Caesar

CHAPTER ONE • BACK HOME

His footsteps silent against the ground. The sword which he holds in his hand loosely drags against the ground as blood drips from it in droplets. Various heads bow down to him in a sequence. His eyebrow moves up as genius lines appear on his forehead, his lips are pushed together and his handsome face tightens into frown.

Being back home after three months; three months of endless battles with various tribes to increase his territorial boundaries. His very walls felt alien to him with the huge dark hall filled with humorous voices chatting, greeting and congratulating him on his safe return.

"Fakes... You all want me dead!" He mutters silently and inaudibly as he walks through the hall filled with nobles who bow to him in respect.

He moves his head slightly raising up his chin in response to their greetings then he advances forward.

An old pendant lays on his board chest, dangling as he walks through the walkways towards a huge building. A golden sign board on it.

"Gillin Manor!"

He stares at the Pendant for a while. His expression blank as it is obvious he is lost in thoughts. A voice drags him away from his thoughts and his face raises up staring at the person who speaks.

"Hwansu! I am so happy you are finally back! Deyuny seemed empty without your presence!" A man sitting at the furthest end of the room says. He stands up greeting the Hwansu.

The Hwansu looks up and makes a secret sigh before smiling brightly but falsely unknown to others.

"Gerald, I wasn't expecting you...what brings you here?"

Gerald smiles putting his hands on his shoulders "Your congratulation ceremony...Would it pain you for your abode to have color, light or life in it?...rumor has it that your reside is the most depressing of all of Yunchi's lords."

He smiles with his eyes "Rumor?... Well that's rather sad... I love my dark home!"

Gerald laughs loudly and unsophisticated.

"Caesar, I am truly glad you are back..."

"Gerald, it didn't even feel like I left, you know I don't have anyone waiting for me...so i am never in a hurry to come back."

"That's the miserable sad life of a bachelor...Have you ever thought of starting a family...my niece has...!"

"No, Lord Gerald! i am earnestly devoted to my duties" Caesar immediately answers.

"You must be startled, maybe you think you are still young and desirable but as time goes by, you become an old..."

"I hear the Royal Priest's daughter is back...Verbena isn't it?" He finally takes a seat by Gerald's side.

"No one calls her that though it's her birth name. She's known as the Ice Witch... A well deserved name if you ask me!"

"Ice Witch?" He chuckles

"Yes she's aloof, cold and distant. She's her Father's only child...I hear he dotes on her and gives her everything she asks for. Why not? she's his only heir. Ever since her mother died, she has been travelling never staying in one place, no one is ever aware of her whereabouts."

"The Priest has a child that he dotes on? This is interesting." Caesar thinks to himself.

"A powerful clan like the Riferos, I hear the power of the Priest along with Lord Tomsin's clan, the Cannifels can dethrone the Emperor!"

"Really?" Caesar sips from a cup as he relaxes his back on his chair.

"...Yes. They just have to present the fortress seal and the emperor is gone. She's a powerful Priestess and an influential heir! ...though i have learnt she has a weak body, I view her as a strength...her powers grow daily. Verbena...her identity was kept a secret but it's going to be revealed when she's proclaimed the heir publicly. Her identity must be kept a secret until she's announced the future Priestess, heir to Mountain groin. It would be such a shame if she's killed before she's named the heir "

"How is it kept a secret when she's so popular for having a bad character?"

"She has always covered her face and never stayed too long in the capital! Enough about her! What did you do during your journey?!"

"What do young men do when they travel?"

"I can imagine a lot of things I did when I was young!"

Red light escapes through the window as women dance seductively to a soothing music. The music is from traditional drums and the violin.

"Dum di didum!" The drum plays hardly as hands covered in beads rub a broad chest.

Dozens of women dressed in skimpy clothing made of beads and net which is black and silver in colour dance following a specific rhythm while two beautiful women play the instruments.

Caesar sits in the midst of women and their caresses, giggles fills the room as the red light becomes dimmer until it fades away.

" You can only imagine." Caesar says interrupting the old man's thoughts.

A man walks into the room distracting Gerald, he moves close to him whispering something into his ears, his eyes widen and so does his mouth.

The man bends down to greet Caesar then he walks away.

"Well I guess I would have to take my leave!"

Gerald stands up and so does Caesar as they both bid themselves farewell.

"It has been a Pleasure chatting idly with you but business awaits...you know the Emperor summons me!"

Caesar smiles "Anytime...but you know I am also a very busy man!"

Gerald laughs humorously as he walks out of the Hall.

Caesar stands watching Gerald walk away, his smile drops and a serious unhappy face appears.

His face looks grim and colourless like he has no happiness in his life. An expression so sadistic and hypocritic appears on his face.

He puts his hand on his shoulders dusting it as he walks out of the hall.

Stopping at the front of a huge shelf in the walk way, he takes a book out of it sighing terribly.

"Such a basket with information leaking right out of his mouth... Stupid human!"

A secret room opens and he walks into it, staring at his Pendant and a grin appears on his face.

"Very soon, my love...very soon!"