"The Imperial Family preserves the sacred purple bloodline through intra-dynastic marriage"
The large pendulum clock rang very audibly in all the halls and walls of the fountain court, bringing everyone out from bed and up on their feet. With towels round their waist and toothbrushes in their mouth, the escorts moved sluggishly and drowsily to the bathhouse in the fountain court, and all without intention, falling into a single line as they moved into the bathhouse.
The showers were warmer and more vivifying than that of the lodge-house, and as they scrubbed their bodies clean, sounds of enlivenment came from almost everyone because of how refurbishing the showers were.
Haniel couldn't stop humming a song melodically as he washed himself; the song was quite popular among the northerners, and those who recognized the song and those who didn't-but were immediately captivated by how harmonious it sounded, all began to sing and hum along with him. They did so for a long while, almost forgetting what they were all here for and ignoring the fact that they were all now wriggling and shaking their nude and completely stark bodies, in front of people they barely just met a few days ago.
Then suddenly, the Master unexpected figure appeared into the bathhouse, almost bringing the young men spirits out of their bare bodies, as they all jumped and flinched back at his sudden presence. The Master was wearing his wide and disturbing smile, and looking to the faces of the naked young men, he crossed his hands behind him and sighed.
'Please, endeavor to bath yourselves quietly and quickly, this isn't a partying place where you can dance and sing without feeling any sense of shame boys' he said harshly and after smiling again in an awkward way, he moved out of the bathhouse.
'Heavens! I almost crapped myself back there!' Raphael exclaimed.
'What's wrong with that old man? And that weird smile he keeps giving us?' Jorai groused.
'Is he even allowed to just walk in here as he pleases? Doesn't he know the meaning of privacy?' Unni put in.
'Look at you talking about privacy…' Mikneiah replied to Unni in a teasing tone as he seized him from the crown of his head and down to the rest of his stark body. Now feeling embarrassed, Unni cringed back into his own enclosed bathing space and shut the small gate made out of finely painted wood that made for a demarcation and a partial concealment for each and every one of them.
Then the young men continued bathing, returning the bathhouse to its once quiet and decorum state, and the sounds of the pattering and splashing of water only heard in the bathhouse.
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The twelve young men were now lined up before a wide spacious fortress that was also within the fountain court but on a far and secluded area in the court. They were all looking about them and wondering why the fortress was rather very distant from rest of the places in the court, and why it was having such ethereal ambience around it. Master Heber then arrived the fortress with a small two-person carriage. He alighted the carriage with Temoa, his assistant, and as he surveyed the fortress, he began to nod his head agreeably.
'You did a great job here Temoa' he said loudly and Temoa, the assistant, beamed with joy at his Master's complimenting words.
'I couldn't have done it without your aid Master, and I knew that as this place was going to be the training fortress, and the emperor would time after time also be in attendance to the prince's training, it therefore should appear worthy of what it would be used for' Temoa replied and the Master nodded again.
'The emperor would be in attendance time after time? I really do hope I just heard that fellow correctly' Unni said silently with his lips almost completely curved towards Mikneiah's direction.
'Ohh, you heard it right' Mikneiah responded.
Cael surely grasped what Temoa just said, it came to him so clear and clean that he didn't need someone else to say it again to him. As soon as those words came out from Temoa's lips, and as soon as they sunk into his ears, Cael became agitated, and he couldn't tell if he was immediately feeling anxious in a good way or a bad way. Was he feeling timid and scared; doubting himself if he could actually achieve his goal in this fortress, or was he feeling impatient and prepared; ready to accomplish his goal right here and probably very soon? He couldn't say, but all he knew was that he could still feel how close he now was to the truth.
And just then, majestic and regal carriages began to enter into the fortress; all the princes were beginning to arrive at the training fortress for their very first training. The training of the princes alongside their escorts was about to begin and it was to begin with the scholarly and historical pedagogy; where the princes are to learn and at the same time be tested of the how well they understood the history of the empire and give their own thoughts about the Imperial rule over the empire for generations and decades now, and the laws and orders that were prevailing in the empire.
The princes' carriages entered the fortress according to their princely status; from the Second Prince to the Eleventh Prince, and they also dismounted their carriages in the same manner. As they started moving dignifiedly towards the entrance of the fortress, Uriel; the Fourth Prince, scurried quickly to Sylven and began to move side by side with him.
'I don't see big brother' Uriel said in a low tone and Sylven nodded calmly to him as he turned to give him a soft answer.
'He's getting a separate training from us, he's the crown prince remember' he replied and Uriel shook his head in attestation.
Then Sylven secretly turned his head before moving into the fortress, to look over to where the escorts were all standing inertly in front of the fortress, and he noticed Cael; his own assigned Escort, looking with hesitation towards the princes' carriages, as if he was expecting to see someone dearly. Sylven shifted his gaze to where the carriages were, curious of what the young man was desperately searching for, before they could enter into the fortress.
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"The Imperial Family preserves the sacred bloodline line through intra-dynastic marriages"
"The crown prince is to be joined together with the Imperial daughters so as to maintain the sacredness and purity of the Imperial Family…"
The Royal Instructor; appointed to be the head over the princes' training; Master Tochen, explicated to the princes and their escorts as he moved here and there on the podium which was above the arena where the princes were all seated on individual desks, and having their escorts seated opposite them. Master Tochen then paused from pacing about the podium and crossed his hands which had a wooden stick in it, behind his back, looking carefully to the princes and then to the Royal examiners seated at his left hand-side, before he finally shifted his gaze to a large and raised encircled court, which was on his right hand side, and which was also concealed round about with silk and slightly translucent curtains. It was the inner-court designed only for the emperor, where he would be settled in whenever he was present to witness the princes' training. The emperor has not yet arrived the training fortress, but news of the fact that he would be in attendance too during the training, seem to agitate many of them, even the princes' themselves.
Master Tochen returned his gaze to the princes' and then continued moving about the podium, now tapping the wooden stick in his right-hand unto his left palms.
"Over the years, many concerns and arguments have risen towards the Imperial Covenant on Imperial marriages and matrimonies, especially in such a time where no daughters had been born into the Imperial Family'
'Eight wives, Twelve Princes, and zero princesses'
"…Well, as you all must have been aware, in such a situation where the Imperial Family was not able to conceive daughters to itself, daughters of the Nobles and Noblesses, are drafted in and covenanted into the sacred blood oath before they are finally brought into the Imperial Family'
Master Tochen paused.
'Your first training as princes' and as escorts to your princes' would be on these matters: "Who may marry the crown prince?" "Why is it that Noble daughters from Lords and Overlords are the only ones recruited into the Purple Covenant? Why cannot the princes choose whom they wish to marry in that wise?"
Then Master Tochen concluded. He heaved a deep sigh before he turned himself and returned to his chair that was behind the podium.
Decorum prevailed in the house. All the princes were all seated quietly and their escorts likewise. To the princes, they knew what was now expected of them, to give their opinions and suggestions, in short, they were to put forth their own thoughts about the same topic but very cautiously at that. The Royal Examiners were present too, and anything they were to say would be taken as a part of the test, recorded down and evaluated.
Well, as for the escorts, they were all confused. Should they speak? Are they allowed to speak? Or maybe all they were expected to do was to just seat still and observe all that the prince in front of them would do.
'It is rather very reasonable for Noble daughters from High Noble houses to only be recruited into the Imperial Family. When we look back into the History of Imperialism, these same event had also occurred; where only sons were born into the Imperial Family and daughters were absent. The idea of recruiting daughters from the High Noble houses were always adopted in these events…"
"Noble houses are bound by ancient oaths to the throne. A Noble daughter marries with her house and with that, her loyalty is reinforced by fear of collective retribution. "Why daughters are only recruited from Noble families?" A Noble daughter is born already knowing silence, sacrifice and consequence, this is not about superiority, but predictability. A commoner has nothing to lose in this case"
Azel's omniscient voice sounded in the room, turning everybody's head towards him and his Escort; Haniel. A little proud smile immediately fell on Haniel's lips; proud of what an intelligent prince he has been assigned to. He looked over to Jorai, giving his secretive and daring glances, his expression vividly saying "You're not the only smart one here".
'…Noble families are believed to carry generational memory- custom, restraint, and political instinct.' Neel put forth clearly, raising himself up high as he spoke.
'Each marriage to the Imperial Family, rewards loyalty, prevents rebellion and keeps powerful houses invested in Imperial survival. And Noble daughters are not only just chosen and covenanted, they are tested to breaking point. Imperial marriages is governance too, and not only family.' Neel continued and Dan's voice suddenly followed as soon as he kept silent.
'Well, doesn't that mean the Covenant itself is but political and not divine? Yes, recruiting daughters based on intelligence, discipline and loyalty isn't a bad idea, but training? Isn't that just a way of forging purity and not inheriting it?' Dan said with an apprehensive look on his face, as every attention was now drawn to him.
'Desire is a political weakness if so then. Imperial philosophy teaches that love blinds judgement, attachment clouds succession. If a prince chooses whom to marry, the prince becomes personally compromised. "A chosen wife commands influence while an appointed wife serves order"
Sylven said swiftly, not wanting to remove his gaze from off the young man who was seated in front of him. Then he sighed, disappointed with the fact that Cael wasn't even willing to look up at him, but kept taking furtive glances over to the inner-court.
'The Covenant is not just blood-it is submission to permanence. Any shift in its principles would mean that the emperor is no longer sacred, the empire becomes mortal and the throne becomes contestable. The emperor or the crown prince is expected to put aside any attachment that might becloud his reasoning and his responsibilities towards the empire he's called to rule' Sylven continued and just then, Cael raised his head slowly to look deep into his green eyes. The gaze Cael suddenly gave him appeared so emotion-filled and resentful, as if Sylven's words had triggered something bitter and doubtful within him.
Sylven face relaxed. As Cael kept staring at him in such manner, it seemed to confuse him and at the same time, make him feel guilty, as if he had just said something he wasn't supposed to say.
And just then, Master Tochen returned to the podium, smiling and nodding his head agreeably.
'You are not born to be fulfilled, you are born to endure.' He said and then nodded his head again.
'Let's take a little break at this moment as we await the emperor's arrival' he finalized and then moved down the podium.
The emperor strolled steadily through the formal gardens of the fountain court, he was clad in his casual royal apparel, and his crown upon his head. His hands was clasped behind him and he moved with grace, surveying the fountain court and affirming to its beauty. Ethan was as usual, following him closely behind and having a bamboo umbrella over his head to shed him from the radiant sun.
'I cannot just understand why you decided on journeying to the training fortress on foot. What if something should happen?' Ethan blurted out tetchily as he frowned in secret to the emperor decision to not arrive the fountain court inside an Imperial carriage.
'What should happen Ethan? This is still the Palace and you are my personal knight, so tell me, what could happen seeing I have you here to escort me?' the emperor replied, having his usual regal smile on his lips.
'But… this is the first day of the training, why should the princes and even their assigned escorts, see the emperor arriving the training fortress on foot? Isn't that just…' Ethan continued to grouse.
'Humiliating to the Imperial family? Degrading my authority?' the emperor chipped in.
'I wouldn't say such about…'
'Oh, come on Ethan! That same sentence again! At the end of the day, you would still tell me the same thing once I command your honest response' the emperor blurt out and then began to chuckle softly at the gallant fellow behind him.
'Just for today Ethan. The emperor would like to stretch his leg muscles a little, just for to…'
And suddenly, before the emperor could finish with his statement, he forcefully bent down towards the ground, letting his crown fall to the ground, and with a severe coughing, blood began gushing out from his mouth. He coughed and vomited so much blood in a fast uncontrolled manner that made the knight immediately afraid and overwhelmed with grave terror.
'YOUR MAJESTY!!!' He yelled out loud and instantly, every guard, every servant and every maid that was within and without the fountain court, fell straightway on their knees and buried their foreheads into the earth, not daring to lift up their heads or even move a muscle in the position they were all now assuming.
The knight quickly picked the emperor up from his feet and carried on his arms. As he turned, a young fellow suddenly appeared behind them and the knight slanted his head to relay a message to the young man.
'You clean this up and you ensure that not a word gets out of this place about what just happened now. No one should even think of breathing about it' he commanded and the young man immediately nodded his head swiftly in response.
**********
Everyone was still etched upon their seats, waiting for and expecting the emperor's arrival. The sun has completely risen up in the skies and was violently beating down on the earth with his beams. The heat of the sun had likewise circulated into the training fortress, making every one sweaty and tired from the long stressing wait.
And out of nowhere, Jorai took out his fan and spread it out pompously and without even looking at anyone's face, he began to blow himself gently in a swift gallant manner, not minding what others would think about it. Haniel was trying to signal to him to be less of the self-conceited fool he was and to direct the fanning towards his prince who was also watching him with a surprised and incredulous look. But Jorai would always be Jorai; nothing else comes first except himself.
Just then, an Imperial guard entered hastily into the training fortress and moved directly to where the Master Instructor, Tochen, was and whispered something into his ears. After he was done, he bowed to the Master and moved back out of the training fortress. Then Master Tochen let out a slight false coughing, trying to clear his throat before turning to look to the princes again.
'Okay, due to some reason, the emperor had sent message that he won't be able to make it to the training today. And because of that, we would have no other choice but to declare our training for today, over. Let us gather tomorrow in this same place, again. You're all dismissed.' He concluded and after bowing, he moved down the podium and walked towards Master Heber's direction.
All the princes then stood up on their feet with their escorts too, and they all began to move out of the training fortress, everyone having a desperate question and enquiry they wanted to ask themselves.
Cael on his on part wasn't expecting to ask anybody any question. Yes, he was definitely feeling disappointed about not getting to see the emperor today, but some other feeling and thought pre-occupied him than that of feeling disappointed.
"The emperor or the crown prince is expected to put aside any possible attachment that might becloud his reasoning and the responsibilities he's to play towards the empire he's called to rule'
The Second Prince's words resounded clearly in his head and Cael frowned distastefully at them. Was that the reason his father was killed? Was his father that "attachment" that beclouded the emperor; the crown prince then, his judgements and his reasoning? All those rumors and lies they told about his father that finally led to his humiliating demise; was it a way of putting aside any possible attachment that might disturb the emperor?
'Cael'
The Second Prince's voice came behind him, waking him up from his bitter thinking. He immediately stopped walking and after folding his hands into a fist, trying to quickly suppress him emotions, he turned to face the prince and bowed to him slowly.
'Err… about back there, in the fortress, err…I am sorry if anything I said had offended you one way or the other, I noticed you weren't really pleased with my words' the Second Prince said solemnly, showing how much sincere he really was with his statement.
He paused and waited patiently for a reaction from Cael. Cael then nodded and forcefully swallowed a large gulp of his saliva.
'It's….it's nothing…my…My Prince' he pushed out of his mouth.
'What you said kind of like… reminded me of something that happened in my past, well, not that it's connected to the topic or whatsoever, it just…it just came to me and…I felt…I felt a little annoyed, that's all.' Cael responded, still stammering as always. Well, he wasn't to be blamed, this was his first time doing all these Escort-Prince conversation.
Sylven then smiled alluringly to him, concealing how delighted he was to hear Cael speak back to him again, and this time, longer and lengthier. He then coughed slightly, wiping the smile from off his lips before folding his hands to glare at Cael this time around.
'Your reason for coming to the Palace; it's because you wanted to see the emperor, isn't it?' he blurt out and Cael immediately raised up his head, giving Sylven a wide and astound look at his unexpected question.
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