ã€ŠScripted Fate? No, Thank You.ã€‹


 Chapter 1

    When the melodious chirping of birds pricked his ears, he fluttered his eyelids open, only to be greeted by a blurry sight. Blinking a few times to clear his hazy vision, the towering pine trees stretching toward the bright blue sky came into view, sunlight filtering through the canopy leaves. The thick, earthy scent, mingled with a metallic odor, stung his nostrils.

    Nevertheless, he couldn¡¯t help but furrow his eyebrows in confusion, mumbling, ¡°A forest?¡± His voice was hoarse and unfamiliar, likely due to his dry throat, so he brushed it off. But as he thought about it, he clearly remembered sitting on a plane engrossing in a novel, and¡ª¡®did the plane¡­ crash?¡¯

    If that were the case, then it explained how on earth he was lying in the forest with agony rippling through his body. Using his elbows to lift himself off the ground, a jolt of excruciating pain erupted in his abdomen, slamming him back down with a thud. ¡°Ugh!¡±

    His breath hitched as the world spun, the pain intensifying in an insistent throb as if asserting its dominance. Inclining his head, he fixated on the source of his misery and froze at the sight of crimson liquid smeared across his brown leather vest. However, it wasn¡¯t the amount of blood that shocked him.

    ¡°This¡­ isn¡¯t my body¡­¡± His once lean, muscular frame was gone, replaced by the slender body of a teenager. Even his clothes changed, resembling those of an adventurer from a game. Was he dreaming? But the anguish was far too vivid to be anything but a nightmare. No wonder his voice sounded weird.

    ¡®If I¡¯m in someone else¡¯s body, what happened to mine? Am I¡­ dead? Who is this person? Why is he injured?¡¯ Though the torrent of questions flooded his mind, he pushed them aside¡ªhe had no time for this confusion.

    He pressed a hand to the stabbed wound and forced himself to sit with a grunt. When the brown half-cape on his shoulders caught his attention, he yanked it off and wrapped it tightly around his waist, wincing as he secured it over the wound. It wasn¡¯t much, but it would hold the bleeding at bay until he found proper help.

    Rummaging through his body for anything useful, he was stunned to find nothing besides his clothes, which only worsened his dizziness. ¡®Not. Even. A. Weapon?¡¯ The corner of his mouth tugged up instinctively upon scoffing. ¡°Could I be any luckier?¡±

    Moving on, he surveyed the environment with his fleeting vision. The forest appeared unremarkable, dotted with unfamiliar vegetation and no sign of the plane wreckage he¡¯d initially expected. But what relieved him most was the absence of wild animals or dangerous people. In his current condition¡ªespecially without a weapon¡ªhe wasn¡¯t sure he could put up much of a fight.

    Truthfully, he wanted to stay put and wait for help. However, with no recollection of how the person he possessed ended up in this situation, finding safety was paramount. After all, he had no interest in becoming a sitting duck whatsoever.

    Gritting his teeth against the agony flaring from his torso, he forced himself to stand, but his body betrayed him, causing his step to falter and compelled him to reach the nearest tree for support. His entire body trembled as he gasped for air, sweat beading on his forehead while the pain threatened to consume him. After a deep breath, he braced himself before eventually moving his legs.

    As he trudged forward, his eyes darted around, scanning for signs of wild animals, potential shelter, or clues that might lead to a water source. Amidst the forest¡¯s symphony, a faint sound of flowing current reached his ears, prompting him to halt and strain his hearing to ensure it wasn¡¯t a trick of his mind. When the sound grew clearer, sparks of hope flared within him, and he wasted no time propelling himself toward it. Guided by the sound, he pushed through the dense foliage until it gave way to a small clearing.

    In the middle of it, a river meandered lazily, the water glistening under the sunlight, and he couldn¡¯t help but sigh in relief as a wave of catharsis washed over him. Dragging his feet toward the edge, he dropped to his knees and scooped a handful of water to his lips, feeling the coolness slide down his parched throat and fleetingly refresh his mind.

    Just as he was about to take another scoop, the reflection on the water''s surface caught his attention. Squinting for a better look, a short white-haired teenager with pale skin entered his sight. The weary, cerulean eyes stared back at him. Yet, there was something unsettlingly familiar about the body he now inhabited, though he couldn¡¯t quite place it.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Shaking off the thoughts, he scooped handfuls of water to quench his thirst. Once sated, he straightened his back and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. But his respite was cut short as the wound throbbed unabated, constantly reminding him that this wasn¡¯t over and that he needed to find shelter as soon as possible. With one last glance at his reflection, he rose to his feet with herculean effort and staggered along the river.

    Nonetheless, the farther he ventured into the forest, the more his body vehemently protested. Each step felt like feeding his consciousness to the pain. His lungs tightened, and his already blurry eyes worsened. He had to stop and lean against every tree he passed to ensure he didn¡¯t kiss the ground.

    After what felt like an eternity, he emerged from behind tall bushes, only to freeze at the scene present before him. Numerous figures lay scattered on the ground, some donned in black robes and others in Renaissance-style soldier uniforms. Varied weapons and severed limbs littered the clearing, with blood splattered everywhere, painting the vegetation in crimson. It was undoubtedly the aftermath of a battle¡ªa sight he frequently saw and might be the answer to why this person was injured.

    Right before he turned around, the rustling leaves prompted him to drag his feet toward the nearby tree and hide behind it. Noticing a sword stabbed into the ground beside him, he pulled it out and gripped it tightly.

    ¡°...we must locate him at all costs,¡± demanded a young man¡¯s voice.

    ¡°I understand,¡± responded a deep, masculine voice.

    They were undoubtedly speaking another language, yet strangely, he understood every word¡ªit seemed this body retained some memories. Lowering his sword and tilting it slightly, he used its flat side to catch a blurry glimpse of a robust man clad in full armor, though the other figure remained obscured behind his frame.

    When a glint flickered on his blade, he instinctively ducked, and the sound of metal thunking into the tree behind him echoed. Leaping forward and spinning around, he swung his sword at the incoming attack.A clash of steel thundered as their swords collided, but the knight¡¯s sheer power sent him sprawling to the ground with a heavy thump.

    ¡°Argh!¡± Wrenching pain crashed over him, a metallic taste blooming in his mouth. As a shadow loomed, he sprang to his feet and assumed a defensive stance.

    ¡°Cassian?!¡± The other man¡¯s shout froze the knight mid-strike.

    The knight flinched and hastily dropped to one knee, head bowed low. ¡°Your Highness, please forgive my impertinence!¡±

    ¡°¡­what?¡± Despite the confusion, he held his stance.

    ¡°Ian! You¡¯re safe!¡±The young man¡¯s relieved voice drew Cassian¡¯s attention; he was running in his direction. When the distance drew closer, he pointed his sword at him, causing the man to halt and raise both hands in surrender. ¡°Ian?¡± Confusion tinged his voice.

    ¡°Prince Cassian, I implore you to sheathe your sword!¡± The knight stood and stepped forward, shielding the young man.

    ¡°Gilbert, needn¡¯t be alarmed. Ian is likely bewildered by the situation.¡± The man eased his knight.

    ¡°But¡ª¡±

    ¡°Gilbert, enough,¡± the young man interrupted with a wave of his hand. He walked around him with his hands held high. ¡°Cassian, you¡¯re injured. Let me tend to your wound.¡±

    Cassian narrowed his eyes at the figure before him, trying to lift the haze veiling his vision. As his kaleidoscopic sight gradually dissipated, a young man with fair skin, short mint-green hair, and emerald eyes, dressed in regal attire came into view. He couldn¡¯t help but stiffen at the familiar face.

    ¡°Julius?!¡± an exclaim escaped his mouth.

    Julius offered him a reassuring smile and nodded. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me¡ªyour brother. I came to rescue you.¡±

    ¡°¡­what in the world?¡± He muttered, his free hand pressed against his temple, battling the insufferable headache. The revelation felt like a slap to his face, and his stomach churned as the reality sank in. He recognized Julius right away because his face was on the cover of the novel he¡¯d been reading on the plane! ¡®Did I just enter that novel?!¡¯

    ¡°Ian, please lower your weapon and allow me to tend to your wound,¡± Julius pleaded, pulling him back to the present.

    ¡°No. Stay back,¡± he growled. If he had truly become Cassian as they claimed, then there was no reason for him to trust Julius at all.

    ¡°Prince Cassian¡ª¡±

    ¡°Silence!¡± Cassian snapped, his breathing uneven as he staggered backward. His body trembled, whether from shock or pain, it didn¡¯t matter anymore. The most important thing right now was that he needed to run. He needed to run as far as possible.

    ¡°Ian,¡± Julius stepped closer, worried etched on his features and voice. ¡°It¡¯s all right, you can trust me¡ª¡±

    ¡°I said, stay back!¡± Cassian roared, stopping Julius¡¯ tracks. ¡®Trust him?¡¯ What kind of joke was that? How could he trust someone who was fated to kill him?!

    Wasting no more time, Cassian whirled around, but his sword slipped from his grip, and he fell to his knees. His surroundings swirled, and his body grew uncontrollably heavy. ¡°N-no¡­¡± Darkness swallowed him whole, drowned in Julius and the knight¡¯s frantic shouts.

 Chapter 2

    When light pierced through Cassian¡¯s eyelids, he winced and blocked it using his hand. But before he slipped into his slumber, he snapped open his eyes and locked them on a pale, calloused teenage hand. Jerking upright, he lifted his ivory silk pajamas, exposing a toned stomach marred by several jagged scars. The wound was gone, and so was the pain.

    Letting go of his clothes, he ran his fingers through his hair and sighed in resignation. It took less than a second for him to make out his situation. ¡°So, I really have become Cassian, huh?¡±

    If he remembered correctly, Cassian was Julius¡¯ half-brother, and both were princes¡ªheirs to the throne of the Solair¨¦ Empire. They were two years apart, with Julius being the firstborn. However, the information about Cassian was scarce as he had already been dead long before the novel began¡ªhe was fated to die at the protagonist¡¯s hands, Julius.

    ¡®But¡­ why did he save him?¡¯

    Silence lingered in the air as nothing came to mind.

    Dismissing the question, he took in the surroundings, realizing he was in an unfamiliar, grand European-style room adorned with luxurious baroque furniture. Sunlight streamed through the open arched windows lining the wall, bathing the backgrounds in a warm, golden glow.

    Fixing his sight on one of the open arched windows, he swung his legs off the bed and strode toward it. However, the sound of the door creaking open halted his steps, drawing his attention to an elderly butler entering the room.

    Locking eyes with him, the man froze in the doorway, his grey eyes widening in shock. ¡°Your Highness¡­?¡± he stammered before whirling around and urgently bellowing, ¡°His Highness has awakened! Summon the physician and inform Their Majesties immediately!¡±

    ¡°We understand!¡± Following the order, the maids behind the door commenced running.

    The man turned and dashed toward him. ¡°Your Highness, please refrain from exerting yourself,¡± he said, extending his hand. ¡°Let us return to your bed.¡±

    Cassian stared at the outstretched hand before meeting the old man¡¯s gaze. ¡°Who are you?¡±

    ¡°P-pardon?¡± He stuttered, utterly perplexed.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Cassian repeated.

    Yet, instead of providing an answer, the man looked at him in astonishment as if he¡¯d seen the sun rise from the west. His mouth opened and closed like a fish coming out of water.

    ¡°Her Majesty the Empress is entering!¡± a blaring voice interjected, shifting their attention to the entrance.

    A blonde-haired woman in a fancy gown, trailed by several ladies-in-waiting, rushed in their direction. Her bloodshot cerulean eyes brimmed with unshed tears, relief etched on her features. The elderly butler bowed respectfully and stepped aside. Holding her gaze, a whirlwind of emotions stirred within him, though he couldn¡¯t grasp the cause.

    When his vision flickered out of focus, Cassian¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Argh!¡± A sudden bolt of searing pain pierced through his skull, forcing him to grip his head tightly and drop to his knees.

    ¡°¡­ian! Cassian!¡± A woman¡¯s desperate, trembling cry rang out before the cacophony of distorted voices gobbled it.

    He tried to suppress the pain, but the harder he fought it, the more his head pounded. His chest tightened, and his breath grew shallow, sweat beading on his skin. Before he could fully process what was happening, a blinding light flashed into his eyes, engulfing everything in white and washing away the pain. Thus, the world went mute, and he felt like floating in the air.

    ¡°Cassian?¡± The previous voice echoed amidst the brilliance. However, unlike before, her voice was soft and soothing.

    The moment the light receded, he found himself in the midst of a grand parade, basking under the warm sunlight. Jubilant cheers of the crowd blended with the lively music filling the air as he sat high in a luxurious open carriage drawn by four majestic horses. Gliding through a sea of smiling faces, the confetti danced around him; vibrant banners fluttered in the breeze.

    Confusion clouded his mind at the abrupt shift in reality. Even so, the scene before him felt oddly familiar¡ªlike d¨¦j¨¤ vu. In contrast to the euphoric atmosphere surrounding him, a chilling tide of fear crept into his mind, and his heart raced like crazy.

    ¡®I¡­ can¡¯t move my body¡­¡¯

    No matter how much he tried, his body refused to respond. He couldn¡¯t move or speak¡ªhe had no control over Cassian¡¯s body, as if he existed only to witness everything unfold.

    ¡°Cassian?¡± the voice called again, prompting Cassian to turn to find the Empress smiling tenderly at him. Seated beside his son, she wore an elegant peach dress with glamorous accessories that befitted her status.

    She reached out and ran her fingers gently through Cassian¡¯s hair, ¡°Does this festivity bore you? You seem to lapse into drowsiness.¡±

    Cassian shook his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡ª¡°

    ¡°Neigh!¡± a deafening whinny seized their attention. They whirled around¡ªonly to see the horses were already upon them. Before Cassian could react, a tremendous force slammed into his body, hurling him backward.

    ¡°Urk!¡± Cassian¡¯s body crashed against the cobblestone floor; blood jumped out from his mouth. The world spun relentlessly as his body tumbled across the road. Coming to a full stop, Cassian lay sprawled on the ground, his body trembling, and his vision flickered like scattered fireflies, the sounds muffled and distant.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°¡­ian! ¡­help! Physician!¡± Julius¡¯ distressed voice cut through the turmoil while lifting Cassian into his arms.

    Slowly regaining his senses, Cassian blinked rapidly to clear his hazy eyes. However, the first thing he saw caused him to widen his eyes, and his heart plummeted.

    ¡°N-no¡­¡± Cassian¡¯s voice croaked.

    In the distance, the Empress lay limp in the white-haired man¡¯s embrace, a shard of wood lanced through her heart. Blood drenched her dress and pooled beneath them.

    Tears burst from Cassian¡¯s eyes. ¡°Mo¡­ ther¡­¡± His trembling hand outstretched, trying to grasp his mother, only for it to fall helplessly on the ground.

    Overwhelmed by the great shock, Cassian¡¯s chest heaved wildly as he gasped for air. The world began to tilt along with his consciousness, and the scene faded into darkness.

    ¡°¡­something!¡±

    ¡°¡­the Prince¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­in pain¡­!¡±

    ¡°¡­memories¡­ trauma¡­¡±

    When the chaos of jumbled voices pricked his ears, he fluttered his eyes open, only to be met by a kaleidoscope sight. His mind felt sluggish, and his body was slick in sweat. He tried to lift one of his fingers, and relief washed over him, knowing he had regained control of Cassian¡¯s body. The experience of being reduced to nothing more than a helpless soul traumatized him¡ªhe never wanted to go through that again.

    However, a question popped in: if he possessed Cassian¡¯s body, where did the real soul go? Was he dead¡­? Or could ¡®the real¡¯ Cassian be enduring the same experience he had before?

    A bad taste permeated his mouth, compelling him to shove the thoughts aside. Turning toward the noises beside his bed, he saw the Empress and an old man in a white robe¡ªwho reminded him of Gandalf¡ªengaged in a heated discussion. Nevertheless, a flicker of unexplainable catharsis arose upon realizing the Empress was unharmed.

    Sitting upright, Cassian held his head as dizziness struck him. When the stillness abruptly descended, he glanced sideways and found everyone present staring at him.

    ¡°Ian¡­¡± the Empress¡¯ face contorted in relief, tears cascading down her cheeks. Without warning, she threw herself and wrapped him in a tight embrace. Burying her face in his shoulder, wrenching sobs escaped her.

    ¡°My dear¡­ My son¡­¡± her voice quivered with emotions.

    Cassian felt conflicted, unsure of what to do¡ªhe had never been in this kind of situation. But, for certainty, his heart ached to see her weeping like this. Was Cassian¡¯s emotion messing up with him? After all, he had no reason to feel such great sorrow for someone he had just met.

    After battling with hesitation, Cassian cradled her in his arms and gently patted her back. ¡°Please cease your tears. I am well.¡±

    Yet, instead of stopping, her tears flowed relentlessly. Sobs filled the room as she tightened her grip on his clothes, her hands trembling. The guilt that had been gnawing at him now twisted into something deeper, heavier. She¡­ deserved the love of her real son, not the hollow comfort of a stranger in borrowed skin.

    ¡°His Majesty the Emperor, His Highness Prince Julius, and Lord Samuel of the Silverfall are entering!¡± a voice reverberated into the room, grabbing everyone¡¯s attention.

    Seven figures entered Cassian¡¯s chamber, prompting everyone present to bow and curtsey respectfully. Leading the group was a middle-aged man with short white hair and crimson eyes, followed by a man with light brown hair and eyes, with Julius beside him. All wore clothing that screamed of their high social standing. Four knights shadowed behind them. Upon their arrival, the six of them, excluding the white-haired man¡ªpresumably the Emperor¡ªbowed reverently toward the Empress.

    The Emperor fixated on the crying Empress before turning to the physician. ¡°How fares my son?¡±

    ¡°His Highness has been stabilized. However, as a result of the traumatic event, Prince Cassian appears to have suffered amnesia¡ª"

    ¡°What?! How is that possible?!¡± Julius exclaimed, disbelief lacing his voice and features.

    The Emperor raised his hand, signaling Julius not to interfere, ¡°Can you devise a solution?¡±

    The Physician shook his head apologetically, ¡°I fear such a feat is beyond my capability. While blood manipulation can, indeed, hasten the healing process, memories reside in the mind, not the blood, and cannot be mended by physical means.¡±

    ¡°¡­I see,¡± the Emperor murmured thoughtfully, his hands clenched tightly.

    ¡°How can this be¡­?¡± Julius muttered, barely audible.

    Julius glanced at him, frustration painted his face, teetering on the edge of fear. But he couldn¡¯t tell whether it was genuine or just an act. Suddenly, Julius¡¯ figure was obscured as the Emperor approached.

    Sitting beside the Empress, he offered him a warm smile and gently stroked his hair, ¡°Fear not. All will be well. Your memory shall return shortly.¡±

    With the last sob, the Empress released him and wiped away her tears. Rising to her feet, she faced the Emperor with an indifferent demeanor. ¡°Cassian must rest. Please, return.¡±

    Silence. The Emperor didn¡¯t say a word and just stared at his wife with an indescribable expression. The atmosphere grew dramatically heavy and suffocating with tension as their eyes remained locked.

    People exchanged nervous glances; of course, they weren¡¯t foolish enough to miss the simmering rage beneath the surface. Though Cassian didn¡¯t know the inside story, he could tell it was far from trivial.

    After what felt like an eternity, the Emperor eventually broke the silence with a long and deep sigh. Standing before her and staring fearlessly into her cerulean eyes, he spoke with an icy tone, ¡°My wife is right, Cassian must rest.¡±

    The Emperor cast a last glance at him before marching toward the entrance. Those present instinctively bowed as he passed while two knights quickly positioned themselves behind him.

    Julius¡ªwhose eyes still lingered on him¡ªstepped forward and mustered a strained smile, asking apprehensively, ¡°Dear brother, is there a chance you might¡­ remember me?¡±

    He held his gaze apathetically before shaking his head. ¡°I apologize, but I¡¯m only familiar with your name.¡±

    Julius froze, disbelief dyed his face as though the world crumbled, ¡°I¡­ I see.¡± After a brief pause, he forced a smile, ¡°Then, we wish you a swift recovery, my dear brother. Please, rest well and recuperate.¡±

    Cassian nodded curtly, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    With a final bow toward the Empress, Julius, and Samuel, accompanied by their knights, made their way to the entrance. Julius cast him one worried glance before vanishing behind the door. Nevertheless, he couldn¡¯t help but click his tongue inwardly, had he not read the novel before being thrown into this world, he might have undoubtedly believed Julius was a truly caring brother.

    The Empress turned to the elderly butler. ¡°Sanchez, please prepare a basin of warm water for my son¡¯s bath.¡±

    ¡°As you wish, Your Majesty. Is there anything else you require?¡±

    While the Empress conversed with Sanchez and the physician, his mind drifted back to the glimpse he had seen. Given the severity of the Empress¡¯ wound, she was unquestionably dead on the spot. Yet, here she stood, alive and well, so it couldn¡¯t have been a recollection of Cassian¡¯s memories. This left only one conclusion: it was a vision of the future.

    If that was the case, then it perfectly aligned with the storyline: just like her son, the Empress also died before the novel began. But¡­ why did he suddenly see a sight of the future? An Extra like him, no less? Not only that, but the fact that he couldn¡¯t control Cassian¡¯s body during the vision¡ªdid that mean the real Cassian would eventually regain control of this body, leaving his soul trapped inside?

    He clutched his head at the surge of unbearable headache. As if being thrown into the world of the novel and fated to be killed by his half-brother wasn¡¯t bad enough, now he had to contend with the soul of ¡®the real¡¯ Cassian. Whether Julius ended his life or his body was overtaken, it seemed he was destined to perish either way, huh?

 Chapter 3

    The grand chandeliers hung from the ceiling, emitting a soft glow that cast long shadows across the regal study. The air was filled with the musky scent of candles, while the rhythmic chirping of crickets and hoot of owls created an eerie nocturnal symphony.

    Seated behind his desk, Julius withdrew a small, ornate box from his magical ring. Opening it, the container filled with fine tobacco powder was revealed. Shifting his eyes toward a platinum-blonde middle-aged man standing next to the balcony door beside him, he asked. ¡°Fancy a pinch of snuff?¡±

    Gilbert bowed respectfully, ¡°I appreciate your offer, Your Highness, but I shall decline.¡±

    Julius shrugged indifferently and took a pinch of the powder. Bringing it to his nostrils, he inhaled sharply. A surge of cool menthol flooded his nasal cavity, followed by a gentle burn at the back of his throat. The bothersome thoughts clouding his mind dissipated into a soothing wave of catharsis.

    He took another pinch and sniffed it, letting the numbing sensation wash over him. For a moment, the room seemed quieter, and the weight on his chest lighter. He set aside the container aside and leaned his head against the chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.

    ¡®This¡­ didn¡¯t occur in the past.¡¯

    There was no such a thing as assassination during Cassian¡¯s training, or a case where his brother had amnesia¡ªthose never happened. He knew he had altered many events in the timeline, but he never expected it would impact Cassian¡¯s life. Thanks to his very dear mother, she succeeded in severing his bond with his brother this time¡ªjust as she always wanted.

    ¡°Your Highness, it is not your fault,¡± Gilbert rang in.

    He chuckled, though there was no humor in it. ¡°How could it not?¡± Straightening his back, he ran his fingers through his hair and shook his head in disbelief, ¡°I swore to protect Cassian this time, yet I failed miserably.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness, it is unjust to bear the blame yourself,¡± Gilbert stepped closer and knelt, locking his golden eyes in him. ¡°You did everything within your power, even rushing here despite the distance. Furthermore, the fact that both the mercenaries you assigned to watch over Prince Cassian and his escort knights were wiped out suggests the perpetrators were far from ordinary.¡±

    Julius sighed and brushed his face in frustration. Though Gilbert¡¯s words were logical, they did little to ease the knot tightening in his chest. ¡°But his memories of me are gone. His trust in me is gone. How am I supposed to mend that?¡±

    Gilbert smiled benignly at him. ¡°You cannot fix it all at once, Your Highness. Trust is built over time. Perhaps this is a new start, a chance to prove to him, not just through words but through deeds, that you are someone he can rely on.¡±

    Truthfully, Julius wanted to believe those words. He wanted to hope. But deep down, a fear lingered: what if it was too late? What if, no matter what he did, his little brother could never see him the way he once had? Especially when their factions were enemies.

    Letting out a sigh for what felt like the thousandth time, he eventually nodded and offered him a faint smile. ¡°You¡¯re right. It is premature to give up.¡±

    Gilbert returned the smile and inclined his head proudly at his response. However, the whole atmosphere shifted to serious when a presence appeared on the balcony. Rising to his feet, Gilbert approached and opened the balcony door, letting the figure in a black robe slide into the room.

    Arriving before him, the man knelt. ¡°Greeting, Your Highness.¡±

    Without beating around the bush, Julius asked, ¡°How is it?¡±

    The man lowered his head further. ¡°The one who carried out the assassination is from the Liberation Agency.¡±

    Julius arched an eyebrow. ¡°Them? Again?¡±

    Previously, the mercenary of the Liberation agency had attempted to assassinate Cassian several times, but his mercenaries easily thwarted them. What he didn¡¯t understand was, how they could manage to wipe out his high-ranking mercenaries and Cassian¡¯s escort knights this time. Where did they find those skilled assassins?The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± The man¡¯s voice pulled him back to reality, ¡°And just as you expected, the Vazquez family has become their primary sponsor secretly for the past few years. They carry out all of the Duke Vazquez and Her Highness the Consort requests without question.¡±

    His jaw tightened, anger seething within him, fists clenched tightly, ¡°So, in other words, the Liberation Agency has become my grandfather and my mother¡¯s loyal dog, huh?¡±

    Stillness enveloped the room as the man remained silent to his profane remark. Exhaling deeply to alleviate his rage, Julius leaned against the chair, his fingers drumming the armrest impatiently, ¡°How about the evidence?¡±

    ¡°The Emperor disposed of it all before the Marquis¡¯ heir¡ªLord Samuel, could start his investigation.¡±

    Julius massaged his temples at the excruciating headache. ¡®Again, it has always been like this.¡¯ It was an open secret that Gideon¡ªthe Emperor¡ªdespised the Vazquez household, yet each time his family caused trouble, he swiftly covered it up. ¡®Just¡­ Why?¡¯ Was it merely to maintain the Empire¡¯s delicate balance, or was there something else that he wasn¡¯t seeing?

    After a long pause, Julius broke the silence. ¡°You¡¯ve done a great job.¡± He glanced at Gilbert, who nodded, stepping forward to hand the man in black a small pouch of gold to the man. ¡°Take it as a token of gratitude.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Your Highness,¡± the man replied, accepting the bonus with a bow.  Julius nodded and ordered, ¡°Continue monitoring my grandfather and mother.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± The man bowed once more before vanishing toward the balcony.

    The moment Gilbert locked the door, Julius spat his mind, ¡°I¡¯m thinking of attacking the Liberation Agency.¡± The only way to stop the assassination from coming was to raze the door where they came from. He couldn¡¯t afford to let the same thing happen again to his brother.

    Surprise etched on Gilbert¡¯s face. Making his way toward him, he knelt, ¡°With all due respect, Your Highness. You have every right to be angry, but acting out of fury will not serve you well. If His Majesty learns of you owning a mercenary agency, it could have grave consequences.¡±

    Julius shut his mouth tightly as Gilbert¡¯s words sank in. Any conflict between mercenary agencies had to go through arbitration first; launching an outright attack was strictly forbidden and could result in the agency being banned across the continent.

    His mercenary agency was his lifeline¡ªan area his mother and grandfather couldn¡¯t touch or reach. Losing it would also mean losing the power to protect Cassian from his family, which was doubtlessly a devastating loss.

    After a deep rumination, Julius eventually nodded, his frustration slowly ebbing away, ¡°You¡¯re right. I cannot act rashly.¡±

    Gilbert rose and bowed reverently, ¡°It is my honor to serve you, Your Highness.¡±

    Julius nodded in acknowledgment, and instructed, ¡°Also, sent words to my agency to choose new people to watch over Cassian.¡±

    ¡°As you wish¡ª¡±

    Knocks reverberated into the room, pulling their attention toward the entrance. A man¡¯s voice followed, ¡°Your Highness, this is Sanchez. I¡¯ve brought the medicine you requested.¡±

    ¡°Enter,¡± Julius responded.

    The door creaked open, revealing an elderly butler along with a maid holding a tray entering the room. Upon reaching the desk, they bowed and the maid carefully placed the tray on the polished surface before stepping back.

    Julius glanced at it, showing a teacup set and a glass bottle filled with black pills. Picking up the bottle, he asked while inspecting the label. ¡°How fares my brother?¡±

    Sanchez¡¯s expression softened at his question. ¡°Prince Cassian is resting well, Your Highness. The physician reported no complications thus far, though he has advised continued observation.¡±

    Julius nodded in acknowledgment, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction. ¡°I see. If anything changes, I want to be informed immediately.¡±

    ¡°Of course, Your Highness,¡± Sanchez replied.

    ¡°Then, that will be all,¡± Julius concluded.

    Sanchez and the maid bowed again. ¡°As you wish, Your Highness. Should you require anything else, please do not hesitate to call upon me.¡±

    With that, they exited the room. Once the door closed, Gilbert whirled to face him. ¡°Will you be retiring for the evening, Your Highness?¡±

    Julius nodded. ¡°Yes, I think I will. It¡¯s getting late.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± Gilbert approached, pouring tea into a cup before stepping back and bowing. ¡°Then I shall take my leave. I wish you a restful night, Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. The same to you.¡±

    As the door closed with a click, the room steeped with quietness, broken only by the chirping of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl. Fixating his sight on the glass bottle in his hand, his mind whisked away to the past¡ªremembering how the sharp edge of his sword grazed Cassian¡¯s body, the way blood spurted from the wound and splattered on his face.

    Shaking his head to dispel the memories, he extracted a pill with trembling hands and swallowed it. Letting out a long sigh, he ran his hands over his face in frustration. Despite having turned back time, the day he killed Cassian remained vivid in his mind, and he couldn¡¯t sleep without the pills.

    ¡®Cassian, I promise¡ªI will protect you this time, no matter what.¡¯

 Chapter 4

    The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm light across the landscape. The sky was painted with blue hues, creating a picturesque background for the scenery while birds perched on the trees singing merrily. Walking down the pavement, gentle winds brushed against Cassian''s face, fluttering his locks and garments.

    Scanning the area, the tall fortification wall surrounding the place caught his eye. Knights patrolled along the parapet and watchtowers, their weapons at the ready. Glancing sideways, the courtyard was an open expanse of land dotted with trees and patches of wild grass. Lots of knights roamed around while maids and butlers ran their errands.

    However, the knights with wolf badges were more dominating than those with sun badges¡ªthey were Duke Godfrey''s knights¡ªCassian grandfather''s knights and the ones with sun badges were the Imperial knights. Duke Godfrey sent him a letter, expressing his devastation about his grandson''s assassination. He stated that he wanted to visit him, but he was currently stationed at the Zerounix Kingdom - Solari¨¦ Empire sea border at the Emperor''s order, that was why he sent knights to ensure his safety.

    Thinking back, there was a passage in the novel that briefly explained how Duke Godfrey and Duke Vazquez had been fierce rivals in a power struggle for the throne. However, their conflict ended abruptly when an accident occurred, leading to the downfall of the Godfrey duchy, though the novel never revealed the details of the accident.

    Yes, everything happened before the novel started. Despite Cassian''s powerful background, he was none other than a fucked up character with red flags surrounding him and his family. Somehow he was wondering if could he destroy all of them. Because doing nothing was definitely not an option.

    Today marked the third day since he possessed Cassian''s body, and thanks to an audience with Lord Samuel, he found out that his assassination attempt was closed as a bandit attack, which was ridiculous. What kind of bandit wiped out all of his knights? At this point, the Empire''s title of the strongest military in the continent was surely laughable.

    Furthermore, the Emperor didn''t seem to care about Cassian as he let the case close just like that¡ªnot even justice for his own flesh and blood, huh? And only lent one of his knights to become his temporary escort knight. No wonder Roseanne¡ªthe Empress¡ªwas seeing red that day.

    Peeking behind his shoulder, he fixated on a red-haired knight with reddish eyes. As their eyes crossed, Ezio¡ªhis temporary escort knight¡ªsmiled benignly at him and inclined his head respectfully. He was a man in his late twenties and was said to be the youngest of the Emperor''s escort knights.

    "Are you even listening to me?" A familiar voice cut through his thoughts.

    Cassian turned to see Julius had stopped walking, his emerald eyes pinned on him. He halted and nodded with confidence. "Of course, I am."

    Julius narrowed his eyes, his suspicion palpable. Unfazed, Cassian held his gaze steadily, feigning calm. Actually, he HAD been listening¡ªat least at first¡ªbut Julius had been talking non-stop for what felt like hours. While it was impressive how he never ran out of things to say, it was starting to grate on his nerves.

    Was he really the same Julius from the book? In the novel, Julius was the epitome of an edgy, brooding protagonist¡ªnot this relentless chatterbox. Could it be that he''d somehow transmigrated into a parallel version of the novel or something?

    After an intense staring contest, Julius eventually gave up with a snort. "Very well," he said, folding his arms, "Then tell me¡ªwhat did I just say?"

    "About we used to play here." Cassian shrugged nonchalantly. Honestly, it was a wild guess. That was because Julius had been repeating variations of that line at every stop.

    "Ho?" Julius arched an eyebrow, clearly amused, "Surprisingly accurate¡ªfor someone with such an unconvincing face."

    Cassian''s eye twitched. "I beg your pardon?"

    "Let''s keep moving," Julius whirled on his heel and strode off, blatantly ignoring his simmering annoyance.

    ''Seriously?'' Cassian watched Julius'' back in disbelief.

    Julius stopped and glanced over his shoulder, "Are you coming?"This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    With a heavy sigh, he followed. "I''m coming."

    Currently, they were on a tour, with Julius acting like as his guide, accompanied by their knights. The Western Palace¡ªwhere they were staying¡ªwas located in the western region of the Solair¨¦ Empire. It was considered a sacred place because it was a place where the founder of the Empire was born. According to imperial custom, the heir to the throne was required to undergo training here for five years before reaching adulthood.

    When the sound of water flowing reached his ears, he glanced toward the noise and spotted a grandeur fountain made of ivory marble in the distance. However, the most striking part was the towering monument at its center. As they drew closer, the writing engraved on the tower''s wall caught his attention:

    [ In realms where shadows dance and play,

    And secrets lurk in the light of day,

    Let not ambition''s fire ignite,

    For in its blaze, lies endless night.

    Beware the path where power gleams,

    For in its grasp, reality teems. ]

    "¡ªWe used to play here¡ª"

    "What is that?" Cassian interrupted, pointing at the poem.

    Julius followed his hand and shrugged indifferently, "A warning."

    Cassian rolled his eyes, "A warning for what? Not to climb the fountain?" Of course, he understood it was a warning against seeking power. "What I''m asking is, why write something so cryptic here of all places? Is there something special about it?"

    "Hmm," Julius hummed thoughtfully, adopting a thinking pose before smirking mischievously, "Perhaps it''s here to spark curiosity. Worked on you, didn''t it?"

    Cassian''s fists clenched tightly as he fought the urge to smack the back of Julius'' head. The more time he spent with him, the thinner his patience wore¡ªalmost as if Julius existed solely to erode his sanity.

    "Your performance as a guide is truly lacking, I must say," he spat in exasperation.

    Julius'' smirk widened, visibly enjoying his frustration, "And your capacity for forgiveness seems equally deficient."

    Cassian pinched the bridge of his nose at the insufferable headache. Letting out a heavy sigh, he sank onto the fountain''s edge. Talking to him drained his energy, and he refused to dignify him with a response. ''This guy is impossible.''

    After a moment, Julius sighed as well and sat beside him. "I don''t know the extent of your memory loss, but the main point of the training is that we shouldn''t chase power. We''re meant to be keepers of balance instead."

    "Yes, thank you very much for your kind explanation," Cassian replied dismissively. He wasn''t in the mood for further conversation.

    Cassian leaned back slightly and tilted his head upward, letting his gaze follow the lazy drift of clouds across the blue sky. The rhythmic sound of water cascading from the fountain and the gentle breeze gradually soothed away his irritation.

    "I''m sorry." Julius''s voice broke the silence, shattering his moment of respite. Groaning inwardly, Cassian begrudgingly turned to him, only to find Julius staring blankly at the pavement.

    After a moment, Julius glanced at him and repeated, "I''m truly sorry." Gone was his usual mischief¡ªonly helplessness remained. "It was my fault. If only I''d come sooner, you wouldn''t have gotten hurt, and you wouldn''t have lost your memory."

    "¡­" Cassian said nothing and regarded the man before him.

    Nonetheless, whenever Julius displayed his vulnerability side, he couldn''t help but wonder: was his apology genuine, or merely an act? According to the Empress, despite the enmity between their factions, Julius and Cassian shared a bond akin to that of siblings. Julius even often stepped in to thwart assassination attempts ordered by his mother and his grandfather.

    But if that were the case, then why did Julius kill Cassian in the novel? What was his reason behind such an act? Was it¡­ the throne? After all, it wasn''t uncommon in feudal societies for brothers to kill each other over power.

    Yet, what puzzled him even more was the novel''s repeated emphasis on Julius''s overwhelming loss over Cassian''s death. He even suffered recurring nightmares and relied heavily on sleeping pills to sleep. Just why? ''Did he¡­ regret it?''

    After a long pause, Cassian eventually gave his answer, "I don''t know if it''s my place to accept that apology, but thank you for saying it." How could he accept an apology meant for a brother he had never truly been? He was simply borrowing Cassian''s body, and nothing else.

    Just as Julius was about to retort, he quickly added, "Also, it''s not entirely your fault. Let''s not dwell on it. What''s done is done." He knew Julius far too well¡ªor at least, the version of him described in the book. No matter what anyone said, Julius would always shoulder the blame.

    Julius stared at him with an indescribable expression before chuckling softly, "You sounded like Gilbert just now."

    Cassian furrowed his eyebrows, "Gilbert?" Of course, it was just an act. In the novel, Gilbert was one of his most loyal subjects.

    Julius pointed toward the knight standing beside Ezio. "He''s my escort knight. Just like you, he''s like a family to me."

    Following Julius''s gesture, his eyes landed on a tall and bulky knight who stood beside Ezio. Gilbert was a middle-aged man with olive skin, a platinum blonde-haired man with golden eyes. The moment their eyes locked, he bowed respectfully to him and Cassian nodded in acknowledgment.

    However, the sound of a bell thundering in the air caught their attention, marking the midday time.

    Julius turned to him and asked, "Shall we get going for our family luncheon?"

    He nodded in agreement, "Sure."

    Julius offered him a warm smile and patted his head before rising to his feet. "Let''s go."

    Cassian complied and fell in step with Julius.

    Whatever Julius'' reason for killing him might be, for now, he would just observe him, while also keeping him in check in case he tried anything funny.

 Chapter 5

    Arriving in front of the twin mahogany doors, the guard guarding the door announced their arrival. ¡°His Highness Prince Julius and His Highness Prince Cassian are entering!¡±

    The doors swung open, revealing a white marble table in the middle of the dining room filled with fine silverware, crystal glasses, and an array of sumptuous dishes. The Emperor sat at its head, while the Empress sat to his right, and the servants stood silently along the walls. Despite the inviting aroma of food permeating the air, the atmosphere was heavy with unspoken tension. It seemed they hadn¡¯t mended their relationship.

    Arriving before them, they bowed respectfully, and Julius greeted them, ¡°Your Majesties, thank you for inviting us to join you for luncheon.¡±

    The Emperor gave a slight nod, ¡°Have a seat.¡±

    They complied, moving to their assigned places at the table, the maids and butlers hastily assisted them. As they sat, Gideon¡¯s crimson eyes lingered on Cassian, ¡°I heard you insisted on resuming your training tomorrow. What¡¯s with the rush? You can take another week¡¯s rest.¡±

    Meeting his gaze, Cassian shook his head, ¡°No, Your Majesty. I believe it¡¯s time to reacquaint myself with my responsibilities.¡±

    Despite the red flags surrounding him, he was glad he transmigrated before the novel started so he could at least get stronger and brace himself for whatever was coming his way.

    The story began when Julius returned to the Solair¨¦ Empire as the war hero after wiping out the Zerounix Kingdom. Since Duke Godfrey mentioned in his letter that he was overseeing the border between the Empire and the Zerounix Kingdom, Cassian knew the war was only a matter of time, and he couldn¡¯t afford to slack off.

    ¡°Still, do not push yourself too hard. You¡¯ve only recently recovered. Your health is just as important as your responsibilities.¡± Gideon reminded.

    On the surface, it seemed as though he truly cared for Cassian. Yet the lingering bitterness over how the assassination attempt had been dismissed as a mere bandit attack cast doubt on the sincerity of those words.

    Suppressing his thoughts, Cassian nodded. ¡°Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I¡¯ll be mindful.¡±

    However, the sudden sound of the doors swinging open drew their attention to the entrance. The Emperor¡¯s escort knight strode in urgently, his expression tense. Stopping before the Emperor, he bowed and handed him a letter. ¡°Your Majesty, Duke Godfrey has sent a letter.¡±

    Gideon took the letter and broke its seal. His expression darkened as he scanned its contents. Setting the letter down on the table, he turned toward Sanchez and ordered. ¡°Sanchez, we will return to the Palace by tomorrow morning. Please prepare accordingly.¡±

    Sanchez bowed respectfully, ¡°As you wish, Your Majesty.¡±

    ¡°Has something happened at the border?¡± Julius inquired, confusion etched on his and Roseanne¡¯s face.

    Gideon inclined his head. ¡°Yes. Duke Godfrey reports that the Zerounix Kingdom has deployed their galleons along the sea border, though there hasn¡¯t been any official declaration of war from their side.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°Could it be that they¡¯re attempting to provoke us into making the first move?¡± Cassian chimed in. According to the novel, the Zerounix Kingdom and the Solair¨¦ Empire had long been at odds over the sea rights dispute. ¡®So, it¡¯s starting already¡ªthe beginning of that war. It¡¯s sooner than I expected.¡¯

    Gideon nodded in agreement, ¡°It¡¯s a possibility. Their show of aggression could be a calculated strategy to test our resolve or assess our defenses.¡±

    Julius added, ¡°If that¡¯s their intention, we must tread carefully. A premature reaction on our part could be misconstrued as aggression and justify further escalation from their side.¡±

    Gideon leaned back slightly; his demeanor turned serious. ¡°Both of you make valid points. Restraint is crucial, but we cannot appear indecisive. We¡¯ll discuss this further once we return to the Palace¡ª¡±

    ¡°Ahem!¡± Roseanne cleared her throat, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

    All eyes turned to the Empress, who wore a delicate smile tinged with amusement. Gideon hastily picked up his cutlery, panic flashing across his features as he straightened in his seat.

    ¡°L-let us begin the luncheon,¡± the Emperor announced with forced composure, gesturing toward the meal before them.

    The tension lingered but was momentarily overshadowed by the clinking of cutlery as everyone focused on their meal. Nevertheless, Cassian could hardly taste a thing as his thoughts swirled. ¡®Is there a way to stop the war from unfolding?¡¯

    As Julius was sent to war in the novel, it was undoubtedly he would be sent there too. His plate was already full of red flags; he couldn¡¯t afford to be sent to the battlefield¡ªit wasn¡¯t part of his plan.

    Moreover, since he hadn¡¯t been able to discern who his allies or enemies were, it was highly probable that Vazquez¡¯s subordinates would assassinate him on the battlefield and then shift the blame onto the enemy. Simply put, going to the battlefield with Julius was out of the question.

    Perhaps he could refuse, but how would his faction respond? Meanwhile, the Vazquez faction would undoubtedly seize this opportunity to mock him or spread baseless rumors to tarnish his reputation.

    However, the sound of clicking glass interrupted his buzzing thoughts, compelling him to glance sideways to see a maid set a plate filled with thinly sliced beef next to his plate. Meeting the maid¡¯s eyes, she bowed respectfully, ¡°Her Majesty sent this, Your Highness.¡±

    Shifting his attention across the table, their cerulean eyes met, and Roseanne offered him a gentle smile. ¡°You¡¯ll need your strength if you¡¯re starting your training tomorrow.¡±

    Even though he spent so much time with her, the guilt in his chest never seemed to cease, instead, it grew even stronger. Forcing out a smile, he responded. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°You''re welcome, my dear son,¡± she replied, her smile unwavering.

    ¡°Her Majesty is right; you¡¯ll need your strength,¡± Julius joined in from beside him. Cassian glanced and found him placing a prawn on his plate. Locking his gaze on him, Julius smiled and gently stroked his hair. ¡°Good luck with your training.¡±

    Before he could respond, Gideon¡¯s voice pulled his attention. ¡°I wish you good luck, my son.¡± The man reached over and placed a slice of steak on his plate.

    Cassian looked down at his plate, now laden with food. His grip on the cutlery tightened as guilt ran rampant in his chest, clawing at his heart and strangling his throat. He¡­ could barely breathe.

    Cassian lifted his gaze toward the smiling family and forced out the barely audible words: ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Each time they showed him affection, it felt like a thousand sins pressing down on him¡ªit was suffocating. No matter how kind their gestures, no matter how sincere they were, they weren¡¯t his family¡ªhe wasn¡¯t Cassian, and that was why he didn¡¯t deserve their love or their warmth.

    He had already stolen someone else¡¯s life; how could he bring himself to steal their loved ones, too? Before he ensnared in their kindness and lost all sense of who he truly was, he had to leave this world as soon as possible.

 Chapter 6

    The sky blushed a soft reddish hue as the sun timidly peeked over the horizon. In the courtyard, grand carriages drawn by four horses stood in orderly rows, the imperial pennants atop them fluttered gently in the breeze.

    Despite the early hours, the courtyard was bustling with activity. Maids and butlers scurried about, packing provisions under Sanchez''s command, while the knights inspected their weapons and some tended to their horses.

    Cassian took a deep breath, letting the crisp morning dew fill his lungs. Exhaling slowly, his warm breath condensed into a faint mist before dissipating into the air. Today marked the departure of the Imperial family¡ªexcluding him. He still had three months of training to complete before returning to the capital for his coming-of-age.

    When the sound of approaching footsteps echoed across the courtyard, he and Ezio turned and saw Roseanne, escorted by Gideon, with Julius by his side, followed by several ladies-in-waiting and a group of escort knights, all making their way toward them.

    Upon reaching them, they bowed reverently and greeted in chorus, "Good morning, Your Majesties, Your Highness."

    Before Cassian could fully straighten from his bow, a pair of arms enveloped him in a tight embrace. The familiar powdery floral scent stung his nostrils, telling him it was the Empress.

    "I will miss you," she whispered, her voice tinged with melancholy as she stroked his head gently.

    He hesitated before finally returning the embrace. "I will miss you too."

    Despite the overwhelming guilt he felt toward her kindness, she was the only one he could trust without question in this unfamiliar world. And thanks to her, he now knew what it felt like to have a mother''s care¡ªsomething he never experienced in his past.

    Releasing him from her grasp, Roseanne cupped his face, her cerulean eyes shimmering with concern. "Promise me you''ll take care of yourself. Take your medication, eat properly, don''t overexert yourself, get enough rest, and please, don''t¡ª"

    Cassian was baffled, dumbfounded by the torrent of reminders. He knew she was worried¡ªperhaps excessively so¡ªbut it beginning to weigh on him.

    "¡ªAnd if you ever need anything, call for Sanchez immediately. Do you understand?"

    Snapping out of his reverie, he nodded quickly, "I understand, Your Majesty. Please, don''t worry about me."

    However, she shook her head firmly. "No. Call me ''Mother.''"

    Her words caught him off guard, "I¡­ How could I¡ª"

    "Mother." She interrupted, her unwavering gaze leaving no room for refusal.

    Exhaling softly, he eventually relented. "Mother¡­" His voice was barely audible, yet the single word seemed to light her face with pride.Stolen story; please report.

    "That''s my son," she spoke proudly and pressed a kiss to his forehead. With a final look of brimming affection, she stepped aside, allowing Gideon to take her place.

    Placing a steady hand on his shoulder, Gideon smiled at him. "Take care of your health, and always keep Ezio by your side, no matter where you go."

    He inclined his head, "I will keep that in mind. Thank you, Your¡ª"

    "Father." Gideon corrected him.

    He paused, his gaze flicking to Gideon''s expectant expression before reluctantly complying. "¡­Father." The word felt foreign in his tongue.

    Regardless, Gideon chuckled, clearly pleased. "That''s more like it." With a satisfying nod, he ruffled Cassian''s hair, his warmth lingering even as he stepped aside.

    Julius bounded forward, his grin stretching wide and his eyes gleaming with unrestrained glee. He could almost see an imaginary field of flowers blooming around him. Dare he say it, Julius currently looked like an overexcited dog. Of course, it would be a lie if he didn''t know why Julius was so animated.

    "Go on, say it, little brother." Julius urged, his voice laced with untamed excitement.

    As he was too tired to deal with his antics, Cassian decided to follow along. "Brother."

    However, the ungrateful creature before him shook his head, "Wrong. It''s BIG BROTHER."

    Cassian stared at him, unamused. "Does it really matter?"

    Julius gasped, clutching his chest theatrically. "Of course, it matters! Now, try again."

    "...Big brother," Cassian mumbled begrudgingly, his tone flat. The audacity of him truly knew no bounds.

    Julius''s grin widened impossibly. "See? That wasn''t so hard, was it?"

    "Now, now, Jules, don''t tease your brother too much," Gideon interceded, his hand resting on Julius'' head.

    With a huff, Julius complied. "Fine." Returning his eyes to him, he offered a rare, benign smile; his mischievousness was replaced with an uncommon seriousness as he clasped his shoulder. "Take care of yourself, and don''t forget to write to me."

    He stared at the two men before him before nodding. "I will."

    There was something strange about the situation. In the novel, it was implied that Julius and Gideon''s relationship was strained, yet the way they interacted now seemed surprisingly cordial to him.

    Julius reached out and gently patted his head. With the growing discrepancies between the novel and his reality, Cassian couldn''t help but feel reluctant to continue relying on the book.

    "Pardon me, Your Majesty." Their attention shifted toward Sanchez, who was bowing respectfully before them. He straightened slightly and continued, "The preparations are complete."

    The Emperor nodded in acknowledgment. "I understand."

    Gideon''s crimson eyes flickered between Roseanne and Julius. Their gazes met briefly, and in silent agreement, they shifted their focus to Cassian.

    "It seems it''s time for us to part ways," Gideon said.

    Cassian offered them a final bow. "I wish you safe travels."

    Roseanne gave him one final warm hug before turning her attention to Ezio, who stood behind him. "I entrust my son to you."

    Ezio bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, I will ensure His Highness'' safety with my life."

    She smiled in relief. "Thank you. It brings me great comfort to know he is in such capable hands."

    Without further ado, the group proceeded to their respective carriages. As Roseanne took Gideon''s hand to step inside, she paused, glancing back at him. A tender smile graced her lips as she waved. Cassian held her gaze and returned the gesture, a faint smile tugging at his own. It was clear how much she adored her son.

    Once the imperial family boarded the carriages, the knights and drivers prompted their horses forward. The rhythmic cadence of hooves echoed through the air as the carriage, flanked by cavalry, began its procession toward the palace entrance. Cassian stood in silence, watching until they vanished behind the castle''s portcullis.

    "Family, huh?" he mumbled, his thoughts straying to his past life. The image of standing alone in the rain, facing four graves, resurfaced in his mind.

    "Your Highness, your class will begin shortly." Sanchez''s voice from behind him pulled him back to the present.

    Cassian spun around to find the elderly butler bowing slightly. "Lead the way."

    The elderly man inclined his head further. "As you wish."

 Chapter 7

    After a few minutes of walking and descending a flight of stairs, they arrived at a sprawling training ground. Rows of dummies stood in a neat formation, while archery targets were lined up along the edges. To the left was a room filled with armory and weaponry¡ªsomehow the sight of them brought back memories of his childhood. Standing in the middle of the field was a black-robed figure, whom he deduced to be his instructor.

    Sanchez, leading the group, paused and spun around to face him, bowing respectfully, "Your Highness, we will be waiting on the sidelines."

    "I understand." Cassian nodded and resumed his stride.

    Honestly speaking, if it came to martial arts or fighting with historical weapons such as swords, spears, or bows, he shouldn''t have a problem. After all, who would have thought that the ''Historical European Martial Arts'' club he joined for fun would be useful in his current situation? With that settled, he only had magic left to learn.

    Just like any other normal fantasy world, this realm, of course, had magic. Unfortunately, there was no cheat skill to steal, and everything had to be learned from scratch.

    As he approached, the figure lifted the hem of her hood, revealing a fair-skinned woman with ginger hair that cascaded over her shoulders. She was a woman in her early twenties, surprisingly young to be his instructor.

    Once her citrine eyes landed on him, she curtseyed. "Greetings, Your Highness, I am Eileen, your instructor. It is an honor to serve you."

    Cassian gave a slight nod. "Thank you, Master Eileen. I look forward to learning under your guidance."

    "Before we begin," she said, straightening her posture and meeting his gaze with solemnity, "allow me to express my deepest condolences for what has happened to you."

    "I appreciate your words, but I''d prefer to focus on the task." Sympathy or sentimentality could wait; learning magic was the priority¡ªhe was running out of time.

    She inclined her head. "Very well. Where would you prefer to begin?"

    "I''d like to begin with the basics. My memories feel... clouded, and I believe it would be best to start anew." Thanks to his amnesia, he had an alibi to relearn everything from the ground up.

    Truthfully, he tried to read a book on magic, but Roseanne stopped him, insisting he needed to focus on his recovery first. While he had a general understanding of how magic worked in this world, the actual practice was a completely different story.

    "Certainly, Your Highness. Then, let us start with the concept of ''Mana.'' Are you familiar with this term?"

    Cassian nodded. "Yes, Mana is pure energy that exists throughout this world. It''s the fundamental source used for casting magic."

    Eileen smiled approvingly. "That''s correct. However, before we can cast magic, we must first awaken our Mana Reservoir, which resides in our hearts. This reservoir allows us to store and access Mana as needed."

    According to the novel, everyone was born with a nascent Mana Reservoir¡ªa tiny, dormant core of magical potential, much like a seed waiting to sprout. With continuous practice and experience, the Mana Reservoir could grow in strength and capacity.

    "To awaken it," she continued, "an expert mage injects a small amount of mana into the apprentice''s body, allowing them to guide it toward tapping into their Mana Reservoir. This process is essential not only for awakening but also serves as an early lesson in understanding and controlling Mana."

    "Can I try the awakening process?" He knew Cassian''s Mana Reservoir had already been awakened, but at the moment, he was at a loss. Forget casting magic¡ªhe didn''t even know how to control Mana, which was the very first step in learning magic.

    "Of course, Your Highness. May I have your hand?" Eileen extended her right hand, and Cassian placed his atop hers.

    "I will now begin the process." After a brief warning, she chanted, and a small, glowing magic circle appeared beneath their joined hands.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    Cassian narrowed his brow at the cool sensation spreading across his palm. ''Is this¡­ Mana?''

    Dismissing his useless thoughts, he focused and aimed to guide the Mana toward his heart. However, it proved more challenging than he anticipated. Minutes passed, but the Mana barely budged from his palm; it felt like trying to grab an eel¡ªseemingly docile, yet slipping through his fingers the moment he held it.

    "Do not rush, Your Highness," Eileen''s voice pulled his attention, "Mana is not something to be forced¡ªit must be coaxed, like a shy creature learning to trust. Feel the flow instead of commanding it."

    "I''ll try it." Exhaling deeply to ease the tension, Cassian heightened his focus on the Mana once again.

    This time, the Mana stirred¡ªthough sluggish at first¡ªit began its hesitant journey up to his wrist. A flick of triumph sparked in his chest, but it was short-lived as the Mana slipped from his grasp and retreated to his palm, eliciting a resigned sigh. ''How annoying.''

    Cassian removed his hand and met her gaze, "What happens if a mage directly injects their Mana into an apprentice who hasn''t been able to control their own Mana?"

    "Should the mage attempt to forcefully tap into it on the apprentice''s behalf, it could trigger something dangerous¡ªlike a Mana Burst. Without control, their Mana could spiral out of balance, endangering their surroundings and potentially causing permanent damage to their undeveloped Mana Reservoir."

    ''So, in other words, there''s no shortcut to learning magic, huh?'' Pushing aside his frustration, he extended his hand, "Can we try again?"

    "Certainty, Your Highness." Eileen accepted his hand before reciting a spell.

    When the cool sensation returned to his palm, Cassian poured all his attention into the Mana and carefully guided it forward. It stirred and crept to his wrist, but the progress was painfully slow, and the urge to force it upward clawed at him.

    Just when it reached his forearm, the Mana slipped from his grasp and fell back to its starting point, drawing a sharp sigh from him as vexation gnawed at his patience.

    "It''s alright, Your Highness; don''t be discouraged¡ªyou have made progress." Eileen encouraged him, though her words did little to ease his frustration.

    He gave her a nod nonetheless. "Thank you."

    "Would you like to try again?" Eileen offered her hand, and he accepted it.

    "Yes, please." Still, it was too early to give up.

    As she began the incantation, Cassian closed his eyes to concentrate more. If he failed at the first step, he shouldn''t even dare to dream of thwarting every red flag in his way.

    At long last, after countless failures and hours of effort, the Mana surged past his arm for the first time. His heart pounded fiercely, and sweat slid down his back as happiness, fear, hope, and doubt churned. Shoving those feelings aside, he directed all his focus into guiding the Mana.

    And finally, after agonizing minutes, it eventually reached his heart, casting a refreshing sensation flooding his body. Nevertheless, Cassian couldn''t help but breathe out in relief when a wave of catharsis swept through him, lifting the burden that was previously pinned on him.

    "Your Highness, congratulations on regaining control of your Mana." Eileen congratulated him. Her beaming face glistened with sweat¡ªmuch like his. It was only natural; hours of continuously channeling her Mana into him must have drained her Reservoir.

    Cassian managed a faint smile. "Thank you."

    "To gain better control, Your Highness should try guiding your Mana to different parts of your body. It''s an excellent way to build mastery."

    He nodded in acknowledgment, "I''ll keep that in mind."

    "Also, please be cautious with your magic usage. Casting spells that exceed your Reservoir''s limit can damage it, leading to Mana Poisoning. This happens because Mana Reservoir automatically draws in Mana, and if it becomes damaged, excess Mana floods the body uncontrollably, causing unbearable pain."

    The novel explained that while Mana Poisoning had no cure¡ªas it was intangible, survivors could use a Mana Eater Stone to absorb excess Mana, though they would lose the ability to use Mana.

    "And remember," Eileen continued, "overusing your Mana can lead to Mana Exhaustion. Symptoms include dizziness, coughing up blood, or even fainting. Should you experience any of these signs, it is imperative that you stop and rest immediately."

    Cassian gave another nod. "I''ll be careful."

    Eileen studied him momentarily before raising her hand, where a pocket watch magically appeared in her grasp. After glancing at its face, she returned her gaze to him. "Let us conclude our training for today. Your Highness'' well-being is paramount, and sufficient recuperation is essential."

    "Understood." He had to admit that taking a break was undeniably tempting. The prolonged, intense focus left his head throbbing and his limbs fatigued.

    Eileen retrieved a thick book and handed it to him, which he accepted. "This book should aid Your Highness in relearning magic."

    Cassian glanced at the book in his hands. Its worn leather cover was inscribed with runic symbols in gold ink. Shifting his attention back to her, he nodded. "I appreciate the thoughtfulness, Master Eileen," he said, tucking the book under his arm. "I''ll make good use of it."

    Eileen offered a knowing smile. "I trust Your Highness will." With that, she curtseyed and bid him farewell, "I wish Your Highness a restful evening. I shall see you tomorrow for our next lesson."

    Cassian inclined his head as she departed, watching her silhouette fade into the distance. Letting out a sigh of relief, he glanced skyward, watching how the clouds meander lazily. He was now a step closer to his goal.

 Chapter 8

    ¡°Previously, we learned how to awaken the Mana Reservoir and control Mana. Today, we¡¯ll expand further on how to utilize it.¡± Eileen, standing before him, briefly explained.

    Today marked the second day of his training. Yesterday, he spent the whole day working on his Mana control. The Mana, which once crept like a snail, now moved at a turtle¡¯s pace. It might not seem like much to others, but it was a significant step forward for him.

    Also, he recently discovered he could read and write runic language when he skimmed through the magic book Eileen had given him. Thanks to Cassian¡¯s memories, he was learning magic far faster than he anticipated. Though Cassian¡¯s memories were scarce, they proved invaluable in crucial moments.

    ¡°There are two ways to use Mana.¡± Eileen¡¯s voice drew his attention. ¡°The first is ¡®Enhancement,¡¯ which involves channeling Mana within your body to amplify physical attributes¡ªsuch as speed, strength, or durability. The second is ¡®Conjuring,¡¯ a technique that allows you to manifest the Primary Elements externally.¡±

    Holding his gaze, Eileen asked. ¡°Before we proceed, is Your Highness familiar with Primary Elements?¡±

    Cassian inclined his head. ¡°Yes. The Primary Elements are natural forces residing within the Mana Reservoir. There are four: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. They are inherited through genes.¡±

    The book explained that if the father possessed the Earth Element and the mother had the Water Element, their child could inherit either one, both, or none at all. In rare cases, the child might inherit an Element from their ancestor. Although some people were born without Primary Elements, they could still harness Mana through the Enhancement method¡ªit was just that they were destined to become warriors.

    ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± Eileen nodded with satisfaction. ¡°And by combining Primary Elements, we can create new Elements. For instance, a combination of Air and Fire creates a Lightning, while Air and Water Elements create an Ice, among many others.¡±

    Simply put, the concept was the same as primary colors: by combining them, you could create a new color.

    She paused and regarded him momentarily before inquiring. ¡°Does Your Highness remember the Primary Element you possess?¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± The novel only described Cassian as a talented mage and nothing more.

    ¡°I see.¡± Eileen nodded in understanding and retrieved a transparent crystal ball from her magical ring, about the size of a basketball, with four pearls inside. ¡°Your Highness, this is a Primary Element Appraisal tool. Place your hand on top, and the pearl inside will change color according to each Element you possess: red for Fire, white for Air, blue for Water, and hazel for Earth.¡±

    Stepping forward, he did as instructed, and she began chanting. The crystal ball glowed faintly, and the pearls inside started to shimmer. Though he had no idea how many or which Primary Elements Cassian possessed, he hoped Earth would be one of them, as it was versatile for offense and defense.

    Subsequently, the leftmost pearl shone, emitting a luminous hue¡ªindicating he possessed the Air Element. It wasn¡¯t the one he wanted, but it was better than having none. The idea of cutting down enemies with invisible wind blades¡ªjust like Julius, sounded cool, too.

    Right before he removed his hand, the pearl beside it lit up in blue, and the corner of his mouth curled into a smile. ¡®¡¯Two Elements? Not bad.¡¯

    However, his amusement shattered as his brow furrowed when the third pearl shifted to a hazel glow. To his surprise, the final pearl flared a vivid red, leaving him flabbergasted. The pearls hovered and swirled, dancing in unison as if mocking his reaction.

    Pulling his hand away, Cassian locked his gaze with Eileen¡¯s citrine eyes. ¡°Could the tool be malfunctioning?¡±

    However, she shook her head, and a tender smile graced her lips, ¡°There¡¯s no mistake, Your Highness. Your four Primary Elements were confirmed when you were first tested as a child.¡±

    Cassian¡¯s cerulean eyes flickered toward the crystal ball, his indifferent reflection staring back at him. ¡°¡­I see.¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    It was not that he was ungrateful, but being born with three Primary Elements was considered insanely lucky. But four? That was unheard of¡ªso absurd that he almost burst out laughing. Even Julius¡ªthe protagonist¡ªwas only a Triple Elemental Bearer. No wonder Cassian¡¯s life was so fucked-up; he must have used up all his luck just by being born with four elements.

    Returning his focus to her, he asked. ¡°Is there another Quad Elemental Bearer beside me?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not, Your Highness. You are the only Quad Elemental Bearer on the continent.¡±

    Cassian clamped his mouth as her words sank in. ¡®The only one, huh?¡¯ He now roughly understood why the Vazquez family wanted Cassian dead so badly¡ªhis mere existence overshadowed Julius. Cassian¡¯s power was both a blessing and a curse: a gift that could help him thwart red flags, yet a burden that drew unwelcome attention.

    Suppressing his thoughts, he posed another question. ¡°What Element do I usually use?¡± It seemed wiser to follow Cassian¡¯s habits; maybe this body would feel more natural, allowing him to adapt more quickly.

    ¡°Your Highness typically favors the Ice Element; it¡¯s your preferred choice. However, all your Primary Elements are at remarkably high levels.¡±

    Being born with Primary Elements didn¡¯t automatically make someone a powerful mage. Each Element required training, and the same applied to combined Elements.

    Cassian offered her a slight nod. ¡°I understand. Thank you for answering. Let us continue the lesson.¡±

    ¡°Certainly, Your Highness,¡± Eileen replied before resuming, ¡°To Conjure, we first need to create a magic circle. By channeling our Mana into the Primary Element and chanting the runic language with the correct syntax and intonation, we can manifest our Primary Element through the Magic Circle.¡±

    Eileen lifted her right hand and recited a spell. A magic circle formed above her palm, and water burst forth, quickly shaping into a perfect sphere. ¡°Each rune corresponds to a specific property of the spell. If the syntax or intonation is even slightly off, the magic circle won¡¯t form.¡±

    She flicked her wrist, and the water ball dissipated into mist. ¡°However, the most crucial aspect is Mana control. Without proper control, the magic circle won¡¯t stabilize to sustain the Primary Element and may even backfire on the caster.¡±

    ¡°Now,¡± Eileen clapped her hands. ¡°Why doesn¡¯t Your Highness try forming a basic circle with the Water Element, just as I demonstrated earlier?¡±

    Cassian lifted his hand and commenced chanting. He carefully channeled his Mana, ensuring it wouldn¡¯t backfire on him. A magic circle slowly formed above his palm, its sluggish formation betraying his lack of control over Mana.

    Once the magic circle was complete, water surged upward and reluctantly curled into a small ball. Before long, its surface rippled violently and exploded, splashing water over him.

    Cassian clicked his tongue in annoyance, wriggling his hand to shake off the water. Of course, reality always seemed to deliver the exact opposite of what he expected.

    ¡°Not bad for a first attempt, Your Highness,¡± Eileen said with a smile, wiping the water from her cheek.

    Cassian sighed in resignation as he mopped his damp sleeve across his face. ¡°My magic exploded.¡±

    In contrast to his frustration, Eileen chuckled softly. ¡°Mastery takes time, Your Highness. Even the most talented mages struggled in the beginning. The important thing is that you managed to form the magic circle and manifest the element. That alone is commendable.¡±

    Cassian paused, considering her words. She was right¡ªthe first step was always the hardest. Despite the time pressure, he shouldn''t have let his impatience take over. Taking a deep breath to ease his fury, he nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s give it another try.¡±

    And he spent the day practicing his magic.

    .

    .

    .

    Sitting with legs crossed on a chair on the balcony, Cassian poured his focus onto the book in his hand. His cerulean eyes danced across the lines as his white hair and regal attire fluttered gently in the breeze. The rich aroma of the summer wind mingled with the scent of tea and cookies on the table before him, tingled his nostrils.

    Three months had flown by in the blink of an eye. After the ceremony last night marking the end of his training, today was the day of his return to the capital for his coming-of-age celebration. Not much happened during his stay here; he spent most of his days training and reading about cross-dimensional magic in hopes of returning to his world, but he found nothing.

    Somehow, he didn¡¯t understand why he was sent here in the first place. Was there a purpose, or was it just some kind of joke? He wanted an answer, but then again, this realm was a godless land¡ªthere was no God here, so who could he even ask?

    Closing the book with a sigh of exasperation, Cassian rubbed the bridge of his nose, muttering, ¡°I¡¯m thinking about something useless.¡±

    When the sound of footsteps filled the air, he glanced toward the source and found Sanchez bowing respectfully. ¡°Pardon the intrusion, Your Highness. I have news¡ªHis Highness Prince Julius and His Grace Duke Godfrey will be arriving shortly.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± Cassian stored the book in his magical ring and stood. ¡°Lead the way.¡±

    Sanchez deepened his bow. ¡°This way, please.¡±

    Cassian followed the head butler, with Ezio, who had been standing nearby, instinctively falling into step behind him.

 Chapter 9

    A few days ago, Gideon sent him a letter informing him that Julius and Duke Godfrey would escort him. He could understand his grandfather¡¯s involvement, but Julius? Why was he included?

    When he asked Ezio¡¯s opinion on the matter, Ezio suggested it might be to ensure his safety. After all, no ¡®accidents¡¯ had ever occurred when Julius was with Cassian. In other words, Gideon was fully aware of the harm the Vazquez family inflicted on Cassian. Yet, he remained silent and did nothing. Why? What was his reason?

    As he couldn¡¯t grasp Gideon¡¯s way of thinking, he dug into Cassian¡¯s father¡¯s past, hoping to get a better understanding of him. But what he uncovered left him speechless.

    The Solair¨¦ Empire was divided into four regions¡ªcentral, western, eastern, and southern¡ªeach ruled by a duke. For generations, the dukes maintained neutrality, but in recent decades, Duke Vazquez of the central region had risen in political power. As his influence grew, the loyalists to the throne dwindled, and rumors spread that the Vazquez family sought the throne.

    However, despite the circumstances, Gideon¡ªa consort¡¯s son with little power then¡ªmade a bold, controversial decision by marrying Jillia, Duke Vazquez¡¯s daughter. This move sparked outrage among the loyalists and the imperial family, who quickly branded him a traitor. To them, it was no different than selling the throne for personal gain.

    As the current Emperor¡¯s health declined, the power struggle reached its peak. Day after day, news of another fallen prince or slain imperial family member spread through the palace. Even Gideon lost his mother and barely escaped death himself. Ultimately, he emerged as the sole survivor of the bloody battle for succession¡ªputting an end to one of the darkest chapters in the Solair¨¦ Empire¡¯s history.

    But the madness didn¡¯t end there.

    On the day of his ascension, Gideon blindsided the court by announcing his engagement to Roseanne¡ªDuke Godfrey¡¯s daughter¡ªand declaring her the new Empress. The empire reeled. Duke Vazquez, feeling betrayed, seethed with fury while the nobility struggled to process the sudden power shift. After all, Duke Godfrey, once a staunch neutral, now aligned with the imperial family.

    Had it not been for the Godfrey family¡¯s long-standing military lineage¡ªone that defended the Empire for generations¡ªthe Vazquez coalition would have undoubtedly raised an army in defiance.

    Many believed Gideon¡¯s decision was a calculated move to curb the Vazquez family¡¯s growing influence by bringing Duke Godfrey into the political scene to solidify the loyalists and send a clear message that he refused to be a puppet emperor. However, the aftermath left lasting unrest throughout the empire and ignited a power struggle between the Godfrey and Vazquez families.

    At a glance, the Vazquez family might seem like the victims. But looking back at the so-called ¡®bandit attack,¡¯ it was clear that Gideon deliberately shielded them. And considering how easily he dismissed the fact that Cassian¡ªDuke Godfrey¡¯s grandchild¡ªwas nearly assassinated, the lines blurred. At this point, he couldn¡¯t tell who the real victim was.

    Just¡­ what could Gideon possibly gain by protecting the Vazquez family? Or was he merely playing both sides, ensuring neither grew too powerful?

    Letting out a deep sigh, Cassian ran his fingers through his hair. ¡®Whatever the answer was¡ªthis family¡ªTHIS EMPIRE¡ªwas one hell of a mess.¡¯

    Arriving at the entrance hall, maids and butlers paused their last-minute preparations to bow respectfully at the sight of him. Cassian responded with a curt nod of acknowledgment before continuing forward.

    When the sharp clanking of metal echoed through the air, all eyes shifted toward the fortified wall. The massive portcullis slowly rose, unveiling two grand carriages¡ªeach drawn by four horses and flanked by cavalry¡ªgliding into the palace. The rhythmic pounding of hooves reverberated through the courtyard as the horses galloped onward. The imperial pennant atop the carriages fluttered proudly in the breeze.

    After passing the field, the coachman deftly parked the carriage before the entrance hall, where a butler promptly stepped forward and opened the door. Emerging from within was a robust elderly man, his regal attire reflecting his noble status. Though well into his sixties, his blonde hair gleamed under the sunlight¡ªit was none other than Wilhelm, Cassian¡¯s grandfather and a revered marshal.

    The moment their cerulean eyes locked, the man offered him a tender smile, and Cassian reluctantly returned the gesture. No matter how many times it happened, he could never quite grow accustomed to feigning familial warmth.

    However, Wilheim¡¯s figure blurred and faded from Cassian¡¯s vision, wiping the smile from his face as his brows furrowed in confusion. Before he could make sense of the situation, darkness descended, muffling the frantic shouts around him, and the world went blank.

    ¡°¡­Your Majesty¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­strip of title¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­the death of the Empress¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­cannot go unpunished!¡±

    A buzzing sound pierced his ears, pulling him from the void. Opening his eyes, he found himself seated amidst a murmuring crowd, facing a raised dais draped in faded crimson velvet. Atop it sat Gideon alongside the magistrates¡ªa courtroom.

    With the abrupt shift in reality and his inability to move or speak, he was undoubtedly experiencing another foresight. Since the previous vision activated upon seeing Roseanne, he deduced that meeting someone with a significant connection to Cassian triggered the event.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°I cannot do that.¡± Gideon¡¯s voice instinctively silenced the crowd, heightening the already tense atmosphere in the room.

    Before the Emperor and magistrates stood two men in their late sixties. One was none other than Wilheim, and the other¡ªwho bore a striking resemblance to Julius¡ªwas likely Gustav Vazquez, Julius¡¯s grandfather.

    He had no idea what was happening. But currently, Cassian¡¯s emotions were all over the place. His heart pounded, his hands trembled, and the fear surging from him was so overwhelming it felt like it might swallow him whole.

    ¡°My lord, Your Majesty.¡± Gustav stepped forward, pulling everyone¡¯s attention to him. ¡°Stripping Lord Wilheim of his title and banishing him is not enough. He commands great military power. What if he returns, leading an army against the empire he once served?¡±

    Wilheim scoffed and fixated his gaze on Gustav in amusement. ¡°You speak of rebellion, yet you are the one benefiting most from my fall.¡± He took a step forward. ¡°How long have you been waiting for this, Lord Gustav?¡±

    A murmur rippled through the hall, but Gustav merely chuckled, shaking his head as if indulging a fool. ¡°You¡¯ve always been paranoid, Lord Wilheim. But paranoia doesn¡¯t erase responsibility.¡± His voice turned cold and sharp. ¡°The horse pulling my carriage was poisoned under your watch as the head of security¡ªan act that led to the Empress¡¯s death. That alone warrants severe punishment.¡±

    ¡°Do not dare preach to me about my daughter!¡± Wilheim growled, fists clenching at his sides. ¡°Answer me, Lord Gustav¡ªwhy were you absent from the banquet before the parade? Where were you that night?¡±

    Gustav sneered. ¡°Are you accusing me of poisoning my own horse just to kill the Empress, wagering my life in the process?¡± His jaw tightened. ¡°I was the target!¡±

    Wilheim¡¯s glare did not waver. ¡°And that is why I demand a real investigation while you call for my execution without a shred of proof.¡±

    ¡°Do not spew nonsense to deflect your failures!¡± Gustav thrust a finger toward Wilheim. ¡°Your incompetence didn¡¯t just cost us an Empress¡ªit endangered the monarchs of other nations who attended as guests! Do you understand the weight of that? Do you understand that your negligence could spark a war? Stripping you of your title is not enough. You must be executed!¡±

    Wilheim took a step forward. ¡°Then stop hiding behind words. If you want my head, take it yourself¡ª!¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Gideon slammed the table, his voice thundered, silencing the hall. ¡°This is a court, not a stage for petty grudges¡ª!¡±

    A sudden loud clatter of metal echoed through the hall, cutting Gideon mid-sentence. All eyes snapped toward a small silver orb rolling across the floor before stopping at Wilheim''s feet. Then, it exploded, releasing a thick black smoke that engulfed the space, throwing the room into chaos.

    ¡°Argh! Help!¡±

    ¡°A surprise attack!¡±

    ¡°Protect His Majesty!¡±

    Cassian shot to his feet and rushed toward Wilheim. ¡°Grandpa!¡±

    But before he could reach him, a hand yanked at his clothes, jerking him back. A damp cloth pressed against his face, and a sharp scent burned his lungs. His vision blurred, and darkness devoured him.

    When a sharp, excruciating pain pierced his skull, Cassian grunted and clutched his head as he slowly regained consciousness. Blinking against the dim light, he was greeted by a familiar painting¡ªa cavalry engaged in battle, its worn colors casting eerie shadows above his canopy bed. Bringing his hand to his eyes, he saw a calloused teenage hand¡ªmarking his return to the real world.

    ¡°I will fetch the physician,¡± Sanchez¡¯s voice cut through the haze, followed by the sound of the door opening and closing.

    Glancing to the source, he found Wilheim sitting beside his bed. The man reached out and gently brushed his hair. ¡°How is your faring? Are you experiencing any pain?¡±

    He gazed at Wilheim momentarily, and somehow¡­ he finally grasped the depth of Cassian¡¯s fear in the foresight. With Roseanne gone and Wilheim facing execution, Cassian would be completely alone. A powerless young prince in the palace was as good as dead.

    Shaking his head to dismiss the thoughts, Cassian replied. ¡°I am well, just a slight lightheadedness.¡± Using his elbow for support, he slowly pushed himself up. ¡°For how long have I been unconscious?¡±

    ¡°Nearly a half day,¡± Wilheim answered as he steadied him before pouring a glass of water and handing it over.

    Cassian accepted it with a nod. ¡°Thank you.¡± He took a sip, letting the cool liquid soothe his parched throat.

    ¡°Perhaps we should delay your return to the capital. You need time to recover.¡±

    Cassian lowered the glass before whipping his head toward Wilhem in surprise. ¡°No, please proceed as planned.¡±

    After seeing how chaotic the future was, he couldn¡¯t afford to stay idle. Honestly speaking, he had spent three months scouring the library, yet found nothing. Staying here any longer would be a waste of time. The sooner he returned to the capital, the sooner he could uncover the clues that would lead him home.

    Wilheim let out a heavy sigh. Just as he opened his mouth to protest, a knock echoed permeated the room, interrupting him. Sanchez¡¯s voice followed. ¡°Your Grace, I have brought the physician.¡±

    ¡°Enter.¡±

    The door creaked open, revealing Sanchez and the physician stepping inside. Wasting no more time, the physician commenced his examining him before concluding. ¡°Your Highness collapsed due to fatigue. There are no signs of illness, but you must rest properly. I will prepare a tonic to help with your recovery.¡±

    Cassian nodded faintly, appreciating the quick diagnosis. Once the physician finished, he excused himself and left the room. The moment the door clicked shut, Cassian returned his attention to Wilheim. ¡°Please proceed as planned.¡±

    Wilheim regarded him with an indescribable expression as though weighing his words carefully. After a deep sigh, he stood and rested a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s address this in the morning. For now, take ample rest.¡±

    Cassian couldn¡¯t help but swallow a groan. Just like father, just like daughter¡ªboth were impossible to reason with when it came to his well-being. With no room for argument, he begrudgingly conceded. ¡°I understand.¡±

    After bidding each other goodnight, Wilheim and Sanchez exited the chamber, leaving him alone. He flopped back onto the bed and stared at the painting above him. Running his fingers through his hair, Cassian exhaled a long breath.

    The foresight he just experienced was unquestionably the continuation of the previous one. Could ¡®the accident¡¯ that led to Godfrey¡¯s duchy¡¯s downfall¡ªwhich wasn¡¯t mentioned in the novel¡ªbe connected to Roseanne¡¯s death and Wilheim¡¯s fall in the court? But the chaotic scene in the courtroom left him uncertain. Was Wilheim being executed, or had he been assassinated?

    However, what bugged him the most was the question of who in the world dared to kidnap Cassian¡ªunder the Emperor¡¯s nose, no less. Could it be that Godfrey had other enemies besides the Vazquez family? Or had it been the Vazquez family all along?

    Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he rubbed his temples as his headache worsened. Thinking about countless scenarios only made his head throb more. As of now, sleeping was undoubtedly the best choice. There was no point in chasing down every possibility when there were no answers to be found right now. He¡¯d come back to it when he had the right resources.

    Cassian cast a spell, and a magic circle appeared above him, unleashing a gust of wind through the room, extinguishing the candles. When darkness wrapped around him, he closed his eyes.

 Chapter 10

    The rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed through the dimly lit corridor as Julius and Gilbert made their way toward Cassian¡¯s chamber, accompanied by the distant chirping of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl. After receiving news that his younger brother had awakened, Julius promptly set out to visit him.

    When they finally arrived, Ezio and Wilheim¡¯s escort knight stood guard at the door, bowing respectfully upon seeing him. Before he could step forward, the door creaked open, revealing Wilheim and Sanchez emerging from the room, bringing him and Gilbert to a halt.

    Wilheim¡¯s icy eyes fell on him. ¡°Your Highness,¡± he greeted flatly.

    Holding his gaze steadily, Julius returned the gesture. ¡°Your Grace.¡±

    ¡°Prince Cassian is currently resting. You may visit him by the morning.¡±

    Julius regarded the man before him in silence. ¡®He wasted no time in kicking me out, huh?¡¯ But then again, Wilheim had a point¡ªCassian needed to rest.

    ¡°How is Ian faring?¡± Even if he couldn¡¯t see his brother, Julius at least wanted to know his condition.

    ¡°His Highness is well,¡± Wilheim answered curtly.

    Julius clenched his jaw as his mood soured. He was well aware of the animosity between their families, but Wilheim wasn¡¯t making things any easier. He hoped for more details about Cassian¡¯s condition. Instead, he met with a stone wall.

    Exhaling deeply to alleviate his rage, Julius whirled around his heel. ¡°Good night.¡±

    ¡°Good night.¡± Wilheim¡¯s voice followed behind him.

    ¡°Stubborn old man,¡± Julius muttered under his breath.

    ¡°Your Highness, We are still in Prince Cassian¡¯s quarters,¡± Gilbert reminded him.

    Julius rolled his eyes and relented. ¡°Fine.¡± As another thought crossed his mind, he glanced at Gilbert. ¡°Any news?¡±

    Gilbert shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m afraid not yet.¡±

    Julius exhaled sharply, his frustration mounting. ¡°We¡¯re running out of time.¡±

    After fifteen minutes of walking, they reached Julian¡¯s chamber. Stepping inside, their attention was drawn to an eagle perched on the balcony railing, basking under the moonlight, its sharp eyes locked onto them¡ªthe messenger. Julius couldn¡¯t help but sigh in relief when a sense of catharsis washed over him.

    ¡°It¡¯s here,¡± Gideon remarked.

    Julius nodded. ¡°Yes.¡±

    While Gilbert approached the bird, Julius loosened his cravat and sank onto the couch. A moment later, he returned and handed him a letter. Breaking the magic seal, Julius unfolded it and read its contents:

    ? Approximately eight hours after Your Highness and His Grace¡¯s convoy passed through the forest, a group arrived and camped along the route that will be used tomorrow¡ªjust as you predicted. After confirming they spoke fluent Zerounian, we eliminated them and disposed of their bodies as per your orders. ?

    A small magic circle flared atop his hand, reducing the letter to ashes. ¡°It¡¯s been taken care of.¡±

    ¡°I trust Your Highness¡¯ plan is complete?¡± Gilbert asked.

    Julius nodded. ¡°Yes, but until Cassian reaches the capital safely, it¡¯s not over.¡±

    In the previous timeline, Cassian was ambushed by Zerounix forces on his way back to the capital and gravely injured. At that time, Gideon was furious beyond measure and immediately waged war against the Zerounix kingdom in retaliation.

    Truthfully, Julius didn¡¯t care whether war broke out again¡ªhis sole priority was preventing Cassian from suffering the same fate. To that end, he devised two plans.

    The first was securing a place in the escort team. Using the excuse that the Vazquez family might stage an ambush, he baited Gideon into allowing him to join and even ordering Wilheim to accompany the escort for added security¡ªa welcome change in case something unexpected happened.

    The second was deploying his high-ranking mercenaries to scout the route and eliminate any Zerounix forces. Now that the threat had been neutralized, his preparations were complete.

    Julius tapped his fingers against the armrest. Still, even with everything falling into place, he couldn¡¯t afford to let his guard down. Turning to his knight, Julius ordered. ¡°Send words for them to continue patrolling the area.¡±

    Gilbert inclined his head. ¡°As you wish.¡±

    Julius gazed toward the window, his indifferent reflection staring back at him against the darkened sky. His fist clenched.

    ¡®This time, I will protect you. No matter what.¡¯

    .

    .

    .

    The morning sun cast a golden glow over the corridor as Julius and Gideon made their way toward the courtyard. The crisp morning air carried the cheerful songs of birds. Earlier this morning, Sanchez informed him they would return to the capital as scheduled.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Of course, the news caught him off guard¡ªCassian had collapsed just yesterday. When he asked for an explanation, Sanchez stated it was his brother''s decision, which made him furrow his brows. Just¡­ what in the world was running through the little imp¡¯s head?¡±

    Descending a flight of stairs, Julius spotted Cassian standing beside Ezio, observing as the butlers and maids loaded supplies into the carriages. Upon noticing his arrival, they whirled around in unison and bowed, greeting him. ¡°Good morning, Your Highness.¡±

    Julius arched a brow. ¡°I believe I¡¯ve told you to drop formalities around me.¡±

    Cassian straightened his posture and looked at him insouciantly. ¡°I''m afraid people are watching.¡±

    Julius rolled his eyes in boredom. ¡°Why cares? You can speak comfortably with me.¡±

    Cassian nodded, deadpanned. ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡±

    Staring into the cold cerulean eyes before him, Julius¡¯ chest panged. Before Cassian lost his memories, he would greet him with a bright smile, calling him ¡®Brother¡¯ without hesitation, and even let him ruffle his hair. But now¡­ all that warmth was gone.

    Shaking off the thought, Julius offered him a smug smirk, ¡°That didn¡¯t sound like a convincing promise.¡±

    Yet, Cassian remained impassively, unfazed by his teasing. ¡°Then I shall work on making it more so.¡±

    And just like that, the conversation ended. An awkward silence stretched between them as they stood, facing each other.

    Julius cleared his throat. ¡°How are you faring?¡±

    ¡°I am well,¡± Cassian replied curtly.

    Julius tilted his head. ¡°Are you really? I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re rushing back, but you could¡¯ve postponed the trip and recovered properly. Father would understand.¡±

    Cassian shook his head. ¡°No, I¡¯m quite alright. I¡¯ll be sitting in the carriage all day anyway. It¡¯s no different from staying in my room.¡±

    Julius exhaled slowly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. ¡°It is different. At least in your room, you¡¯re not being jostled around on uneven roads for hours.¡±

    Cassian¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver. ¡°I appreciate your concern, but my mother will worry if I delay.¡±

    Julius studied him for a moment before sighing. ¡°You always were considerate, huh?¡± His reasoning made sense¡ªRoseanne would undoubtedly be anxious if he stayed behind.

    Cassian inclined his head slightly. ¡°Yes.¡±

    Another silence stretched between them, and for once, Julius found himself scrambling for something¡ªanything¡ªto say.

    ¡°¡­Your birthday is coming up,¡± his brain finally working. ¡°Is there something you want?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d be overjoyed with whatever you gift me,¡± Cassian answered flatly.

    Again, their conversation died for the third time. Every exchange felt like walking on thin ice¡ªdistant and painfully dry. Frustration curled in Julius¡¯s chest as he racked his brain for another topic, only to meet Cassian¡¯s unwavering, indifferent stare. It was infuriating.

    Before he could try again, the cadence of footsteps drew their attention, revealing Wilheim and his escort approaching. Halting before them, the old man inclined his head. ¡°Your Highnesses, preparations are complete.¡±

    Julius glanced at Cassian, who gave a small nod of agreement. With that, they bid their farewells to Sanchez and the others.

    As Cassian boarded the carriage, Julius peeked over his shoulder and saw Wilheim conversing with Sanchez. Taking the chance, he quickly followed Cassian inside and settled across from him.

    Cassian, already retrieving a book from his magical ring, furrowing his brows. ¡°¡­You¡¯re riding with me?¡±

    Julius tilted his head and grinned ¡°Why? Surprised?¡±

    Cassian regarded him with a long, unreadable expression before exhaling softly. ¡°A little.¡± Without another word, he flipped open his book and began reading.

    His brother¡¯s discontent was palpable¡ªhe was supposed to be in another carriage. Understandable. But once they returned to the capital, opportunities like this would be rare. Julius thought this was the perfect chance to improve their strained relationship.

    ¡°Your Highness, what¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± A sharp voice thundered, drawing Julius¡¯s attention to the carriage door. Wilheim stood outside, his expression grim, irritation simmering in his eyes.

    Unbothered, Julius crossed his legs and folded his arms, flashing a smug smile. ¡°This seat is mine now.¡±

    The old man¡¯s face darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. ¡°I¡¯m warning you, Your Highness. Return to your assigned carriage at once.¡±

    Julius widened his eyes in mock astonishment, pressing a hand to his chest as if scandalized. ¡°Sir Wilheim, are you truly arguing with a younger man over something as trivial as a carriage seat?¡± His lips curled into a slow, taunting smirk. ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ll reconsider¡ªif you¡¯re truly that afraid of sitting alone.¡±

    Wilheim¡¯s jaw tightened, the vein at his temple pulsing as he spoke in a low, dangerous tone. ¡°If you try anything, you¡¯ll regret

    Julius chuckled, thoroughly amused. ¡°Oh, I fully intend to do something. After all, I can¡¯t let my little brother get bored, can I?¡±

    Wilheim¡¯s fists trembled at his sides¡ªhis restraint visibly fraying. Before he could fire back, the coachman¡¯s voice cut through the tension. ¡°Sir Wilheim, we are awaiting your order.¡±

    Wilheim glared at him with contempt, and after a tense beat, slammed the carriage door shut, and stormed off. Julius watched him go in satisfaction, before shifting his sight to Cassian¡ªonly to find him staring. He shook his head in disbelief and returned to his book.

    Julius leaned back, resting his chin against his knuckles, amusement still dancing in his face. ¡°I didn¡¯t know your grandfather was so emotional.¡±

    Cassian didn¡¯t look up. ¡°He isn¡¯t.¡±

    Julius chuckled, tapping a finger against his chin. ¡°Could¡¯ve fooled me. He looked ready to strangle me.¡±

    Yet, Cassian merely turned the page. ¡°You provoked him.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t call it provoking, though.¡± Cassian finally lifted his head to meet his eyes, and Julius smiled benignly. ¡°I¡¯d call it testing limits.¡±

    Cassian held his stare for a moment before sighing and returning to his book.

    Julius smirked. ¡°You should count how many times you sigh.¡±

    However, Cassian didn¡¯t react this time, blatantly ignoring his bait. Clicking his tongue in mild annoyance, Julius glanced sideways beyond the window. No matter how hard he tried, Cassian seemed distant¡ªhis walls firmly in place. Was there absolutely no hope for their relationship? Was their bond irretrievably¡­ beyond repair?

    Before long, the carriage rumbled forward. Silence stretched between them, broken only by the rhythmic creak of the wheels and the soft rustle of paper. Hours passed yet Cassian never spoke. Though the carriage was spacious, the air felt suffocating.

    Dragging his gaze away from the blur of trees outside, Julius studied Cassian, who remained engrossed in his book. ¡°Most people would at least attempt conversation,¡± Julius chimed in.

    ¡°I am reading,¡± Cassian replied curtly.

    Julius exhaled through his nose. ¡°Somehow, you never change¡ª¡± Cassian finally spared him a glance. ¡°¡ªyou love books.¡±

    ¡°Do I?¡± A flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

    Just as Julius was about to speak, a sharp whistle cut through the air and an arrow pierced Cassian¡¯s head, splattering blood on his face and clothes. Julius¡¯s breath hitched and his eyes widened as Cassian¡¯s lifeless body slumped down to his feet.

    ¡®What¡­ just happened?¡¯