Chương 44: Passing of time

Amadeus looked at the girl as she got back up. The girl felt a jolt as Amadeus grabbed her and brought it to his face,

"You need to know how your master looks right?"

The girl smiled in return but didn't say anything. After remembering Amadeus' face, the girl took a step back and bowed once more,

"Your highness, my name is Ariadne."

Amadeus nodded as her eyes were just like her name, utterly pure. He had heard from his mother that she wasn't really blind, it was just her powers were too much causing her mortal eyes to go blind.

What she could see was a pure black canvas with outlines and sources. For her, Amadeus was a warm gold and silver.

Amadeus' didn't remain in his depressed state for too long as he once more went for an outing too find talents. Before he had only been to a small portion of the kingdom, but he would now try looking everywhere. This time he only took Eras because his maids were helping Ariadne get into terms of being a maid. To conclude that search successful he did find a talent but not one he was hoping for.

Days passed, as it turned into months and finally years. Amadeus had a full timetable, from when he had to attend the royal court sessions, take lessons, training, playing with Arius and making public appearances. Amadeus barely had time for himself, but still tried his best in everything. Slowly, he had come to accept the empire and with this, he started feeling the weight of responsibilities pile up one by one. It wasn't until he was ten did something happen.

It was a normal day, and everything was going as usual within the royal court. Issues were handed out one by one and they were resolved until a major one came. It was a simple issue but one that had the whole royal court involved. Division of resources.

As the sides presented their arguments, the generals wanted the resources to help train soldiers while the ministers wanted the resources for the academics. Words as sharp as knives were thrown back as the dispute heated up. An old official with white hair even came to the middle and ripped his upper garment revealing his bony upper body. Then as if holding a knife started stabbing his chest.

Amadeus looked back only to see Baldrik look at him as well. What the hell was he doing?

As the arguments heated up, Baldrik felt that it was enough and cleared his throat, only for one official to finish screaming,

"Whoever talks after this, shall be my enemy!"

Everyone immediately created some distance between them and the official as the two father and son looked at him. The official still had his arm thrown into the air while clenched into a fist and was breathing heavily from all the shouting he had done. Realising what he had done, an embarrassed look plastered his face and he started lightly bowing and rubbing the back of his head,

"Hahaha, as I have talked after that, I am the enemy of myself."

The official started speaking gibberish while an enlightened look appeared in his eyes.

"Indeed, I am the enemy of myself."

Amadeus could tell it was an act, but the official was adamant in carrying forth his lie. Turning to Baldrik he bowed,

"Your highness, this petty official will ask for permission to excuse himself…"

"Denied."

A firm voice interrupted the official as he stood there sweating like no tomorrow. He was constantly looking around, while fidgeting as he was stepping on a carpet of pins and needles. Amadeus just shook his head as Baldrik continued,

"Amadeus, what do you think?"

At that moment, Amadeus could swear he heard a few officials taking in sharp breaths. It was unprecedented but it told the others that the Emperor was starting to get the Crown Prince ready for the throne. Amadeus felt his heartbeat quicken as he didn't expect his father to ask him about his opinion about the matter.

However, a determined look plastered his face, as he started speaking, Each word that left his mouth was crisp and clear, each sentence targeted the vital areas needed to be considered and with the acceptance of the major parties, Amadeus was able to come up with a solution that both parties could tolerate.

The think about the distribution of resources and where the government would focus on was that it was actually a war for power, between the generals and the ministers. If the generals got more attention, despite the army being strong, the citizens will have difficulties and the end result being the destruction of the empire form within. While favouring the ministers meant that although the citizens will be happy, the nation's army will be weak allowing the neighbouring kingdoms to have ulterior motives. The end result being the collapse of the kingdom from the outside.

So, a balance needed to be maintained. Everyone wanted peace and prosperity for the empire and its people, it was just the method they chose was different from each other and it was the responsibility of the royal family to keep the balance and make sure all parties are satisfied.

Baldrik didn't say it but he was satisfied with Amadeus' performance and he went with what he said. Amadeus basically introduced the concept of fertilizers to help promote plant growth. Despite this world being advanced in its own way, the existence of magic meant that the world overlooked some aspects which could be found in Amadeus' old world, fertilizers being one of them.

While Baldrik gave the order in trying it out, the royal court ended, and the two father and son left first. Amadeus had grown since then and was nearing 4 foot 11. A bit taller than an average ten-year-old. A certain maturity could be seen on his face as he approached his teenage years, yet the fashion of clothes was still the same purple.

His look was more stoic, and his eyes hid a sharp sword, holding authority like no other. Baldrik smiled as he looked at his son who looked back and smile. The two dropped the façade of being royals and went back to father and son while laughing. As the two were walking, they happened to pass by the training grounds. On the ground was now an older looking Arius and Rex sparring with Lionel. They were surrounded by a group of off-duty imperial knights who were cheering for them.

Arius had a quite a high position with the knights due to him being their leader's son's best friend. Despite being a prince, he never showed arrogance and would spend most of his time with them. This didn't mean that they would follow him but rather thought of him as their friend. One of the imperial knights at the back was cheering when he saw two figures at the corner of his vision. Curiosity kicking in, he turned around only to shock him to his core. Seeing the Emperor, putting his finger on his lips, he understood and returned to cheering albeit in a more reserved manner.

The two father and son then left the grounds and continued walking. What Amadeus never expected was his father dropping him another bombshell,

"I'll be abdicating the throne once Arius completes his awakening."

Amadeus was surprised as he finally knew why Baldrik asked for his opinion today. All Amadeus could do was nod in return as they met someone halfway. Today the four dukes bought their children in as well. It was their first time and Amadeus could see them all exhausted. When the five of them saw Amadeus, the twins immediately ran for him and latched on like Koala's on either side. The rest of the group giggled seeing the actions of the twins while their father, Quyen, had an unknown flash in his eyes. Chandra and Selene didn't care about the eyes on them and started to drag Amadeus. The other three ran behind them. While Amadeus was the youngest in the group, he wasn't the shortest.

Chandra and Selene were half a head shorter than him while Veronica, the eldest of the group, was around his height. Celer, who was the second eldest was a bit taller than him while the tallest was Milo, the second youngest of the group. The twins were in the middle age-wise.

None of the children had changed apart from becoming more mature.

The five fathers looked at their children and started walking behind them.

"So, are you really abdicating this early?"

Baldrik nodded to Gaius' question,

"Yeah, I've been pushing it but my ascension to Ancestor Dragon has been kept for too long. My foundation is solid, and all the requirements are met."

Adelmo sighed lightly as he shook his head,

"It seems it is time for the young to take over, I'll probably stay with a couple or so years to help Amadeus get used to the throne before we follow you."

"Thanks guys,

Yaalon patted Baldrik's back,

"No need for thanks brother-in-law, its our duty."

While nodding slightly, Baldrik suddenly thought of something,

"Didn't you recently get a daughter into your household."

As if remembering something pleasant, Yaalon was all smiles,

"Hahaha, yes I did."

"Then why haven't I met her?"

"Hahah, w-well…"

How could Yaalon say that he didn't want her to meet Amadeus. He wanted her to be her favourite but due to this occasion, he had to bring her.

Baldrik didn't question further and was suddenly overshadowed by a large figure. Looking at Quyen, Baldrik asked with a confused face,

"What's wrong?"

Quyen then looked in the direction of his two girls holding Amadeus and Baldrik immediately got what he was implying.

"Let's wait, we don't want them to reject it later now do we."

Quyen shrugged but he was fairly confident that they would have no rejections.

It wasn't until they made their way to the palace's garden did, they hear a few more voices. Five ladies could be seen drinking tea and happily chatting around a table. There was also a little girl with playing with a ball next to them. Each of the kids ran to their mothers while the little girl so her older brother begging for her to pick him up. Celer ran forward as the father's joined right after them and Arius was the last to arrive. Before, Arius was considered the youngest of the group now it was the little two-year-old that was currently held by Amadeus.

She even refused to let go when her parents called. She would just turn her head with a no and bury her head. Yaalon was looking on with tears, as Baldrik patted his back,

"Ok, now I understand why you never bought her."

Yaalon just looked at him with a 'You Think?' look.

Paloma, Yaalon's wife just sighed,

"It seems Eurus has grown attached to Amadeus rather quickly."

Seeing the girl with a head full of green hair and black eyes, play by lightly slapping Amadeus' cheeks, made her want to snatch and gobble her up. She was just too cute, and her smile was so pure.

"It seems you have grown more handsome since the last time I've seen you, Amadeus."

"Once more you jest Aunt Rada."

Urania kept looking at Amadeus play with Eurus with a pout,

"Amadeus-kun, why don't you have a spar while I hold Eurus."

Everyone could see her ulterior motives to hold Eurus as the kid's got more and more excited. Milo was especially excited and immediately jumped up.

Vesta saw her son like this and pat her bulging stomach,

"I just hope this little one isn't like their father and older brother. Damn battle maniacs."

As the group let out a laugh, the six kids gathered together while all five of them stood in front of Amadeus. The last time they fought was a lesson to them so the five of them went against Amadeus. Milo, looking at Amadeus grin slightly,

"He looks cool with those horns and that scar on his face, I want some as well."

Celer adjusted his glasses,

"Then go through your second awakening and create a scar with a kitchen knife or something."

Amadeus' smile got wider and wider, as he initiated the first move and ran straight into the group while enveloping each hand with his powers. Arius watched in excitement as it was one of those time which his older brother showed his powers. Eurus, screamed lightly as she looked at the group of her older brothers and sisters fight, cheering them on. The group of adults laughed at this as a barrier was created around them.

It was truly a rare moment for the five families to come together and the next time they did so was two years later, at Amadeus' coronation