CHAPTER 199: THE FIRST BOOK

The Imperial Palace loomed before Grim as his carriage approached the main gates. The morning sun caught the white stone making it gleam like a beacon of imperial power.

Guards snapped to attention as his vehicle passed through the outer courtyard. Recognition that Grim was considered nobility now.

Chen Xing had arranged the meeting for mid-morning, allowing Grim time to prepare both his official report and his strategy for how much truth to reveal. The conversation with Caius had clarified much, but it had also highlighted the delicate balance he would need to maintain.

A palace official greeted him at the main entrance and escorted him through the corridors. Statues of previous emperors watched with marble eyes that seemed to judge all who passed.

"Her Imperial Majesty will receive you in the administrative audience chamber," the official informed him as they walked. "She has set aside a full hour for your report, which indicates the importance she places on your activities in the Southern Shores."

They reached a set of ornate doors guarded by two members of the Imperial Guard. After a brief glance, the doors opened. Empress Alexia sat behind an elegant desk, dressed in a deep blue dress.

"Lord Ambrose," she said as he entered, gesturing for him to take the chair across from her desk. "Welcome back to the capital. I trust your time in Port Velmira was delightful."

"Your Imperial Majesty," Grim replied with a respectful bow before taking his seat. "It was indeed educational, though perhaps not in the ways I initially expected."

"Yes, I’ve heard reports of unusual phenomena in that region," Alexia said.

"The phenomena were connected to supernatural forces that required intervention."

"Supernatural forces?" Alexia’s expression remained neutral, but Grim caught a flicker of interest in her eyes. "That’s not mentioned in any preliminary reports I’ve received."

"Because most people lack the knowledge or authority to identify such threats properly," Grim explained. "The missing ships, the strange weather, the sounds from the ruins—all symptoms of a much larger problem."

"And you resolved this problem how exactly?"

"By addressing its source directly," Grim said, choosing his words carefully. "The disturbances were caused by supernatural entities that had become... displaced. Once the situation was properly understood and appropriate measures taken, they returned to where they belonged."

Empress Alexia studied him for a long moment. "That’s remarkably vague for an official report, Lord Ambrose. I expected more specificity from someone of your stature."

"The specificity requires context that most people aren’t prepared to accept," Grim replied. "Supernatural threats exist, Your Majesty, whether we acknowledge them or not. My appointment to the Southern Shores placed me in a position to deal with such matters discreetly."

"Which brings me to my next question," Alexia said, her tone becoming more pointed. "Why did you vanish for nearly a month without sending any updates or reports? Your administrative responsibilities were left in limbo."

Grim had been expecting this question and had prepared for it carefully. "Your Majesty, may I ask you a question before I answer that?"

"You may."

"Do you know the true history of this world? How our empire came to be, what forces shaped its founding, and what responsibilities come with ruling over lands that border other realms?"

Something shifted in Empress Alexia’s expression. The casual interest was replaced by sharp attention, and Grim realized he had touched on something significant.

"That’s an unusually specific question, Lord Ambrose. What exactly are you implying?"

"I’m suggesting that some knowledge is too dangerous for general circulation but too important for rulers to ignore," Grim replied. "If Your Majesty is aware of such matters, then my extended absence becomes much easier to explain."

Alexia was quiet for several moments, clearly weighing her options. Finally, she rose from her chair and moved to what appeared to be a blank section of the wall behind her desk.

"Come with me," she said, placing her palm against the wall and murmuring words too soft for Grim to hear clearly. The wall shimmered, then revealed a hidden doorway. "What you see beyond this point is known only to the ruling monarch and those deemed ready to handle such knowledge."

Grim followed her into a hidden passage that descended steeply into the palace’s foundations.

"This passage leads to the Sealed Archives," Alexia explained as they walked. "Records too sensitive for the general libraries, containing knowledge that would cause panic or worse if widely known."

They emerged into a circular chamber lined with shelves containing perhaps a hundred volumes. Unlike the vast imperial archives above, this collection was small but clearly precious—each book carefully maintained and organized according to some system.

"These are the true histories," Alexia continued, selecting a slim volume bound in blue leather. "Records kept by each ruler, detailing matters that cannot be acknowledged publicly."

She handed him the book. "This was written by my great-grandfather, Emperor Theodore. Read the marked passage."

Grim opened the book carefully and found himself reading an account of a diplomatic meeting.

"Dragons," Grim said, looking up at the Empress.

"Indeed. And this," she said, selecting another, much older volume, "contains the first recorded treaty between our Empire and what the records call the Sea Realms. The primary intermediary was one Caius van Ambrose."

Grim felt Caius stir in his consciousness, a sense of recognition and old memories. "My great-grandfather."

"Yes. Which is why your extended absence, while concerning from an administrative standpoint, is not entirely unexpected given your bloodline." Alexia returned the treaty to its place. "The question is: where exactly did you go, and what did you accomplish there?"

Grim realized this was the moment of truth. He could continue with vague explanations, or he could trust that the Empress was prepared for genuine revelation.

"I was in the Sea Realms themselves," he said simply. "I spent the time forming alliances and gaining abilities that will serve the Empire’s interests."

"Alliances with whom?"

"Dragons. Specifically, the Dragon Kings who rule the four sea courts." Grim watched her reaction carefully. "They have been monitoring threats to both their realm and ours, and they determined that direct intervention was necessary."

"So the missing ships, the supernatural disturbances—you resolved them through dragon intervention?"

"Among other methods, yes. The entities causing the problems have been returned to their proper realm, and measures are in place to prevent similar incidents."

"And your loyalty? These dragons—do they expect service that might conflict with your duties to the Empire?"

"Their interests and the Empire’s interests align," Grim replied confidently. "They want stability, security, and protection from threats that could damage both realms. What benefits them benefits us as well."

Alexia moved to examine another section of the archives, pulling down a volume that looked more recent than the others. "My own records," she said. "Documenting supernatural incidents that have occurred during my reign. Incidents that, until now, I’ve had no effective means of addressing."

She opened the book to reveal page after page of reports—strange creatures sighted in remote areas, unexplained magical phenomena, and disappearances.

"Your value to the Empire extends far beyond your official title as Imperial Defender of the Southern Shores."

"I understand the implications, Your Majesty."

"Do you? Because what I’m considering is unprecedented. A formal acknowledgment of supernatural threats and the creation of imperial resources specifically designed to address them."

Grim felt a surge of excitement. This was beyond what he had hoped for when planning this conversation.

"You’re offering upport for supernatural defense?"

"I’m proposing that your sect should be a training ground for individuals capable of handling threats that conventional forces cannot address."

"That would require acknowledging the existence of such threats publicly."

"Not necessarily. The right language can convey authority and purpose without revealing specifics that would cause panic." Alexia closed the record book and returned it to its place. "The important thing is that you would have imperial backing for recruitment, resources, and operations."

"And in return?"

"You serve as my primary advisor on supernatural matters, you report directly to me on any threats or incidents you encounter, and you ensure that your loyalty remains with the Empire."

Grim considered the offer.

"I accept," he said. "Though I should warn you that the threats we’ll be facing may be more significant than anything in your current records."

"Meaning?"

"The dragon realms are not the only supernatural domains that border our world. There are some beings who would view us as resource to be exploited or an obstacle to be removed."

Alexia absorbed this information. "Then we’ll need to be prepared. Your sect will need to grow quickly, and you’ll need to identify and train individuals capable of handling such responsibilities."

"Already in progress, Your Majesty. I have an instructor arriving soon who possesses knowledge that goes far beyond conventional magical education."

"Good. Now, there’s one more matter we need to discuss." Alexia’s expression became more personal. "Princess Liona has expressed considerable interest in your welfare during your absence. She was quite concerned when reports suggested you had vanished without explanation."

Grim felt the conversation shifting to more personal territory. "The Princess has always been kind to me, Your Majesty."

"Kindness is one word for it," Alexia replied with a slight smile. "Another word might be affection. She’s of age and she’s intelligent. Marriage alliance between House Ambrose and the imperial family would provide additional security for both parties."

"Your Majesty, I—"

"I’m not commanding you to marry my daughter," Alexia interrupted. "I’m observing that such an alliance would benefit everyone involved while ensuring that your loyalties remain aligned with imperial interests. Consider it a suggestion rather than an order."

"One final question, Your Majesty," he said as they walked back through the hidden passage. "How long have you known about supernatural threats to the Empire?"

"Since I was crowned," Alexia replied. "It comes with the throne—knowledge of what really threatens our people and how little conventional forces can do about it. You’ve provided the first real hope I’ve had of actually addressing these problems rather than simply documenting them."

"Than I want to make another deal. When I do something that greatly helps the Empire and things move forward for us, I want to to see the first Emporer’s book."

"The first Emproer’s book...." Alexia trailed off.