For What Tomorrow Brings...

Prologue: Fiore di Domani (Tomorrow's Flower: Yesterday's Pain)

The day of the beginning

November 30, 1185 A.D.

Paris, France

 A new ruler was proclaimed to the masses of the New Roman Empire. His name is Emperor Vincent.

 On this day was born the sole heir to the Throne of the World, the daughter of the beloved Empress Sophia, Princess Maria, whose fate will determine the hopes of all.

 Amidst everything, the common folk look to a more homely occasion. Because of the new ruler, the name of liberty was once again uttered by every tongue, so much so that two houses that have been built upon common yet drifting foundations have joined hands in holy matrimony in the name of peace and justice. Thus was born the Kingdom of Parousia.

 On that same day, the two houses become one as the marriage of its two heirs promulgates the start of a new tomorrow. The new King, Poseidon of House Bruden of Germany, and his new Queen, Lady Diana Marta of the Imperial Lineage of Charlemagne, carrying the noble surname Camelot, taken from Arthur's kingdom but made into the deviation of the long forgotten name of the English relatives of the Emperor, created a kingdom to unite parts of what is known as the land of the Swiss with the unclaimed Italian lands, bringing together a diverse people who speak different languages, some Germany, some French, others Italian but all hearts beat imperfectly to the desire of world peace.

 Lady Diana Marta Camelot van Bruden carried with her a child and gave birth in secret. Tradition was that to protect the heir from threats that would come about as a result of their somewhat political and unusual union, the delivery would be in a rural area not far from Castle Brudenheim and the raising of the child to be confined only within the four corners of the Castle.

 And thus has their legacy been protected and undisturbed for 13 years until the time came for the Crown Prince to be revealed. His name was Brontes and he was a strong boy. Story has it that he was favored by Lady Diana and had always been the King's first choice to be General of the Royal Armed Forces. Peace was Providence manifested and the hopes of the people were on the shoulders of this soldier-prince. As the priests celebrate mass, bells ring to disturb the silence that brought relief to a war-stricken people. They speak of two contradictions: the happiness of the coming of the 20th year of the Pax Impera in Parousia manifest in the many supplications for the Emperor's good health and blessings for the King and Queen...and that of foreboding fear, for the sunset reminds people tomorrow will come and it will not all be good for the people.

April 13, 1204 A.D.

            The bells ring louder than ever. Doves fly across the blue skies, covering it with white allure, as if the clouds themselves have grown. Rain fell that morning. And so did...

            ...Constantinople.

            This was a surprise to the King, who received an advance Crusader party to inform him of their inevitable victory over the Byzantines. The Norman knights have declared their intent to ally with Poseidon and so claim a secure spot for Emperor Vincent to notice.

            In the night, after the party, a shadow opens the curtain to a new chapter of life.