I Transmigrated as a Prince Extra

The next day dawned with the sweet melody of bird singing, their chirping blending with the gentle rise of the sun over Celestia.

The grand doors of the court creaked open, their sound reverberating through the chamber like an ominous herald. Inside, the room was a sea of noble finery, gold and silk glinting under the sunbeams streaming through high arched windows. The air buzzed with the heated discussion that dominated the room: the persistent defiance of House Dervain.

"I say it's high time we send troops to remind them of their place!" barked Lord Kaelis, a burly noble with a voice that carried like a war horn. His crimson cloak flared as he turned to address the court. "They claim to be restrained by mere bandits! It's an excuse to mask their disloyalty. This insolence should not be tolerated."

Others nodded in agreement, their voices rising in a cacophony of indignation. But a few lords and ladies, seated in quiet clusters, exchanged knowing glances and hushed whispers, their loyalties less clear.

It was then the murmurs began to shift. Heads turned toward the grand entrance as the sound of wheels clicking against the marble floor echoed through the court.

Juhtmed had arrived.

The young prince, his crimson eyes steady and unflinching, was seated in a finely-crafted wheelchair. His pale features carried the marks of his recent brush with death, but his posture was upright, his presence commanding. Lian stood just behind him, her hands gripping the handles of the wheelchair. Her maid's uniform, simple yet immaculate, was a stark contrast to the opulence of the nobles.

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the court like a sudden gust of wind. The sight of Juhtmed alone was a shock to many; his frail condition had left most assuming he would remain bedridden. But it was Lian's presence that sent a tangible wave of discomfort and outrage through the chamber.

"A maid?" someone whispered loudly enough for the room to hear.

"This is highly irregular!"

"An insult! How can he bring a maid here? Has the prince lost his mind?"

Juhtmed's lips turned into a faint smirk. Exactly the reaction he'd anticipated. He tilted his head slightly to glance at Lian, whose expression remained calm despite the scrutiny.

As the wheelchair came to a stop at the center of the room, Juhtmed raised a hand. The chamber fell silent, save for the rustle of robes and the occasional cough.

"I apologize for my late arrival," he began, his voice firm but laced with enough vulnerability to remind them of his condition. "It seems my recovery is taking longer than anticipated. I've only been awake for the past week."

A murmur of feigned sympathy passed through some of the assembly, but others remained stony-faced.

"I could not, however, ignore the urgency of today's matter," Juhtmed continued, his gaze sweeping the room. "House Dervain's repeated refusals to answer summons require our full attention. It is not merely a question of bandits; it is a question of loyalty to the Emperor and the unity of this court."

The room fell silent as his words hung in the air. Lord Kaelis, ever brash, stepped forward. "Your Highness, with all respect, I didn't expect to see you here—let alone with a... maid." He spat the word as though it burned his tongue.

Juhtmed's crimson eyes locked on Kaelis, unblinking. "Lian is not just a maid. She is my servant who served me with unwavering loyalty, even in my darkest hours. Her presence here is a reflection of my trust. Would you question that trust, Lord Kaelis? Or perhaps there is something else?"

The burly lord faltered, his face flushing with a mix of embarrassment and indignation. "Of course not, Your Highness. But the court—"

"The court," Juhtmed interrupted, his voice colder now, "would do well to focus on matters of importance. Unless someone here would like to argue that the loyalty of House Dervain is less pressing than my choice of company?"

The chamber buzzed with subdued whispers, but no one dared to openly challenge him.

From the periphery, Lady Meridia watched with a predatory smile, her gray eyes alight with amusement. She remained silent, observing.

Juhtmed leaned forward in his chair. "Now, let us return to the matter at hand. House Dervain claims that bandits prevent them from attending court. If this is true, it reflects poorly on our strength as an empire. If it is false, it reflects poorly on their loyalty." He turned his gaze to Lord Kaelis. "You suggested sending troops. But tell me, Lord Kaelis, is it wise to use force without first verifying the truth of their claims?"

Kaelis bristled. "If not force, then what, Your Highness? Shall we wait idly while their defiance grows unchecked?"

Juhtmed's smirk returned. "Perhaps not idle waiting, but neither rash action. I propose sending an envoy to investigate these so-called bandits. If they exist, we will assist House Dervain in eliminating the threat. If they do not..." His voice grew sharper, cutting through the room. "Then House Dervain will have much to answer for."

A ripple of approval passed through the court, mingled with grudging respect.

Lady Meridia chose this moment to step forward, her golden robes shimmering in the light. "An intriguing suggestion, Your Highness. And who, pray, would you trust to lead such an envoy?"

Juhtmed met her gaze evenly, refusing to let her subtle challenge unsettle him. "I will lead the envoy myself."

Her smile widened, though her eyes remained as unreadable as ever. "You decide to go yourself? Interesting. But can your frail body manage the trip? You've just awoken after an attempt on your life."

Juhtmed inclined his head slightly, a gesture both respectful and dismissive. He turned his attention back to the court. "I appreciate your concern. But it will serve the empire better if I personally lead the envoy. This will demonstrate that the Emperor does not act recklessly and takes this matter seriously. Now, I must see the Emperor to discuss this further."

The chamber erupted into a mix of applause and also heavenly murmured discussions.

Later, in the solitude of his chambers, Juhtmed sat with Lian at his side. The map she had brought earlier was spread out before him, alongside reports and correspondence that had been retrieved from the palace archives.

"Did you observe their reactions?" Juhtmed asked, his voice low but intent.

Lian nodded. "Lord Kaelis was the most vocal, but Lady Meridia's silence was notable. And the whispers among the younger nobles—they seemed uneasy. It's possible some of them are aligned with House Dervain or harbor sympathies."

Juhtmed leaned back, his fingers steepled. "Lady Meridia's silence was weird. She's waiting for an opportunity, i still don't know her true intention. As for Kaelis, his bluster makes him predictable. I'll need to keep a closer eye on the younger faction—they may sway easily, but that makes them useful if I can win them over."

Lian hesitated before speaking. "And the envoy, Your Highness? Do you really going by yourself?"

Juhtmed's crimson eyes glinted. "Yes. But the envoy's true purpose won't be just to investigate House Dervain's. I don't think the Dervain are lying about that group of bandit and i have my idea of what's this group purpose."

Lian's expression softened. "You have already begun to maneuver the court to your advantage, your highness."

Juhtmed allowed himself a faint smile. "I don't really think is that is more they were the one observing me, i mean it wouldn't be strange i was halfway death not too long ago and i show up to the court and decide to lead the envoy to the Dervain."

Juhtmed allowed himself a faint smile. "Now what i need to do is to see my father and let me lead the envoy."

The air in Juhtmed's chambers was heavy as Lian carefully reviewed the reports spread across the table. Candles flickered, their light casting long shadows over the prince's resolute face.

Juhtmed tapped a finger on the map, his eyes narrowing. "If Dervain's excuses about bandits are true, then we need to know why they've failed to suppress such a threat."

Lian nodded, her brow furrowed. "Their reputation precedes them. It's strange that bandits could cause them so much trouble—unless the group has more resources than we suspect."

"Exactly." Juhtmed leaned forward, his voice lowering. "If the bandits are well-funded or supported, it could mean a rival faction within the empire is working against us. Someone could be destabilizing the outer territories to grip on power—but why the Dervain family...?"

Lian's gaze sharpened. "Maybe lady Meridia have something to do with these bandit...?"

Juhtmed considered the possibility, his fingers brushing the edge of the map. "She's cunning enough to orchestrate something like this, but i don't see any gain for being involved in this. Still, I won't dismiss her entirely."

Lian hesitated before speaking again. "And the younger nobles? Their reactions at court suggest uncertainty. They seemed divided—not all of them support Kaelis or Meridia."

Juhtmed smiled faintly. "That division is exactly what I'll exploit. They're inexperienced, ambitious, and want to prove themselves. If I can present myself as the one they didn't expect, some of them may rally to my side. But first, I need to secure their support."

Lian's brows knitted together. "But what of the envoy? Leading it personally will leave you vulnerable and unprotected from outside threat."

Juhtmed's voice hardened. "Vulnerability is a perception, Lian. I'll lead because it will send a message to the court—and to my enemies. They think I'm weak because of my condition and i've never care about the successions. I'll show them through action, not words. But I won't go unprepared."

Lian's lips pressed into a thin line. "Then we need allies to secure your safety during the envoy. Perhaps a knight or someone trustworthy?"

Juhtmed nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, and I'll need someone who can gather information discreetly while we travel on Bandits, and even Dervain's own forces...but first i should go obtain my father's approval."

Later that afternoon, Juhtmed was wheeled into the Emperor's private audience chamber. The space was dimly lit, the towering walls lined with intricate tapestries depicting the empire's storied history. At the far end of the room sat the Emperor himself, his imposing figure he had lengthy blond hair blue eyes and anb eye patch on his right eyes he was draped in robes of imperial blue and gold.

As Juhtmed approached, he inclined his head in respect. "Father."

The Emperor's piercing gaze swept over him, lingering briefly on the wheelchair before returning to his face. "Juhtmed. You've surprised many by attending court today."

"I only go since you have summoned me to be there," Juhtmed replied evenly.

The Emperor leaned back, his expression unreadable. "Its true I've summoned you to be to the court..but i didn't think you would have showed since you've always avoid my summons..."

Juhtmed respond calmly as he expected an answers like that "Being on the verge of death made me realize that I couldn't act like the person I was before." 

I see and you've proposed to lead the envoy yourself. Bold. Some would call it reckless, given your recent... condition."

"It may seem bold at the moment, but for me, it's a statement that shows I'm not giving up my right to inherit." Juhtmed countered, his voice firm.

The Emperor regarded him in silence for a moment before nodding. "Very well. But understand this if you fail. You must risk to lost everything."

Juhtmed inclined his head once more. "I understand, Father. I will not fail."

Kunin thought He didn't reference to me as his majesty but as father something he never did in his life and this sudden change are you really my son..? 

Back in his chambers, Juhtmed began assembling his team for the journey. Lian, ever loyal, was already gathering supplies and poring over maps.

"We'll need someone with military experience," Juhtmed mused aloud. "Someone who understands both strategy and the terrain."

Lian nodded. "Sir Vaerin is known for his tactical brilliance. He's served the empire faithfully for years, though he keeps a low profile at court."

"Is someone loyal to the Empire so my father we need to find someone else." Juhtmed's gaze flicked to the reports on the bandits. "And someone who can gather intelligence—a spy or a scout who can blend in."

Lian hesitated. "There's a merchant who frequents the borderlands, known as Taven. He's resourceful and has connections with both nobles and commoners. He might be able to uncover information others would overlook."

"Interesting. But as a merchant, he'll be looking to make a profit, and right now, I don't have anything that's remarkable." Juhtmed said.

Juhtmed's thoughts are they no one that could fit those criteria and have not strong ties with the emperor.

"Don't we have someone that fit these criteria without having ties with the empire?"

Lian's voice was soft but steady. "There maybe someone but i don't think it will be a great idea....."

Juhtmed respond "A bad idea is always better than no idea at all. So is it?"

"His a new knight he rumored to be skilled for his age he didn't come from Celestia and have no ties with the other kingdom its why i dont think it would be a great idea to add him to the envoy since we know so little about him."

Juhtmed said "Better to try than to do nothing we will see about him."