Transmigrated Into The Book

Just like what Chase expected, before the sun shone itself, a carriage was already parked in front of the abandoned castle his father gave him. His neck stretched from the window of the second floor. He lifted his finger and counted the Imperial Soldiers standing straight with their chest high outside. 

He's still wearing his morning robe. Disheveled hair and sleepy eyes. Chase was already expecting this, but he didn't see it coming so early. 'Aren't they preparing for my brother's death parade and memorial?' he thought, rubbing his hair in dismay.

He sat on the bed and laid on his back flat. He cast his eyes on the white painted ceiling. The cracks from the old paint are very visible. Evidence for not being taken care of and renovated every year. With his empty morning thoughts, a loud sound bangs on the door. Chase bolted up and clenched his robe towards his chest. 

"State your name!" Even though he had a soft tone of voice, it still held the authority of a true ruler. 

A minute of silence passed before he heard a reply.

"Your Imperial Highness," the voice was deep. "I would like to apologize on behalf of the Emperor's orders for bothering you this early morning," 

The sincerity from that voice penetrated through the wooden door. Chase's fingers irked and his feet brought him to the entrance. He pressed his ears on the door. "What do you mean?" he asked. 

"The Emperor wanted to request an audience with you, Young Lord," Since Chase was still in his youth and had no title for the meantime, calling him 'Young Lord' will at least suit his place. The knock on the door turned light. "Young Lord?"

This time, Chase lowered his gaze. Because he wanted to gather some new information from this world, he twisted the knob and opened the door. From that little space, half of his face peek at them. "Explain yourself.." he mumbled. 

The hem of his white robe caressed his legs, and it revealed half of his thighs. The little space between the door and his thigh caught the knight's attention that they almost gulped after seeing the Young Lord's fair skin.

The Commander Knight, the one who knocked at the door earlier, saw his subordinate's reaction, so he stepped forward and covered Chase's half body. He leaned closer to the guy's ears. "Young Lord, I will not mind if you change your clothes first before talking to us" 

That deep and low tone of voice traveled from Chase's ears down to his soul that it made him jolted in embarrassment. He turned around and closed the door. "W-Wait me!!! J-Just a m-minute!" 

***

Chase took a sip from the tea on his table. He was supposed to enjoy his breakfast in the forest. Gathering fresh fruits with Dion early in the morning is a part of his daily routine. His eyebrows twitched upon giving a gaze to this group of knights standing in front of him. The truth is, he's not used to sitting in front of so many people. Socializing and even making eye contact is uncomfortable for him. 

The atmosphere from that old castle turned gloomy and awkward. But before it completely devoured them all. The Commander Knight stepped forward. Kneeling with his one leg, he put his other hand on the chest and bowed his head. "Greetings, Young Lord." he stated. "I am Ian Reyn, the Alrein Empire's Commander Knight. The Emperor ordered me to protect you from now on." He lifted his head. "It is my honor, my Lord," 

When Ian  lifted his chin, Chase immediately took a glance at his face. Tall, wide shoulders and hard chest. Tanned skin with a scar on his left cheek. Even if he had sharp fox-like eyes, it never gave him a scary look because the scar made him more masculine and gentle. 

Chase fell into a daze for a second. Then he felt something warm from his hands. He then realized that Ian already took his hand. "It is my honor to serve you with all my life," the man said before giving him a peck. 

Chase's face turned red, and he almost gulped his saliva. His back pushed the chair as he sprang from his seat. He spun his head and covered half of his cheeks. 

Ian panicked a little, and it also made him bolted up. "What's wrong, Young Lord?" he asked. 

Chase shook his head.

The group of palace knights also looked at each other and then bowed their heads with the thought of 'This Young Lord probably not used to such skinship', but quickly turned stiff when Ian looked at them one by one. Their Commander never acted like this. Even in meeting respectable nobles in and out of the Palace, he will just remain cold and silent.

"What do you mean, the Emperor wanted an audience with me?" Chase broke the silence.

This time, Dion flew towards him from the window. The white, flawless dragon landed on his master's arms. He suited himself and eyed the new people with a death stare. 

That view of an Imperial Lord with a pet dragon in his arms made the people inside the dining room stiffened. An authority Chase only held. He's indeed fit for the throne. 

Dion snuggled into his master's embrace while receiving his pats. The awkwardness from Chase lifted after feeling Dion's presence. His eyebrows irked and within a second, his face turned expressionless. "What is it again, Ian?" he asked. 

Ian's eyes widened upon hearing his name. It was an honor for him to hear his name being mentioned by the Imperial Prince, but he had no time to joy over it. He took something from his waist, a letter. "Young Lord, the Emperor ordered me to give you this letter and wait for your decision," 

Chase turned, puzzled. "Wait for me?" he asked. 

Ian nodded his head. "As you can see, Young Lord, I only didn't bring my subordinates, but also servants and maids to serve you," he stated. "We will all serve you until tomorrow morning. The Emperor's condition is not good, and he only requests to see you. Please make up your mind. I will personally escort you towards the Palace,"

A smirk stretches Chase's cheeks.. 'Is this what I think it is?' he thought.