For the first time in Cohlin's life as the Emperor's personal attendant...
This attendant adjusted his glasses to make sure he wasn't just seeing things with his green eyes.
The Emperor of Bistetia is crying. No seriously, the fearless and valiant Emperor is actually crying literal tears and Cohlin had no idea what to do. He's been with this man for almost fifty years now and this was the first time the Emperor actually broke down and was left vulnerable like this in front of him.
"This Empire is doomed."
Cohlin gasped and felt shivers run down his spine. No, there's no way! For the Emperor himself to say such a thing.
The Emperor sobbed. "My son is already in his mid-twenties and he does not even have a lover. He refuses to have one, but when he actually does have one, they run away! Every single one runs like their life is on the line! This old man is worried for the Empire's future. Without an heir...without an heir...waahh..."
"..." Cohlin offered the Emperor a handkerchief, which the Emperor gratefully took and wiped his tears.
The Emperor wasn't wrong...
His son has so many ex-fiances and marriage candidates that would run away, and the Prince himself didn't care. Cohlin couldn't blame them...They were all terrified of the bloodthirsty Prince who consumed battle like it was his breakfast. The man would swing a sword as if he was doing homework. Everything about him is just...not something many would find ideal as a lover. He would also ignore his arranged dates and doesn't get interested unless it's about battle.
One time, a woman who was a skilled swordsman was chosen as a marriage candidate. They thought this was finally it, but the woman also ran away, screaming. "That man is a monster! I can't take it anymore! He keeps challenging me to duels mercilessly!"
Nobody could keep up with the Prince.
Even skilled swordsmen and warriors could never match up with the Prince. Man or woman, none had caught his interest at all. Even the greediest would not dare to seduce the Prince for power or selfish desires.
"Please...anyone, just anyone..." The Emperor cries.
"What if...his highness is just waiting for love?" Cohlin said in attempt to coax the Emperor. "We cannot rush him, let him take his time and I'm sure the fate will take its shape."
"Love? Love?" The Emperor repeated, the second one more emphasized. "That child probably thinks if love is something he can stab!"
The Emperor wails louder.
Cohlin took a deep breath and persevered, anything to stop his Emperor from crying. This sight physically hurts him and he did not wish for anyone to walk in the throne room and see a pool and let out a flood. "Your Majesty-"
"Cohlin! Go out there and see if anyone is willing. I will promise more than luxury, gold, whatever! I will give them whatever they want, just please find my son a wife or husband! Please!"
"...I will see to it, your Majesty." Cohlin bowed and left the throne room. The emperor was this desperate that he would grant anything...It has come to this...
And so, it was announced to various planets and kingdoms, but here's the thing. Cohlin's left eye twitched. Why did it feel like they were being ignored? They're actually being ignored like they were being whistled at.
Nobody wanted to marry the Prince.
Not even the corrupted and greedy wanted what the Emperor offered. He's offering anything you know!!? Is this how much they're afraid of the Prince?
Cohlin felt like crying himself and falling over. He was exhausted to the point where dark circles were under his eyes and the coffee wasn't saving his ass.
As Cohlin walks the halls of the large palace, he passes by the courtyard where he finds a tall man swinging his sword repeatdly. Cohlin could see several knights and is that...the General!? These soldiers were sneaking around, moving from pillar to pillar with such haste. It's as if they were mice being chased by a cat!
Cohlin slaps his face.
He took deep breaths and approached the prince cautiously. "Your highness."
"What?" The Prince replied blankly, not pausing his training session.
"I would like to discuss an urgent matter with you. It's about your marriage partner-"
"Huh?" The prince finally stopped and turned to Cohlin properly. "How many times do I have to say this to get this through all your heads?"
Cohlin internally cries, but keeps a straight face. "Your highness, you are the future of this Empire and I'm sure you understand how significant a partner and heir is."
The prince clicked his tongue and averted his dark blue eyes. He messes with his dark hair and sighs in frustration. "No one is worthy."
He simply said.
"Your highness, what if you find someone that you will fall in love with? Weak or powerful, surely they are more than worthy."
"Love?" The prince repeated it like it was an unknown foreign word. He tilts his head and looks down thoughtfully. "Which enemy planet is that?"
Cohlin clenched his shaking fist from behind, drawing blood as he screamed from within.
"Fall...We cannot fall into the hands of the enemy. I shall not succumb to their demands. If they think they are worthy, then I shall see whether they can prove it or not."
The prince turns to the General, who flinches as the other knights escape. The general looked betrayed. "General, prepare a ship immediately."
AND WHERE THE HELL WILL YOU GO!? Cohlin swore he could hear his ancestors calling him. Cohlin whispers, "I hear trumpets..."
What he didn't expect was the Prince to hear him so clearly. "Trumpets? So that's the instrument they use for their battle cry."
Cohlin felt something crack within his heart and mind.
"Prince Cyris."
"Yes?"
"Love is a feeling."
"..."
Prince Cyris sheaths his sword and crosses his arms. "Is it now?"
"It is." Cohlin replies. "You have seen how the Emperor and Empress interact with one another, yes? That is love. However, everyone has different forms of love and goes through different situations to nurture it."
"Is there a battle form?"
"..."
"My father and mother's 'love' consists of excessive touching, especially on the mouth. It was...uncomfortable to watch."
What the hell have they been doing in front of you when you were young!?
"Is there one where we can use guns, swords and-"
"Your highness, love is not violence and war. It's care and respect. It's a feeling where you find that someone you wish to protect and cherish with all your heart, mind and soul."Â Cohlin says slowly with a gentle tone. "When you love someone, you will do everything for this person and they complete you. They become the most beautiful and valuable treasure in your life."
"...That sounds complicated."
"Well I suppose so. Love can be complicated at times." Cohlin replies.
"Hm...Sounds troublesome."
Cohlin sighs. "Oh your highness. Once you fall in love, you'll never find it troublesome. There may be several challenges in love and it can be painful, but it's to test your bond and it will become strength."
"Challenges? Strength?"
"..."
Cohlin's heart stopped. Did he ONLY just hear challenges and strength? Are those two words literally the only words that went in his ear and didn't pass through the other?
"Hmm..." Cyris paces around the courtyard for a few seconds before marching up to Cohlin once again with a declaration.
"I accept."
"Hm?" Cohlin's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I wish to fall in love and find a spouse."
Cohlin's mouth dropped. He didn't know whether to cheer or cry. It felt like he had won, but lost at the same time. In short, conflict became an existence in his heart once more.
"That's...wonderful..." Cohlin says slowly. "I am sure the Emperor will be elated to hear such news."
And so, Cohlin walks off towards the Throne room and shares the news with the Emperor.
"I do not bear the slightest of clues concerning how you accomplished such a feat Cohlin." The Emperor looked like he was on the verge of tears. "But all I know is that you saved this planet and I shall name you as one of its national heroes."
Wait a damn minute.
"Your majesty, you are exaggerating. Please, there is no need to bequeath such a title upon a lowly servant such as myself."
No seriously, he didn't want to be known as the hero that convinced the Prince to find a spouse. What kind of title was that?
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am sure." I am absolutely one hundred percent sure.
"But let me reward you."
"This servant is grateful."
And by some absolute miracle, a small kingdom actually wants to form an alliance with them by having their youngest prince become a marriage candidate. The Emperor saw light around him and he easily agreed after forming a background check.
They were greedy and actually sold their youngest to the Empire. The Emperor already had guessed that they found this prince of their useless, someone disposable. And if it works out with his son, then it's something to celebrate. It was sick, but the Emperor would make sure everything was taken care of and that his son's intended would have a pleasant stay.
They arrived early morning, a spacecraft landed in their ports. The Emperor himself is not present, however he will greet them at the palace. The welcoming was left to his trusted attendant, Cohlin and Prince Cyris.
Cohlin glanced at Cyris who was staring at the landing space craft. He swallowed nervously at the Prince's intense gaze. This is not a battlefield, your highness! It greatly pleases us that you willingly seek for a partner, but your context behind that is...
The small spacecraft lands perfectly and the metal doors of the ship slide open, releasing white smoke on the ground. Two soldiers exit the spacecraft, standing on either side of the door as they await for the young prince to exit himself.
Cohlin found himself gasping when a young man stepped out, walking down the ramp of their ship. He was dressed in several layers of blue robes over his pale skin, an attire that was important to their culture. His hair was a shade of dark blue and looking at his eyes was like looking at orchids. The young man is handsome and carries a refined aura around him, however they could not deny the man's beauty as well.
That kingdom had been hiding such a beauty!?
Cohlin bows at the young prince and greets him. "Welcome Prince Arthir to the Empire of Bestetia-"
"Let me get this straight."
"Huh?"
Arthir's voice holds a sense of strictness that it reminded Cohlin of the Emperor and Prince Cyris. This had also caught Cyris's attention. Arthir glanced at Cyris and said. "I am not marrying the Prince of Bestetia. I do not want to."
"..."
Cyris clicked his tongue and sighed. "Just like the rest...You fear me and you'll run away. He is not worthy. Go back to your kingdom."
Cohlin looked back and forth between the two princes, thinking of ways to defuse the heated situation in front of him. Meanwhile, Arthir had this look in his eyes and it ticked Cyris off. Arthir rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Me? Scared? You fight like a chicken. It is you who is not worthy of me."
"..."
Cohlin collapses.
The General choked.
The Knights almost dropped.
Arthir made it clear.
"I'm not marrying a weakling. Hmph!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
And so this is the first chapter!
Hello everyone!
How is the first chapter??
Wuu, I'm really nervous. This isn't the first I've written Sci-fi, but this is the first time that I didn't go into much detail. I'm usually very fussy about details, but I didn't want to info dump, so I went for simplistic. I hope you guys like it!
Thank you everyone for reading! Thank you so much for all the support, views, votes and comments!
I'll see you all in the next chapter!