Ascendance The Original Lands Book 1

I was awoken by a gentle shake. Adeline stood above me with a kind smile, the guiding beacon to me waking up. Once my eyes were open, she backed off and bowed her head slightly.

"His lordship has sent word that dinner will be ready in twenty minutes," she informed me as I sat upright and rubbed my eyes. I stood and stretched, releasing a yawn as I observed my surroundings. Surprisingly, the room was empty of anyone aside from me and Adeline.

I guess they remained outside to give me privacy while I slept, we were just in the lounge area of my suite and back on the ship, Knights had stood guard inside and outside the entrance to my suite. That's the only possible reason that I could think of for their absence. That, or they just changed their guard stations.

Either way was fine with me, as I cared little for either.

"Please inform the count that I'll be down soon," I said as I made off towards my room. Adeline bowed and left the room, I heard the door shut as I entered my own bedroom and made for the bathroom, snapping my fingers.

The lights immediately turned on and adjusted to my eyes. Folduin had explained to me that certain systems could be toggled on and off by simple gestures, I personally liked snapping as it made me feel badass so I went with that. A silly reason for sure, but hey, it's my life. And if I could make it more amusing, than I would have no qualms about doing so.

***

After wiping my face off with a cool towel, I left my suite and followed Adeline down the fancy corridors of the count's home. Of course, that goes without saying that I was accompanied by more than just Adeline. Though I'll admit that they were not as ornate as they could have been, it was a slight shock.

I thought nobles loved to show off their wealth? Or was that just a thing for our world?

Another small question I'd find out later at some point. Right now, it was of no consequence to know the answer, so I pushed it from my mind.

I wonder if I'd ever get used to this new world, so many things had changed. Life had been thrown upside down for me. But a part of me thought it might be for the better. Perhaps a rude awakening is exactly what I needed to get my life on track and to change who I am.

We passed several of the count's soldiers, who patrolled with a diligence that I'd expect from the regular army, but there was also the fact that I knew nothing of this part of the world's cultures, so perhaps all armies were well trained, including noble armies.

I'd definitely get Folduin to brief me on all of this. It was important after all to find out about my empire's own strengths and weaknesses, and private noble armies are part of this. I'd make use of them if I could, and if I couldn't, well I'd find ways to deal with them. I promised myself not too long ago, really not long ago at all, that I'd climb atop and grab ahold of power no matter the cost.

Pacifying and taking control of this nation was simply one of the first steps. I realized what I was thinking and slowly shook my head. What was going on? Not even a month had passed since I was attending high school, and now I'm talking about possible murder to take over an Empire I know nothing about.

I really was changing, but why? More questions and no answers, and it was getting annoying. Luckily, the entrance to the dining hall came in view as we turned a corner. A few of Count Syldi's soldiers stood attention and bowed low as we approached.

"Welcome your Imperial Majesty," said one of the knights, "My Lord, Count Syldi and his wife await you inside. Dinner will be served soon."

I nodded and smiled at him, "Thank you."

I took another step as the soldier started to speak again though hesitantly this time, "Also, his lordship has requested that you keep your Knights outside the hall."

I paused for a minute as my jaw slackened a bit. That caught me off guard. He wanted me to leave my guards outside? Well, thinking about it, it wasn't too irrational. At least, it wasn't until Adeline leaned close and whispered in my ear, "My Emperor, usually the only time when the Emperor is without his escort is only in the Imperial Palace. During dinners with other nobles at their own estates, his men are there at his side even then. The count clearly knows this."

I sighed and glanced at the Knight that spoke and asked, "What about Adeline?"

"She is requested to wait outside as well," he said, bowing his head even lower.

Adeline frowned while her eyes turned what looked like a new degree of cold, contradicting the usual warmness they displayed at me.

I heard one of the other soldiers gulp as the gaze continued to pierce through them. Or that's what it looked like it could do, at the very least.

I placed a hand on her shoulder, she gasped as she turned to me, "I'll go in alone. If anything happens, I'll call for help. Alright?"

I turned to my Knights after reassuring Adeline, "Wait out here for me please."

I could tell from how hard they gripped their weapons that they didn't want to let me out of their sight. But seeing as how I was in charge and they weren't, they reluctantly followed my order, "As your Imperial Majesty commands."

The Knight at the door let loose the breath he had been holding in. I turned and nodded at him and began my journey towards the dining hall.

The knights on either side of the door pulled it open and I stepped into the large hall.

The only ones that greeted my eyes were the Count himself and his wife, who both rose as they saw me and bowed. The doors to the hall shut after I was all the way inside. My lips turned up in a friendly smile at the two nobles.

"Thank you for inviting me to dinner," I said simply as I approached them.

Count Syldi beckoned to a seat in front of him and his wife. I took it and pulled my chair up.

"The p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e is all ours, your imperial majesty." The Count replied as he rung a bell. One of his servants entered, carrying several tall glasses. "Anything specific you'd like to drink?"

I grinned at him, "No alcohol please."

The Count chuckled softly, "I heard that was a custom over there, and it is one here as well. Though we could very easily let you bypass it."

While holding my grin, I shook my head slowly, "I'd like to make it a memorable occasion. I'll stick to this place's law regarding that."

The Count nodded, a small smile gracing his lips. "Fair enough, you have just a few more years to go then, sire."

I nodded and reigned in my playful manner as I saw the count straighten himself in his seat as a serious look molded his face, "I asked you to leave your Knights outside, let me explain why now."

I raised a brow, I didn't think he'd start with this but nodded, giving him the green light to go on.

He repaid me with one as well, "When you attend the Academy, you Knights will not travel all over with you. I plan to remedy this while here. They will accompany you often, no doubts about that, but are forbidden from entering the student dining halls unless there is an emergency."

That made sense.

The Count cleared his throat and continued, "To my knowledge, you've been accompanied by these men since arriving in our lands. And you've grown reliant on them, we need to cut that down just a tad bit. Get you more used to being around other of our people without your men here. I apologize for this method, and I do hope it'll help you a little."

I smiled at the Count's consideration, "Thank you for your guidance, Count Syldi."

He allowed himself a quick smile. A servant carrying what looked to be a type of juice approached me and poured it in my cup. The smell assaulted my nose, and my mouth watered. I lifted the glass to my mouth and tasted, it was delicious.

I tried to be more polite and drunk only a little, and by little, I mean about a good fraction of the glass.

The Count and his wife laughed wholeheartedly and I grinned back at them.

We spent the rest of the night dining in peace. I explained my part of the world to him, told him of my school life and how it was before Galia came through the tear. Told them of my hobbies, my personal grudges, books I enjoyed.

It was a surprising and relaxing occasion, and I truly did have fun.

It goes without saying that the food that the count served was top notch. And I really enjoyed the stories he told me of previous Emperors and figures of importance.

With promises to tell me more about the world at a later time, we bid each other farewell, and I was reunited with my worried retinue.

With thoughts of studies, the future, and even home on my mind, I returned to my suite.