The meteor shower from early that morning, didn't go unnoticed by the world. Many who were awake during its time had marvelled at the sight, as it could be seen all throughout Laydel — even capturing the attention of a certain young man who lived far from the Cherlianns.

Daniel sat at the windowsill of his grandiose bedroom, silently watching the stars falling across a twilight sky — but with little admiration. The sight was beautiful and he was grateful to his restless nights for once, because he was awake to see this.

The raven-haired prince sighed softly, glancing at his own reflection through the glass. His royal-blue eyes gazed back with a void of emotion, like an ocean abyss. His tanned skin and complexion looked far healthier now than before - and his ebony hair had a delicate sheen to it, but he felt no happier about his situation.

Over the last month, living in House Atlan was certainly splendid. He received delicious meals that were better than what he ate before, and all the servants adored him as if he was a prodigy. People marvelled at the sight of him simply traversing through the halls, but it was only suffocating to him.

"Look, that's the crown prince!"

"He is certainly going to grow up into becoming a prosperous ruler!"

"Look at how tall he is for his age! He's inherited strong genes from his mother!"

The only thing people seem to care about is appearances and reputation, in this place. He sighed, hugging his knees as he gazed up at the meteors. If I don't match everyone's expectations of me, it'll ruin the Kingdom.

Just as he thought this, a knock resonated from his bedroom door. Daniel flinched, turning his head to see a young man entering the room from the doorway. In his gloved hands, was a silver platter which resonated a sweet smell.

With sharp, almond eyes and luscious locks of scarlet hair, he was a considerably handsome attendant — assigned to the prince the day he had arrived at the Atlan's palace. Daniel grew rather used to seeing this face - although to say they got along well would be a stretch.

Tieve Cevalier. Sixteen years old, yet reliable and known for his quick wit, dexterous hands, as well as being popular amongst young noblewomen. He was the eldest son of a count, whose father worked diligently as the previous emperor's closest aide and secretary. Throughout his entire life, Tieve was trained to follow in his father's footsteps, and become the next ruler's right-hand.

As his eyes roved around the room, he noticed the untouched, pristine state it was in. The bedsheets remained seamless and tidy, as if no one had slept there the entire night. The curtains of the canopy around it were held elegantly in place with blue satin ribbons, but remained as the exact same knots that were tied the previous day. Ornaments were growing dust on their shelves, and the overall room appeared as if it wasn't even in use.

Tieve surmised that Daniel was uncomfortable with this place, from the day he had arrived here. The Prince hardly used the resources left for him, and didn't even sleep on the bed of his room. He couldn't tell if this was an act of spite, or out of cowardice.

"...Why are you here this early?" Daniel asked him, without sparing his attendant a glance.

Tieve silently observed his young master for a moment, before gingerly approaching the table situated on the other end of the room. He smiled absently yet politely. "I sensed you were awake, Your Highness."

Daniel sighed, his brows narrowing. "My uncle called for me, didn't he?"

He saw through him, as usual. Daniel's intuition was sharp for a child, but he was still a young and helpless boy yet to grow up. Cevalier couldn't help but wonder what the Prince would be like, once he matured. Surely, he'll become someone frightening with the way things are going now.

Setting down the platter of breakfast upon the table, Tieve briskly prepared for the prince to eat, before standing upright and facing him. "Do you still dislike the duke?" He asked, gently brushing back some loose strands of red hair. "...I understand that Lord Atlan can be... Imposing, but he is doing all of this for your benefit, Your Highness."

Daniel's brows narrowed. "...I'm aware of that. My uncle is wise when it comes to educating me," he sighed. "But the way he speaks so ill of Mikael... Or even downgrades commoners and servants... And tries to push me into becoming superior... I can't stand that side of him."

Tieve remained quiet for a moment. The personality of Duke Karvus Atlan was a force to be reckoned with. Rather than being a figure of comfort to people, he was more fierce in his approach to certain things. He unknowingly would push people over the edge, pressuring them so immensely that anyone would grow sick of the conceited duke. Perhaps that was why his first wife, the mother of Freya Atlan, divorced him and left for another man.

Karvus Atlan was ambitious, as well as one of the brightest men in the empire. As the half brother of the late empress and highest duke in power, Karvus was determined to make Daniel the next emperor. After all, it was already well-known throughout the empire that Daniel's mother — Yestela Atlan - was a kind and generous woman who everyone adored.

Unlike the wench of a second queen, who seduced the emperor while provoking tumultuous chaos amongst the aristocracy, Empress Yestala was revered and loved by all people, even earning the support of other nations. Since her mother was the fourth princess of a powerful nation in the southeast, Yestala was able to sew her mixed bloodlines and help to prevent cultural clashes between Laydel and other empires.

"The reason why Duke Atlan is so fixed on your progress, must be because he wants you to live up to your mother's reputation," Tieve reassured. "You're the spitting image of the sister he cared so much about. I'm sure Lord Karvus has his reasons for being hard on you."

Despite Daniel's frustrations, he knew Tieve was right. Even though his lessons and tasks were becoming increasingly difficult, the Prince was aware that this was the path he needed to take to become an emperor the nation would feel satisfied with. Either way, he would eventually become Karvus' superior, so all he needed to do now was listen to the duke's teachings as a child.

I don't like that man... But he's my only source of guidance right now.

A while after eating his breakfast, Tieve helped the Prince prepare to meet with his uncle. Once they were done, he was escorted to the duke's office. The manor was vast, opulent and endless - unlike his previous home. And so Daniel's attendant acted also as his guide around the house of Atlan, until he learned all the ways around it.

As they made their way through one of the hallways, a small figure caught Daniel's attention. He side-glanced at an open doorway, noticing a girl gazing at him with hawk-like eyes. Her silky locks of black hair reached down to the hem of her tea-length dress. Those dark, forest-green eyes glared at the prince with a mix of contempt and envy.

Freya Venesthesia Atlan — the eldest child of Duke Karvus, and also his heir. Freya never did seem to like Daniel. From the day he had arrived in the estate, she would act coldly to her younger cousin. The two never really spoke, even though a few months had passed now.

Upon making eye contact, the girl's elegant brows narrowed in agitation, and she turned away from Daniel, heading back into the room she was inside. Tieve held back a sigh, as he noticed the brief interaction.

"Please don't mind the young lady, Your Highness," Tieve spoke up. "She's a nice person deep down... Sometimes."

Daniel glanced back at his attendant. "You seem to know her well?"

"I had the luxury of acting as her butler, growing up. Princess Freya is like a little sister to me," He smiled softly, as though remembering a train of pleasant memories. "But, that was all training for me to serve you, Your Highness. So please pay it no mind."

... So that's why she hates me. I'd probably dislike anyone who took Mikael away, too. Daniel thought, gazing ahead again.

"Oh, Daniel," another voice called out, catching the prince's attention. A petite little boy with forest-green eyes and ginger hair approached, lifting his hand up in a lazy wave as he yawned loudly. "Ugh, it's so early, right? Why do we always have to be stuck with lessons in the morning~"

Chuckling softly, Daniel greeted him back. "You look like you slept well, Ferid."

"Huh? Are you kidding? That annoying meteor shower woke me up," The little boy ran a hand through his hair. "Of all days... It had to be a day where I can't sleep in."

The lazy little boy was Ferid Atlan — the son of Karvus, and Freya's younger half-brother. After getting divorced when Freya was three, Karvus remarried a year later, and had a son soon after. Ferid was only seven, yet he had been dubbed a genius child with a knack for politics. Unlike his seemingly stuck-up and antisocial elder sister, he was far too carefree.

"Anyways, I'm going to go to my lesson now before Dad really kills me," he yawned, walking past the pair as he headed to his study room. "Good luck at the office! He's probably in a bad mood because of the failed Glaice Agreement, so watch out!"

After watching Ferid leave, Daniel and Tieve continued on until they finally reached the door to Duke Atlan's office. Upon arriving, the Prince knocked at the door, waiting to be granted entry before heading inside. Since servants weren't allowed in unless they were called for, Tieve waited outside.

A tall man, sat at his desk on the left of the room, glanced at Daniel with dark green eyes, resembling the dark depths of a forest at night. His long, black hair was tied loosely over his shoulder, and as always - his expression was grim and intimidating.

"You're here," Karvus sighed deeply, before motioning for his nephew to sit. "I have some important things to discuss with you."

Daniel planted himself at the chair opposite his uncle's desk, glancing up at the man. His insides sank with nervousness, but he knew that this wasn't a good time to feel scared.

"Now, as you know, the war with Izadel is coming to an end soon," Karvus began. "In roughly six months, both you and the bastard prince will be attending the victory banquet - where the people of Laydel will see you for the first time. It is vital to your reputation that you don't disappoint or appear weak in front of them."

The duke then stood up from his seat, walking around his desk and dropping a pile of papers in front of Daniel. The Prince blinked, gazing in confusion at the thick stack of parchment in front of him.

"Before then, you must study all the topics on that list. Read every book cited there, and memorise everything within those six months. Do I make myself clear?" His voice was stern, cold and domineering, causing Daniel to shudder when he felt that condescending gaze on the back of his head.

"I understand." A short response, but one spoken out of fear. This entire mass of paper is just a list of topics...? It's thick enough to be a novel...

Will I be able to do everything in time...?

"Might I remind you, you will be tested on every topic listed there, before the banquet. And you will also be asked to reference the books you've read," Karvus added, turning back. "If you score any less than ninety-seven percent, there will be an appropriate consequence."

So he's going to punish me if I make any mistakes. Daniel wanted to sigh, holding back his anxiety. He knew this was something he had to overcome, in order to be a good ruler. Already, he developed some resilience when it came to studying many things and for long hours - since Karvus was a beast when it came to educating children. But this work felt too much, even for him.

"I understand, I'll do my best," Daniel turned to face Karvus, his deep blue eyes void of any light. "Is there anything else?"

The Duke surveyed him clinically for a moment, before nodding his head. It was then he opened one of the draws in his desk, and Daniel watched as he retrieved some sort of medium-sized box from it. He set the sleek chest onto the table, before opening it and showing it to the Prince.

Inside, was an assortment of sundry glass tubes neatly and safely stored next to each other. In each one, there were liquids of differing colours. Daniel glanced at them in confusion, but then came to a sudden realisation when he noticed the sign of a skull on the underside of the box's lid.

"These are all poisons you will have to take, in small amounts everyday." Duke Atlan said, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "Among them, is even the toxin which caused your parents' death. In order for you to become a ruler who isn't so easily eliminated by enemies, you have to condition your body into being able to tolerate these, as well as identifying them. When you take the poisons, thoroughly study them so you'll know their characteristics."

Daniel froze in horror, his heart almost stopped as his body broke out into a cold sweat. He wants me to poison myself...?

What if I make a mistake with the dosages, and it kills me instead?

Daniel had many questions, but the look of total apathy on Karvus' expression suggested he wouldn't be getting any answers. The boy tried hard to calm himself down, fearing his uncle's cruel attitude toward signs of weakness. In attempt to reassure himself, Daniel wondered if he could get away with not taking the poison, and only pretending to use it.

"Also — at the end of every month," Karvus added, observing his nephew's reaction as if seeing through his very mind. "We will conduct a blood test and you will take an increased dosage. If you manage to overcome it, you'll have successfully conditioned yourself against the poison."

So that plan is out of the window... Daniel swallowed dryly, his hands becoming cold and trembling from the fear in his chest. "What if I end up taking the wrong amount by mistake?" He was almost too petrified to ask, but the Duke responded calmly.

"Don't worry, I've given Tieve the antidotes to each one. If something goes wrong, he will help you."

Tieve knows about this as well... Daniel frowned, gulping down the painful lump in his throat. As he gazed at the bottles of poisons in front of him, they glistened balefully under the light, in their little glass cylinders.

"That is all, you may leave. I'll have a servant deliver these to you later." Karvus told him, while gazing out of the window. Without saying another word, Daniel nodded and promptly left the room, trying to ensure it wasn't obvious just how wracked with fear he was.

He knew that powerful men trained viciously as children to get to where they stood now. That was the only way they become so strong - by enduring hardship and conditioning their bodies and minds through tough situations. Although not all of them would take in poison, Daniel was aware he would likely have some enemies, in the future. This was simply preparation against those enemies.

I don't want to be a coward anymore... Daniel told himself, leaving the office. As he gazed up, he pictured Mikael's face in his mind, and a sense of longing overtook the fear in his chest.

Mikael, please stay safe. Until I grow strong enough to be able to save you.