Scarlet Fate

22: Heart of Empire

Author's Note: Finally managed to introduced the the Third Main Character of the series.

Two weeks before the battle of Aldar.

Normal PoV(3rd Person)

In the city of Allegro, capital of the Aldaria, as the sickly emperor lay in his bed, the second Prince kneels down, the emperor placed his hand atop his son's head and told him.

"You've made me so proud, my son."

He smiled and touched his son's cheeks, coughing the emperor continued.

"Together with your brother, rule the empire with an iron fist, Leonard my son. You have proven yourself a worthy leader on the battlefield, I'm so proud of you."

The prince nodded, he held his Father's hand firmly and replied.

"You should rest father, the doctors are here, I will now take my leave."

Leonard left the emperor's chambers with a bitter face.

The emperor's illness worsened with each passing day, the nobility are divided into two factions, those thatswor loyalty to the Crown Prince, and those who sided with to the second prince.

After a week the emperor has passed away, Aldren the crown prince was crowned emperor. Tension between the two factions grew.

The country is rotten, as we attain more power, the empire becomes more corrupt. I shall restore this country to it's former glory.

Leonard clicked his tongue, he summoned his most trusted aide to his chambers.

"Have you finished your investigation on the nobles of the eastern and northern provinces?"

His aide is a young lady around her early twenties, she has scarlet eyes and brown hair. She nodded and replied.

"Yes your Highness, I shall now begin my report."

She paused, took a deep breathe and continued.

"The situation in the north has worsened, Over taxation on the north remains rampant, discrimination against the citizens. This caused the resistance to gain the support of the masses."

Leonard clicked his tongue and he told his aide.

"It's worse than I imagined, we need to do something about this Alice."

The prince's aide named Alice nodded and replied.

"I've already gathered enough evidence, which proves the embezzlement committed by the northern nobles. However these nobles are directly under the emperor's command."

That makes things worst, they are nobles whom possess significant influence within the royal court, it's likely that the emperor will turn a blind eye to the prove at hand. It's a good thing that I've been supplying the resistance with weapons, it's only a matter of time before they make a move.