Descending Into A Novel-Chapter 71:Rayleigh Von Mez (1)

Waah waaah

The sounds of a baby crying filled the room. Several ladies-in-waiting gathered around the mother, massaging her and offering words of comfort.

"Congratulations your Highness, it’s a healthy baby prince."

The doctor, dressed in a long white robe. Adorned with several good accessories, congratulated her. Handing over the baby into her arms.

The white haired baby quieted down once in her loving hold, his eyes a light blue, resembling the sky.

"He takes after his mother."

She smiled, rocking the baby slightly to sleep in her arms. Several agreements from her ladies-in-waiting came as they all admired the newborn.

"Greetings your Imperial Majesty!"

The door to the room opened, a domineering presence entering the room. His very presence was suffocating, making it hard to speak or think clearly.

The Sun of the Virex Empire, Conqueror of the Seven Kingdoms, The Absolute Ruler of Humanity, Sovereign of Broken Kings.

Each title was enough to make one remembered throughout time, each achievement enough to create legacies.

Emperor Alexander Virex Von Mez.

Despite being over three hundred, he seemed to be only around forty. His golden hair still shiny and lustrous. Scars littered the few parts of his skin that showed. His face blank as he stared at his newborn son.

His appearance was like a living God of war. A carved marble statue come to life. His royal crown and cape giving him a regal aura that made it hard to look him in the eyes.

Despite his suffocating presence, she looked at him dead on. Holding their child in her arms.

"You remember the promise don’t you? I get to name him."

He had already named her first born. William Von Mez. Who took after him, now it was her turn to name her second son. Who took after her.

"Fine. What do you wish to name him?"

She looked back at her son who had fallen fast asleep. Holding him close.

She already had a few names in mind for her son. But each one seemed inadequate now.

Yet looking at his peaceful face, one name slowly came to mind. A name which was commonly retold by wandering bards. Recounting the legends of a wandering knight who was a hero to the common people.

Wandering Knight Rayleigh. The savior of the people, the executor of justice.

"Prince Rayleigh. His name will be Rayleigh Von Mez."

It was a bit laughable, Rayleigh was one of the most common names in the empire. Yet the second prince of the empire had a name that only commoners would have. Someone who was destined to be amazing from birth.

It was her own little hope for her children. Wanting them to live happy lives, filled with love and affection.

Even if it was futile.

***

At five years old, the young prince Rayleigh was set to receive training and education. Following his older brother William.

The best scholars, teachers and knights in service were brought from every corner of the empire to teach the two princes everything they should know.

The laws of the empire, military strategies, history. Learning the fighting style of Alexander Virex by day and studying in the library by night.

The two diligently followed along. But it was clear to any of the instructors and teachers, prince Rayleigh was much more talented then his brother prince William. So they went even harder on the two of them.

"Your sword, prince William. It’s shaking. Do not hold it so tightly."

A stern voice reprimanded the older prince. Despite the criticism, prince William remained dedicated. Loosening his grip over his sword slightly.

"Your swings are weak. Use your wrist more. Step into each attack. Do not disregard your defense."

Each time, she punished the young prince William by hitting him with their wooden training swords. Mercilessly targeting his weaknesses.

In contrast to the pitiful show by William. His younger brother had a much more dignified appearance despite being younger by three years.

His eyes contained a passion that seemed to view everything as trivial. Each stab and each swing of his sword, a near flawless execution of the Von Mez Sword Style.

Even outside of the sword, his mastery of the Von Mez Spear Style and Von Mez Fighting Style. His exceptional intellect, paired with a creative mind. He demonstrated talent in everything he tried. He was the genius that William wasn’t.

William gritted his teeth, getting into a stance again before sending a flurry of strikes at his instructor. Who blocked each one effortlessly. Criticizing each and every flaw.

"Sloppy. There is no power behind your attacks. Your footwork is lacking."

With a single slash, William was sent flying back. Laying on the ground.

"William!"

Rayleigh tried to rush over to him. Only to be stopped by their instructor’s sword.

"Pity is a weakness, prince Rayleigh. Do not pity your brother for being weak. He must earn the right to not be punished with his own ability."

"Then why don’t you punish me?"

"Because you have the ability, prince Rayleigh."

To the young Rayleigh, he didn’t understand. It was only much much later on did he comprehend the reasons why he was treated so much nicer then his brother.

Because he was talented, and William was not. But to the five year old Rayleigh, all he knew was that his brother was being punished unfairly.

Even when his brother worked so much harder then him, studied longer then him. Woke up earlier then him. Slept later then him.

"Mom, why does William always get hit so much? It’s not fair!"

She quietly caressed her son. A somber smile on her face as she tried her best to explain why.

"Your brother...is not like you Rayleigh. You are amazing in everything you try but your brother is not the same."

"Why?"

How could she possibly explain the reason why? It was such a simple question, posed by a young child who didn’t know any better.

She hugged him, Rayleigh’s face buried into her body as she patted him on the back.

"You will understand when you’re older."

***

"Brother! I brought you something!"

Rayleigh excitedly showed the small box to William. Who was sweating and panting, his wooden training sword falling to the ground as he looked curiously at the box.

"Look! Look!"

Opening the wooden box, a chilly fog slowly crawled out. Revealing a smaller container filled with several round orbs, each in different colours.

"It’s ice cream! Here try it!"

The young Rayleigh brought out two spoons, handing one to his brother.

As the two of them took their first bite of it. William’s eyes widened as the sweet milky taste hit his mouth.

"This is amazing!"

Taking another spoonful, he savored the taste. The cold providing an immense relief with how hot he was currently.

He asked, "Why haven’t we ever eaten this before?"

"Mom says a mage is needed to create the ice for ice cream. But father treats mages very badly so none of them want to do this for him. "

Licking the last few remnants from his spoon, William stared at the empty container. Sighing as he did.

Seeing Rayleigh’s similarly dejected expression, he quietly smiled. Putting his hand on his head and ruffling his hair.

"Be good and maybe we can ask father for more ice cream. Then we can share it with mom as well."

"Okay! But brother what are you training?"

William turned to see his training sword on the ground. A complicated emotion flashing through his eyes as he stared at it.

"I’m just practicing the Von Mez Sword Style."

"I wanna watch you practice!"

He smiled again, this time wider as he pointed to a bench nearby.

"Sure, but don’t make too much noise or distract me okay? Brother needs to focus."

"Okay!"

Walking over to the sword on the ground, he picked it up again. His movements smooth as he executed the set of exercises. The sword tip carving a path through the air, his swordsmanship infused with his efforts.

William took a deep breath, his feet planted firmly into the ground before lunging forward. His sword parallel to the ground as he performed a move from the Von Mez Sword Style. Sword arm raised as he executed several precise thrusts within only seconds.

"Your leg."

He paused, taking a deep breath as he looked at his younger brother.

"What?"

"Your right leg, it’s too far forwards. When you thrust your sword, your balance gets disrupted."

He stared at his younger brother’s face for a while compared to four years ago, he had grown up a lot from then resembling their mother’s appearance with his white hair and light blue eyes.

Taking a deep breath, he tried out the same move again, following his younger brother’s advice this time.

Compared to the previous try, he felt his own core was much more stable. His sword arm able to thrust faster and stronger. A clear difference.

"Thank you. But didn’t I say not to distract me? Hmm, little rascal."

He grinned, ruffling his younger brother’s hair again as he giggled under his touch. Squealing slightly as he was tickled in his sides.

Rayleigh suddenly quieted down, his mouth frowning slightly as he held his brother’s wrist.

"We have history later...can we not go? I don’t wanna go...she always treats you so badly."

"...We have to."

"Why?"

"...because we are the princes of the Virex Empire. I’m the crown prince and you are the second prince. It is our duty as prince."

"Then I don’t wanna be a prince!"

William could only quietly hug him, his comforting warmth soothing Rayleigh as he held his younger brother. No words were spoken between them for a while as they enjoyed each other’s presence.

"...me neither."