Ancient Empire Calendar, Year 1839
After returning to the Ashterah Palace, Ricardo was subjected to a barrage of questions.
Most of the questions were about where he had been all this time, what he had done, and why he hadn't returned for days.
Ricardo did not intend to tell what had happened. Besides, even if he told, no one would believe him. And if they believed him, other problems would arise.
Instead, he replied that he had been occupied with an important matter and had therefore left for a few days.
This answer only fueled people's curiosity further. But no one could question the Kislavein Dynasty Lord as if demanding an account.
Ricardo did as he pleased. No one could learn the details unless he wanted them to.
Days chased each other. Rappa's Coronation Ceremony was approaching.
Due to the intensity and rush of the preparations, there was a great hustle and bustle in the palace and the city.
Twenty-five years had passed since the last Coronation Ceremony—a full quarter of a century.
Ricardo, sipping his wine by the window, watched the excited preparations of the city's people.
"It seems you will have a very magnificent Coronation Ceremony, son-in-law."
Rappa did not say anything at first. The recent rush had both tired him and caused him to be distracted.
Realizing Rappa hadn't heard him, Ricardo asked again.
"Rappa."
Rappa flinched when his name was called.
"Yes, Dynasty Lord?"
"Didn't you hear me just now?"
At that moment, countless memories began to flow through Rappa's brain. He was afraid of saying the wrong thing.
"What did he say, what did he say, what did he say that I didn't hear? Damn it, I've been so busy lately that I haven't even slept properly. My senses are all messed up because of this."
Noticing that his son-in-law was too tense, Ricardo wanted to calm him down. He stood up and offered Rappa a glass of wine.
"Drink."
Rappa was a little surprised.
"The Dynasty Lord is personally serving me a drink?" he thought.
"Won't you drink, Rappa?"
Rappa quickly but gracefully took the wine from Ricardo's hand and took a sip. He liked the taste.
"This isn't the wine from here. Where did you get this, Dynasty Lord?"
Ricardo was impressed that his son-in-law could tell which wine belonged to which region with just one sip.
"I had it brought from the Southern Lands, Rappa. After we conquered the city of Mah-Ehrem, while collecting spoils in the palace, I found a barrel full of exquisitely fragrant wine. Would you believe it? I drank it all in one sitting. It was a magnificent flavor. During the days I stayed in the South, I enjoyed their wines. When it was time to leave, I asked Darius I, the Cyrus Dynasty Lord, to send me wine regularly."
Rappa was shocked to realize that the Kislavein Dynasty Lord was a wine enthusiast.
"You don't look like a wine fanatic at all, Dynasty Lord."
Ricardo was angered by these words from his son-in-law.
"I'm not, Rappa. I never have been, and I never will be. I only drink occasionally, that's all."
Rappa tensed for a moment, afraid of Ricardo's anger.
"Ah, I understand, Dynasty Lord. I absolutely understand."
"Wow, he becomes very scary when he's angry. I'd better not anger him. I've heard that Kislavein Dynasty Lords are powerful and authoritative enough to kill anyone they want, whether noble or commoner, even a Lord. They kill whomever they want and act as if nothing happened. I'd better not push my luck, otherwise, he won't care that I'm his son-in-law; he'll take my head."
As Rappa drifted into long thoughts, Ricardo changed the subject.
"Rappa, I will be away from Ashterah for a while."
Rappa was surprised. With so little time left until the Coronation Ceremony, the second main character of the ceremony—or rather, the most important figure—was going to leave the city? Where did he need to go that he would leave despite the upcoming ceremony?
"May I ask where you are going, Dynasty Lord?"
Rappa had asked a small, simple question to satisfy his curiosity with polite language. But Ricardo had no intention of answering.
"That is none of your concern, Rappa. You just focus on the ceremony preparations. Besides, we will leave for Ricardopolis right after the ceremony."
When Ricardo said "we will leave," he wasn't just referring to himself.
"Dynasty Lord, am I coming to Ricardopolis with you?" asked Rappa.
"Yes, after all, I also have a Coronation Ceremony, and as my son-in-law, you are personally invited by me. You'd better be honored."
Rappa's hands and feet got tangled. He didn't know what to say or how to answer. His mind filled with thoughts.
"What does the Dynasty Lord mean by 'Coronation Ceremony'? Wait a minute... He is the first ruler to reunite the Five Lands after a thousand years. Could he possibly be declaring himself—"
The thoughts accumulating in Rappa's mind excitedly slipped from his mouth.
"DYNASTY LORD, ARE YOU, BY ANY CHANCE, GOING TO DECLARE YOURSELF EMPEROR OF THE FIVE LANDS?"
Ricardo did not answer for a brief moment.
"Can't you ask a question without shouting, son-in-law?"
Ricardo's mocking demeanor slightly embarrassed Rappa.
His cheeks turning slightly red like apples, Rappa could not answer Ricardo; he only apologized.
"Forgive me, Dynasty Lord. I was rude."
Ricardo touched Rappa's shoulder.
"It's alright. Even at your age—even now, actually—I can have moments of excitement like that."
Rappa, who had always seen Ricardo as a great and serious figure, learned that he could get excited just as he himself had done moments ago. The authoritative, stone-faced portrait in his mind shattered.
"So he has a side like that too."
Ricardo headed for the door to leave the room.
"I'll be back before the ceremony, Rappa. Don't worry."
"If anyone asks for you, what should I say, Dynasty Lord?" asked Rappa.
"Tell them I've gone to visit a few old friends."
Ricardo opened the door and left the room.
Left alone in the room, Rappa replayed the conversation in his mind.
"Emperor... So, there has been no Emperor of the Human race since the fall of the Ancient Empire. And now, we are about to witness the 45th Emperor in human history? Hahah... I wish my father could have been one of the lucky few to witness this historic moment."