Chapter 3: The Royal Dinner Prelude
"One opportunity used wisely can change your life dramatically."
*****
"I need to have all the servants fired in one full sweep. Well, all but one, and that is...
Johannes Weller. The person that should have been my most loyal personal attendant."
'He was from the Weller household who had served the family of the late first empress for generations.
The first empress, Letticia Brighton, who was known to be a Saintess before marrying the emperor, was assassinated right after giving birth to the third princess. Despite the emperor's efforts, the culprit was never caught.
Although the Brighton's ducal family clearly suspected the involvement of the current Empress Consort in the incident, due to lack of evidence, it was not taken to court.
Terrified for his grandchildren's safety, Duke Brighton made an appeal to allow the Weller Family to officially serve the first prince and the third princess, to which the emperor agreed without qualms.
So, you couldn't blame me for being suspicious if a servant loyal to the Brighton Duchy started serving a half-blood. All I could think of was that, Johannes was a spy and I should never trust him.
But, I was proven wrong in the most horrible way!
I didn't believe him when he said that the tea served to me by one of the maids was laced with poison. For me to finally believe him, he drank it in my place without hesitation.
Instead of cursing me for his demise, he smiled at me before saying his final words, "You have to survive, your highness."
That was the very first time someone actually sacrificed their life for my sake.'
He felt a sudden pang on his chest. 'Johannes, I did survive so this time, I'll be the one protecting you.'
He was brought out of his thoughts after hearing a sudden knock on the door. "Your Highness, this is Johannes. I was told that you have called for me."
He took a deep breath to compose himself. "Yes. You may enter."
A guy with a chin-length wavy auburn hair and purple eyes bowed his head to show respect to the youngest prince. "I greet the 5th Light of the Empire, Your Highness, Prince Liam. May the blessings of the Sun be forever in your favor."
'It has been a while, Johannes. I'm glad to see you alive and breathing.' He mentally smiled feeling somehow relieved.
"At ease."
"Thank you, your highness."
The servant was clearly baffled as to why he was summoned in front of him despite the well-known fact that the prince doesn't like him.
Looking at the person in front of him, he felt that the overall aura of Prince Liam seemed to have changed dramatically, as if he just had a reawakening of some sort. He's currently standing tall with his head held high, brimming with confidence and composure.
'Is this what they call a change of heart? Or more like a change of character?' He deeply pondered.
"I want you to do three things for me, Johannes."
He slightly nodded in recognition feeling a bit nervous. This would be the first time he's actually doing something for him.
When Prince Liam's unfavorable predicament somehow reached Prince Lumiel's ears, he sent Johannes to his palace to become the former's personal attendant. But, since the youngest prince was being hostile against him from the very beginning, he wasn't able to do much. He informed the first prince about his situation and was instructed to continually stay close in case something unprecedented happens.
"I will do anything within my capabilities, Your Highness."
"Good. Firstly, notify all the servants that you are the only one allowed to enter my chambers effective this moment. I will be personally asking my father to have them replaced due to their disrespectfulness and incompetence."
'Personally asking the emperor to replace his servants? For real?' Johannes wanted to ask but he remained silent and just nodded taking mental notes.
"Secondly, inform the grand chamberlain in the main palace that starting today, I would be attending the daily royal dinner."
'I thought the youngest prince despises socializing with his older siblings?' Trying to restrain himself from almost asking once again, he simply nodded.
"And lastly, from today onwards, I am officially appointing you as my personal attendant. In line with this, you will be moving your quarters beside mine so you could efficiently perform your duties. That is all. Any questions?"
This time, out of shock, Johannes wasn't able to stop himself from finally asking, "Why, Your Highness?"
"What do you mean, why?"
"Pardon my boldness, your highness. But, I would just like to know why you're suddenly appointing me as your personal attendant when you clearly don't favor me at all?"
"Who said I don't favor you? I was just a bit weary, is all. But, you've been with me for almost three years and you've proven that you don't really mean any harm. I just realized that I should have just accepted my eldest brother's kindness from the very beginning. Does that make you uncomfortable?"
"N-no! Of course not, Your Highness! I was just a bit overwhelmed. I apologize for my rudeness."
"No harm done. Now, anything else that concerns you?"
"None, Your Highness. I heed your every command."
"Thank you very much, Johannes." His words of gratitude were also meant to the Johannes of the past.
'I never thought that Prince Liam is capable of saying such kind words,' He smiled to himself before answering, "You're always welcome, Your Highness."
"You may leave now."
Before he could exit the room, Johannes noticed the tray of spilled food on his bedside table.
'So, I guess that was the trigger, huh?' He quirk a brow in realization.
Instead of questioning what happened, he took the tray with him before asking, "Would you like me to prepare you a proper breakfast, Your Highness?"
Liam smiled at him for being considerate. "Yes. And please personally prepare all my meals until we have our new chef."
"As you wish, Your Highness. I shall now take my leave."
'This new version of the youngest prince is far better than the old one. From today onwards, I will devote my life to serving him to the utmost of my abilities! I'm sure Prince Lumiel will be elated if he found out about this.
After Johannes left the room, the prince flopped down on his bed.
'That's one thing settled! I feel refreshed!
Now then, I have to mentally get ready so I can properly play my cards during my royal dinner debut.
The royal dinner is a daily gathering of all the prince and princesses initiated by the emperor himself. His sole purpose was to develop a strong family bond in spite of their busy schedules.
Unbeknownst to him, this royal dinner becomes a silent battlefield amongst his children who are vying for the title of crown prince/princess.
In the middle of this intangible havoc, there's one thing I need to obtain, the emperor's permission to hold my very own Knight Selection.
Having a Knight Selection means that I will be officially announcing my candidacy for the crown prince position, something I strongly refused in my previous life because I was uninterested in politics. But being a candidate to the throne will somehow alleviate my reputation and will give me privileges I didn't get to experience before.
Two of these privileges were; attending the Royal Academy-Aivis, for two years. A learning institution for nobles and aristocrats from different kingdoms within the empire, the perfect place to recruit potential allies.
And, having the Spirit Ceremony at the Holy temple wherein, those who are only granted permission by the emperor can form a contract with elemental spirits and become spirit holders.
From long ago, the Great Empire of Argente was blessed by the Elemental Spirit Kings. They are the guardians of this land and they bestow their power amongst people who they have chosen as contractors.
There are five levels of spirits that can be summoned and contracted according to the amount of mana a human being possess. These are;
Level 1: Remnant - Low level spirits
Level 2: Brilliant - Intermediate level spirits
Level 3: Dominant - Advance level spirits
Level 4: Radiant - High level spirits
Level 5: Deviant - King level spirits
Remnant, Brilliant, and Dominant holders are the norm. Radiant holders are considered special and Deviant holders are considered very rare. So rare that there were only two of them in the history of the empire; the founding emperor and the current emperor's predecessor.
Having the chance to find allies and possess the power of the spirits will help me a great deal in my future endeavors.
Also, If I have to fight my enemies, I have to face them on equal footing.'
With these things in mind, Liam spent the whole day simulating possible scenarios and creating countermeasures for them.
He's betting everything on this so, failure is not an option!
<Next Chapter: The Royal Dinner Interlude>
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Rhysaire
Rhysaire Hi ReVianCe readers~
A new update for you guys! Hope your enjoying the story! Comments and feedbacks are always welcome! Thank you!
-Rhysaire-
— New chapter is coming soon — Write a review
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone