"For three thousand years the Pratama Rise was kept protected and sacred by the Descendants of Manusha. And it is in my reign that the Pratama Rise fell."
Back in Mala, even though the monsters came from the direction of the Pratama Rise, we still thought the creatures actually came from somewhere else.
It was only when I arrived in the palace that I learned the entire plateau had been overtaken by monsters.
"How can I still be admired when I've failed this terribly, Lady Andal?"
The Emperor asked.
His Majesty had been mobilizing a great bulk of his army to reclaim the Pratama Rise. Including Lady Reingand and the mighty Viulan knights.
From what I had been hearing, the army was able to suppress the monsters' forces.
Surely it would be any day now that we would hear the Pratama Rise was ours once more.
"Your Majesty, healers don't give up when we find something is wrong with our patient. That is actually when we begin to fight and keep on fighting until the illness is defeated."
The Emperor stared at me in silence once more. The wondering expression lingered on his face.
"You are a wise woman, Lady Andal. I am glad to have met you."
His Majesty said at last.
"I am nothing but a simple countrywoman who happens to know her ways with herbs, Your Majesty. Your praise is unfortunately wasted on me."
"Despite what you thought of yourself, you were right about one thing. That this is the time to fight."
The occupant of the Eternal Throne said.
His Majesty went on.
"It's time for the empire to fight. For the rest of the continent to fight. For the whole of Dunia to fight. Fighting against the fate thrusted upon us!"
"I have no doubt that Your Majesty will lead us all to victory."
The Emperor immediately shook his head upon my statement.
"No, Lady Andal. I won't be the one leading us to victory, nor will I be the one leading us on this battle."
I frowned at his words.
"What do you mean, Your Majesty?"
"My daughter Samesta shall take my place."
I could not help but be shocked by this revelation.
"The crown princess?"
"If anyone could lead us through this turbulent time, it would be her."
I heard that after the previous First Mage of the Tower was killed during the Fajar invasion seven years ago, Her Highness Samesta joined the Tower of Circle and was immediately raised to become the new First Mage.
People said she was the youngest ever to hold the position. It made quite a big commotion throughout the empire at the time.
"Even before she was made crown princess and underwent the first investiture ritual, Samesta was already the strongest Manusha existed ever since the Great Pioneer."
His Majesty claimed.
He went on.
"If I were to relinquish to her the rest of my bonds with the throne, Samesta would be fit to embark on her mission to lead the world in the great battle ahead."
"But Your Majesty, that would mean…"
"It must be done, Lady Andal. As an imperial royalty, as a Manusha, I must do what must be done."
He said with firm determination.
His gaze suddenly shifted toward beyond me.
I turned around and found a tall youthful boy walking toward us.
He was actually in his early twenties. Barely a man.
But his face still bore the innocence of youth.
The dark hair encircled with silver streak on his head resembled the Emperor's.
"Father!"
The boy called out warmly.
"Radjah, nice to see you this pleasant morning!"
The Emperor replied with the same warmth.
He rose from his chair and took his son in a familial embrace.
I quickly stood from my place and stepped aside to let the royalties interact.
"Now what's the matter? Why have you come to see me?"
The Emperor asked the boy.
"Do I really need a reason to see my father? I know you're the emperor, but surely I can approach you on your morning walk!"
His Majesty laughed at his son's words.
"Well it will be nice to spend the rest of the morning with my family. What shall we do then? Do you want to craft airship miniature together again? We only half-finished the last model last time."
"Unfortunately your son is not actually here for leisure, my darling."
A woman in luxurious dress suddenly approached us.
Despite her extravagant wear, the woman had this simple warm beauty about her.
The youthful boy shared some features with the woman.
"Samesta just arrived at the palace with the Watchers. Mother and I thought you would like to know immediately."
The youthful boy said with a concerned face.
"Radjah and I heard you're having a private talk in the garden and the servants were afraid to disturb you, so we decided to deliver the news ourselves."
The woman added.
The Emperor put on a curious frown.
"Samesta and the Watchers, you say? I doubt they're bringing good news."
His Majesty then turned to me.
"I must get going, Lady Andal. Tell the servants to deliver the rest of my medicine to the Throne Room. I'll take them there."
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
I replied obediently.
The Emperor and the youthful boy then began strolling out of the garden.
The woman in luxurious dress, however, remained.
"If I may have a word with you, Lady Andal."
I wished she did not give out that invitation.
During my time in the palace, I had been trying to avoid women of her station.
"What can this humble servant do for you, Your Great Highness?"
Her Great Highness Amyril Sebahn.
The Fourth Concubine to the Emperor of Tsatu, and mother to Prince Radjah Tsang Manusha, His Majesty's ninth and youngest child.
Her Great Highness Amyril used to serve as His Majesty's chambermaid. That was before His Majesty became infatuated with her and made her his concubine.
Her commoner's origin made His Highness Radjah ranked the lowest among His Majesty's children.
But the Emperor loved his son just as much he loved his firstborn and successor.
In the end, only one could sit on the Eternal Throne.
His Highness Radjah understood it was not his destiny to carry such great burden and he was happy with what he already had, despite how the people of the empire thought of his standing.
The guidance of his mother took a big part in raising the prince unharmed by the pressure of the noble society.
"Oh let's drop the pretense between us, Lady Andal. I grew up in a farm far more remote than the village you came from."
She said with a warm chuckle.
The concubine began to point out through the garden.
"I remember when I used to rake leaves in this field before I was appointed to be His Majesty's chambermaid. The other servants and I often volunteered to take care of this garden since we loved to smell the flowers. The Head Maid would scold us since we would spend too long loitering around in here."
I could not help but frown upon her words.
Where was she leading the conversation?
"Your Great Highness, I'm afraid I'm not following--"
"I heard His Majesty talking about passing the throne to Samesta."
Lady Amyril said suddenly.
Her expression had turned sharp and serious.
She went on.
"You do know what it means for His Majesty, don't you?"
I nodded in dread.
"His Majesty would soon die."