The Emperor smiled.
At first, I thought I was imagining it. Why would he smile at me? Out of all the people gathered in the street—merchants, nobles, soldiers—why me?
I was just a boy on his way to the library.
I had borrowed a book the week before and, like always, I intended to return it on time. The library was the only place where the world made sense to me—full of mysteries, forgotten histories, and stories no one else seemed to care about.
That's when I heard it.
A loud cry rose from somewhere behind me. Before I could even turn properly, a wave of people surged forward, pushing me aside and swallowing the street whole. Panic spread quickly—people whispering, craning their necks, trying to see.
"Someone from the palace," I muttered to myself. "Probably nothing important."
I tried to move through the crowd, one hand instinctively reaching for my book.
It wasn't there.
I froze.
"No… no, no…"
I searched frantically, scanning the ground, bumping into people, ignoring the irritated looks thrown my way. The book couldn't be gone. Not now.
After what felt like forever, I was pushed out of the crowd into a narrow corridor formed by people standing shoulder to shoulder. The noise grew louder—cheering, shouting.
Then I saw it.
My book.
It lay on the ground to my right, just a few steps away.
Relief hit me instantly—but it didn't last.
Something pulled my attention to the left.
The cheering intensified.
And then I saw him.
The Emperor.
My breath caught in my throat. My legs felt weak, like they no longer belonged to me. Around me, men dropped to their knees, and I followed without thinking.
He rode slowly through the corridor, as if time itself had decided to slow down for him.
He wore a white robe, adorned with fine golden patterns that shimmered under the sunlight. His crown… it didn't just reflect the light—it seemed to command it. For a moment, it looked as though he carried the sun itself upon his head.
His expression, though—that's what unsettled me.
He was smiling.
Not the distant, cold smile of a ruler.
A warm one.
Confident.
Almost… kind.
My heart pounded harder.
Why here? Why now?
And why—
"The book."
The thought hit me like lightning.
I turned my head slowly.
The Emperor's horse had already reached it.
"No…"
I held my breath.
He stopped.
For a brief moment, everything went silent.
He leaned slightly, picked up the book, and looked at it with curiosity. Then, to my complete disbelief, he let out a soft chuckle.
A chuckle.
The Emperor… was amused.
He opened the book, glanced at a page, then reached into his pocket and slipped something inside—two small copper coins.
My mind was racing.
What was he doing?
Why my book?
He closed it and handed it to one of his soldiers, whispering something I couldn't hear. Then, without another word, he continued on his way, still wearing that same calm, knowing smile.
The moment passed.
But the tension didn't.
The soldier remained behind.
He was enormous—his armor heavy, worn, marked by countless battles. Scars framed his eyes, yet his gaze was… unexpectedly gentle.
He stepped forward and raised the book.
"To whom does this belong?" he shouted.
His voice cut through the air like a blade.
No one moved.
I swallowed hard.
My body refused to listen to me, but somehow, I forced myself to speak.
"It… it's mine."
My voice barely came out.
He looked at me for a moment that felt far too long. Then he walked over, handed me the book, and gave me a faint smile.
"The Emperor wishes you success," he said quietly, "should you choose to prove the legend true."
Before I could ask anything—before I could even understand what he meant—he turned and left.
I stood there, frozen.
"What… just happened?"
I didn't remember the walk home.
All I knew was that the book felt heavier in my hands.
And somehow…
More important than before.