[At the Imperial Palace]
[Prince Kaelis von Valtherion's POV]
Prince Kaelis stood outside the chamber guarded by two 2 elite knights waiting to see the King. He didn't knock, he didn't order the guards to announce himself, nor did he walk in, for he knew the Emperor's capabilities and temperament well enough to know that his arrival was already known, and he was to wait outside.
Because Emperor Alaric von Valtherion, Sovereign of the Empire of Valtheria, stood at the peak of the human race.
"Enter.", a voice intoned from behind the door.
The inner audience chamber was lavish yet sparsely decorated at the same time, with golden chairs and an exquisite mahogany table, but the walls were bare, drawing full attention to the man with red hair and deep green eyes honed decades of rule, ambition, and survival, yet still, though the gift of mana looked no older than his late 30s.
The aura was almost too much to bear, still Kaelis knew this wasn't even a fraction of the king's true strength.
"So, how was the Ashvale Ceremony?" the Emperor asked while keeping his attention on the papers before him.
"Duke Ashvale's youngest son, Cedric, was presented publicly and was presented with a beast egg."
The Emperor's attention was still on the papers.
I continued," A wyvern's egg, Father"
The Emperor stopped and looked up.
"A wyvern," Alaric said.
"Ashvales did always have a talent for spectacles", the emperor commented, amused.
I continued, "It was presented publicly in the presence of the other dukes, with no disputes"
Rodric has never been one to be careless, Alaric thought
"And the boy?"
"Disciplined and Measured, nothing like what the rumours suggested"
"Interesting, but let's not give the creature more importance than what it's worth", Alaric said dismissively as he turned his attention back to the papers.
"If the boy has talent," the Emperor said, "it will surface there at the academy. If he does not, the beast will not save him."
"I agree, Father," Kaelis said.
Alaric glanced back at him. "You sound convinced."
"I am," Kaelis replied. "But I also believe the Academy will take an interest regardless."
The Emperor smiled faintly. "Fair enough."
"Observe him," Alaric said. "Do not shield him. Do not test him unfairly. Let the institution do what it was built to do."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good." Alaric picked up his report once more. "You are dismissed."
Kaelis bowed and withdrew from the chamber, the doors sealing behind him with a soundless finality.
As he walked the long corridor beyond, the Emperor's words lingered.
[Duke Ashvale Mansion]
[Cedric Ashvale's POV]
As the first rays of dawn struck the grounds, Cedric could be seen pacing around his room with a rarely seen expression of excitement as he looked at his future companion.
The egg glowed faintly.
Cedric took deep breaths as he calmed himself down and placed his hand on the egg to begin the bonding process.
"So, are you ready, partner?"