Chapter 55: The Gathering Storm
The Everhart carriage rolled through the cobbled streets of the imperial capital, its black and crimson banners fluttering in the crisp morning breeze. Pedestrians paused, their eyes widening at the sight of the Grand Duke's insignia—a mark of power, fear, and authority.
Inside the carriage, Leonhardt sat in silence, his fiery red eyes watching the city through the window.
They were heading to the imperial palace.
It was a place filled with schemers, power-hungry nobles, and men who hid daggers behind polite smiles.
But Leonhardt wasn't concerned.
At ten years old, he was already stronger, smarter, and more dangerous than the nobles who ruled these halls.
Still, the imperial summons had been unexpected.
Sitting across from him, his father, Aldric Everhart, studied a letter bearing the emperor's golden seal. His crimson gaze flickered over the words before he sighed.
"The emperor is gathering the noble families for a formal court session."
Leonhardt raised an eyebrow. "A court session? For what purpose?"
Aldric smirked. "That is what we will find out."
Arrival at the Imperial Palace
The Everhart carriage pulled into the grand palace courtyard, where knights in gleaming armor lined the path leading to the entrance.
As soon as Leonhardt and his father stepped out, whispers spread among the gathered nobles.
"The Everharts have arrived."
"The demon of the battlefield and his monstrous son…"
"The emperor must have summoned them for a reason."
Leonhardt ignored them. He didn't care for their opinions.
A servant in golden robes approached and bowed deeply.
"Grand Duke Everhart. Young Lord Everhart. His Majesty awaits you in the council chamber."
Aldric gave a nod, and together, father and son strode into the palace.
The imperial court awaited them.
The Noble Gathering
Inside the grand council chamber, the most powerful noble families had already assembled.
Dukes, marquises, and counts sat in designated seats, their expressions ranging from composed to tense. The emperor's advisors stood in the background, watching with careful eyes.
At the head of the room, seated on an ornate golden throne, was Emperor Hadrian Aurelius Regulus—the ruler of the empire.
He was a man in his late forties, with sharp golden eyes and a presence that commanded absolute authority. His royal robes shimmered under the sunlight that streamed through the stained-glass windows, making him look almost divine.
As Leonhardt and Aldric entered, all eyes turned to them.
The emperor's gaze locked onto them, unreadable.
Then, he spoke.
"Grand Duke Everhart. Young Lord Everhart. You have arrived."
Aldric bowed slightly. "As summoned, Your Majesty."
Leonhardt remained silent, his expression cold but respectful.
The emperor gestured for them to take their seats.
"We have much to discuss."
The Hidden Threat
The court session began with discussions about politics, trade, and military affairs.
Leonhardt listened, uninterested. These matters were mere formalities.
But then—
The topic shifted.
**"There have been rumors of unrest at the empire's borders."**One of the nobles spoke, his voice cautious.
The emperor's gaze sharpened. "Yes. A faction in the eastern territories has begun to act suspiciously."
Murmurs spread through the chamber.
Leonhardt's eyes narrowed slightly.
Unrest at the borders…
A prelude to war?
The emperor turned to Aldric. "Grand Duke Everhart. I trust you are already aware of these movements?"
Aldric nodded. "I am. The Everhart forces have been monitoring the situation closely."
The emperor's gaze shifted to Leonhardt. "And you, young Everhart? What are your thoughts?"
Silence filled the chamber.
The nobles held their breath, eager to hear what the youngest genius in history had to say.
Leonhardt met the emperor's gaze without hesitation.
"Unrest is merely the first sign of something greater. If left unchecked, it will lead to war."
A few nobles scoffed.
"War? From mere border disputes?"
"He's just a child. What does he know of war?"
But the emperor's expression remained unreadable.
Then, he chuckled.
"Your mind is sharp, Leonhardt Valerian Everhart."
The tension in the room eased slightly.
The emperor leaned back in his throne. "For now, we will continue to observe. But should the situation escalate…" His golden eyes flickered. "The empire will not hesitate to act."
Leonhardt simply nodded.
He already knew.
This was only the beginning.
Aetheria's Watchful Eyes
Far away, in the holy city of the Sun God's kingdom, Aetheria Nyx Lunaris Solis sat on a marble balcony, gazing at the stars.
A soft breeze played with her silvery-white hair, making it shimmer under the moonlight.
Her violet eyes, speckled with silver, were distant.
She had felt it.
A shift in the world's balance.
Something was coming.
Something inevitable.
She closed her eyes and whispered, "Leonhardt…"
Across the empire, in the imperial palace, he felt it too.
A faint whisper. A call across time and space.
He didn't know why—
But tonight, the moon felt closer than ever.