C4 The General Situation and Arrangement of the Royal Family
The reigning monarch of the Oberiske Empire, Augustus VIII, is arguably the most illustrious emperor in the empire's history, despite being an outsider who ascended to the throne by seizing power. Nonetheless, his accomplishments are undeniable. Under his rule, the empire has acquired vast new territories through war and conquest, surpassing the lands gained during the reign of his predecessor, Augustus VII. Elevating the Oberiske Empire from a mere empire to the premier military power of the West Continent is an unparalleled feat among his imperial predecessors.
Augustus VIII may be an effective emperor, but his record as a father is less commendable. Engrossed in constant warfare, he has largely neglected most of his sons. Aside from the Eldest Prince Oswald, his chosen successor, who receives special attention, the other princes have been subjected to strict discipline with minimal paternal care. Empress Marguerite III, on the other hand, dotes on her own son, the Third Prince Ostar, paying scant attention to the offspring of the emperor's other consorts and former empresses.
Prince Ostar is well-acquainted with his royal siblings, the princes and princesses of the Oberiske imperial family. Emperor Augustus VIII has fathered nine sons and six daughters. With the exception of Ostar, the princes are aligned with the emperor's faction. The six princesses, not being Marguerite III's biological children, still side with the empress, forming part of the queen's camp. Ostar, in contrast to his brothers, tends to have closer relations with his sisters.
Among the Oberiske Empire's nine distinguished princes are: the Eldest Prince Oswald, the primary heir to the throne, endorsed by Emperor Augustus VIII himself, known for his conservative and moderate stance. The Second Prince Oster is bellicose and adept at leading battles, bearing a resemblance to the emperor in his command style. The Third Prince Ostar, with the most significant background, has yet to distinguish himself with notable military achievements. The Fourth Prince Osk is the most intelligent, possessing considerable governance skills and is recognized for his exceptional talent.
These four princes are widely acknowledged by the nobility as the most probable successors to the imperial throne. The Eldest Prince has the legitimacy of lineage, being the son of the former empress. The Second Prince boasts formidable military prowess, while the Third Prince wields substantial political influence. The Fourth Prince has proven his aptitude for leadership and possesses the qualities of an enlightened ruler. However, since the Third Prince is traditionally associated with the queen's faction, he is not the primary choice. The nobles favor a candidate from the emperor's camp to secure their political interests, making the Eldest Prince, the Second Prince, and the Fourth Prince the more suitable contenders.
Starting with the Fifth Prince and continuing through to the Ninth, none were deemed suitable heirs to the Oberiske Empire's throne by Emperor Augustus VIII, the civil and military officials, the noble families, or the influential elites. Each prince was considered more peculiar than the last. Fifth Prince Osla was inherently greedy, treasuring wealth as if it were his life, leading an excessively lavish lifestyle, and was notorious for his prodigal ways. Among his siblings, he was the most adept at spending money.
Sixth Prince Ariosto was naturally cruel and bloodthirsty, quick to anger, and tyrannical in his actions. Despite sharing the same mother as Eldest Prince Oswald, Ariosto was nothing like his brother. Following the mysterious death of their mother shortly after his birth, Ariosto was sent abroad for a time, which resulted in his demotion in the line of succession. This bred resentment in him towards his elder siblings, including Oswald, making him an unsuitable candidate for the throne. His ascension would likely lead to a fratricidal catastrophe.
Seventh Prince Oser was a notorious womanizer, yet he carried himself as a true gentleman. He reveled in his pursuit of pleasure, often to excess, casting doubt on whether he would even be physically fit to rule by the time of his succession. Despite his lasciviousness, he maintained a code of conduct, never coercing women and always parting on good terms. In the court of public opinion, Oser was labeled a philanderer rather than a villain, at worst considered a "Supreme Monarch" of seduction.
Eighth Prince Oster was undeniably talented, a cultured young man skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. However, his behavior was overly dramatic, and his idealistic dreams of creating a utopian society were seen as naive. This unrealistic vision compelled Emperor Augustus VIII to dismiss the possibility of appointing him as his successor. Frustrated by his unfulfilled aspirations, Oster spent his days wandering and painting landscapes, resembling more a bohemian artist than a prince of the realm.
The Ninth Prince Osmeralda was known for his amiable nature, maintaining harmonious relationships with all his royal siblings. A true epicurean at heart, he lacked any grand aspirations or ambitions beyond his love for gourmet delights, posing little to no political threat to his fellow princes. It was highly likely that no matter which prince ascended to power, Osmeralda would remain unscathed by political retribution. With his easygoing disposition, a simple grant of land would suffice for him to lead a contented life.
In stark contrast to the princes, the princesses of the Oberiske Empire were far from being considered ineffectual. Each of the six princesses was accomplished in her own right. However, they were barred from succession to the throne or entitlement to lands, leaving them in an awkward political position. The empire's princesses included: the Eldest Princess Olivia, also known as Princess Mo Yu; the Second Princess Olivia, the Red Ruby Princess; the Third Princess Olivia, the Gold Princess; the Fourth Princess Audelia, the Silver Princess; the Fifth Princess Audrey, the Sapphire Princess; and the Sixth Princess Audrey, the Jadeite Princess.
Each princess was bestowed with a special epithet reflecting her beauty. In terms of seniority, the first three princesses were Prince Ostia's elder sisters, while the latter three were his younger sisters. As staunch supporters of the queen's faction, Prince Ostia was well-acquainted with these princesses, sharing a deeper bond with them than with his brothers. Among the many princes, only two shared a significant rapport with Ostia: the Ninth Prince Osmer, the affable food enthusiast, and the Seventh Prince Oser, the seasoned gentleman. The former was his partner in culinary adventures, while the latter joined him in more amorous pursuits.
To date, none of the princesses had entered into a political marriage, all being members of the empress's camp. Such unions required the consent of Empress Marguerite III, and Emperor Augustus VIII had no authority to intervene or make arrangements. Thanks to covert manipulations, the Empress had yet to give her blessing, ensuring the princesses' safety for the time being. When it came to political marriages within the empire, the current emperor typically selected daughters from prestigious noble families as substitutes. Their status was of little concern; as long as the emperor conferred the title of princess upon them and adopted them just before marriage, they would be recognized as royal family members.
Flanked by Chris and Yulia, Ostar quickly found his place, with the two standing behind him. In public, they were known as the Third Prince's Exclusive Maidservant and special guard—a status that remained unchanged. Emperor Augustus VIII of the Oberiske Empire sat regally upon the golden throne in the Sun Palace's grand hall, his black and gold dragon robe setting him apart. While most emperors in this strange world favored gold for their dragon robes, a select few chose other hues. Emperor Augustus VIII's choice of black and gold was particularly distinctive.
Standing at around 180 cm, Emperor Augustus VIII towered over his sons, exuding a natural, dignified aura. His black hair and piercing red eyes seemed to conceal an endless capacity for violence, commanding an imposing presence without a hint of anger. A seasoned campaigner, his battlefield experiences had imbued him with an intense aura of slaughter. His sharply defined features hinted at a younger self who must have been a striking figure, his austere handsomeness no doubt contributing to Empress Marguerite III's affection for him.
With an impassive face, Emperor Augustus VIII sat on his throne, sparing no smiles. His indifferent gaze briefly swept over Ostar and the other princes before moving on, pausing only when it reached the heir apparent, Eldest Prince Oswald. In those moments, the typically aloof sovereign showed a rare glimpse of warmth. Ostar wasn't taken aback by this; after all, his interactions with this "stepfather" were few and far between, leaving their father-son relationship somewhat estranged.
The ceremony that followed was a predictable affair. The Empire's Chancellor, the Chief Minister Malmstr, presided over the Emperor's Triumph. He highlighted Emperor Augustus VIII's splendid victories during his campaign in the Middle Continent, including significant conquests and the acquisition of abundant, resource-rich new territories. Ostar, however, found little interest in the proceedings. Chancellor Malmstr's age was betrayed by his white beard, and his voice, hoarse and feeble, was far from engaging. To Ostar's chagrin, the Empire's Hundred Flowers Festival coincided with the day's events, meaning Queen Marguerite III, the imperial consorts, and the princesses were absent from the festivities, denying him the pleasure of their company.
"Allow me, as a loyal servant, to declare the division of the territories. Princes, please pay close attention. This is by His Majesty's decree. Should you have any questions, seek an audience with His Majesty privately after the court session concludes."
While Prince Ostia was on the verge of nodding off, Maersst finally revealed the territorial allocations. To assess the individual capabilities of the princes, all nine were granted fiefdoms in the Middle Continent, the newly conquered lands of the Oberiske Empire. It wasn't just the princes; scions of prestigious noble families were also awarded lands. The specifics of the fiefdoms, including whether their borders were contiguous, would only become clear upon their arrival.
Following the imperial edict, the new lords had one week to prepare. By the end of that week, they were expected to begin assuming their duties. The villages within their initial territories were akin to pioneer settlements, populated by immigrants. During this preparatory week, the princes were responsible for securing their own funds. Emperor Augustus VIII, intent on honing the princes' resolve and skills, decreed that the empire would offer no support. Should military reinforcements be necessary, the princes would bear the costs personally, without expectation of reimbursement or any other form of assistance from the empire.
Prince Ostia only registered the name of his fiefdom, Bloomfield, before tuning out the rest. Once he was aware of his appointed territory, he swiftly rose and departed from the Palace of the Sun. Unlike his royal brothers, who showed keen interest in their domains, Ostia was indifferent. Once his appointment was official, he had no intention of conducting a thorough investigation.
