Chapter 1
If only life were as simple as the writings on the paper laid out in front of him, if only every heady plan that he has concocted worked out perfectly, life would not have been as frustrating as it has been for him since what... birth?
He sighed. There was much complexity in the way life worked to constantly agonize him to no end. He looked out the window, taking a deep sip of beer as he admired the beauty of the scenery in front of him. Was this the price to pay for being a prince of a country that was constantly at war due to territorial disputes? He looked at the populace underneath his castle.
They could only be classified under two camps. One, the hopelessly jovial common day folk that had the care free life that he so wanted. Second, the weary, tired soldier that just wanted a good beer, time to himself and a long long time away from the battle field.
To which, he was neither camp. You see, he belonged to the odd breed of a person that loved war very much and yet wanted to fight and conquer in the battlefield. But then again, it might just have been his education speaking. At this point, he shook his head, he was wasting time thinking about all these things, when he should have been drafting out battle plans.
He sighed again, this time even more annoyed. He never liked the planning, but he did like the conquering. But of course, the philosophy of his father rang in his head over and over again.
"Without planning, there will never be truly triumphant conquest."
Yadadadada, how many times has he heard that? It used to be much simpler when he was young, when he could run free in the mountains, playing with his friend that seemed to stick with him till the very end. Gilbert smiled at this memory. He had only one friend in the whole kingdom, one of the children of one of the warlords, Ezra. Due to his father's status, he was regularly in the castle and had often played together .They had mock battles, scavenged for treasure in the wilderness behind the castle (collecting a lot of mushrooms along with it, thank god they didn't eat them) and even killed monsters( which just meant torturing the poor palace cat).
Until Ezra suddenly turned into a girl by his(her?) father squeezing her body into a tight dress that was meant to emphasis her womanly features that he started to blush at the sight of her. Of course, being the strong headed child that she was, she violently protested.
"Why do I have to wear a dress? Look at Gilbert, he doesn't have to wear one!"
"Elizabeta! You are nine now, only a few years until you are to be wedded off the prince of Nimsa! I will no longer condone you wearing boy's clothes or playing those strange games with that boy! You have to grow up! For God's sake, Gilbert is a boy, of course he doesn't have to wear one. Young lady, you better do what I say, or you will face the consequences!"
She pouted, obviously feeling depressed. But that's life I guess. A few months after that, she left the Kingdom (to marry that Prince maybe... who knows?) and he never saw her again. Years later, he heard that she got hitched to the one prince that I hated most in the lands
He wouldn't lie, the news still sank his heart though he was expecting it. His Father explained that it was an important step to ally themselves from Nimsa to prevent another war. What filled him, at that time, however, was anger and indignation at how his only Friend was made into a pawn to be thrown away, just because his Father wanted to protect the kingdom.
In his heart, he could almost hear the old man nag, " The heart of the King only serves his own people, any sacrifice is necessary to protect the welfare of our nation." He mentally reminded himself to not let emotions take control over him again. He would not be known as the mad Prince...again.
Suddenly, his Brother Prince Ludwig budged into the room, frantic, "Bruder! Konnin has been attacked!"
Gilbert smiled and smirked to himself. This was it, the invitation to war. He gripped his sword and ran to the conference room where his top generals were waiting for him to make his move. In his pocket, sat the battle plan that would set forth a torrent of blood.
The battle has just begun.
