Morning arrived quietly over Blackwood Manor.
The first rays of sunlight slipped through the cracked windows of Kael's bedroom, painting long golden lines across the wooden floor.
The room was... modest.
A single bed.
A worn desk.
A fireplace that hadn't been used in years.
Compared to the luxurious chambers inside the Imperial Palace, it was almost embarrassing.
Yet Kael slept better here than he ever had behind marble walls.
He slowly opened his eyes.
For a moment, he forgot where he was.
Then the memories returned.
"I'm home..."
"But not really."
A familiar blue screen shimmered before him.
"Imperial System"
Good morning,
Current Objectives:
Observe Your Territory Understand Your People: Discover the Cause of Blackwood's Decline
Reminder:
"A king who rules from a throne knows only reports. An emperor walks among his people."
Kael smiled.
"I was planning on it."
A knock echoed through the door.
"Your Highness?"
Edwin's voice.
"Breakfast is ready."
"I'll be there."
The dining hall could once seat over a hundred guests.
Now...
Only four places were set.
Kael.
Edwin.
Lily.
Bram.
Lily nervously placed a basket of warm bread on the table.
"I'm sorry..."
"This is all we have."
Kael looked around.
Fresh bread.
Vegetable soup.
Boiled eggs.
A little cheese.
It wasn't extravagant.
But it was honest.
He sat down.
"So..."
"Why are you all standing?"
The three servants exchanged confused looks.
"It wouldn't be proper—"
Kael interrupted gently.
"If we're going to rebuild this house..."
"We eat together."
Silence.
Edwin hesitated.
"My lord..."
"No."
"Today..."
"I'm just Kael."
For the first time in years...
Laughter echoed through Blackwood Manor.
Later that morning...
Kael changed into simple traveler clothes.
No royal cloak.
No jeweled belt.
No Imperial crest.
Only a plain gray tunic and dark trousers.
Edwin frowned.
"Your Highness..."
"If people recognize you—"
"They won't."
"And if they do?"
Kael grinned.
"Then they'll meet their prince."
The gates of Blackwood Manor creaked open.
Kael stepped onto the old road.
Bram walked beside him, carrying a wooden walking stick.
Lily insisted on bringing a basket "just in case."
Edwin followed a few steps behind.
The village of Blackwood Hollow sat less than two kilometers away.
Smoke drifted lazily from stone chimneys.
Children chased each other between wooden houses.
An old blacksmith hammered iron outside his forge.
It looked peaceful.
Until Kael looked closer.
Half the homes needed repairs.
The market was nearly empty.
Several farmers argued over sacks of grain.
Everyone looked...
Tired.
No one recognized him.
To them...
He was simply another traveler.
Kael liked that.
It meant people spoke honestly.
He wandered through the market.
A merchant complained loudly.
"Another tax collector comes next week."
"I don't know how much more we can pay."
An elderly woman sighed.
"They raised taxes again?"
"Third time this year."
"My grandson sold two goats just to keep our land."
Another farmer spat on the ground.
"Meanwhile, the noble hasn't visited in five years."
Kael listened.
He didn't interrupt.
He simply walked.
"Imperial Observation"
Citizen Morale:
Low
Primary Concern:
Excessive taxation
Secondary Concern:
Poor harvests
Recommendation:
Continue listening.
A young boy bumped into Kael.
"I'm sorry!"
He bowed repeatedly before scrambling to pick up the firewood he'd dropped.
Kael crouched down.
"Need a hand?"
The boy blinked.
"You'll help me?"
"Why not?"
Together, they gathered the scattered logs.
The boy smiled.
"Thanks, mister."
Kael smiled back.
"What's your name?"
"Finn."
"How old are you?"
"Nine."
"Do you go to school?"
Finn looked confused.
"...What's school?"
Kael's smile faded.
Later...
He quietly asked Edwin,
"Does this village have a teacher?"
Edwin lowered his eyes.
"No."
"A healer?"
"No."
"A guard post?"
"No."
Kael looked toward the villagers.
"...Nothing?"
Edwin nodded slowly.
"Blackwood has been forgotten for many years."
As they walked farther...
Kael noticed a wooden notice board.
Several papers hung from it.
One immediately caught his attention.
Imperial Tax Notice
All villages within Blackwood Territory will provide an additional emergency grain tax before the next full moon.
Failure to comply will result in confiscation of livestock.
By Order of Baron Cedric Halwen.
Kael frowned.
"Baron Halwen?"
"I thought this land belonged to the Crown."
"It does," Edwin answered.
"The Baron merely administers the taxes."
"And he lives here?"
Edwin gave a bitter smile.
"No."
"He lives in the capital."
Kael stared at the notice.
He said nothing.
But inside...
Something shifted.
Several rooftops away...
A hooded man watched the four travelers.
He slowly folded a piece of paper.
His fingers moved with practiced precision as he wrote a short report.
To House Roland
The Tenth Prince is touring Blackwood disguised as a common traveler.
No guards.
No military.
No suspicious activity.
Recommendation:
Continue surveillance.
He sealed the letter.
A small black hawk landed on his arm.
The message disappeared into the sky.
Meanwhile...
Deep inside the Imperial Palace...
Prince Roland read another report.
He smirked.
"So..."
"Our little brother is playing farmer."
His advisor chuckled.
"Shall we ignore him?"
Roland's smile slowly disappeared.
"No."
"Anyone Father gives attention to..."
"...is worth watching."
Back in Blackwood...
Kael looked toward the distant mountains.
The breeze carried the smell of fresh earth.
Children laughed nearby.
Farmers struggled in silence.
Old women prayed for rain.
The system quietly appeared one more time.
"Imperial Reflection"
You have observed your people.
Question:
What kind of ruler will you become?
Kael didn't answer immediately.
Instead...
He looked at the worn faces around him.
Then he whispered,
"The kind who knows every village before he dreams of conquering kingdoms."
The system remained silent.
For the first time...
No notification appeared.
No reward.
No quest.
Only approval in the quiet.
Because some lessons...
Couldn't be measured by a screen.