House of Octavius
"Where did you go yesterday? Do I have to remind you again and again that you are not allowed to go anywhere without my permission?"
Julius let out a quiet scoff, his eyes cold.
"Do I look like a child to you, Father? Your son is no longer that little boy who needs permission to step outside. And besides, I'm not doing anything that would disgrace you or lower your head because of me."
He paused for a moment, his voice turning sharper.
"And one more thing—stop trying to control me all the time. I prefer speaking my mind directly."
The man's expression darkened.
"Your audacity is growing day by day. Is this how a son speaks to his father?"
Before Julius could respond—
SLAP!
A sharp sound echoed through the hall.
Karina von Octavius, the current Queen, had struck Julius across the face.
"Know your place," she said coldly.
From a distance, the King stepped forward, stopping Karina before she could do anything further. His voice was filled with restrained anger.
"Enough. Don't just stand there like fools. Starting tomorrow, he will prepare for the Royal Academy examination."
---
One Day Earlier
Julius sat beside a grave.
The wind was quiet. The world was silent.
Yet he kept talking… as if someone was still there, listening.
"…You know, I still don't understand. Who were you really? And why did you try to save me?"
No answer came.
"Today marks your tenth death anniversary…"
His voice softened.
"Who would've thought… someone like me—who once cared about nothing but books—would one day push himself day and night to become a knight?"
He let out a hollow laugh.
"Hey… do you remember the first day we met?"
---
Flashback — Years Ago
"Oh… so you're Riana?"
The King of House Octavius looked at the young girl with mild curiosity.
Before anyone else could speak, the girl stepped forward confidently.
"I am Valkyrie Valeria Verus, the princess of the House of Verus… and the sole heir to the next King."
The King raised an eyebrow.
"You want to become a King? Really? That's hard to believe. Kings are usually men. Women become Queens."
Riana didn't hesitate for even a second.
"My father told me that being a boy or a girl doesn't matter. What matters is strength. And besides, I've already been awarded as the strongest princess in the Royal Academy."
The King chuckled, amused.
"Is that so? And how old are you?"
"I'm three years old," she replied calmly. "And I am already a member of the managing director committee of the House of Verus."
She glanced at Julius briefly before continuing,
"And from what I understand… those who spend all their time reading books—if they ever step into the field of knights—become the most difficult opponents to defeat."
The King burst into laughter.
"You're quite something for your age."
At that moment, something flickered in Julius's eyes—
A faint light of hope.
"Oh right," the King added. "Julius, weren't you looking for a friend? Lady Riana might become a very good rival for your future. You should introduce yourself."
Julius hesitated, his body stiff, voice trembling.
"I… I am Julius Jones Octavius… The Prince of the House of Octavius… and a prominent candidate to become the next Emperor."
He swallowed hard, forcing himself to continue.
"And… from this moment on… I consider you my rival."
Riana tilted her head slightly, then asked casually,
"Oh? Then tell me—how many mythical creatures can you control? And how is your swordsmanship?"
She paused.
"Or… have you never even heard of those things?"
For a second, silence filled the air—
Then—
"Hahahahaha!"
Riana burst into laughter.
Because she already knew—
Prince Julius knew none of it.