What Is to Be Decided, When Choices are Given

"There is something that I haven't yet seen." The young crown prince, gently stroking the horse unexpectedly asked Lord Rene.

Intrigued by this, Lord Rene couldn't help but ask, "What is it that your highness hasn't seen?"

"The sundew," he looked at Lord Rene, "Is it something rare?"

Lord Rene chuckled, "No, it's quite common." He picked up a nearby flower with drops of dew on it. "Hold it close to your eyes and look through it at the Sun." he showed him how.

Eidan followed his directions, at first his vision was blurry but soon the blurriness dispersed into small bubbles that busted, and there floated even tinier specks of light that danced inside the dew, they came to a halt and remained suspended.

"It always happens once the light passes through a night dew and converts it into sundew." Lord Rene explained. "Well, what do your highness thinks of this?"

A small smile appeared on Eidan's face, "It's the best I have seen."

......

The way back felt longer now that he came across such amazing people. His heart was unsettled once again as he reached the central plains and the huge imperial palace came into his sight.

Getting down from his horse, the imperial guard and imperial advisor were awaiting his arrival at the palace.

"You stayed longer than we planned your highness, were there any difficulties?" The Imperial advisor asked.

"None." Saying that Eidan walked inside, leaving the guard and advisor behind. He did not need them. He did not need to answer them as well. The one he must answer is his father, the Emperor.

With tightness in his chest, he walked towards the chamber.

"Eidan? You're back, my dear." A soft velvety voice reached his ears. Eidan slightly turned his head to the side not fully facing the figure.

"Mother…" Eidan called out to her then face forward again. "I arrived just now."

"Will you not look at me, Eidan." His mother asked politely.

His shoulders relaxed a bit and he finally faced the Empress, Isabelle Grace Lucidnia.

His eyes glowed a little and a weak smile made its way onto his face.

"My dear prince, my lovely son," she cupped his face and rubbed her soft fingers on his cheek, "You seem tired and worn out, have you eaten? Why not rest for a bit?"

Rest was something he wasn't allowed when the Emperor seeks his presence. After a pause, Eidan gently grabbed his mother's hand and held them with his hands, gave a small kiss on top, and whispered a faint 'I will.'

Leaving his mother behind, Eidan regained his stiffness and entered the chamber.

The emperor Einar and imperial mage Rupias were awaiting his arrival. They looked at him and Eidan bowed slightly, greeting them separately.

"We received the Northern King's letter it is great news that you managed to stop the damage from spreading." Emperor Einar cheered.

Rupias who was also standing beside the Emperor gave Prince Eidan a happy nod.

"I did not do much, they all were helpful." Prince Eidan said plainly.

"Don't be like that you're the reason their entire force became stable. Show some dignity in what you do!" The emperor looked at his son with knitted brows.

Eidan huffed, "Father, If I alone had done everything then I would have said so. Must you always force dignity on me?" his tone slightly changing to what the others would probably see as arrogance.

Noticing the rising tension between the two, Rupias quickly swung his staff to catch their attention. "Alright, that has been taken care of so why not let the crown prince rest? He has yet to decide on the next issue at hand."

"Rupias! I thought I already told you, the prince has nothing to do with that matter!" The emperor spoke in annoyance.

"Your majesty…" Rupias wanted to say something but he trailed off looking somewhat troubled.

"What issue? Is there any need for more assistance?" the troubled crown prince asked in confusion.

"No, there is no need for you to indulge in this. I can very well handle this myself." The emperor's pride was more than worrisome to take.

"I know that whatever father does never fail, but you mustn't forget that we should give more hands if this empire asks." The crown prince was not letting the conversation at hand escape.

Rupias looked at them with dismay. After a brief sigh, he lifted his staff once again and hit the marbled stone with enough force to startle the other two.

"Your majesty, your highness…" Rupias' face was stern, there was a hint of demand in his voice but it did not show much influence on the two royalties before him.

"Though I am not concerned with the arguments between a father and a son, this matter indeed needs his highness' attention. If you say that his highness has improved then why not let this fateful decision be made?" The mage made his demand clear.

"He indeed is splendid but I've told you before Rupias, he is not yet ready to make that decision. He is just a youth! The fate you told us about is more dreadful than anything that he has encountered. He must not indulge." The emperor was firm in his stance not breaking eye contact with Rupias.

Rupias was about to deny but seeing that the mage and his father were on different terms, Eidan had no choice but to interfere. He clenched his hands into a tight fists before flaring up.

"No, the decision cannot be delayed, what am I to do? Am I to bury my burdens and hide from the world? Am I to abandon my duties and deny my destiny? Does my fate state my definite demise? Am I to leave my kingdom helpless and be the reason why my people faced their end?"

Eidan was white with anger. He gritted his teeth, "Tell me father…should I not be the one who decides? Whether I choose to defy you or fate, both will have some consequences."

Eidan's eyes glared a bright red and his body was enveloped in immense energy, the constant control of his emotions had a loose end and he snapped, "But I will choose to defy you as it will lessen the regret in my heart!"

"Your highness!" Rupias yelled and stopped Eidan before the energy overflowed out of Eidan's body and shattered something, giving damage beyond repair.

But the words he spoke seemed to shatter the heart of his father as the emperor spoke with a calm fury, "Very well… You seem to think that I am not worthy of carrying some weight off that fate of yours."

The emperor without sparing another look at the prince turned around and said, "I did not ask you to run away, it is inevitable. Even so, I did not want you to be bitter about my thoughts for safety and throw away your life carelessly."

Eidan did not falter and maintained his position without uttering a word but not sure what he will do next he decided to turn around and walk towards the exit.

Holding the doorway he simply said, "You don't have to be scared, as I am throwing my life not yours." After saying that in rage, Eidan closed the door behind him a bit too harshly and left.

"That insolence of his…" Emperor Einar was indeed not pleased. Rupias watched silently as the drama came to an end.