Chapter 4 Old Man Eldredge
1234 Words
"Darling, aren't we being too harsh on Elvis? Did you really set Aurelia Palace ablaze as he claims?" Empress Vallier's brow furrowed, her voice a mix of doubt and concern.
"Pfft! Don't believe that little liar. What kind of brat torches an imperial palace? If we don't punish him severely now, imagine what he'll do when he's grown!"
"Let's hope Tutor Eldredge survives Celestia Keep unscathed," the empress murmured, wringing her hands anxiously.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached. "Your Majesties!" A messenger announced breathlessly, "The Imperial Astronomers report a rainbow-hued divine aura over the palace—a most auspicious sign!"
Behind closed doors, Empress Vallier's expression darkened. Denny silently reached for the halberd leaning against the wall.
"You blithering i***t! Can't you see the palace is burning to the ground?!"
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At first light, Eldredge arrived at Celestia Keep, undeterred by the sleeping prince. The elderly tutor stood patiently by the bed, hands folded in his sleeves.
"Hey fossil, don't you ever get tired? Buzz off—I'm not getting up today!" Elvis burrowed deeper into his silken cocoon, digging into his nose with theatrical flair.
"Your Highness, the early bird catches the worm. You should rise," Eldredge intoned, unperturbed. "And might I remind you to use the proper royal address? This... behavior is most unbecoming." His voice carried the calm of a man who'd endured decades of princely tantrums.
Elvis thrashed like a fish on a line before yanking the covers over his head. The tutor's piercing gaze made him feel like a rabbit caught in a hawk's sight.
"Ugh, fine! I'm up! Now get out!"
"As Your Highness commands. I shall await you outside." Eldredge bowed precisely. "And do remember—'your crown prince.'"
The moment the door closed, Elvis hurled a pillow with a thunderous THUD! Before he could celebrate, Eldredge's voice floated through the wood:
"Such tantrums ill befit your station, Your Highness."
"Screw this! Just wait, you old coot—you'll pay for this!" Muttering curses, he stomped out, his slippers slap-slapping against the floor.
"What's the lesson today, geezer? Let's get this over with!"
"Your Highness must honor tradition and comport yourself with dignity. The whole kingdom takes their cues from you—would you have Aeloria descend into chaos?"
"Since when do you get to lecture me about being emperor? You—!"
"The Emperor himself granted me authority to discipline you. Watch your mouth, boy—I've got the rod right here."
"*Cough*! Oh mighty teacher," Elvis flashed a saccharine smile, fluttering his eyelashes, "your worthless student repents! Pray forgive this humble fool!"
"That's better." Eldredge's lips curled in vindictive delight. *Finally caught you, you little brat. Remember mocking me last week?*
"Since you've come to your senses, we'll begin. The sooner we finish, the sooner you're free—unless you fancy being trapped here all day?"
"So Master, what're we learning? My sword arm's itching for action!" He mimed slashing through the air.
"Enough dramatics. Today we discuss Aeloria's stance toward Nerathis." Eldredge stroked his beard with pompous gravity.
"Easy—it's them or us!"
"Wrong. Nerathis grows stronger daily. As a young nation, we must be prudent. My solution? Marry Princess Selene to their warlord—a royal marriage seals the peace!" He preened like he'd invented statecraft itself.
"You spineless traitor! I'll drag your own daughter to that savage's tent myself at dawn!" Elvis shot upright, hands planted on his hips, eyes blazing.
"Such insolence! Since when does the Crown Prince address his tutor like a tavern drunkard?"
"Damn your traitorous hide! So you're just a spineless turncoat? The Nerathis may be strong, but does that make Aeloria weak? We've got hundreds of thousands of battle-hardened warriors and millions of proud citizens—go ask any one of them if they tremble before those barbarians! You scholars babble about peace, but peace isn't won with words—it's carved on the battlefield with swords!"
"Hmph! War bleeds the treasury dry and starves the people. The Sui Dynasty collapsed after three failed campaigns against Goguryeo! Must Aeloria repeat their folly? What's so foul about a marriage alliance? Even the mighty Han Dynasty secured borders with royal weddings!"
"Aeloria stands apart! We don't peddle our women like cattle, we don't grovel, and we sure as hell don't pay tribute! A true Aelorian would rather DIE standing than live kneeling!"
"Enough! Never have I encountered such bull-headed defiance—" The old scholar brandished his paddle. "—Present your palm!"
"You actually think you'll lay a finger on me? Silverwind!" Elvis barely had time to smirk before the doors EXPLODED inward. Like a white hurricane, the warhorse came thundering in—WHAM! His steel-shod hooves smashed into Eldredge's ribs.
"GYAH! My spine—you little demon spawn!"
"That's my boy! Ride!" Elvis swung onto the stallion in one fluid motion, already kicking up dust as they fled.
"You—argh—fetch the imperial physician!"
{System Alert: +888 Rage Points from Eldredge!}
With the Celestial Dome Temple left in smoldering ruins, Denny had relocated court proceedings to the Celestial Hall, though Empress Vallier's presence made the inconvenience tolerable.
"Seraphina, you must see these petitions—half the bureaucracy wants Elvis' head! Utterly priceless!" The emperor's laughter echoed off the marble pillars, dignity forgotten.
"Since when do emperors cackle at their heir's misfortunes?" Vallier arched an eyebrow, though her lips twitched.
"That brat should thank the stars I haven't tanned his hide yet."
"Oh? Whose hide is Father planning to tan—mine?" Elvis materialized like a cheeky phantom, all insolent grins.
"You wretched whelp! Weren't you meant to be memorizing texts under house arrest?" Denny's palm SLAMMED against the jade table as he surged upright.
"Father, that old schemer Eldredge wants to marry Sister off to Nerathis! I couldn’t stand it and ran out!"
"I've reviewed Minister Li's proposal. It’s a reasonable approach—hardly worth such fury." Denny’s face softened momentarily before suspicion crept in.
"Did you attack Eldredge, you little brat?"
"Not me, Father! It was Silverwind!" Elvis protested with wide, innocent eyes.
"Silverwind? Which eunuch is that?"
"The champion stallion—I tamed him myself!" Elvis boasted, puffing his chest.
"You're telling me Eldredge was kicked by a horse? Summon the physicians!" Denny’s face paled with panic. If the aged tutor died in the palace, the court would never let him hear the end of it.
"Relax, Father! The old man's already on his way—I just rode ahead." Right on cue, a pained groan echoed outside: "Agh—my damn back!"
"Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Eldredge requests an audience," a young eunuch announced.
"Let him in." Denny shot Elvis a withering glare that screamed, See what you’ve done?!
"I’ve failed you, Your Majesty," Eldredge lamented, hobbling in. "I've proven unfit to educate the Crown Prince. I resign in shame."
"Great! Go home and play with your grandkids, old man. I don't need your lectures!" Elvis crowed.
"How dare you! Apologize now, or I’ll tan your hide!" Denny's glare could have melted steel.
"No, Father! Eldredge can’t teach worth a damn!"
"He’s taught three generations of royals! Are you claiming he can’t handle one spoiled child?" Denny's pointed look urged, Just suck it up and apologize!
Elvis scowled in disgust. In my past life, it was Eldredge who taught the Crown Prince to rebel—and now you want him teaching me?
- Writer
