' Oleander asked.

Nicolas replied with a small smile before stabbing his fork into his steak.

Swallowing it with a sip of wine. He glanced at Oleander's plate, realizing that the man had finished eating.

A butler stepped in and took the plate away. 'So what would you do if the Parliament finds out about this?' Oleander asked curiously.

'I'm afraid I can't give an answer yet.' Nicolas replied.

Oleander looked a bit disappointed but tried to cover his emotions.

'Well, that was a good meal. I have to go back to my study now Oleander. See you soon.'

As Nicolas walked back to his study, he still felt uneasy. He thought to himself

'I must get Rooma back, no matter what it costs me.'

to be continued...