Julian Pierce stood motionless in front of the mirror, his mind still swirling with thoughts about this new world. Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed outside the door, pulling him out of his reverie. Leo Grant gently opened the door and entered, bowing as he reported:
"Your Highness, the King and Queen are here to see you; they are right outside."
As the door slowly opened, Julian saw his father and mother step in. Their benevolent beauty and regal aura seemed to illuminate the entire room. Julian stood up, quickly recalling scenes from historical dramas, and bowed solemnly.
"Father, Mother, your son greets you," Julian, now in the role of Ethan Caelan, said, trying to keep his voice steady but unable to hide his nervousness.
The Queen smiled and approached Ethan.
"My dear Ethan, there’s no need for such formalities. You’ve just recovered; let me have a good look at you." As she spoke, the Queen gently guided Ethan back to his bed to rest.
The King nodded, his gaze stern yet filled with concern.
"Ethan, rest assured I have ordered an investigation into the accident. Someone clearly intended to harm you."
Julian, in Ethan's body, managed to muster a smile.
"Father, Mother, I am fine. It was just a minor injury."
The Queen tenderly held Ethan’s hand, her voice filled with love:
"Ethan, rest and recover. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll have the royal kitchen prepare some nourishing dishes for you."
Julian, feeling the warmth and love from Ethan's parents, was reminded of his own family. He remembered the times his mother cared for him when he was ill and the loving but strict guidance of his father. His heart ached with longing and affection, having not visited his parents for a long time.
As Ethan was lost in his emotions, the King gently placed a hand on his shoulder, his eyes solemn but filled with worry and concern.
"Ethan," the King said gravely, "You must recover quickly. The country needs you..."
Ethan looked up at his father, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. He nodded, absorbing each word as they sank deep into his soul.
"Father, I understand. I will do my best to recover and help you with the affairs of the state," Ethan replied, his voice full of determination.
The King nodded, his eyes stern but filled with care. He began to lecture, his voice deep and authoritative.
"Ethan, ruling the country is not just about governance but also about sacrifice for the people and the royal family. Governance must be based on the principles of benevolence and righteousness. A good king knows how to listen to the people, when to be firm, and when to be gentle."
The Queen, sitting nearby, listened to every word, nodding slightly. She looked at Ethan with gentle eyes, as if trying to impart strength to him.
The King continued, "You must remember, the hearts of the people are the foundation of the nation. If the people are at peace, the nation will prosper. If the people are not at peace, the nation will fall into chaos. Therefore, you must always prioritize the welfare of the people, listen to and understand their sufferings."
Ethan listened attentively, feeling a profound respect for his father. Julian also realized that in any world, being a king demanded more virtues, sacrifices, and wisdom than he had ever imagined.
"Father, I will remember your teachings. I will learn and strive to become a good prince, contributing to the prosperity of the country," Ethan said, his voice resolute.
The King looked at Ethan with worried but meaningful eyes.
"Ethan, news from the battlefield has been troubling. Our troops at the border have been defeated repeatedly. We are forced to cede three cities to stop the fighting, but to end this war, I must agree to form an alliance with Helios. Besides annual tributes, they also demand a prince of Aria to be sent to Helios as a hostage."
Ethan felt his heart race, sensing something ominous.
"Father, have you decided who it will be?"
The King looked at Ethan, his eyes filled with love and concern.
"Ethan, you know I have no other choice. Crown Prince Nathaniel will succeed the throne, your second brother Alexander is defending the border, and your third brother Sebastian is sharing the governance with me. All of them bear heavy responsibilities and cannot leave their positions."
The King paused, his eyes distant and heavy with worry.
"You are still young and have been frail since childhood, unable to take on the burdens of governance. But you are a prince with many talents and virtues, only you are suitable to be a hostage to bring peace to Aria. A king sometimes has to make the most painful decisions. What father would want to send his child to the enemy? But for the survival of the nation, for the sake of thousands of lives, I have no choice but to choose you".
The king gazed pensively at Ethan Caelan, his face deeply etched with lines of worry and unspoken pain. He sighed, struggling to find words to comfort his son, but each word weighed heavily.
"My hope is that you can understand my heart, Ethan. It’s not that I take you lightly but because I trust you. For the peace of the Kingdom of Aria, for the safety of our people, only you can shoulder this responsibility."
Hearing this, Ethan collapsed to his knees. The image of the cruel tyrant from his nightmare suddenly appeared in Julian's mind—could it be that Ethan would meet him on this journey? Could the nightmare indeed be Ethan's future, which now Julian must bear?
Ethan felt as if the world was collapsing around him. He couldn't believe the words his father had just spoken. His heart raced wildly, filled with fear and panic. His eyes gradually shifted from surprise to horror and anger. His voice, though choked with emotion, was firm.
"Father, please revoke this order! Do you know how cruel the king of Helios is? How can you entrust my life to our enemy?"
Ethan struggled to remain calm, but his voice trembled more and more. He couldn't accept the terrifying prospect awaiting him. His eyes filled with tears, brimming with pain and pleading."The journey is long and perilous—can I even survive to reach there? There are countless traps in a foreign land; I could be falsely accused, harmed, tortured to death. My whole life, I would only be a slave to the royal family of Helios. This journey offers me only two paths: humiliation or death."He choked on his words, almost suffocating in the intensity of his emotions. Ethan knew he was not just begging for his life but also for the compassion of the father he revered. His heart surged with a sense of helplessness and despair."Father, I am also a prince, your son. How can you let me live in disgrace, trampled by the royal family of Helios? How can you abandon me like this?"Ethan's words pierced the king's heart like daggers, each sentence laden with fear and indignation. He hoped, even a litt
Julian smiled confidently, feeling more resolute."Yes, life is a grand play, and I will play this role well. Just wait and see, I will change the situation."With this determination, Julian felt relieved."Ethan, I will live your life, and I will change your fate."“To truly embody the role of Ethan Caelan, I need to understand more about the life here and Ethan's relationships,” Julian Pierce told himself. He decided to thoroughly investigate everything around him.He summoned Reed Jace and Leo Grant.“I want to know more about the rules of the palace and everything related to my daily life,” Julian said gently.Leo Grant looked at Julian with a serious expression and began to meticulously explain each rule, from how to interact with officials to attending banquets. Reed Jace added details about Ethan Caelan’s preferences and habits.By the time they finished, it was already dusk. There was a sound from a guard outside the door announcing.“Your Highness, Crown Prince Nathaniel Cael
Sebastian added enthusiastically:“That’s right, big brother isn’t wrong. Not only in the military, but he also reformed politics. Valerius Evander reduced taxes for the people, encouraged trade and commerce. Thanks to that, the people's lives improved significantly, and their trust in the court increased.”Nathaniel nodded, continuing:“Moreover, he promoted culture, arts, and education. Talents are valued regardless of their background. Those who are corrupt and bribe are severely punished without mercy.”Ethan listened attentively, sensing the strength and decisiveness of Valerius Evander. Sebastian cautiously added:“Although these policies have greatly benefited Helios, it’s undeniable that Valerius Evander is extremely brutal in conquering neighboring countries. Those who refuse to cede land or pay tribute are mercilessly annexed.”After finishing the story about Helios, Nathaniel looked directly into Ethan’s eyes, his voice slow but filled with deep concern.“Ethan, no matter w
News of consecutive victories kept arriving. In just one month, the army of the Kingdom of Helios, led by the four grand marshals, had crushed two neighboring countries, Yellowstone and Whitewater, causing other nations to fear and tremble. The Kingdom of Aria had also suffered a severe defeat, losing three major cities: Goldsun, Jaspergreen, and Windkeep, pushing them into a perilous situation.The Kingdom of Helios, once a small nation, had transformed into a mighty and prosperous empire since Valerius Evander ascended the throne.It was known as the "Glory of Valerius."Valerius Evander, even when he was still a crown prince, was renowned not only for his exceptional leadership but also for his bravery and decisiveness on the battlefield.Under Valerius Evander’s leadership, the army of the Kingdom of Helios had consistently won victories, expanding its territory and establishing a powerful dynasty. Alongside the young king were four experienced marshals, Zane Ryder, Aiden Cole, El
Cassian bowed his head and continued, “When I was an envoy to Aria, I had the honor of meeting the fourth prince several times. His reputation is well-deserved. His beauty surpasses that of the paintings, his demeanor as if he were a celestial being.”Valerius smirked, a hint of sarcasm in his eyes. “More beautiful than my concubines?”Cassian smiled gently, his tone respectful. “Your Majesty, Prince Ethan Caelan, when riding a horse, exudes heroic spirit; when playing the lute, his demeanor is unmatched; when playing chess, he is sharp and intelligent. Is there any woman in this world who can compare?”Valerius laughed heartily, but a deep contemplation was evident in his eyes. “It makes me want to meet him. But what use is an Aria prince to Helios? Bringing him here would be inviting trouble.”Cassian remained undeterred, smiling faintly as he responded, “Your Majesty, true talent knows no gender or origin. A treasure should be in one's grasp.”Valerius was silent for a moment, his
His voice became solemn as he reminisced about the distant memories."Victoria Everglow was famous for her talent and beauty. The Emperor, who was then the Crown Prince, visited Aria Music Academy. Shortly after, she was taken to the palace to become a consort."Ethan listened intently:"Do you know what happened to my mother after that?"Raphael shook his head, his eyes reflecting his sadness."After she entered the palace, we never saw each other again. She never returned to visit my master. Two years later, I received news of her sudden death. This news devastated my master and everyone at the academy."Ethan felt the deep sorrow in Raphael's words.Silence enveloped the room. Ethan felt his heart grow heavy. Since arriving in this world, he had considered it his second home. Now, knowing Victoria Everglow was his mother, he felt a profound connection to Ethan Caelan's emotions and body, no longer distinguishing between the two.After Raphael left, Ethan ordered an investigation an
As the afternoon drew to a close, Leo Grant signaled that time was up, and they had to return to the palace.As Ethan prepared to leave, Cecilia escorted him to the gate, her eyes filled with tears:"Your Highness, take care. Imperial Consort Victoria would be very proud to see you like this."Ethan smiled gratefully and took out a small box from his luggage, handing it to Cecilia:"This is a small gift to thank you for your loyalty to my mother. Please accept it."Cecilia, moved, accepted the box with trembling hands:"Thank you, Your Highness."Ethan looked at Cecilia, nodded in farewell:"Take care, you cannot stay here long."Then he mounted his horse and quickly returned to the palace.Cecilia watched Ethan’s figure until he disappeared from sight. She returned to her house and opened the exquisite wooden box. Inside was a precious jade bracelet and enough gold bars to live comfortably for the rest of her life anywhere. With the instinct of an experienced palace maid, she underst
When the Emperor and Empress returned to their quarters, night had already fallen over the entire palace. The atmosphere in the room was heavy. The Empress sighed softly, her eyes following the Emperor's back with concern."Your Majesty, please don't blame Ethan," she said gently, her tone full of pleading."Ethan is still young and easily influenced by others. It is also my fault for neglecting his education recently."The Emperor turned back, his gaze stern and full of anger."You think I don't know what you've been up to?"He stepped closer to the Empress, his voice growing harsher."Don't rely on your position as the Dowager Empress's niece to think I will always tolerate your actions. Ethan has endured much. Later, when we return to the Kingdom of Helios, you and I must make amends for him."The Empress bowed her head, her voice soft but her eyes burning with suppressed fury."I will obey, Your Majesty."The Emperor stared at her for a long moment before turning away, leaving the