It was the morning of July 29th, in the Imperial Palace of the Whale Terrarium.
With a "clang," the white-haired youth pushed open the door and shuffled into the King's chamber.
Cezar looked up to see Empress Carolina sitting on a leather chair in front of the bookshelf, gazing down at a wooden photo frame. Turning his gaze, he saw the old King, hair white as snow, lying on the bed with hands folded on his chest, sleeping serenely.
"Mother, you called for me?" he finally spoke after a moment of silence.
"I heard from the guards that you protected the town from a beast tide last night?" Carolina asked.
"Yes, it was I."
Cezar nodded.
Carolina set down the frame in her hands and lifted her head: "You've grown… I'm surprised that the leopard in my memory, as frail as a girl, could achieve such feats."
She paused briefly, then continued with a slight reserve:
