Come to my discord if you have any questions or theories or suggestions :-

https://discord.gg/zFTJsYP7kM

DevilDarkness#0506

##

"Beautiful" A word escaped his lips as he took upon the sights of the palace walls and the history carved upon them.

"It is, isn't it." Rio heard a boy's voice. He turned his head sideways and saw someone standing there. The boy was around 15 years of age, he was dressed in fancy white clothes, which enhanced his charm, and clearly showed his noble standing. He had long golden yellow hair that were swinging past his shoulders, and accessories that shouted I'm the rich guy vibe.

"I haven't introduced myself. I'm Bernhardt von schott." He declared with a calm voice carrying a hint of pride. -"And you must be the heir of house Blake, Rio was it."

Rio looked at the man from head to toe, noticing the regal bearing and the aura of authority that surrounded him. Rio looked at the guards standing behind him, and unknowingly a little smile came to the corners of his lips remembering the lines depicting what happens to this guy in the novel. This guy had the funniest ending in the novel, it could be called cruel if you look at it from the other way but who cares.

Prince Bernhardt von Schott, son of king Maximus von Schott and his second wife Baliena Crescent. A guy who will compete with Rebecca and her younger brother Alfred for the throne of the Schilla empire in future.This guy is one of those characters who are just written to get face slapped by others, to make them stand out. Remember the guy who starts a conflict with the protagonist and then drags everyone around him in conflict, well this is him. But why was Rio laughing at him, well that was cause he was too idiot to even be called a villain or a challenge for the protagonist. He's a total tool used by everyone around him and a stepping stone set for our dear protagonist.

If Rio had to count how many times this guy got slapped, insulted, beaten and ignored in the novel despite being a prince - it'll probably take him more time than the system takes to count his points nowadays.

Controlling his emotions Rio introduced himself in a proper manner too. "It is an honor to meet you, prince Bernhardt," Rio replied respectfully, inclining his head slightly. "I am Rio Blake, the son of Agnus Blake and Artemis Raven."

Bernhardt's face lit up with a proud smile, clearly pleased by Rio's recognition and admiration. He reached out and tapped Rio's shoulder, a gesture that held a sense of pride and thought of everyone as lesser in his mind.magic

"So why're you standing here alone? Come we'll walk together." Bernhardt said as he pointed towards the way where Athena and Artemis left and turned around the corridors.

"Ahh it'll be a pleasure to have the prince accompany me. Of course, if it doesn't trouble you." Rio replied as he noticed the guards stand-in beside him, they were probably going out somewhere but stopped for him.

"Wait here, we'll show our guest to his rooms."

Bernhardt looked around and dismissed his guards. He started walking and Rio followed him.

"Is she your guard, shadow I mean?" Bernhardt asked as he turned and looked at Esme who was silently following Rio, having no expression on her face.

"Yes, ignore her, she doesn't speak much." Rio said clearly, cutting off Esme who was about to introduce herself. "Prince Bernhardt, I was curious about the palace. Why don't we talk about that, I'm sure it would be much more interesting to learn."

"I thought you've been here before. Last year on Alfred's awakening celebrations if I remember." Bernhardt asked as he doubtfully looked at him.

"I was, but we were late and the palace was already filled with other guests, so no one was free to look around last time with me, plus the palace is so big that I didn't dare wander around alone." Rio said smilingly as he shook his head, acting as clueless as a kid should.

Hearing his wordsBernhardt smiled too, "So that's why. Well the palace is the sign of royalty, so it had to be grand. I used to feel like I would get lost when I first came here. I never went out alone without guards cause I didn't know my way back to the room, but it grows on you. Now I know every corner of this place." His voice carried a hint of sadness and nostalgia as he said that.

"Come I'll show you around as a tour, before taking you directly to your rooms." Bernhardt said and changed his direction walking further.

"It was a good thing I met you prince, otherwise I really would have to walk alone again." Rio said as he started listening to Bernhardt explaining history about the palace. Rio could see the pride look he had, while pointing his fingers on the murals that depicted pictures of the king fighting against some monsters, or when he talked about the generations of kings that had come before his father. He took pride in his lineage, and wasn't shy to show it.

To some it might look like he was boasting or acting like some young master who flaunted his family's name, but Rio begged to differ. At this point of time, Bernhardt too was just like some other innocent kid. Yes he was a little naive maybe, but his heart wasn't that of a person he becomes when the plot starts.

It was his luck to be born in a family of rulers, and he feels proud of his lineage because his ancestors worked hard to make and keep this legacy going for future generations. The Schott family had tons of enemies and faced many calamities, but it was still standing as rulers of Schilla and one of the strongest in all of Arcadia, because every king upon the throne paid the price for it with blood, sweat and tears. If some kid of their bloodline now doesn't feel proud about all their hard work and sacrifices, then there really is something wrong with that. Legacies are meant to teach a lesson and pride was something of a requirement to be a ruler.

Rio remembered about the events written in the novel, and thought - 'He's not dumb yet. Maybe he'll turn into a mindless npc once protagonist halo comes into play, or maybe once he learns about the big news that his dear father is supposedly planning to announce on Rebecca's birthday.'

Since everything happening now had already happened before the plot started, so there weren't many details, but with the little flashbacks or glimpses of the characters past written here and there, Rio could piece together an approximate idea of how everything might have played out. And one thing was for sure, this guy is in for a surprise if stuff went according to destiny's plans soon.

'But oh well guess you're safe this time buddy. No need to thank me for it.' Rio thought and a smile came to his face.

Soon after roaming around the empty hallways for a while, giving him about the general outline of what is made where and why, Bernhardt said his goodbyes and left. He was going out to meet with his friends when he stumbled upon me and decided to talk, and now he was running late. He did promise he'll show him around fully tomorrow if he's free before leaving.

[*** - obviously the prince didn't go to every room and hallways to show him every corner of the palace, which is probably prohibited knowledge for outsiders. They just roamed the outer areas for half an hour and he just pointed his fingers and talked about normal stuff which weren't big secrets and was known to everybody.]

###

A/N- any idea what Rio's thoughts are about this stepping stone? How will this guy get his destiny altered or what was his supposed ending that can make u laugh.