Episode 1
The extravagant chandelier shone like a blazing piece of wood, though it was made of fine crystals and gold, it felt as common as firewood. Nox Rainerio glanced away from the unnerving chandelier to cast his gaze downward.
The elevated shoes of the women and the polished, gleaming shoes of the men. The uprightness of their spines, as if matching their elaborate headpieces, and the smiles plastered on their faces served as gauges of their expectations.
“Who would have thought His Imperial Majesty would leave us so abruptly?”
“Indeed, but with the accomplished Crown Prince, what’s there to worry about?”
“Oh dear, he is no longer the Crown Prince; he is His Imperial Majesty now.”
“Ah, what a grave faux pas I’ve made!”
Laughter, laced with greed, filled the air. The Emperor, whose health was believed to be on the mend despite a history of frailty, had suddenly passed away. Nevertheless, not a single person in the party hall seemed to mourn his death. Since the Empress’s son, the Crown Prince, had already passed the age of thirty, what was there to worry about? However, the emotion they harbored wasn’t relief but anticipation and greed.
“At last, the day has come for His Highness the Crown Prince to become the Emperor.”
“I’ve heard there was mention of the diamond mines as well.”
“That’s right. He’s said to divide the mine shares according to one’s contribution to this affair.”
They were like hyenas circling around the remnants left by a lion. The Crown Prince, having just turned thirty, had strong support and perfect legitimacy, but his character and nature were likened to that of a demon from hell.
He indulged in color (pleasure) and amassed wealth by dubious means. He would cut down the head of a loyal adviser who offered candid counsel, sparing no rewards for the sycophants who sweet-talked with a slick tongue.
Those gathered here were such people—not nobles with dignity but beasts warped by greed. And amongst them stood a man, watching them with disdainful eyes.
“Nox.”
Nox Rainerio. The sole son of the Rainerio ducal house.
“You might scare somebody looking like that, smooth out that unsightly frown.”
Nox looked down at his father, Dolan Rainerio, who had shown no semblance of respect to his son and heaved a sigh before continuing with his words, as if to soothe.
“See? All my words were right. The Crown Prince has nothing to trouble him now.”
Nox snorted, without even giving a smile, blatantly ignoring his father. The whining from beside him was audible, but he showed no reaction. This place was inhabited by rotten characters like his father. Unintentionally, a smile crept onto his face. What then, does that make him who stands here?
“His Highness the Crown Prince will arrive soon. Do not make such a face before him.”
Dolan abandoned the effort to scold Nox, opting for a gentle warning instead. Of course, Nox had no intention of souring his face before the soon-to-be Emperor, but neither did he feel like brandishing a broad smile. It was then that Nox finally directed his gaze at his father and whispered quietly.
“Do you really believe His Imperial Majesty died of illness?”
Hearing the whisper, Dolan’s face turned as pale as death. He grabbed Nox’s arm without regard for the stares around them and yanked it, pulling Nox along to a secluded terrace. Dolan looked around nervously before drawing the curtains irritably.
“You’re asking to be beheaded with such talk.”
“Everyone here must already know that.”
“Even so, one must differentiate between what can be voiced and what cannot! How old are you?”
“Twenty-eight.”
“That’s not what I was asking!”
For the first time, the corners of Nox’s mouth tilted upwards. In the dimly lit terrace, his face shadowed, he smiled like a serpent; within this den of snakes, he seemed the largest and foremost of them. But in truth, he was more akin to an outsider who belonged neither with the serpents nor with the flock of swans.
“The Emperor is dead, and a coronation has yet to occur, and here they are, throwing a party first.”
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