Chapter 6
"Dauntless Emperor"
Adrian dreamt about a mountain, grandeur snow on the summit. Amidst the mysterious fog that veiled the mountain, he tried to climb to the top, as if trying to find something. On the bed, he was rambling unclearly while his subconscious mind imagined an unknown place.
However, as he almost climbed to the peak, his legs unexpectedly slipped. He was sent down in an immense speed, before the nightmare shifted to another dream. All of the sudden changes truly mystified him, but this dream puzzled him even more.
A whisper gently spoke to his ears, a familiar voice he once heard. The voice gradually became louder, as it tried to call Adrian's name.
Adrian…
Heed me, please.
Would you come back?
Or abandon me here, alone?
I'm scared….
All he saw was only a pitch black, bandaging his vision in his dream. The voice reminded him about someone, but he was unsure about it. Until the whisper finally made its ultimate ramblings.
Do not fall into treachery.
The word baffled him until he managed to wake up from those odd dreams, he was stunned on his bed while he was also panting. He looked at the blue curtains which closed the windows, preventing someone from seeing him from outside. He didn't understand the meaning behind the dreams, all he could do was to comfort himself.
What the… what the hell was that?
As he walked toward the windows, he gently withdrew the curtain and tried to see the outside. However, he only saw a dark sky, illuminated by the light from the houses below it. He thought for a moment, and he was sure it's still nighttime.
He went back to his bed, he let out a heavy breath before leaning back to the mattress. He immediately covered his face with both hands, after that he once again stared at the ceiling. As his vision began to blur, Adrian could only let himself fall into slumber once more.
By the night consumed by the light, the sun rose from the horizon on the east. The birds sang the heavenly chorus in the morning, another beginning of day. The warm radiance of the sun penetrated through the blue-curtains, and the scent of baked bread flowed through the road.
Adrian tenderly opened his eyes, the blur image of his room displayed in his vision. After his vision was clear, Adrian groaned while he was stretching his arms up. He then swabbed his eyes softly, before standing up and going to take a bath. He grabbed a towel from his wardrobe, until he was puzzled where the bathroom was located.
Until he noticed a door near the exit door of his room, he twisted the door's handle and went inside. He saw a toilet on the left corner, he noticed a mirror on his left and also a sink. On the right side, there was a bath with a white curtain. All the walls were so clean, painted in white color.
This kingdom is so advanced, I don't even know there is a sink in this medieval-like era. Adrian muttered to himself, before he entered the bath and began to wash himself.
After taking a bath, Adrian then went to his wardrobe and thought for a while only to choose what clothes he preferred to wear.
All the clothes look majestic in style, nope, I prefer the casual one. Adrian mumbled to himself, before he finally made a decision to wear the same clothes like before.
After wearing the clothes, Adrian suddenly heard a knock on the door. The knock was kinda slow yet loud.
Knock!
Knock!
Adrian loudly answered the knock, "Come on in!"
After was given permission to enter, a maid went inside Adrian's room and gently said, "Sir Cadeyrn, Princess Rosey would like you to come to the dining room. She is waiting for you now."
"Okay, tell her I will come soon." Adrian replied while still trying to mimic Cadeyrn's personality.
The maid could only nod at him in a respectful way, before she closed the door gently. Adrian was so confused, why a few people called him with the prefix of, 'Sir.'
It's kinda strange, why so many people call me with the title of, 'Sir.' Am I living in the alternative United Kingdom? How ridiculous.
After contemplating that, Adrian then went to the dining room like last night. Along the way, he deliberately tried to sync his steps, he thought it could work to imitate another possible personality of Cadeyrn.
Afterwards, Adrian arrived at the place, the dining room's door was opened by a maid. Inside, he saw Rosey and other royal family members except for Ludwig. His chair was empty, Adrian was confused by that.
Adrian then sat on his chair, while the maids prepared napkins and a plate for him. With curiosity, Adrian then asked Rosey, "Um… Rosey? Where's Ludwig? Why is he not here?"
Rosey, who was focused with her breakfast, was baffled by the question. She was startled why Cadeyrn for the first time cared for Ludwig, the chance for it to happen was impossible. Softly and tenderly, Rosey replied, "Ludwig had finished his breakfast, even before we came."
Adrian nodded his head, while King Conrad was happy for his son to care for his older brother. The King then said, "What a surprise, my son for the first time cares for his older brother!"
Queen Elizabeth and the others could only faintly laugh at that, Adrian could only smile while his face reddened in embarrassment.
…
After breakfast, Adrian then returned to his room. Along the way, his curiosity was suddenly taken in. He then walked toward the library he used to see yesterday, with a tender push, Adrian went inside the library. He saw a giant library, a long bookshelf was attached to the walls on the left side. There were three long-sized tables facing south, also wooden benches where Adrian spotted a figure who was sitting and reading a book.
"Ludwig?" Adrian spontaneously spoke at the figure.
Ludwig, who was surprised by the sudden appearance of Cadeyrn, suddenly asked Adrian in an annoyed tone.
"Cadeyrn? Why are you here? Don't you usually go around and bother everyone?
"Why are you here? Do you want to bother me?"
Adrian, who was stepped aback by the question, could only tremble in confusion. Adrian then responded to Ludwig in a trembling tone, "B-but… I just want to-"
"Agh! My mood to read this book is gone!" Ludwig replied in an annoyed tone, cutting Adrian's answer.
Ludwig then stood and left his book on the table, he then passed by Adrian and went to his room in a peeved mood. Adrian felt guilty, he just wanted to explore his new home but instead he got a treatment like this. He didn't care about it, for he knew Ludwig was only annoyed by Cadeyrn's personality.
With an awkward feeling, Adrian went to the exact place where Ludwig sat earlier. Until his gaze was shifted to a book which was read by Ludwig previously, the book's cover was colored with dark-pale-green color. The title which was written in Trimatus language read, "The Biography of Emperor Verbius."
It's odd, I can read symbols and understand them? How odd, what kind of language is this? Adrian mumbled to himself, he was surprised he could understand such foreign words.
While he was questioning himself, a sudden sound of an opened door pierced his ears. He immediately shifted his sight to the sound, and he saw an unknown figure. The unknown figure wore chiton-type clothing like the ancient Greeks, the color was whitish. His wavy hair was colored black, and his eyes were pale blue like the ocean. The appearance of the man was like a man in his thirties.
"Hey, Sir Cadeyrn! Why are you here? Don't you usually go around? It's odd, you know!"
The man approached Adrian and sat beside him, in confusion, the man asked Adrian, "What kind of book are you reading? I was surprised by you, a Cadeyrn reading a book?"
Adrian anxiously answered the man's question, "Um… this is the book read by Ludwig previously, and I don't even read it."
"Oh? Prince Ludwig? Uh… well, it's strange when you come to the library. I don't even see a single moment where you enter this place, this place is like a forbidden place for you, I think." The man uttered, followed by a faint laugh.
I think this man likes joking, and it's funny for me. Adrian muttered to himself, while trying to hold his laugh.
"Um… do I know you?" Adrian asked the man curiously.
Stunned by Adrian's question, the man was flabbergasted before replying, "Your pass out is kinda severe, I reckon. Well then, I must reintroduce myself.
"My name is Thyatis, Sir Cadeyrn. It's kinda hurt to hear you forgetting my name."
Adrian confusedly replied, "T-Thyatis? I think it's a cool name!"
Thyatis who heard that instantly was surprised, with a baffled expression he replied, "Holy God! For the first time I heard you commend me! I think the pass out is truly serious, Sir Cadeyrn!"
Adrian could only smile while observing the overreacting man. It's so funny to have someone like that.
After clearing his throat, Thyatis then curiously grabbed the book lying in front of Adrian. Carefully he was examining every detail in the book's cover, he then gently asked Adrian, "Sir Cadeyrn would you like for me to read this book for you? I love to tell stories, you know!"
"I think yes? I love story too! Go on!" Adrian replied excitedly.
Surprised by the excitement of Cadeyrn, Thyatis then withdrew the first page and solemnly read the book to Adrian.
"This book was written by Tylibus Farken, the famed writer from the early Age of Vow. His pieces are so mind-blowing, he even influenced the Trimatus language by making new words in his pieces.
"Well then… let's dive into the world of story! A long time ago, in a land far in the western side. There is a famed continent which was known as, 'Shadow Continent.' A land filled with shadow and fog.
"From the Valley of Shadow, emerged the dragons born of shadow. The dragons rule the land until now, under the leadership of an Emperor… a renowned Emperor!"
Huh!? Shadow Continent and valley of what!? It's so interesting! Adrian muttered as his curiosity slowly increased.
Thyatis then continued the story, "The dragons live in a prosperous land, their Emperor protecting them. If a foe dared to stomp their foot on the land without permission, the Emperor would immediately storm them like lightning!"
"What's the name of the Emperor?" Adrian asked.
With a smile, Thyatis then continued the story once again, "The Emperor's name is… Verbius! The guardian of the Shadow Continent! Under the veneration toward Gavyroth, the dragons were granted a few Particles. Yet, only Verbius was able to reach the sixth Form, and became a god."
"He also managed to take the title of…" Thyatis paused for a moment, unable to speak the title. He then stood up, withdrew his right leg and placed it on the table with him stretching his arms widely, before loudly declaring…
"The World!"
Shit! That's so magnificent! It sent me chills, the storytelling's intonation is so cool! Adrian muttered to himself in disbelief.
"Ultimately, the Emperor will protect His people from any danger. The end." Thyatis closed the book in relief, a faint smile etched on his face.
"How about the story, Sir Cadeyrn?" Thyatis asked in curiosity.
Adrian, who was fascinated by the story, then answered, "It's so cool! I also like your storytelling!"
Thyatis who heard couldn't hold his laugh, he let out a faint laugh before he stood beside Adrian. He patted Adrian's back, before he said, "Thank you, Sir Cadeyrn. Well then, I'll return to my home now."
"Oh… ok then! I hope we can do like this again!" Adrian uttered excitedly.
As Thyatis left the library, Adrian was now wreathed in solitude once again. He experienced something that was so mind-blowing, he was so curious about the history of this world and its cultures.
After all, he experienced a new thing from this world, without knowing there were many tales unbeknownst to him.