Morning light bathed the imperial palace in gold.
It was the same light that had blessed the Luminis Empire for over a thousand years—pure, orderly, and obedient.
Yet on this morning, the light hesitated.
Servants paused mid-step. Court mages frowned as their detection tools produced inconsistent readings. Even the floating crystal lamps above the palace corridors shimmered as if unsure how brightly they were permitted to shine.
All of it traced back to one place.
The eastern wing.
The chambers of the Second Prince.
Aurelian Lucentis awoke before dawn.
He had not slept deeply.
Not because of anxiety or excitement—but because light kept responding.
Each time his consciousness drifted, the ambient radiance in the room subtly adjusted, as though awaiting instruction. The phenomenon ceased only when he consciously restrained it.
Passive influence confirmed, Aurelian concluded while dressing. Sustained suppression requires focus.
He exhaled softly.
This was already more troublesome than expected.
The imperial summons arrived shortly after sunrise.
Not a messenger.
A decree.
Golden parchment inscribed with divine script hovered before his door, the emperor's seal blazing at its center.
"Second Prince Aurelian Lucentis," the decree intoned, "you are commanded to attend the Hall of Sovereignty immediately."
No room for refusal.
Aurelian stepped forward.
The parchment dissolved into light.
The Hall of Sovereignty was rarely used.
It was not a place for ceremonies or celebrations—but for decisions that reshaped the empire.
Pillars of condensed light rose to the domed ceiling. Ancient seals pulsed faintly beneath the floor. Every noble present stood in rigid silence.
At the far end sat Emperor Lucius Lucentis.
To his right, the High Bishop.
To his left, the Crown Prince.
Aurelian walked alone to the center.
"Kneel," a minister whispered automatically.
Lucius raised a hand.
"No," the emperor said calmly. "Let him stand."
A ripple passed through the hall.
This alone was unprecedented.
"Yesterday," Lucius began, his voice echoing through the chamber, "the empire witnessed an anomaly. One that cannot—and will not—be addressed with ignorance or panic."
He looked directly at Aurelian.
"You possess an authority beyond our records."
Aurelian inclined his head slightly. "That appears to be the case."
Some nobles bristled at the calm response.
Lucius continued.
"Therefore, by imperial decree, I assign you the title of Prince-Regent of Illumination."
Shock exploded through the hall.
A regent.
Not a successor.
Not a spare.
But a pillar.
"This title grants you jurisdiction over light-related research, ritual authorization, and emergency override of imperial light systems," Lucius declared. "You will not interfere with succession. You will not command armies. You will exist as balance."
Aurelian processed the decree instantly.
Authority without visibility. Power without legitimacy.
Clever.
"I accept," he said.
Caelum's fingers tightened.
Restrictions followed.
Holy seals were etched—non-invasive, adaptive, and observatory in nature. Surveillance masked as protection. Escorts framed as honor guards.
Aurelian allowed all of it.
None of the seals affected his core.
They couldn't.
Later that day, in the crown prince's chambers—
"Father," Caelum said tightly, "you're giving him too much."
Lucius did not look up from the documents in his hand.
"No," he replied. "I am giving him just enough that he has no reason to take more."
Caelum fell silent.
"Remember this," the emperor continued. "Power that exists without a place will always seek one."
Night fell.
Aurelian stood on a balcony overlooking Solaria.
The city glowed.
Every street. Every ward. Every prayer.
Light flowed through it all—and through him.
He raised a hand.
Far across the city, a failing ward stabilized.
No incantation.
No delay.
Emergency override confirmed, he noted.
Behind him, unseen seals recorded the event.
Aurelian smiled faintly.
"So this is my role," he murmured. "The empire's silent failsafe."
Far above the clouds, the Goddess of Light watched.
And for the first time—
She felt her dominion shared.