Imperator: Resurrection of an Empire
Chapter 182: Reunion

Chapter 182: Reunion

The Princess and i had reached the front door to the palace, earning the ire of the palatial guards, and staff who saw our appearance, dust and mud clinging to our clothes, our hair unkempt and honestly from their perspective we’d look like we just rocked up from the city slums not as visiting royalty from the neighboring country.

As we were escorted through the halls and rooms, Yuri’s face was down turned.

Julius knew why of course as she was muttering under her breath about how none of the guards or staff we people she knew, where had they gone?

She had many friends, Tutors, and mentors among the palace staff but in their efforts to limit her influence all those with close relations to the princess save for the king himself was purged from the palace.

Yuri could only fear the worst that all those she held dear had been slain so they would not rise up against the growing tyranny of her brother.

These were mostly all people who already favoured herself rising to the throne in place of her brother as in their words she was more suited to being the nations ruler after her fathers demise.

The pair were not led to a waiting room, but instead were marched on a winding path through the castle almost as if they were on parade for all the nobles and servents in the halls to see their present state.

Julius could only chortle as their attempts were of course transparent, spreading rumours among the new palace staff of the Princess’s humble appearance, coupled with the act of delaying their audience with the King so that he or the nobles could lay the blame at Julius or Yuriasia’s feet.

Eventually after finally arriving at the main throne room door the pair were asked to surrender their weapons.

Julius complied, however Yuri was torn about surrendering her blade.

Eventually she complied and after a quick search of their person they were admitted entry into the throne room.

This act as well was disrespectful, taking their swords was fine but to actually have commoners check for hidden blades of royalty no less was beyond insulting.

At least they had a Maid be the one to check Yuri for she would certainly not be able to tolerate it if she was felt up by some random man at her brothers command.

The doors to the throne room opened the pair looked in at the filled room, all eyes turned in their direction most wearing mocking expressions while the herald announced their arrival.

"Now Entering Yurasia Roserun, and the Self-Proclaimed Grand Duke of Latinium" <Herald>

A dual insult, not granting Yuri her title as their Princess, at least now they cannot argue the fact that she has cast that title aside however, some of those in attendance were clearly angered by the way their Princess was addressed.

And then to have a visiting royal be announced as Self-Proclaimed, this was a provocation if ever there was one.

Julius still did not change his expression and he with Yuri’s hand in his walked towards the throne which her brother sat upon, the boys face had filled out quite a bit since last they met, the skinny boy was gone and in it’s place was a pig, in the span of a few months he’d clearly been gourging in excess and his mass had easily doubled.

As they reached the 10ft mark before the king a shout sounded out from the hall.

"Stop there!" <Royal Guard>

"Oh?" <Julius>

Rumours had clearly circulated about Julius’s mana arts and so the shout from the Royal guard was not unexpected however this was yet another slight, for their neighbour and his sisters protector was not trusted enough to be granted a close audience instead being stopped beyond the point that even commoners granted an audience needed to comply with.

The pair of course did not argue and stopped when commanded to, however as they stood there, the rooms murmurs rose into a loud discussion.

The King sitting on his throne glared down eyes fixated on his sister, while Julius noticed the prime minister was fixed on himself.

The rampant discussion was about how these two visitors dare not show respect by kneeling before the king.

This was the first time Yuri had ever not bowed before her King, but at this point her Brother was not worthy of being the king of her people.

The staring contest continued between the two sides, neither willing to be the first to bring up discussion.

Instead as the minutes passed, Julius simply turned to Yuri and spoke in a not so quiet voice to her ear.

"It seem’s we were mistaken your highness, it was not an invitation to a celebration and we are clearly not wanted her?" <Julius>

"I would agree your Majesty... We are sorry for having wasted all you assembled nobles time, please continue with the session you must have been having before we interrupted" <Yuri>

Not saying a word more the pair turned their backs on the king, and started to leave the hall.

"You! You dare show your back to the king!" <Royal Guard>

The guard who was the Kings mouthpiece it seems, became outraged drawing his blade and charging with bloodshot eyes at the pair.

[Crush]

The pair continued walking and without even glancing behind the royal guard who’d been charging at them with his sword drawn collapsed to the ground, eyes still open and frothing from his mouth.

"Sisterrrr..." <King Roserun>

A irritated voice resounded through the room from the kings own lips and the room itself became silent.

Yuri stopped he walk partially turning her head.

"Oh why King Roserun, when did you get here?" <Yuri>

Returning the disrespect she had been shown with some sass of her own, however subtly choosing not to respond to the king as her brother.

"In our families throne room you dare to attack one of my guards after we invited you here with peaceful intentions?" <King Roserun>

"Attack a guard?" <Yuri>

At her words the pair fully turned round before gasping at the sight of the sprawled out royal guard still decorating the carpet leading up to the throne.

"Oh my, you shouldn’t work your knights so hard, Dear King this poor man has clearly collapsed from exhaustion" <Yuri>

"Perhaps we misheard but did a claim that we who were disarmed as a sign of respect for our neighboring ally, dares to state that we would attack the royal guards of your esteemed highness?" <Julius>

Julius own words were not feigning that an attack had not happened but instead were dripping with sarcasm and murderous intent.

Ever noble here knew if he so chose Julius could unleash a mana art and collapse this hall causing all present to fall onto the be interred within the earth.

Many present went pale, realizing their provocation could have consequences perhaps for the first time.

"We had received an invitation to meet with your highness but, *looking around* it seems you are too busy today for us, so we shall take our leave, and try again on another day when the ceremony can take place." <Julius>