Child of Destiny

Chapter 4-The Royal Summons

When the child woke up, they found themselves in an unfamiliar room, greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling. Standing up, they took in their surroundings. Through the window, they caught a glimpse of a magnificent castle perched on a hill. Speculation filled their mind. Why were they in this castle? Couldn't they have been placed in an inn or some other accommodation?

A knock on the door interrupted their thoughts. A voice called out, announcing that the esteemed guest of the third prince was summoned by the highness. Perplexed, the child inquired about their location and the identity of the person at the door. The voice responded, claiming to be their personal servant, and informed them that they were inside the royal palace, situated in the capital of the Kingdom of Orestra.

Accepting this revelation with a simple "oh, alright," the child granted permission for the servant to enter. The servant attended to their needs, providing them with a bath and fresh clothing, preparing them for a meeting with the emperor. As they followed the servant's lead, a question arose in the child's mind. How was the servant able to communicate with them? The servant explained that they had been trained in the child's world's language as part of their role.

Looking out of the window as they walked, the child admired the grandeur of the palace and the bustling city below. The castle, situated atop a hill, offered a breathtaking view. Finally, they reached a pair of enormous doors. The servant reminded the child to be respectful and cautioned them against saying anything that might offend the emperor, as instructed by the third prince.

With a deep breath, the servant pushed open the doors, revealing a lavishly decorated room filled with elegantly attired individuals. Among the crowd, the child's gaze locked with that of the emperor. Startled, they instinctively began to bow, but the emperor gestured for them to rise.

The emperor, curious about the child's identity, requested an introduction. The nobles observed with intrigue as the child, possessing knowledge of the ancient tongue, greeted the emperor as a descendant who had arrived a few days earlier. This unexpected fluency in the ancient tongue surprised the onlookers, aware of its complexity.

Seeking to unveil the child's name, the emperor disclosed that he had received an oracle about their arrival, as informed by the third prince. However, the child revealed that their father had never given them a name. Accepting this revelation, the emperor introduced himself as Dante Hathwaye, the 57th emperor.

The room erupted into a murmur as the emperor's announcement sparked inquiries from the nobles. Sensing an opportunity, the child discreetly moved away from the crowd and sought refuge in the presence of their servant. They questioned why the servant had momentarily left their side earlier. The servant explained that they had done so to ensure the child remained the focus of attention during this significant moment, as instructed by the third prince.

Confused by the unfolding events, the child sought clarification about the purpose of the gathering. The servant elucidated that it was a ball, a celebration akin to a dance party, where the child's presence was intended to be showcased rather than their dancing skills. The child accepted this explanation, still uncertain about their role in this new world.