"My prince, we have arrived." The coachman notify Fang Yu as the carriage entered the Imperial City. The big walls were wide enough to cover the whole city in a perfect circle shape. The big building were more gather in the center of the city, red lights were hanging on the walls and ceiling of the houses and the commercial street was busy as always. Fang Yu looked at his homeland that he had been apart with coldness in his eyes. He had to hurry from the frontier to the Imperial City, normally it would have taken six days to arrive but with almost no rest at all, he managed to arrive in just four days.
He didn't know how it had happened, but in one second he was enjoying an afternoon trip with his wife, in the next he was standing there all alone. At that moment, all his world came to a stop, it was like time had frozen, and he was standing there without understanding how that had happened. Then all was a mess inside his brain, leaving Sun Flower City and his trip back to the Imperial Capital were all irrelevant in the eyes of Fang Yu.
As the carriage got into the inner city, all the civilians were curious about the golden carriage, running in flames into the walls of the imperial castle. Surely, someone had already sent a letter of notice, since the guards on the main gate didn't hesitate to open the huge wooden door allowing the carriage to enter directly.
Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the red walls of the imperial castle. Huge pillars were in the front yard, in the center massive and long stairs leading to the top front where some massive bit glorious carved jade doors were imposing and showing the magnificence of the castle.
On the ground, in front of the entrance, several maids were waiting in a line with an old eunuch with dog ears in the center.
Once the carriage had stopped, a guard quickly stepped out and opened the door of the vehicle. "Welcome home, your highness. We have been waiting for you."
"It's nice to see you too, Gou Kan." The old man was named Gou Kan. He was an old eunuch that had been in charge of the royal highness since young. Looking like an imposing man who had become Gou Kan had a faint smile on his face. Without waiting too long, he simply led the way.
They soon entered the magnificent palace, most of the walls were covered in gold details and ornaments on the huge white pillars. As they were walking through the halls of the palace, they passed a big red door, the hall of the king where the emperor's chair was located, but since Fang Yu knew that his little brother had put his father under house arrest, it was most likely that his honorable father wasn't inside. After a few minutes walking, and having all the gazes of the maids and man servants on his back, Fang Yu finally entered another room that was designated as the council meeting palace.
Inside, the minister of war, Gu Fong, the primer minister You Long , his little brother was waiting for him besides another man that Fang Yu couldnt recognize.
The second prince of the Spear Empire was always compared with his older brother as day a night, meanwhile the crown prince was tall, sturdy, handsome and confident, Fang Li was more timid in nature. By any means he wasnt good-looking, the face of the omega second prince was one of the most gorgeous faces that you could find. Even a lot of nobles were wishing to take his hand in marriage. But ever since Fang Yu had memory, Fang Li was always an introverted, he never had the enthusiasm to join any meetings or care about the state. Of course, it wasnt just his negligence that he didnt participate in such affairs, the delicate prince had always been in bad health, so he was raised as the pamper prince that he didnt have to meddle in this country affairs. But the young man that Fang Yu had in front of him didnt looked like that brother on his memories. The Fang Li that was stat on the main chair looked more mature and responsible, with an annoyed looked if he may add, but the timid prince was nowhere to be found.
"Welcome Imperial brother, you couldnt join us in a better time."
...
"I own a big apology to all of you for my time outside. I had planned a better reunion, but this time it won't be allowed, at least for now." Fang Yu said as he was indicated to take a seat.
So this was his famous older brother? Fang Li had to say he was impressed. The man before him was just like he was described, sturdy as a mountain and dominant as a dragon. You could say that this man was truly a son of the emperor. The original body memories about his older brother werent much. Since he was introverted in nature, he really didnt have a deep relationship with the ones around him, but in general the original little brother had a good impression of him. At least he was relieved that the common plot of hostility between the royal family wasnt the case here, the last thing that he needed right now was a power struggle for the crown.
A cure rabbit on a tuxedo who was sitting on the table with a monocle on his eye said very confidently to Fang Li. This was his personal rabbit system 007, but Fang Li didnt quite like that name, so he began to call him Sherlock. And as Sherlock said, he had been helping him with his information to complete several tasks during this last two year.
"At least you give us your presence at this time, thing couldnt get messier." You could say that You Long was the most tired of all this chaos. Since his majesty was put under home arrest by the second prince, he tried to bail him out several times, but with the minister of war supporting Fang Li he simply had his hands tire him.
"Well, let's cut the chase, explain the actual situation for me." Fang Yu looked like the didnt wanted to waste a second more, and Fang Li couldnt agree more.
"Then allowed me to explain the last events that had happened on the last couple of months." The man who had been standing behind Fang Li spoked, he had a serene tone of voice, very relax to hear but that sound was very loud and annoying for Fang Li.
"Oh? And who you may be?" Asked Fang Yu, he had been out for almost three years, so it was natural there could be new faces around, and he had never had seen this man before.
"Allowed me to introduce myself. My name is Terrence. And I'm the wizard of court and the attendant of the second prince." The man named Terrence mad a bow to as his charming personality was showing not only on his attitude but on his appearance as well. He had an uncommon ginger hair with an extreme pale color on his skin. Dressed in an eclectic ensemble, the self-proclaimed wizard exhibits a fondness for mismatched attire. His garb consists of a vibrant coat adorned with patches of different fabrics and colors, each patch. But the most impact on his image was the hat on his head. It was the weirdest hat the men on this room had ever seen. Pointy on the top, purple in color with several white points on it, and for some reason there were some cards on it.
"Well, let me tell you the latest new around here."
...
It seemed that since the last meeting, the idea of sending the second prince to get married to the Red Princess was stuck on the emperor's head. By any means he had the desire to unleash a war between countries, and since his oldest son got on a rebellious face, the only one that could get in a political marriage was his second son. Like he had thought previously, two years ago his son was competent enough to participate in state affairs, but after waking up from a little coma he had a complete change of personality. Following that, the made several accomplishments. He discovered that one of the officials was robbing money on increasing the taxes, he also promoted cleanliness in the streets and help greatly when a pandemic almost occurred. Of course, he did it with help, most of the wizard that came out of nowhere and was recruited by his son. He personally didn't want to send away his son that he had pampered since childhood. But if the Heart Kingdom did not accept anything else in order to stop the war, he didn't have any other choice.
Of course, this wasn't a decision that he could make on the spot, so once again he made another meeting with the minister of war, the prime minister and his confidant. But to his surprise this time, his youngest was also present in the room. And as he expected, Fang Li had already known about the idea of sending him away. And of course, he was completely against it.
"Imperial Father, we cannot continue to with this. In the first place, why are they so eager to get married from someone from Spear? The Heart Kingdom is not in a position where they need a political marriage in the first place. I dont think that accept their suspicious request is the way to go."
"Then what do you suggest? To go to war?"
"I'm not saying that. But we cannot be pressured by them anymore. In combat power we can easily suppress them, our forces almost duplicate their, is that correct general?" Fang Li asked, wanting to get the support of the minister of war.
The said Minister of War, was full team Fang Li, so he gave his full support. "Yes. We have over 6,000 hundred men ready to fight. We could gather more from the knights still in training and if we ask for the support from the feudal lords own private guards we could expand our army until 10,000 men. Our intelligence estimates that the Heart Kingdom only can gather up to 4,500 men. Maybe 6,000 if they forcibly recruit their villagers, either way we can suppress them easily."
"Then you want to annihilate another kingdom? Was one not enough for you?" The emperor shouted to the minister of war. The pain on his eyes were visible from the nostalgic and melancholic memories from his late father reign. He had promised himself that he would never begin a war if he had the alternative.
"No, I will not allow it. I will not create another war. Fang Li you are going to depart to the Heart Kingdom. Cao Dong, send another messenger to convey our acceptance of their terms."
"As you wish, your majesty." Said Cao Dong, who had been silently watching the conversion flow.
"But Father-"
"Enough! I had spoken! This is an imperial decree, my second son will be married to the heart kingdom and that is final! Is that understood?"
"Yes your majesty." As the strong and loud declaration of the emperor resonate on the room, only Cao Dong and You Long answer to the emperor as the other members kept quiet. "Go ahead, Cao Dong."
After having permission to go out, Cao Dong intended to go out, only to be stopped by the guards. Imposing their silver spears on a cross, denying the exit of the man.
"Whats going on? Let him out!" Yelled the emperor. But even in his strong aura of a ruler, the guards remain unmovable.
"Haa... I really didnt want to come to this, but you leave no choice, father." Fang Li sigh to himself, he had known that this emperor was rock headed since the beginning, but he had a little hope that he could change his mind. But clearly the emperor was unwilling to listen to reason.
"Fang Li, Whats the meaning of this!?" The prime minister yelled, feeling a bad premonition on his heart.
"From this moment we will declare that his majesty has fallen ill, he will be secluded in his royal chambers until he recuperates. I will take over his duties over the time he is unavailable. Guards, please escort his majesty." Order Fang Li.
"Fang Li, what are you doing!?" The emperor screamed as he was surrounded by the royal guards.
"Dont worry Father, I will take it from here, you only need to rest. When you come back, everything will be better."
"This is treason! Treason against your emperor!" You Long also was sterically as he watched the emperor being escorted back to his chambers.
"Oh my it seems that the prime minister is also been affected by the sickness, he is spotting nonsense. Dont you think so, minister of war?"
"Y-yes indeed, that seems to be the case."
"Well then, the prime minister is granted some time off to recuperate on his villa. Guards if you can also please escort the prime minister, please be careful, since his very ill we dont want him to suffer."
"Fang Li!!" As the emperor and the prime minister were escorted to their respective destinies, Cao Dong waited until everyone was more calm in silence, always watching as he didnt move without an order. Finally, Fang Li attention came back to him.
"It seems that my services are no longer needed?" Cao Dong said calmly as he watched the young prince imposing his new authority as the temporary ruler of the nation.
"Oh, of course not. I highly doubt that my imperial father would ever forgive me if I lay a single finger on you, so can i leave to you the task to take care over him on this difficult times?"
"As you command, your highness."
...
"... So, basically take over the kingdom?" Fang Yu asked back at Fang Li, who was seated on the main chair, where usually the emperor would be seated.
"Of course not, why the hell would I want to take the crown for myself? I'm merely working as provisional ruler and decision taking, since our imperial father won't change his decision to marry me off. Once all this conflict is over, he can have his crown back to give it to you. I just want to relax in the back."
"I still think that the second prince would be a better emperor..." The minister of war, he muttered to himself.
"Well, we will take care of that when the time comes, as right now, well send troops to attack the frontier with the Heart Kingdom." Said Fang Yu decisively.
"Oh? May I ask whats the rush? I thought you would try to find another way to solve things peacefully." Fang Li responded. The brother of his memories wasnt a big fan of violence.
"A peaceful approach, my ass. They have to kidnap your royal sister-in-law."
"I see. Well then, I was going to attack them regardless. Then shall we discuss the strategy?"