Chapter 3 Inferno at Aurelia Palace
1351 Words
The piercing whinnies of horses echoed across the distance long before the stables came into view.
"Frostwind and Shadowhoof—Father's two prized stallions. Now, which one do I swipe?" Elvis mused aloud, his steps purposeful as he plotted.
"Your Highness, the Imperial Stud is forbidden without His Majesty's permission," the guard stammered, barring Elvis's path with a shaky arm.
"By the Emperor's orders, I'm here to claim a mount. Here's your proof." Elvis flashed the purloined token lifted from Denny's robes, slipping past the guard with infuriating ease.
"Where's Shadowhoof? And Frostwind?"
"Before you, Your Highness."
"Hah? Shadowhoof's coal-black, and Frostwind's just... brown? Pathetic."
The guard flinched. Only the Crown Prince would dare scorn the Emperor's legendary steeds so brazenly.
A thunderous whinny split the air.
Elvis whirled around. There, in the shadows, stood a titan of ivory muscle—its flanks rippling like storm clouds, its very presence humming with barely restrained power. A mere stallion, yet it radiated primal dominance.
"What demon is this? Why's Father never ridden it?" Elvis's eyes gleamed with reckless hunger.
"That, Your Highness, is the King of the Imperial Stud. Three years prime, but its temper... Their bones litter the training grounds. None could break it."
"Oh? *No one* could tame this beast?" Elvis advanced, undaunted.
"Your Highness, *stay back*! That monster's crushed every fool who dared approach!" The guard frantically signaled for runners to alert Denny.
"Out of my way! The Emperor's token grants me passage!" Elvis shoved forward, seizing the stallion's muzzle. To all astonishment, the beast *knelt like a vassal*, allowing Elvis to vault onto its back with terrifying grace.
{Host has subdued the Blood-Sweating Steed. 300 units of resolve drained.}
"Ha! *Now* we fly!" Elvis dug in his heels, and the stallion exploded forward like a loosed arrow.
"Your Highness—*stop*—!" Too late—Elvis was already airborne, the white phantom clearing the gates in one fluid leap. Behind him, Shadowhoof, Frostwind, and a dozen others plunged into frenzied pursuit, their hooves churning the earth.
The wind screamed in his ears as Elvis clung to the stallion's mane—"This is freedom!" he roared, drunk on speed and rebellion.
Before the guards could even reach the Celestial Palace to alert the emperor, Den had already galloped to its grand entrance, his steed skidding to a halt with a spray of dust. Behind him, a thunderous herd of warhorses followed suit, their hooves pounding like a cavalry charge.
"Father! Father!" Den shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Denny, who'd been directing eunuchs in crafting fireworks, whipped his head around just in time to see his son perched atop the massive stallion.
"You little menace! Get down from there—you’re barely taller than the horse’s knees!" he bellowed.
"Eh? What was that, Father? Can’t hear you!" Den grinned before digging his heels in. The horse shot forward like an arrow, charging straight toward Denny.
"Holy s**t—!" The emperor barely had time to scramble aside as Den and his equine entourage barreled past. The meticulously arranged fireworks weren’t so lucky. A dozen crates shattered under the stampede, gunpowder strewn across the palace floors.
"You reckless brat! Who told you to ride that beast? My fireworks—!" Snatching a nearby lamp stand, Denny swung at Den with murderous intent.
Seeing the danger, Den yanked the reins and bolted out of reach. Furious, Denny hurled the lamp stand to the ground with a clatter.
*Hiss—* A spark flew. Then—**WHOOSH**.
Flames erupted in a roaring wave, swallowing the Celestial Palace whole. Denny staggered back, clutching his chest as if struck by a mortal blow. "MY PALACE!" he wailed, pounding his fist against his sternum.
From a safe distance, Den gaped at the inferno. "No way… Is that the legendary… *Blazing Fireball Technique*?!"
"**DENNN!!!**" Denny’s scream could’ve shattered mountains. Snatching a guard’s long halberd, he gave chase like a vengeful spirit.
"Father, this isn’t my fault! I *told* you gunpowder’s flammable—**WHY AREN’T YOU SLOWING DOWN?!**" With Denny gaining ground, Den spurred his horse toward Serenity Palace. Staying meant death.
After a futile sprint, Denny finally gave up, shoulders heaving as he turned to watch his palace burn. Fireworks caught fire mid-scatter, painting the flames in vibrant explosions. He slapped his own face hard. "My own flesh and blood. My own curse."
"Mother! MOTHER! Father’s trying to murder me!" Den tumbled off his horse, his short legs pumping as he launched himself into Empress Vallier’s arms, squeezing out forced tears.
"So reckless," she scolded, though her eyes softened. "What’s the rush?""Waaah! Father blamed me for his own mess and even swung a lamp stand at me!"
"My mischievous boy, what did you do to anger your father this time?" Empress Vallier tapped Elvis's forehead.
"It's all Father's fault! Who plays with fireworks anyway? He burned down Aurelia Palace himself, then pinned it on me!" Elvis pouted.
"What?! Aurelia Palace is on fire?" The Empress spun around, her eyes widening at the fiery glow lighting up the night sky.
"How could you! Elvis, did you set the palace on fire?"
"I swear it wasn't me, Mother! Father was the one making fireworks there—he started the fire himself!" Elvis blinked up at her with wide-eyed innocence.
"Oh, you precious little devil!" The Empress couldn't resist squishing his cheeks.
"You little monster! Think hiding here will save you? Get out now!" Denny roared as he stormed in, weapon in hand.
"What's all this shouting? Control your temper—remember your dignity!" The Empress marched out.
"Ask that little monster what he's done!"
"I already did. You caused this mess but won't own up to it, yet you dare blame Elvis? Shame on you!"
"That brat charged into Aurelia Palace on horseback, knocked over the gunpowder, and started the fire!"
Only then did the Empress notice the dozen warhorses outside. "Elvis! You rode a horse? You're barely taller than a stallion's knee! And the legendary stallion, no less!"
"It was just for fun! That horse was docile as a lamb!"
Seizing the moment, Denny yanked Elvis up by his collar. "You dare ride the untamable stallion? Today, you'll learn your lesson!" He whipped the jade belt from his robe and brought it down—
*Whack! Whack! Whack!*
"Ow! The baby—the baby in my womb—!" The Empress clutched her stomach, though her sharp gaze never left Denny's face.
Instantly, Denny froze. The belt clattered as Elvis dropped to the floor. "Seraphina, you... you're with child again?" he asked.
"What do you mean 'again'? Are my pregnancies inconveniencing you? Can't afford more heirs?" Her voice turned cold, giving him a sharp look.
"Not at all! Even if you bore me an army's worth of children, I could provide for them all—hehe." Denny chuckled, gently rubbing Empress Vallier's belly while murmuring, "Hehe, another little one coming, hehe."
"Aiyah! Now that there's a new babe, the old one's forgotten! My poor aching back!" Elvis groaned, dusting himself off as he struggled to his feet, his face streaked with grime.
"How dare you speak! You've reduced the entire Aurelia Palace to ashes! The reconstruction alone will cost tens of thousands in silver. How will you pay for this? And when the ministers come bearing petitions tomorrow, how will you answer?!"
Though Denny's face darkened with feigned anger, inwardly he preened—what a masterstroke, deflecting blame so effortlessly. Now he'd be spared Caelen's tiresome lectures at court.
"Father, how can you say that? Wasn't it you who ignited the palace? Why accuse me?" Elvis countered, his smile radiating practiced innocence.
"Hehe, my word is final. If I declare it your doing, then it stands. Your punishment: recite the Four Books backward flawlessly. You shan't leave your quarters until you do." Denny's smirk widened—finally, he'd cornered the young scoundrel.
After a weighted pause, Elvis hissed through gritted teeth, "You're cruel, Sire. Mark my words—you'll beg for my favor yet!" Clutching his throbbing backside, he limped away, muttering curses under his breath.
- Writer
