01 - Knight to Empress

Anastasia Empire has always been one of a kind. Magic, rich lands, unexplainable discoveries and so much more expeditions are found in one continent. With the kingdoms it possesses, Sylvia Kingdom, Monique Kingdom, Lavinous Kingdom and Christine Kingdom. The Empire has proud breakthroughs with the power of these kingdoms joined together, and of course, the Imperial Family.

The 25th ruler of Anastasia, Emperor Fourth Sein Calix Anastasia, has ruled with a mighty fist. No one dares to object to this emperor. His smart mindset and significant governance has led the empire to countless victories. A tyrant in the battlefield yet a wise majesty in court.

The four kingdoms are the founding fathers of this empire. They have been side to side endlessly supporting the first emperor to build the Anastasia Empire as to what it is now. These Royal Families who are an ally of the Imperial Family have proven their courtesy.

Sylvia, being the first honorable family, the sword and shields of the empire. Monique being the second and the chancellor. Lavinous, the third family that manages the economic, resource, and trading state. Christine being the fourth, maintains the magic, sorcerors, and casters.

...***...

"Lumina!"

Lumina turned back and smiled while clenching her suitcase. Oh how she will miss this comforting voice. It was her sister.

She smiled, the smile slowly partnered with sobs. She's now saying goodbye to her family, to the place she called home. All the special people to her are now gathered in their front gate. Never did she imagine that she would leave Sylvia Kingdom too soon.

She dropped her suitcase and ran to hug her sister, she hugged her tight as if she would never see her again. Her brother, Achilles, was not present because he has training as the heir of Sylvia kingdom in the palace.

She soon let go and hugged her mother.

Queen Audrey hugged her back, she then cupped her daughter's face. "Lumina," she called her name in a soft voice, a little cracked up.

"Honey, don't be scared. When you finish training in the palace, you'll officially be a knight. You will be with your father and brother together being the sword and shield of this empire." she said in a firm yet caring voice. Audrey never intends to scare her gem.

Lumina slowly nodded, she knows the true intentions of her family as to why she was sent to the palace. She decided to stay quiet, she knows that her brother will inherit Sylvia, her sister is already happily married. But she didn't expect that she'd be the future empress of Anastasia!

She let go of her mother's embrace and looked at her father's cold demeanor. When King Zereil noticed that his daughter was looking at him, his face softened and he opened his arms, signaling for her to hug him.

Lumina cried in her father's embrace. "Papa loves you Mina." Her father whispered.

When they exchanged their farewells Lumina traveled from Sylvia Kingdom to the Imperial Palace. She's now in the carriage fidgeting, cold sweat now in her forehead. Many things wandered in her mind, 'Why me?' 'They could've just said the truth to me rather than making an excuse.'

She closed her eyes and dozed off last night. Lumina really was a knight-to-be, so she was a squire in her father's squadron and her oath-taking will take place when she will turn 18, only one year left since she's now 17. When she was done with her training, it was late at night and she was off to report to her father about her progress.

When she was at her father's library door, she noticed that her father was talking to someone, it was her mother. She peeked from the door.

"Are you sure dear? Lumina's set to be a knight-"

Zereil cut her off, "I know, but the emperor needs an empress. He isn't getting any younger."

"Goodness sake Zereil ! Yes, she's a princess. But there are other princesses' from other empires !" Audrey said in a worried voice. Lumina is her precious daughter, she had her when the doctors said that she won't have a child after 2 pregnancies, and now she had another beautiful child. She unconsciously teared up.

When Zereil saw his wife's tears, he hugged her and whispered sweet words to calm her down.

Audrey wasn't only worried because of that. She was also worried because she saw Emperor Fourth once and she did not like his aggressive personality. She was worried for her daughter.

Meanwhile, Lumina who was peeking earlier ran to her room and waited for her parents to tell her. But they didn't.

She opened her eyes and sighed. Though disappointed in her parents, she never blamed them.

The journey to the palace was peaceful. When she heard the citizens' chatter, she opened the carriage window and peeked her head out to breathe the fresh air. 'The smell of baby breath,' she noticed her favorite flower's scent.

"Halt !" The coachman shouted. The door gently opened and he offered his hand to Lumina. Lumina plastered a small smile, and when she stepped down she was welcomed by a line of knights, maids, and a butler.

Her slightly curled long red hair danced with the breeze and cheeks glistening in a pink tint while her pastel blue eyes that hold a thousand stars, her petite yet feminine figure stride on the crimson red carpet laid out in the marbled floor. The people lined up could not help but be starstruck by the lady's beauty, her ethereal features were majestic.

Lumina tried to calm down, she smiled awkwardly when she noticed heart shapes in their eyes staring at her.

The butler slightly coughed and immediately regained his posture. Indeed, she is a rare gem.

He went to her and introduced himself in a gentlemanly voice, "Good Morning to you, Lady Lumina. I'm the butler of His Majesty and will escort you to the throne room." He then guided her inside and the butler informed, "This way Lady Lumina, the Emperor awaits his audience."

Lumina looked at him with shocked eyes, the Emperor ?!? She just arrived and the Emperor is already expecting an audience? She soon calmed down and sighed.

Nodding to the well-mannered man, she followed him and was welcomed by a diamond and turquoise architectured door with two knights guarding and a spokesman. The knights bowed and the spokesman then introduced me, "Princess Lumina Crimsyn Sylvia, the second princess of kingdom Sylvia is here, Your Majesty the Emperor."

Lumina's nervousness earlier now rose up, she breathed in and out before signaling the butler to open the door.

When she walked inside, the logo of the Anastasia Empire was on top of the throne. The throne fits the person sitting on it, Emperor Fourth Sein Calix Anastasia.

She gulped at the sight of the handsome man. His brown eyes that were bloodshot staring at her, the black mullet hair that highlighted his distinguished face features that make ladies in awe while his legs crossed and his slender yet muscular body fitted well in his suit. He was bewitching, no...he was out of this world handsome.

She greeted, "Greetings to the Sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor."

"Lumina," the deep alluring voice that holds command spoke her name, Lumina didn't know that her name was that loveable until now. Emperor Fourth continued, "Princess Lumina Crimsyn Sylvia, 18 years of age, starting this month you will learn and study about Empress duties, etiquette, personalities, impressions and much more a princess studied. You will be the 25th Emperor's woman, pride, and moon."

He paused and looked at me, but this time softer "Do you agree or object to this Imperial Order?" He said in a gentle tone.

Once again Lumina was in shock, even the butler beside her looked at him with wide eyes. What's with his tone?

She shook that off her mind and replied, "No objections, Your Majesty." Lumina thought that who was she to say no.

Meanwhile, with Emperor Fourth, he maintained a calm look but was also amazed that the girl in front of him did not object. He knew that her parents did not inform her and said that she would get training for knights but instead she got to learn to be the Empress, the Moon of the Empire!

He sighed and walked near her, Lumina was now shaking. She does not know why he's coming near her, her shaking now decreased when a hand touched her shoulder and the Emperor's voice spoke, "Shall we head off to your room, Princess?"

If you'd guess it, Lumina's shock scale today stocked up. She tried opening her mouth to say a word but nothing came out so instead she nodded and Emperor Fourth quietly led the way to her room.

When they were on the way she saw 3 familiar figures, she was curious to know if the figures were who she thought or not. She unconsciously walked near the figures and spoke in a sweet voice, " Princess Lumina Sylvia meets her knights! the heirs of the 3 kingdoms."

The 3 men immediately turned around when they heard the nostalgic greeting and the very sweet voice that they missed.

"L-lumina?"

A man with shoulder red hair stuttered in shock while the man beside him was very confused and tears welled up in his eyes, the other man holding stocks of books in his hands was already sobbing and finally, the three of them hugged her so tight that she barely could breathe.

"Hey! Your big biceps are suffocating me!" Lumina complained, they soon let go of her and she chuckled at the sight of the three successors who now have glossy eyes acting cute in front of her.

"You- you insolent lady! how dare you not send a letter to us! We were worried!" Vernon stuttered. Vernon Reign Christine, the youngest prodigy of magic, the heir of Christine Kingdom. His eyes in the color blue, and blonde hair that signifies Christine family's bloodline.

"Aww, I'm sorry Verny," Lumina teasingly comforted, when Vernon heard the nickname 'Verny' his ears and nose puffed smoke, his cheeks in tint red.

I laughed at the sight. 'Oh!' I exclaimed internally turning back to the two figures behind me, "Um- a good day to you both?"

Gazellean sighed and hugged her .Gazellean Carlos Monique, the intellect of the court, heir of Monique Kingdom. His eyes in color red and black hair that signifies the Monique family's bloodline.

Gazellean hummed in a cold voice, the tears he had earlier has now dried up and a chilly aura surrounded the man. "How are you, Princess?" He said in a deep, cold voice. His voice had a tint of gentleness.

"Perfectly breathing and heart rhythm is still normal, sir," Lumina replied in a calm voice, she is very used to Gazellean's attitude, but she knows that he cares for her.

"Hmmm," he again hummed, 'What's with the humming Zel' Lumina rolled her eyes at him, Gazellean noticed but he ignored her.

"Keiran!" Lumina sweetly called to the man still sobbing. Keiran Nozel Lavinous, the keeper of the empire's secrets, the internal court's minister, and Lavinous family's heir. His silver-blue hue eyes, and silver hair that signifies the Lavinous family's bloodline.

She ran to hug him, Keiran now stopped sobbing and in a composed posture. Well, you can't blame him. He just misses his childhood friend.

"Sorry for not sending letters Rein."

"It's fine," he said in a gentle voice.

The four childhood friends continued to reminisce about their memories. The happiness, tears, sufferings, laugh they had when they were you g has now paid off. The training they had when they were young was painful indeed, but they had each other. Offering lemonades and picnics in a field of baby breath flowers. Now they had reunited and can look back to their younger selves, the naive yet joyful past has now gone by. But the four kids of the past have now stood firm in their dreams.

Lumina wasn't an heir to the kingdom, but she was there. She was there for the three of them. She is their safe place.

Meanwhile with Emperor Fourth, when Lumina ran to them. He was confused, 'Why is she running to the three heirs?' he wondered, true that she is one of them but how rude to leave the sun of the empire who personally offered to guide you to your room. Fourth was a bit pissed, he crossed his arms and leaned on the pillar wall, he observed the four and noticed how intimate they were.

Lumina tripped and was about to fall but luckily, Gazellean caught her. Fourth saw him holding her waist, Fourth's eyes twitched at the sight.

'Hmmm,' he hummed internally and now directed his eyes to Lumina.

'Interesting, very interesting.' He snickered.

"George! Let's head to court." Fourth said in a commanding tone making Butler George beside him shiver.

"Y-yes Your Majesty!"

____________________________________________________________________

:)

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***