______

Klydeur doesn't look pleased at the outcome of the situation. He must have thought his acting of being a victim by provoking me would work, but I guess ladyluck is in favor with me today.

Before he can even say something else to save face, the Empress looked down on him, making him flinch. ". This situation has dragged on longer than intended. I apologize to the Viscount who had witnessed the scene."

The Viscount, who now only seems to be addressed at the situation, laughed awkwardly. Huh, I almost forgot about the Viscount. Imagine how awkward and weird it is for him to witness the scene.

"Aha. It is alright, your majesty. I understand that kids do have the right to bicker. It will be a good way to grow up! My sons used to fight too—"

"If that is so, then we may start the hunting event." The Empress concluded, waving at the Viscount. "You may leave and enjoy the event."

He smiled, sweating. "Ah, yes yes! May time make haste to the Vermillion Empire!" As he bowed down, he then hurriedly took his leave. The knights outside the room entered and stood side by side on the corner. The Empress signaled for them to announce the start of the event.

The knights understood and informed the announcer at the field. It didn't take long for us to hear the bell ringing and the announcer's words. "Let the hunting event begin!"

Finally, some action with good peace.

I hope Klydeur won't spark another war right now.

"Mama, will the hunting event be separated for adults and kids?" I asked out of curiousity. I thought that it would be combined, but then we were told that the adults will have to go first before us.

The Empress glanced at me. "Yes. The adults and younger nobles won't be participating at the same time to avoid conflicts."

Oh, right. I can only imagine other adult nobles stealing away the younger ones' hunt. That would be a cheat.

"We also have a separated hunting zone. Younger nobles around the same age as you will only be hunting smaller animals. I doubt that you'll be safe in hunting bigger ones. As long as you see a blue ribbon, it's the zone you are supposed to be in. The red ribbon indicates the danger zone."

It's a surprise that the Empress can actually talk longer, and even explain the methods of the hunting event, no less!

"I see. I understand now, mama." I smiled, nodding my head as I watched the adult nobles entering the wide forest.

"How are we supposed to watch them, mother?" Klydeur asked in confusion, his forehead creased. I almost had a panic attack when I heard his voice but fortunately, he was just also normally asking something. "We can only see the field and the entrance in the forest."

Aureus gestured for Eldest, in which the latter understood as she stepped up and casted a spell. Golden white light started swirling around the area, and then a variety of people inside the forest showed up infront us.

Like when watching a CCTV camera in the CCTV room where you get to watch different footages at one go.

"Oh, wow." I complimented unconsciously. "I'll only say this today. You're really quite talented in magic."

Eldest grinned. "Ofcourse."

I guess when it comes to complimenting her magic, she's fine and not flustered. But if it comes to looks, she's a total opposite of my mother here.

Er, I still feel weird calling the Empress as mom, mama or mother in my monologue, so I'll just stick with Aureus or Empress for now.

The Empress then blinked her eyes, before commenting something that silenced us all. "I am too."

Silence.

No one dared refute the words of the Empress. Eldest can actually start sweating bullets right now, but it doesn't seem like she fears Aureus. If anything, she have this smug look as if she's amused.

Klydeur and Ashley have their mouths sealed with their lips curved in a forced smile. "Aha, yes mother." He commented, trying to appeal to her in which fed the Empress' ego.

Not wanting to get behind, I also decided to feed her ego. "Ofcourse you too, mama! You are talented in both politics, etiquette and magic! I got them from you too, hehe."

"" There we go. Her legendary word filled with blinding confidence. But I'm not gonna lie, it is all true anyways. And surprisingly, her lips tugged upward, curving it into a grin that surprised everyone in the room.

"......" the knights can also feel the awkward situation. It is a miracle that Eldest can focus on her spell and ignore the situation while Ashley maintained her straight face. I don't see any reason why she would laugh anyways, since she'll get a scolding later.

"Ahaha." In the end, I decided to just watch the hunting event and hope for time to make haste as I recalled about something important.

This will be the first time I can effectively use my guardian.

Moments passed as we all focused on the event, I sensed the boredom surrounding the Empress' aura. I understand, this must be not her cup of tea. I can imagine her wanting to go back to her office and do paperworks rather than to watch nobles in a hunting event.

She squinted her eyes, brows furrowed as she tapped her fingers in the armrest of her throne where she is seated. Her silver eyes glowed rather pale as her complexion, making me confused.

"Mama, are you alright?" I made sure to just whisper the question as to not gain any attention from either the knights or my brother. "You look pale. Are you sick?" I added, forcing myself to look like I worry.

Oh well, not like I'm acting now. I do feel worried. What am I supposed to do if the Empress drops dead later? With the Emperor already dead and her going next, it will be a disaster for me!

It seems like she heard my voice, her eyes shifting from the view Eldest had casted with magic, down to me whose looking up to her with a confused expression. "I am fine. There's no reason why I should not be."

I kinda guessed the Empress would respond that way. I mean, she's elegance, she's grace, but she's got what you call pride as well. "Okay..." Having no choice, I decided to just agree with what she said even if it wasn't enough to persuade me.

Maybe I was just overthinking? She must have just been stressed out from all her duties. Maybe just tired and not sick at all.

Looking back at the crowd, I blinked my eyes. Crowd?

Why are there so many people over there all of a sudden? They were just organized earlier—

"Your majesty! The nobles had started dissapearing inside the forest!"

"My son! Hurry and find them!"

"What is happening?! Why are they missing?!"

"Move along, knights! Begin a search party for the missing nobles!"

"Your majesty, please find my father!"

The crowd soon started panicking as they ran around the field, with the knights suddenly being stationed in search for the missing nobles. Riding their horses and with the commander in lead, they heed the Empress' signal as they entered the forest.

Looking back to Aureus, she stood up as she glanced at the two knights that remained with us. "Guard the princes." With that, the knights bowed to her as she then snapped her finger.

Eldest' magic vanished and we lost sight of the view from the inside of the forest. Is that why we had a hard time locating where the participants went as we continued watching over nothing?

"Eldest. Ashley."

The two followed behind the Empress as they left the area we are in, leaving me and Klydeur behind.

Me and Klydeur!

The knights then stood on guard, keeping watch over me and my brother who sat quietly on our seats. I didn't dare utter a single word, nor did he, since we don't have any topic for a conversation.

Not when we just had an arguement earlier. Ofcourse it will be awkward between us.

I sighed to myself, rubbing my eyes with my hand. Seriously, why can't I seem to get peace? I always witness problems running left and right. As if the other matters weren't enough, now the nobles that participated in the first hunt had dissapeared.

If this goes on, I bet the Empress will have to reconsider the event after being able to locate the missing participants. There is no doubt that she'll even automatically cancel it, since she can't afford the younger nobles to get in the same trouble as well.

That means my excitement and preparation for the event is a fail.

Sad. Very sad.

I'm totally speechless and the only thing I can feel is sheer dissapointment. Considering the dissapearances of the adult nobles in the forest, is there any chance that it was due to magic or some rebel hiding in the forest?

Impossible. There is no way they wouldn't check the place thoroughly. If that is so, could this be planned all along and the perprator is here as well?

That, I have no clue. Opening my eyes, I viewed the field that is yet to calm as the Empress herself started talking to the higher ranked nobles.

The commander of her knights already went in towards the forest with some of the other knights in a hurry to search for the missing nobles, so only a few knights were left to patrol the area while some are to stay and keep watch over the palace where we reside and the rest of the attendees.

Only Eldest and Ashley were left to be of aid to the Empress. The other right hand or left hand in commands aren't present, since they could have been loyal to the Emperor as to not choose to serve the Empress, or they do not exist somehow.

"Wait, is that?" My eyes widened as I saw a familiar face in the field. Even if they are far away from our spot, I still saw the familiar face of a certain noble named Aquabelium.

I almost forgot, but is he a Baron or a Viscount? He's called Lord Aquabelium so I know for sure that he's not just any ordinary pawn working under the Empress.

If he's here, that means something is really going on. It's not just a light trouble, more like a troublesome trouble.

....did that even make sense?

"Brother, do we have to wait here until the rest is solved?" Surprisingly, I heard Klydeur's voice that made me snap out of my thoughts. Whirling my head towards him, he have a serious expression on his face as he casually leaned his back on his seat, fixing his coat and his epaulettes.

I looked away and stared infront, ignoring the fact that we're wearing thesame coat and epaulettes in color. "I suppose." I replied shortly.

There was a moment of silence before he responded. ""

Again, I looked at him in confusion. He sighed, his silver eyes soullesly glanced up to me which sent me chills down my spine. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with this kid?!

"We can just go and help, don't we?" He suggested in a matter-of-fact tone, making me raise a brow at his comment.

I mean, he's not wrong. We can try to help. But can we really be of help?

"I don't think so." I retorted, crossing my arms. "There's a difference to what an adult does and what a mere kid can do in a situation like this."

"Which means you're ." He stated, making me flinch and glare at him. Is he still not over with what happened earlier?

The knights behind us probably hears our conversation, but have no choice but to just continue on listening. They're in no position to stop royalty from their own conversation, after all.

"Then you're suggesting that we help out when not even ordinary nobles can handle the situation if it weren't for the Empress and the knights?" I questioned, slowly stating the words to make it slap on his head somehow. "I know we're of Imperial blood and we have our guardians, but that doesn't mean we can do anything we want."

I thought he would frown and glare at me for being looked down, but instead, he grinned. "Brother, have you already forgotten?"

I blinked my eyes, not responding.

"I know how to heal. If anything were to happen to the missing nobles, I can just make a scene and heal them with my magic." Klydeur said with hand gestures. "How about you? What can even do?"

Now that totally sank in my mind. He's saying he can help, but he's trying to point out that whatever I can do, it would be pointless.

"I—" just when I was about to concede defeat and tell him I've got nothing, a sudden pang of nausea surprised me as I hang my head low, eyes closed, my hand holding my head as I refrained myself to not throw up at the sudden headache.

Silence ensued at my sudden action. I don't even know if he's enjoying my misery or genuinely worried.

"Hey. Brother, what's wrong?"

At the very least, I can pick up the sound of concern from his voice. Even the knights sounds worried.

"Your highness, is there something the matter?"

"Your highness, should we call for a physician?"

Raising a hand, I slowly shook my head as I let unexplanaible memories to flow in my mind. "No need. I'm fine." Slowly opening my eyes, I looked back to the field where the rest of the nobles are being escorted to stay in their rooms inside the palace.

Then I glanced at the mysterious forest. Right.

"Brother." Hearing Klydeur's voice again, I glanced to him who have a confused look on his face.

"You said I'm incompetent for not daring to help nor being able to help at the situation." I commented, making him blink his eyes before warily eyeing me. My lips tugged upward as I chose to hold on to my trump card.

Looking back infront, I sorted the information I've gathered from the sudden rush of memories. This time, I'm sure I can help in a different way.

""

_____

I know this may be late, but if ever there are some readers of this story who happens to like the twins trope kinda thingy, I suggest you try to read my newly made fanfic of the new webtoon I've read which is

My fanfic's title is and you can check it on my profile. Anyways, that's all for now and thank you for reading and supporting this story. (๑و•̀Δ•́)و

-ShaneRRR🧁