Isekai Tyrant

Chapter XI - The Plot at Hand

Once there was a crown prince who excelled.

In the imperial family of the thousand year-old Augustin empire, excellence was common. But what separated this prince in particular, was that he excelled in everything.

This excellent man was the late Emperor Alexander Donia Viktor de Lune Augustin.

Although cold and aloof, he was a hardworking individual who wished for the best for his subjects so he was well beloved by everyone.

There was another person who excelled as great as him.

She was the radiant lady of the powerful Leonhart dukedom which was second only to the imperial family: Lady Ciri Leourus Leonhart.

If Alexander was unparalleled in politics and the battlefield, she was the star in etiquette and any social gathering. Because of  the similarity of both their brilliance, they were often paired by everyone. It included even the parents of both families, who wished the two would be together and strive for the best of the empire. The two didn't dismiss or acknowledge the rumors around them. They had a decent and amiable relationship too because of the friendship between their parents.

So the expectations grew.

If it was any other family in high society, they would have already been engaged for a long time.

 But it wasn't just 'any other family'.

The Augustin empire had a custom for any consort seeking to enter the imperial family.

It was a tedious and meticulous selection process among suitable candidates which lasts for six months. From the royal families and prominent families of the vassal kingdoms to the capital country's nobles, it was a great opportunity to ascend to one of the most powerful positions of the empire. And if not, a favorable chance to increase their eligibility in the marriage market.

It was titled 'The Flower Parade', and it was an event that spanned for generations of the imperial family ever since the first emperor.

It was meant to provide an equal opportunity for all the attending flowers to prove their worthiness to become the next consort. Only the best flower may be chosen.

During the six months of the competition, the flowers would live inside the palace and do their best to impress the imperial family. The fighting is fierce and would sometimes result in unpleasant bouts among the attendees.

This setting was the main focus of the novel 'The Rose Inside The Palace'; from the scandalous generation of Alexander and Ciri, until the tragic generation that came after them. 

Ciri was expected to win the competition with her brilliance, and she did.

However Alexander had already met someone else in the competition, a marquis' daughter from a vassal kingdom.

She wasn't as beautiful or powerful as Ciri, but her clear grey eyes and head of silver hair were filled to the brim with wit and self-confidence. Her name was Diane.

Alexander and Diane loved each other until death. On the cold steps leading to the emperor's throne, they both pleaded for their love to be fulfilled in marriage.

The overwhelmed emperor was furious. He couldn't believe his excellent and serious  son would suddenly go so far with such a bold request. But it was the only request his son had ever made; so after much consideration and convincing from Alexander, he granted it.

The empire was shook with the news. The legitimacy of The Flower Parade was questioned. At the middle of the crossfire, was Lady Leonhart who was shamed.