Children of the Holy Emperor

The grand birthday celebration of the Holy Emperor was only a fortnight away.

As one of the biggest events in Delcross approached, the imperial palace bustled with noticeable activity. Servants were busy thoroughly cleaning and decorating the entire palace, while a stream of supplies from outside flowed into the palace storerooms.

Dignitaries from foreign lands began to arrive one after another.

Diplomatic envoys bearing congratulatory gifts from distant countries continually requested audiences, leaving the Holy Emperor scarcely a moment’s rest. Consequently, regular audiences with his children seemed impossible for the foreseeable future.

Relatively idle, the princes and princesses spent their days in peace, occasionally dealing with tailors who visited the palace to create formal attire.

“Ah, this is the Henesys longsword. I’ve always thought so, but Arjuna is truly a beautiful sword,” Amelia admired, running her fingers along the elegantly wavy silver blade. She had borrowed the sword from Logan for a moment to examine it.

It was a beloved sword of the strongest swordsman in the East. After General Gale’s death, it proudly made its way into the royal treasury, befitting its status as a treasured weapon.

The blade was meticulously engraved with intricate patterns, while the narrow guard and pommel were delicately and elegantly adorned.

“I wish I had one like this. With such a sword, it would be easier to apply the Weiloz martial arts method to swordsmanship,” Amelia mused, swinging Arjuna in her hands with envy.

Back when she enjoyed playing with Nutcracker, she had a hidden desire for weapons, it seems.

“Then, why not consider getting one? A Henesys longsword would suit you well,” Logan suggested kindly, smiling. Amelia, wielding the slender longsword, looked quite convincing.

“That’s a good idea. How long would it take to custom make one?”

“There probably aren’t artisans in Delcross specializing in Henesys swords. However, I believe there are a few fine swords stored in the royal treasury. Maybe you could ask for one?”

“Really? But it’s a treasured sword. Would His Majesty really give one to me?”

“I received a sword when I was very young. Back then, there was quite a fuss about giving a child a treasured weapon, but our Royal Father didn’t even blink an eye.”

Encouraged by his optimistic view, Amelia nodded with renewed enthusiasm.

“I see. I should ask about it.”

“If you request it, why would a treasured sword be an issue? His Majesty might even gladly offer a sacred relic.”

And so, the two of them looked at each other and shared a warm smile.

How heartwarming. Truly heartwarming, but…

Listening quietly to their conversation, Seongjin couldn’t help but express his annoyance.

“That’s all fine, but why are you doing this here, of all places?”

That is, Logan and Amelia were currently in the Pearl Palace. They were enjoying a conversation while watching Seongjin’s etiquette lesson.

Looking at him with their innocent eyes, Seongjin sighed deeply.

Not all princes and princesses were idle. To Seongjin, who had almost no experience as a prince, an etiquette teacher had been unexpectedly assigned.

Even the laissez-faire Holy Emperor thought it necessary to teach him the basics when foreign dignitaries started to arrive.

As a result, Seongjin’s time for martial arts practice significantly decreased, making him increasingly irritable.

He needed to transform this stress into training soon!

“Still, thanks to your sword training, your basic posture isn’t bad. I don’t think you need much correction,” Amelia noted.

“Right. Morres has a natural presence just by standing still. With a few key etiquettes, you’ll be an impeccable prince,” Logan added, comforting Seongjin like soothing a child. The etiquette teacher watching nearby chuckled endearingly.

These people, really!

Seongjin’s ordeal didn’t end there. As soon as the etiquette lesson was over, dance lessons had to begin.

The birthday celebration spanned three days around the Holy Emperor’s birthday, and princes and princesses over thirteen were required to attend the main banquet. He couldn’t simply excuse himself from such an important event, despite his incomplete memories.

Additionally, there were social gatherings and formal dinners with foreign dignitaries planned in various palaces starting next week, as well as numerous smaller parties hosted by archbishops and nobles in the townhouses throughout the capital for three weeks.

Such social obligations of the upper class were truly bothersome.

“Despite everything, Morres seems to learn physical activities quickly. You picked up dancing just as fast as swordsmanship,” Amelia said, smiling as she lightly stepped in rhythm, holding Seongjin’s hand.

During the dance lesson, she had become his partner, and her skilled assistance made it easier for him to learn

“Is that so? That’s fortunate. I used to struggle with dancing, causing my teachers much trouble…”

Logan, who was casually observing them, suddenly stopped speaking and closed his mouth, realizing he had momentarily forgotten that the current Seongjin was not the real Morres.

Amelia looked at Logan quizzically, and Seongjin quickly picked up the conversation.

“I used to be quite poor at swordsmanship as well.”

“…Yes, that’s true.”

“People do evolve, after all.”

“…Indeed.”

Amelia sensed a brief awkwardness between the two but, failing to discern anything amiss, simply tilted her head in mild confusion.

Looking at Logan, who awkwardly fiddled with a fairytale book beside him, Seongjin recalled a conversation they had not long ago.

—Right. You’re not just a simple spirit, Seongjin. I think we can have a friendly relationship moving forward.

After that late-night conversation, as Logan was about to return to the Blue Rose Palace, he spoke to Seongjin.

—However, I must find the real Morres. Even if our relationship isn’t what it used to be, he’s still my dear brother. So…

Hesitating briefly, Logan then looked directly at Seongjin, struggling to continue.

—So, if Morres returns… can you promise to give his body back?

It was merely a request to return his brother’s body, yet Logan looked as if he was asking Seongjin to die, guilt written all over his face. Such a tender-hearted fool.

—Sure, it’s no big deal. I’m technically dead, anyway.

Sensing Seongjin’s sincere agreement, Logan smiled, relieved.

—…Thank you.

Since that day, Logan treated Seongjin as if he truly were his brother. Needless to say, Amelia and Masain were overjoyed, hoping their relationship would return to how it once was.

Yet, Logan never directly referred to Seongjin as Morres.

“What should we do about attending the banquet? Logan used to escort me, but since Morres doesn’t remember, I’m a bit worried about leaving him alone.”

As Amelia held Seongjin’s hand and spun around, her light dress fluttered like flower petals, captivating even the dance instructor with her ethereal beauty.

After pondering her question, Logan replied.

“This year, Cecily will be attending the banquet for the first time. I think it’s best if I assist her.”

“Isn’t Cecily just 12 years old?”

“She’s officially recognized as a saint by the Holy Church. Although it’s a bit early, the council decided it’s time for her to make an appearance before the dignitaries.”

The youngest princess, who had been on a pilgrimage, was soon to return.

Amelia nodded in understanding.

“I see. Herna and Gades will also be attending for the first time, but they should be fine since they’ll be together.”

Clever as snakes, those little ones. They wouldn’t likely be overwhelmed at their first banquet.

“Then it’s decided. This time, I’ll escort Morres, right?”

“…Isn’t it usually the other way around?”

Amelia laughed heartily, turning and stepping in rhythm to Seongjin’s bemused expression.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll make sure to protect you until the banquet ends.”

“……”

“Morres will always be under my protection.”

Seongjin was at a loss for words.

Is she really treating Morres, who is only a year younger than her, like a child?

Finally, the tedious lesson time ended in the late afternoon.

Feeling liberated, Seongjin excitedly headed to the training grounds, only to find that both Logan and Amelia had followed, idly lounging around.

Seriously, don’t they have anything better to do?

“Dimlos, the lieutenant, suddenly had to go on a long-term assignment. So, there won’t be any spear training for a while,” Amelia explained, already seated in a meditative pose beside Seongjin.

“I decided to practice here while you train. Watching Morres practice is quite instructive.”

Even Logan began his warm-up exercises in front of them.

“There’s no training ground in the Blue Rose Palace. Using the Knight Order’s ground feels like I’m intruding on the others’ training, so I feel guilty.”

Can’t you see the Pearl Palace knights crammed in that corner?

Hoping for some intervention, Seongjin looked towards Masain, who turned his head away, tears welling in his eyes.

“It’s like returning to childhood. To see Your Highness getting along so well with your siblings, I have no more regrets.”

Ah, it was my mistake to expect anything from him.

Seongjin grumbled inwardly as he prepared for meditation.

As Seongjin had been eagerly anticipating to build the seventh layer of his aura, he found it hard to concentrate with the company around him. However, once he settled down, he surprisingly found himself immersed in his inner world.

Wrapped in a small whirlwind, as usual, Seongjin completed his meditation satisfactorily, just like any other day. He was slightly startled when he opened his eyes to find both Amelia and Logan staring intently at him.

Amelia looked somewhat proud, while Logan appeared surprised.

“I thought only our Royal Father could materialize aura so effortlessly…”

Aura materialization?

“Isn’t it amazing? I was really shocked when I first saw it,” Amelia chimed in.

“Indeed. Despite not having exceptional aura affinity, the speed at which you’ve built layers is remarkable,” Logan said seriously, nodding his head.

More sensitive to the flow of aura than others, Logan could clearly discern what was happening with Seongjin.

Commonly, those who build aura layers quickly are said to have good aura affinity, but strictly speaking, this isn’t entirely accurate. Even if one naturally absorbs aura easily, without proper control, they can’t build layers quickly. The challenge lies in stabilizing the aura in a fixed state.

On the other hand, even if one’s affinity is slightly lower, if they become adept at manipulating aura, they can accelerate the layering and cultivation process.

Morres’s body wasn’t inherently gifted with high aura affinity.

Even though the Holy Emperor had forced a massive amount of aura into him, improving his affinity significantly, he still couldn’t absorb aura as naturally as Logan, or compared to the Holy Emperor, whose body seemed to be made of aura.

Yet, the ease with which he was building and moving aura layers indicated that he was already at a level where the aura moved according to his will.

Amelia piped up, her lips puckering like a chick’s.

“You’d be really surprised to know how he manipulates aura on a whim. Recently, he nearly died by ignoring the cultivation method and stirring the aura inside his body recklessly. He got a severe scolding from His Majesty for that.”

“…Is that true?”

Logan looked at Seongjin with wide, astonished eyes.

What? Why?

“You really need to be careful when using aura in the future. I don’t know why, but the way you manipulate aura seems different from others. It’s as if your body lacks basic control.”

“Isn’t it supposed to be controlled? Why?”

Wasn’t it just a matter of releasing the flow differently than the cultivation method?

However, Logan’s expression was more serious than expected.

“Of course. Normally, you can’t just ignore the flow like that because it’s bothersome. The body naturally resists such movements.”

“Why? It’s just letting flow what’s already moving in the body, right?”

“Think about it. Can you rip off and swing around your skin just because you feel hot? Can you vomit out all your internal organs because your stomach feels uneasy?”

“Uh…”

Seongjin blinked, momentarily lost for words.

That analogy hit home…

Wait, actually imagining it is kind of terrifying.