The Ancient Imperial Calendar, Year 1820
The duel between Ricardo and Orsman had ended in bloodshed.
The entire world was in shock.
IV Orsman Kislavein, seen as invincible, had been killed by his own son.
Ricardo had been in a coma for three months due to the severe injuries he sustained in the duel, the blows to his heart, and the complete exhaustion of all his power.
In the Kislavein House Council, there was uncontrollable chaos and panic.
"WHAT WILL WE DO IF THE HEIR DIES?!"
"WATCH YOUR MOUTH, YOU JINX!"
"Calm down, Council members."
"HOW CAN WE CALM DOWN? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT SITUATION WE'LL BE IN IF THE HEIR DIES?!"
"YES, I DO, BUT SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH! IN THE WORST CASE, ONE OF THE OLD HOUSE LORD'S DAUGHTERS WILL ASCEND THE THRONE!"
"A WOMAN ASCENDING THE THRONE? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND? WHO WOULD ACCEPT THAT?!"
"WHAT'S WRONG? CAN'T A WOMAN BECOME HOUSE LORD?!"
"NO, SHE CAN'T!"
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
"Haaa... Heir, please wake up as soon as possible, stop this chaos, and ascend the throne."
Meanwhile, in the House Lord's chamber, by the side of Ricardo, lying in a coma, were his closest friends: Marco, Benjen, Heinrich, Luna, Jack, Jacob, Jonas, and Osiris.
His personal servant Margareth, his Master and Personal Guard Eduardo, and Marilin, the beauty who loved him unconditionally, holding his hand.
When Ricardo slowly opened his eyes, he saw his friends around him and Marilin holding his hand.
But his eyes seemed to see only Marilin, focused on her.
Ricardo said in a happy voice,
"Marilin."
Marilin was initially surprised by Ricardo's demeanor.
"He should have gotten angry because I was holding his hand... why is he like this now? What changed?"
Marilin's thoughts were interrupted by Benjen's voice.
"Heir,are you alright?"
Marco rushed outside and shouted with all his might.
"THE HEIR HAS AWAKENED!QUICK, CALL THE ASHTERAH HEALERS! SPREAD THE NEWS TO EVERYONE! OUR NEW HOUSE LORD HAS AWAKENED FROM THE COMA!"
Seeing the smiling and tearful faces of his closest friends around him, Ricardo realized he had been in a coma for a long time.
Ricardo looked at Marilin and asked,
"Marilin, how long have I been in a coma?"
Marilin answered,
"For three months, Heir."
Ricardo was pleased that the duration of his coma was less than he had expected.
"Three months... Did anything important happen while I was in a coma?"
Heinrich answered,
"A few things, Heir. First, the entire family of Rodwel Karluk, who attempted to assassinate you, was executed, and his bloodline was eradicated. Second, all preparations for your ascension ceremony are complete. The ceremony will be held as soon as you are able to stand and walk. Third, the people and the world are in a state of shock at your victory. Envoys from all the Lands are flocking to Kislathor to meet you and learn what kind of Lord you will be."
After carefully listening to Heinrich's explanations, Ricardo looked at Marilin. He knew he needed to talk to her.
"Everyone, could you please step out?"
At Ricardo's order, everyone headed for the door to leave the room, but Ricardo held Marilin's hand.
"You stay, please, Marilin. I need to talk to you about something."
Marilin bowed her head.
"As you command,Heir."
After the last person left the room, Ricardo had Marilin sit beside him.
"What do you wish to discuss with me, Ancestor?"
Hearing the word
"Ancestor," Ricardo seethed inwardly.
Because of the memories of his ancestor, Harloumen VIII, he had missed out on the passionate love he could have had with Marilin.
Ricardo told Marilin everything he had experienced in the Eastern Lands, in order, leaving out no details.
When he finished speaking, Marilin was in shock, not knowing what to say.
"Could you give me some time to think?"
Ricardo nodded his head as if to say yes.
Marilin stood up, headed for the door, and left without saying a word.
A few weeks later, Ricardo had fully recovered.
Ricardo was in the House Lord's study, reviewing his power.
The duel had yielded the desired result; his total power had increased tenfold.
"With my current strength, I could easily kill ten men like my father."
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Heir, may we enter?"
Ricardo sat in the chair his father once occupied and took a deep breath.
"Enter."
Those who entered the room were Ricardo's Master and Personal Guard, Eduardo Kislavein; the Expert Diplomat, Verolyk Herlveyn; and the War Hero, Dornas Kislavein.
They represented the last survivors of the old generation.
Not only in the Western Lands but in almost all the Lands, power was shifting to the New Generation.
All three bowed their heads and offered their respects.
"WE GREET THE HEIR!"
Since Ricardo had not yet ascended the throne, he was still addressed by the title of Heir.
Ricardo raised his hand, signaling the three men bowing before him to rise.
All three raised their heads. Eduardo Kislavein began speaking.
"First, we congratulate you on your victory, Heir, even if belatedly."
Ricardo answered in a formal tone.
"I am grateful for your well-wishes.Now, let's get to the point."
Verolyk asked for permission and moved to the main topic.
"Heir,before you ascend the throne, you must choose your Lordship name."
"I know, Verolyk."
Dornas took the floor and spoke.
"I am sure you know the rules you must follow,but with your permission, we would like to reiterate them."
"Of course," said Ricardo.
Eduardo began explaining the rules that needed to be followed.
"You cannot take your father's Lordship name.Apart from that, you can only choose the name of an old House Lord or the name of an Ancient Imperial Hero whose name has not been taken. However, there is one point you must be careful about: with the name you choose, you will announce to all the Lands what path you will follow throughout your reign. Therefore, be extremely careful in this choice."
"I know."
Dornas asked respectfully.
"Then,Heir, may we learn your chosen Lordship name?"
Ricardo answered.
"Like everyone else,you will learn it on the day I ascend the throne."
All three bowed their heads and left the room.
After everyone left, Ricardo was once again alone with his thoughts.
"Marilin, how much longer will you think?"
A few hours later, the door knocked again.
"Enter."
The person who entered was Marilin.
"MARILIN!"
Ricardo jumped up excitedly; his joy was evident in every aspect of his face.
"Have you decided?"
Marilin smiled. Her smile was beautiful, adorable, and sweet enough to make an angel envious.
"Yes. Actually, I feel a bit silly for thinking about it for so long."
Ricardo grew even more excited.
"So,your answer is...?"
Marilin answered by pressing her lips to Ricardo's.
"Yes."
The two embraced tightly, kissing as if releasing years of longing, cursing all the heartbreaks, arguments, and foolishness, as if making up for all the pain.
A week later, the final preparations were complete.
All the Lands had gathered in front of the Kislavein Palace in Kislathor to watch the ascension ceremony of the 66th Lord of the Kislavein House and learn which name he had chosen.