Chapter 1: The Minister

"If we succeed, we will gain more lands. We will have many followers! What are you pointing out, minister?!" the Prime Minister nagged at the minister who's still gradually holding his opinion against everyone. Everyone was murmuring how unreasonable the statement of the minister was. Some does see the point but afraid of being criticized.

"Your Majesty! Please think about this, declaration of war might affect the lives of the citizen. We might suffer a huge loss if we loss and even if we win, we can't easily adjust everything!" One of the ministers, Karo Rev, objected the emperor's statement as a declaration of war to Vakia, the eastern capital.

"Pardon me, your highness but we have a lot of chance to win this time, especially that Vakia is such a small land. Islands there are known and we can easily take it over!" The Prime Minister pointed out.

"We have a lot of manpower on our side, losing a thousand or two is nothing. Vakia do not have enough forces to defend against us! If we let this opportunity slide, we might regret it in the future!" One of the ministers agreed with the prime minister too.

Karo hidely clenched his fist thinking how they do not mind soldiers that will die in battle just to attain their needs, "Vakia isn't a threat. We are living our lives peacefully. Our lands are fertile and does not pose any problem! Why do you need to declare a war?!"

"Minister, know your place. Everyone already decided, we will have war," the prime minister stated with a full authority of his voice, showing Karo that he should not say a thing any longer. Karo thought of this and just shut up since he doesn't have enough power to oppose, especially if he's the only one who has the guts to say his mind out loud.

......................

"Stay away from here, you sick bastard! Our father doesn't like you!" A 7 year old boy was pushed down as he was bullied by his older brother. The boy ran towards the river and cried there. He haven't noticed that there is someone currently throwing rocks at the river to ease it's mind. One of the Ministers, Karo.

"Kid, aren't you that Emperor Ling's youngest son? You should teach your father how to calm his balls into conquering lands," Karo sarcastically mouthed while still busy throwing rocks at the river. "Tell him he's an idiot and I don't care about being a minister anymore. Not to anyone who's set on declaring war as if his soldier's lives means nothing."

No one replied his statement. He took a glance of the kid and was surprised that he was lying there, looking like he's suffering from something.

"You're burning up!" He exclaimed after he touched his forehead. Karo hurriedly lifted the kid and wrapped his arms around the kid's little body. He hurriedly went to where his mother is. Unfortunately, he do not know which concubine is his mother.

He went to the palace but saw the Emperor having fun with the a concubine. Anger ran towards his veins. He clenched his fist on how irresponsible the emperor was. No wonder he doesn't even care with his own people's lives, he also doesn't care about his son!

"A life is a life. Once it was gone, you can't take it back," Karo mumbled to himself and went to the maids. But before he reached his destination, he heard a lot of murmurs about him being competitive and pointing out unnecessary things. Everyone in the palace doesn't like him due to his arrogance when it comes to declaring war, but one of the maids doesn't, Feng. That's why he is searching for her for help.

"Feng! Give me any cold medicines you have," the minister ordered the maid he is friends with. The maid, Feng didn't hesitate to follow his orders. She just nodded and went inside the kitchen.

"There is no medicine for colds here but I can brew some herbs and spices for colds," Feng excused.

"It's okay," Karo replied and made the child in his arms lay in his laps. "From what I've heard, the youngest child is named Sheng."

"Sheng is rumored to be a sickly prince that's why the emperor named him after the word. His mother is bedridden also. Here's the brewed herbs," Feng handed the bowl with the brewed herbs in Karo's hands.

"He knows then why—whatever. He's already irresponsible enough for the country." Karo waked Sheng up to let him drink the brewed herbs. Sheng drank it slowly and Karo stared at the pitiful kid from head to toe. He was pale and thin, doesn't seem like a prince.

"I hope the emperor can soon be replaced," He mumbled. Having distracted from his thoughts, the kid was showing the bowl being emptied. But the minister didn't move an inch. Sheng then pinched the minister nose and as expected, he came back to reality.

"You're finished?"

The child nodded and plastered a saddened face and asked, "Why do you help me? I'm always sick. No one likes to be with me nor help me."

"Then I'll always cure you, it won't be a problem," Karo said while smiling from ear to ear to show how sincere he is from telling those words.

"Then, can we be friends?"

He thought that the kid felt lonely all the time especially that everyone avoids him. Sheng being sick isn't a matter to him, that's why he answered,

"Friends? No problem."

......................

The declaration of war was already became the top news for the day. Even the Eastern lands were aware about the war that'll be held that's why citizen's from the certain places that will be affected already started to move out to safe place from the incoming war.

There are around a hundred thousand soldiers marching to the east. They might arrive at their destination tomorrow and the launch attack will be held.

Karo, the minister against the war was currently under the peach tree watching the surroundings as he wait for a leaf to fall. A little kid was sitting besides him, enjoying the view beyond.

"Do you hate wars? I also hate it too. My grandfather was a general but died in the last war. We did won, but I lose my grandfather," the kid suddenly opened up as he saw Karo's long face that was obviously saddened because of the war.

"I just don't like seeing people betting their life on anything unnecessary. It's not like I hate war, but people should learn to not bet their life winning on something that can be winned without sacrificing lives," Karo explained.

"I heard the servants talking things behind your back. They say that you're foolish and doesn't make sense. But I don't believe them, to me, you're a good minister!" The kid abruptly said in a proud tone. It was such simple words but it made Karo's smile. He also started doubting himself if what he's doing is the right thing but the kid gave him confidence. The confidence that he will forever hold unto.

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