"What did you say?"
I didn't hesitate to point towards Lugard as I repeated myself.
"Sir Knight almost killed me with his heavy pressure!"
I obviously couldn't say aura as it would raise the question of where I had learned the word.
The Emperor's laughing face had vanished as if it was never there.
He turned to Sir Lugard at his side.
"Well? Is what my boy said true?"
By now, Lugard's face, which was full of anger a minute ago, was now filled with despair as I could see sweat slowly forming on his forehead.
"It is not at all true, your majesty"
"Liar! He's lying!" I immediately proclaimed in a tone as high pitched as I could muster.
This was the fun part about being a kid. My words tended to be more believable than that of an adult.
The Emperor's eyes darted between me and Lugard as I guess he was wondering who he should believe or how to handle the situation, before his eyes finally settled on Lugard.
"Is that so? Might you enlighten me on what happened that ended with my son bleeding all over?"
Naturally, the Emperor had gotten reports from the healers that took care of me while I was unconscious.
"T-That-"
Sir Lugard couldn't help but stutter at the Emperor's chilling gaze. But he knew that not saying anything would lead to something far worse.
So, he gathered all his courage and spoke loudly in a single breath.
"Your majesty, he didn't show proper etiquette to me, so I intended to adjust such matters lightly by releasing a little of my aura. I hadn't known it would lead to such dreadful injuries"
At the end of his fast speech, Sir Lugard was looking at the ground with both clasped together in front of him like a man at a holy man's burial.
And he was right to do so, because in the next moment, an overwhelming pressure descended, along with the Emperor's voice.
"Is that so?" he said slowly.
"Ugh!" I held onto my knees instantly, as that was the only way I would be able to stay standing.
But in less than a minute, even that proved to be too much of a task. I intended to use my aura to fight back, but then it hit me.
'No way!'
I couldn't see the Emperor's gaze with my posture, but I was almost sure that he was staring at me.
I was so angry! This b*stard. My own father was trying to verify my claims by testing out my resistance to his aura!
'Seriously?! This crazy b*sta-'
Even that thought came to a halt as my body cried out in pain.
I could definitely resist it better if I manifested my own aura, but that would be falling right into the Emperor's trap.
Still, these thoughts had begun to stress my mind and the pressure was only increasing by the second.
So I threw all thoughts and all irrelevant feelings, be it anger or pain, aside and concentrated on the matter at hand.
It was the most efficient method to deal with the situation. My thoughts wouldn't change anything, but my actions would.
Since he wants to verify my claims, I'll let him do just that.
To make sure he didn't notice that I was doing it of my own free will, I got on one knee slowly, then the other knee, then my two hands.
Of course, I didn't forget to make grunts of pains to make it more believable.
And then I dropped to the floor, chest first.
The moment that happened, the overwhelming pressure dissipated like smoke.
I was able to think clearly now, an ability I swore to not take for granted from this moment on.
The pressure just now taught me how terrifying it was not having it.
I didn't have such thoughts for long as the Emperor's voice rang out in the silent throne room.
"Hmm…"
He seemed to be musing over something.
At least now I had proven how weak I was. And while it wasn't something that I found pleasant, with it I proved that Sir Lugard had almost killed me.
No matter what, the Knight would be punished for almost killing a prince.
Though whether or not it would be more than a slap on the wrist was up in the air.
Nevertheless, the Emperor seemed to favor me, so I was relying heavily on that for a favorable outcome.
A minute passed by before the Emperor's voice rang out once more.
"Hmm, I see now. Lugard-"
Without caring for his status as Master-rank Knight, the Emperor spoke his name like he was admonishing his younger brother.
"-you almost killed my son due to incompetence-
A smile was about to manifest on my lips at this part, but fate thought otherwise.
"-but, that is because he is still too weak-"
My head almost lit on fire at this statement!
'I'm FIVE years old, f#cking five years old! How strong do you expect me to be?!'
I really wanted to jump up and say these things. Nevertheless, I quickly took deep breaths to cool my head.
The Emperor noticed though. Well, it would be weird if he didn't hear such erratic breathing at his rank.
"Hmm, Ezra, is something wrong with your breathing?"
I quickly got my chest off the floor and positioned myself on one knee as I replied…
"No Father"
The Emperor gave no reply as he continued with his earlier speech.
"As I said, my son is too weak, and therefore, as punishment to both of you-"
My breath paused subconsciously as my mind beat faster with anticipation and fear of his next words.
And sure enough-
"-Lugard, you will serve as my son's personal guardian for the rest of the year. You will make sure to train him thoroughly during that period, and at the same time, you will act on his commands as if they were mine. Any act of disobedience will be treated as insubordination to the Empire"
-I was right to be afraid.
"Do I make myself clear?"
I could see Lugard struggling to answer. His wrist had turned into fists and were quivering. Veins popped all over his head as if it would burst out at any moment.
But, he could only bite his tongue hard as he replied…
"Yes"
Meanwhile, I was watching all such proceedings with a blank face, but inwardly…
'Dammit! You crazy Emperor! What are you doing?! Are you trying to make all my plans worthless?!'
I was bubbling with fury! This Emperor was a certified b*stard! Dammit! His brains must have gone to sh#t!
Come on! I've already mastered swordsmanship. Why would I need a teacher?! An incompetent one at that!
Why would you do this to me?! Why are you trying to derail my plans of revenge! This is a disaster!
While ranting within my own mind, the Emperor's spoke…
"Son, are we clear?"
I wanted to shout, but I forcefully suppressed the urge while gazing low so he couldn't see my eyes.
As I was about to reply, something happened.
A blue light suddenly erupted, attracting all gazes.
