บท 3: Grand Duke Emilios

"Ugh...hmg.. No..."

A young boy tosses and turns in his bed.

"Y....g..ma...ter... young master.. wake up you are having another nightmare.. it's just a dream." An older man speaks as he tries to rouse the child.

"Mph.. ah.. Bertrand.. I had the same nightmare.. i saw a kingly man.. he wore jewels looking at me with distain.. he was giant.. or I was small.. he stabbed a dagger in my stomach.." said the boy who's crimson eyes shown brightly.

"Perhaps you angered Morpheus in a past life young master.." The middle aged man chucked..

Scowling, "You aren't funny Bertrand..." The child looked around before he continued, "What time is it?"

Bertrand walked over to the curtains and opened them slowly, "It is just becoming Dawn Young master.. you have a big day ahead young master, Ophelia Llyne is on her way over saw will be saying her for little while, you have your combat training, oh yes and your mother has requested you let your little sister accompany you today."

Falling back onto the fluffy pillows sigh, "Anything else?" I say sarcasticly.

"Hmm.. ah yes your father has requested that you spare him some time this morning post haste."

Nodding I sprung out of bed, getting dressed then as soon as I opened my door a blur knocked me to the ground, "Big brother! Finally your awake!" As a little girl nuzzled into my chest.

"Oof.. Stella.. good morning.. can you get off." Catching my breath.

"Nuh uh! I don't want too." Stella said adamantly.

"Young lady Stellantine.. young master Zagreus has to meet with the Lord.. you will have your time with him later." Bertrand said chuckling again.

"Awww okay... Hey Zag.. when you see daddy.. tell him I love him.. okay?" She said slightly saddened.

Petting her head holding her close, "I will i promise.. Stell."

Leaving my sisters grasp my mood dower as I make make my way towards my father's study. 'When was the last time I spoke to him.. Grand Duke Emilios Varathyn.. my father.. but not Stella's father.. years ago.. when I was young too young to remember, my mother Rhea Varathyn was attacked taken hostage and assaulted.. when my father and his men rescued her they didn't know she was pregnant.. with her attacker's child.. my mother confided this fact to my father.. and he.. urged her to get rid of the basterd child.. so much so this broke the bond between them.. Grand Duke.. he turned his back on them.. but with what graciousness he had left he let Stella grow up in this house. When I was told this truth by a dream no less... when I confronted mother.. she confirmed the truth..I lost my love for my father.. when I grow strong enough I'll make a place for Stella.. and my mother to live happily again..'

Now standing outside of my father's door, I pound my fist on his door signaling my arrival.

A some shuffling could be heard inside, after a moment a nervous looking maid left the room in a hurry fixing her dress, our eyes met and I could read the shame on her face.. as she scurried away.

A deep voice echoed from within, "Enter."

Inside the dark interior a middle aged man was leaning, peering out of a window, while he was wearing a silky bathrobe, "Come in My son have a seat we have much to discuss."

Nodding I entered the room the emotions on my face showed slight distain much like the man from my dream had.

"Hmph, you have such determination in your eyes don't over step Zagreus." Grand Duke Emilios said.

A myriad of emotions were flooding my veins.. however for some reason I was able to keep my lid on.

After a moment of silence the man who is my father sat down in his leather armchair then placed an ornate flat circular wooden container, sort of like a flat hat case on the desk between us. As soon as he did this I could feel my heart beat and the feeling of a pull.. like I had to have the contents of the box.

Emilios spoke, "You may have many thoughts about the choices I've made I only regret one thing and that was accepting you. If it wasn't for you Rhea and I would still be together. That wretch of a daughter wouldnt have been born." Emilios paused to light a cigar and takes a deep draw.

Emilios continues, "However.. I can not take back the past. Deals are meant to be kept especially the one I made... inside this box.. is the end of my arrangement.. there is an otherworldly magical seal placed on it.. the box can be opened in a year's time from tomorrow.. you will be enrolled in the demigod academy soon.. the day you leave my house.. I will disown you and remove Stella and Rhea from the grounds..." he takes another long draw.

"This house is set for being demolished so I will have no ties to this place or it's previous inhabitants.. even so I am not a monster.. so I will set Rhea and her child up with enough money to last their lives in the capital.."

Gritting my teeth hearing his words my hands grasping the underside of his desk so hard that the wood underneath cracks and splinters, anger.. fills me.. I feel a fire welling up from the center of my being, through my gritted teeth, "You would toss aside your own blood!?" I spat out.

Grand Duke Emilios Varathyn took a heavy draw from his cigar before leaning in close to me, "You aren't my blood.. I have no son nor daughter, you were forced upon this household left.. abandoned by your true parentage." As he spoke thunder cracked from above and it's power shook the house in a small tremor.

Somehow I knew the words he spoke were true.. oddly it quelled the anger I felt yet I still felt resentment.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door, "Enter" Emilios said as a messenger made his way in delivering a letter.

Emilios took the letter from the messenger who had his face covered, "Hmm..? You dare cover your identity in my presence?"

The messenger was tall and slender with an androgynous air about them, they wore a helmet with small metal wings on the side and an orange jacked with an icon of a beautiful white wing inside a pink heart. The messenger stood in an uncaring way, they tured to me and said, "You must be Zagreus? My father has told me a lot about you." Stunned I nodded.

I could feel a smile coming from this makes person...

The messenger turned back to Emilios, "Your presence is demanded for breaking the terms of the deal made 15 years ago. You will be summoned to be tried before the court of @,$(!=% momentarily."

'Huh? Why was that word messed up.. it was like static almost.'

"Don't be confused your Highness I am also bound by certain pacts you will know in time.. you can call me Aster it's nice to finally meet you. Ah.. speaking of time we gotta get a move on until next time Prince Zag!" Aster snapped their fingers as golden chains linked around Emilios binding him.

"HUH GET THIS OFF ME! GUARDS! GUARDS!" Emilios roared trying to break free from the chains.

However no one came to his rescue, Aster sighed, "They never learn do they..."

Aster dramatically bowed to my as I watched them snap their fingers again as a bright light filled the room blinding my sight for a moment before as the light faded quickly both Aster and Emilios were no where to be seen.

"What just happened?!"