The Hessen Empire Hits Puberty
The Hessen Empire boasted a thousand years of history through its adolescence. Over those thousand years, it had weathered countless trials and tribulations. Barbarians had once swept down to the heartland and slain an emperor; an emperor's son-in-law had rebelled and ruled the land for three years. The nation had teetered on the brink of destruction more than once, but the crucial point was that it had survived. At its core stood the imperial bloodline.
The founding emperor who established the empire was the world's first mage. He possessed a unique trait called the Omangseong Blessing. It was a legend of a man who became akin to a god—no, a god incarnate—who brought order to the chaos of the mortal realm. His bloodline endured through the generations, bestowing magical talent upon his descendants. Even if they didn't inherit the full Omangseong Blessing, it guaranteed at least a baseline aptitude. Any member of the imperial family would reach at least the 6th Circle before death. Emperor Marcus, who loved his studies, had ascended to the 8th Circle. He even led wars personally. Yet he focused more on integrating magic into daily life than combat. It was he who invented the train. In any case, the imperial family excelled in magic.
Whoosh!
"Aaaagh!!"
One imperial guard burst into flames. His enchanted armor resisted magic, but it couldn't block this fire. The blaze reduced the guard to ash without a trace.
"Useless fools."
Joshua, seated on the throne, flicked his hand. A gust of wind scattered the ashes. He propped his chin and surveyed the ministers standing rigidly in the grand hall.
"She's just 14. Blonde hair, blue eyes. She must look a lot like me. So why the hell haven't you found her yet?"
There were plenty of 14-year-old blondes with blue eyes, but no one dared voice that thought.
Four years. More than enough time to wear down Joshua's patience. Truth be told, he didn't care about his little sister's personality. They'd met only a handful of times. What mattered was her value. The empire's sole surviving princess. Born of the reigning emperor and empress—a pure purple bloodline. Her worth was beyond measure.
"...Please just a bit more patience, Your Majesty. We will find Her Highness the Princess!"
The ministers vied to placate the emperor.
"Your Majesty, Duke Arnonia has arrived at the palace," one minister announced cautiously.
Joshua rubbed his temple and headed to the audience chamber. Here we go again.
A grossly obese middle-aged man sat in the chamber. Duke Arnonia. The noble with power second only to Joshua's own.
"You've arrived, Your Majesty."
The duke smiled and gave a slight nod. How dare he... Greeting the emperor while seated? Joshua seethed but held back. He loathed the man, but the duke's political support was indispensable. Most of the nobility followed him.
"What brings you here, Duke?"
The emperor sat opposite and crossed his legs.
"Hoho, we're practically family soon, aren't we, brother? And please, call me brother-in-law."
Fuck, Joshua had to exert every ounce of willpower to mask his disgust. Being called "brother" by that orc-like bastard was torture. It was subtle pressure: So when do I get the princess? The marriage is still on, right?
"...Even so, 'brother-in-law' feels awkward. Be patient."
"Of course. Oh, Your Majesty, I hear you're building a new theater."
"Yes, but why do you ask?"
Bored, the emperor had decided to construct the world's largest, most opulent theater. The land was selected, preparations underway.
"That land for the theater... it's mine, isn't it?"
The duke's tone was insinuating, his sly smile infuriating.
"...And?"
"Well, the Kingdom of Briton proposed building a hotel there instead. Honestly, there's already a theater nearby, and the economics aren't guaranteed, are they?"
"...What are you getting at?"
"Nothing at all. Just the humble grumble of an old man eager to truly become family with Your Majesty. Pay it no mind."
Nothing my ass. He was beating around the bush: Bring her quick.
That fucking prick. The emperor forced a laugh, trembling with rage.
"Haha! I want the same. Trust me and wait."
"It's felt like hearing the same for four years, but I'll trust and wait, Your Majesty."
The duke rose with his cane and waddled out.
Creeeak, thud.
"......"
The captain of the guard, who had witnessed the exchange, stayed utterly silent to avoid provoking the emperor. Joshua's face flushed crimson, a cross-shaped vein throbbing on his forehead. He looked like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
"Uwaaaah!!"
The volcano blew.
Crash! Crunch! Shatter! The table flew and splintered; priceless teacups shattered and scattered. Still unsatisfied, the emperor gestured blindly at the guard captain without looking.
The captain knew the signal and acted swiftly.
"I've brought him, Your Majesty."
He presented a death row inmate who'd been waiting nearby.
"Wh-what, Your Imperial Majesty!?"
The snorting emperor loomed over the trembling convict and pummeled him.
Thud! Thud! Thud!!
The captain stood quietly by. Whenever the emperor's rage peaked like this—usually after Duke Arnonia's visits—he beat a death row inmate to vent. That's why the captain had fetched one the moment he heard the duke had arrived. A prison supplying convicts had even sprung up beside the palace for the emperor's sake. The inmates varied: murderers, rapists, swindlers, and more.
"Huff... huff..."
Having beaten the bound convict to a pulp, the emperor caught his breath. He swept back his disheveled platinum hair and exited the chamber.
Flutter. His purple cloak billowed. A golden coronet crowned his head; rings symbolizing wisdom and courage adorned his fingers. A ornate adamantium longsword hung at his waist.
Suddenly, Joshua caught his reflection in a window. Emperor. Hessen Emperor. Ruler of the world. No one could defy him; no one could withhold respect.
...That's how it was supposed to be. But reality differed. Duke Arnonia was proof—a mere duke not just equaling but mocking the emperor.
...I am the emperor. Everyone must respect me!
Even beating the convict hadn't quelled his fury. Joshua set aside state affairs and summoned courtesans to his bedchamber.
Chirp chirp.
Leo opened his eyes. Warm morning sunlight streamed in. He turned his head. Elizabeth was plastered against him in sleep, leg draped over his, arms locked around his neck. She insisted on sleeping together because she got scared alone. Leo gently pried her limbs away and sat up. He peeled the blonde strands from her eyes, nose, and lips, then stroked her neck and forehead. Her brows twitched.
I said,
"Wake up."
"How'd you know?"
Her blue eyes fluttered open, soon blooming into a vibrant smile.
"I can tell."
"Sometimes it's uncanny. How's a person so beast-like sensitive?"
"Enough chatter. Go wash up. I'll make breakfast."
"Yessir."
While Elizabeth washed, Leo grilled sausages and eggs, chopped veggies for salad. He poured cups of milk and water, then checked the mail. One letter. Expensive paper, elegant script.
—Lenz School.
"Dad, mail?"
I hurriedly hid it. I'd glimpsed "Congratulations."
"Yeah, mail came."
"Good news? Why the grin?"
I touched my mouth. My lips were creeping upward.
"Ahem. Elizabeth."
I tossed the letter on the table. Freshly dressed, she eyed it curiously, then let out a cute squeal.
"This is..."
Her translucent skin flushed rose-pink. She glanced frantically between the letter and me.
"Open it."
Leo smiled. Elizabeth swallowed hard and tore it open—no knife; she didn't want to risk it. A golden letter emerged. Her hands trembled holding it.
We sincerely congratulate you on your admission,
Lady Elizabeth Valentine.
"...How. You really got in."
Time flew. Elizabeth chose to commute. Leo suggested dorms, but she preferred home. The streetcar ride to school took an hour—manageable. As a gift for her entrance into school, Leo gave her his old dagger.
"This is..."
Elizabeth toyed with it, eyes sparkling. It was a solid blade. The best he could afford back then, over a decade ago. Years of sharpening had shortened it to dagger length, but he maintained it religiously—razor-sharp. And most importantly...
"If danger strikes, just nick your palm with it."
"Why?"
"So I can find you. Use it only in real trouble."
He'd enchanted it to alert him if she were in peril.
Leo took the first day off to go with her. Historic prestigious school, daughter's first day—he wanted to be there.
"Don't cower. Be confident everywhere. Ask if you don't know."
"Got it."
"If they bully you, tell me. If it feels wrong, just come home."
"I said I know."
She sighed at my nagging—same spiel over ten times. Soon, they reached the school.
"Dad, how do I look?"
She spun lightly before the gates. Blonde hair and skirt hem trailed a beat behind, brimming with vitality. Her blue eyes sparkled. The Lenz uniform was pristine white with gold accents—perfect for her.
"Pretty."
"Just pretty?"
"Stunningly pretty."
"I'm off!"
She hugged me tight and headed in.
"Do your best."
Leo waved. Elizabeth kept looking back as she entered.
How many seasons passed? Spring returned, flowers blooming anew.
Thirty years old. An age of growing responsibilities. His looks unchanged, but his mindset heavier. Leo now stood routinely at the familiar Lenz School gates, waiting for his daughter.
How much time had gone by? Far off, a radiant girl emerged surrounded by friends. Her shining blonde hair stood out anywhere. Plenty of blondes, but none gleamed like Elizabeth's.
"Elizabeth!"
"......"
I waved and called. Her gaze and her friends' fixed on me. Expressionless, she whispered to them, then strode past briskly.
Whoosh! She brushed by. Friends glanced awkwardly, then followed. Leo lowered his hand bitterly.
The friends took carriages or horses home. Elizabeth boarded the streetcar alone. I got on too. She sat at the end; I sat one seat away.
The whole ride home, I wanted to speak but shut my mouth at her face. We arrived in silence. She slammed her door shut the moment we entered.
Click. Locked.
Knock knock.
Leo mustered courage and knocked. But—
"I'm resting."
"Ah... okay, rest well."
How could a person change so drastically in a year? Where was the daughter who'd screamed she'd live with me forever, hated remarriage?
Leo felt sorrow but had to accept it. His Elizabeth had been struck by that damned puberty.