Despite wanting to visit the second prince, Emperor Michaelis I strictly forbid them from crossing paths. The second prince was isolated and confined in his own room, and Audrey’s plans for befriending him were postponed.
Time passed by very quickly, and Audrey was now 9 years old.
Audrey continued her education alongside August and adapted to the Zionitte culture and customs well. Women in this Zionitte Empire were only seen as objects, and Audrey was lucky enough to be treated less harshly due to her circumstances as August’s fiance. Although women were forbidden from pursuing higher education, she still attended Zaith’s classes. Audrey claimed that she wanted to spend more time with him, then proceeded to sit next to August and listen to the scholars teach.
****
“Caleb!” Audrey cried in astonishment before quickly muffling her own voice and looking around to see if anybody would come in to check up on her. When she confirmed that no one would, she looked at the young man in front of her. He was tall and muscular with dark features that made him look especially intimidating. He lifted his arms up in the air and flexed as hard as he could, grunting like a madman.
“Don’t mess with this fish!”
Perfect, Audrey laughed. He looks like an average Zionitte warrior.
This average man standing before her was her koi familiar. Back in her own world, a golden koi fish could transform into a golden dragon through perseverance and determination. The color of her koi represented wealth, prosperity, and fortune. Audrey knew that her familiar could transform into a powerful dragon and named it Caleb, but she would’ve never thought that Caleb could transform into anything! She felt as if lady luck was on her side. Caleb was clever and witty, lifting her mood up whenever she was sad. He also grew stronger by the day, and they trained together every night to cultivate their skills.
“Caleb, if we didn’t train like this often and I neglected you, would you have not been as strong?”
“Yes, my power wouldn’t reach its full potential. Not a lot of women with familiars are trained. They are mostly used for idle talk.”
Audrey felt assured that Caleb would surely be of use and help her in the future when she wanted to earn money on her own. Audrey was still figuring out how to gain property and produce goods in this world. It would be a while until she could finally make money using her past knowledge. She needed her own money in case August abandoned her in the future.
Audrey and August had become inseparable over the years. Although he was as bright as the sun and as powerful as a lion, he was neither sweet nor innocent anymore. Audrey had come to witness the cruelty and absurd expectations the Emperor bestowed on his son. As soon as August endured endless hardships in becoming an expert swordsman at the age of 8, he was sent out on missions to kill. The victims were men, women, and children. As August participated in the political turmoils of the court and the never ending assassination attempts, his naive, youthful glow dissipated.
The Emperor was slowly distinguishing what was left of August’s light, and shaping him into a perfect Emperor. Audrey could only watch in horror.
The only evidence of August’s previously bright personality were the subtle smiles he gave Audrey in private, or his softening eyes whenever Audrey entered the room. Whenever August wasn’t busy, she would tend to his wounds and comfort him as much as she could.
“Audrey. We are here to escort you to the pavilion to meet with the Crown Prince.” A servant called from the door.
Her familiar quickly transformed back into a small shadow as the servant walked in to prepare her for Audrey’s meeting with August. Lately, their meetings together were less spontaneous and more formalized. They also met less frequently, which Audrey didn’t mind since she enjoyed training with her familiar.