Tale of a Hedonistic wizard

He was sure Jaegar had come for him. And, he didn't know what Jaegar would do. He wanted to go meet his brother immediately.

Jaegar's abilities as a wizard set him apart in a family where power was typically measured in political influence rather than magical might.

As the three princes prepared for their inevitable convergence, the rest of the palace held its breath. Stay tuned for updates on empire

Servants who had served the imperial family for generations recognized the signs of imminent drama and began to make themselves scarce.

The palace guards subtly reinforced their positions.

Jaegar, meanwhile, had finished his burger and was casually making his way through the palace's labyrinthine corridors.

He moved with the confidence of one who knew exactly where he was going, though his destination remained a mystery to those watching.

The magical wards and enchantments that permeated the palace walls seemed to ripple in his wake, responding to the presence of one whose power operated on a fundamentally different level from the court wizards and ritual mages who typically walked these halls.

As the sun finally dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the palace's countless windows.

In the sky above, the first faint streaks of light marked the beginning of the prophesied meteor shower, unnoticed by those caught in the web of human politics below.

-

The marble halls of the Imperial Palace seemed to hold their breath as Prince Jaegar's footsteps echoed through the corridors.

His path, however, was soon blocked by an imposing sight - a contingent of knights belonging to the Order of the Chryso, their armour gleaming with an otherworldly golden sheen that marked them as the Knights sworn to protect the imperial family.

Their distinctive plate armour, forged with sun-blessed gold and enchanted steel, was both a symbol of their status and a formidable defence against both physical and magical attacks.

Standing at their head was Castor, the Emperor's bastard son, every inch the warrior prince.

Unlike Jaegar's casual attire, Castor was dressed in formal court garb - a deep crimson doublet embroidered with golden thread in patterns that subtly echoed the imperial crest, dark trousers tucked into polished boots, and a cape of midnight blue that fell from his broad shoulders in elegant folds. At his hip hung an ornate sword, its hilt wrapped in wire of pure gold, marking it as one of the finest blades.

"It's finally nice to meet you, Jaegar," Castor announced, his voice carrying the cultivated resonance of one trained in court oratory. His stance was carefully casual, but his dark eyes were sharp and assessing as they took in his cousin's appearance.

Jaegar, still licking the last traces of his meal from his fingers, cast an empty glance at Castor.

His eyes, the strange silver-flecked green that marked those of the imperial bloodline who possessed magical talent, showed no recognition. "Who are you again?" he asked, his tone carrying neither interest nor concern.

The dismissal was subtle but cutting.

Castor was now acknowledged as a prince after the crown prince system; even though he gave up on the rights to throne, he was still regarded as the prince.

In the elaborate social dance of court politics, such a slight - pretending not to know a member of the imperial family - was a calculated insult.

The knights of the Chryso shifted almost imperceptibly, their golden armour catching the light as tension rippled through their ranks.

Castor's jaw tightened, a muscle jumping beneath his skin, but his voice remained steady. "I'm Castor. We haven't met, have we?

But what brings you here?" The question was posed casually, but there was an edge beneath it, like a knife wrapped in silk.

Jaegar made a show of cleaning his hands on a handkerchief he pulled from his pocket, taking his time before responding.

When he finally looked up, his gaze swept over the assembled knights before settling on Castor with all the interest one might show a particularly uninteresting piece of furniture. "Castor? Ah, the bastard son. I think I've heard the servants mention you once or twice."

Jaegar had gone through the members who were now princes and princesses. He knew about Castor, but he was deliberately trying to talk down to him, emphasizing his low status within the group. His condescending tone was clear, making it evident that Jaegar considered Castor beneath him in every way.

Just by the look of the knights behind Castor, they told him a lot about why he came to meet him. And, from the look on his face, Jaegar could tell that Castor wasn't here for a warm welcome.

The words fell like stones in a still pond, sending ripples of shock through the watching knights.

Castor's face darkened, the flush of anger creeping up his neck to stain his cheeks. "Better a bastard who serves the empire than a legitimate son who abandons his duties to play at being a common hedge wizard," he snapped back, his carefully cultivated court manners cracking.

A small, knowing smile played at the corners of Jaegar's mouth. "Is that what they're saying about me these days? How fascinating.

Tell me, Castor, what duties exactly have I abandoned? Last I checked, being born into this family wasn't an achievement, merely an accident of birth. Some of us are more accidental than others, it seems."

Castor took a step forward, his hand moving to rest on the hilt of his sword. The gesture wasn't lost on anyone present - while drawing a weapon in the palace was forbidden, the threat was clear. "You mock what you don't understand, cousin. While you've been wandering the countryside, some of us have been here, learning what it means to bear the weight of imperial responsibility. The blood that flows through our veins - yes, even mine - is not just a privilege; it's a duty."

"Ah, responsibility," Jaegar mused, as if tasting the word. "Tell me, does this responsibility you speak of involve standing in hallways with your little golden soldiers, harassing family members?

If so, I must congratulate you on your dedication to duty."