Flavian found himself deeply in love with Leesa, but it was evident from her eyes that she considered him nothing more than a close friend with whom she cherished spending time. Despite this, Flavian was determined to kindle romantic feelings in Leesa's heart. However, he understood the gap between friendship and love was akin to crossing a challenging bridge. Once you embarked on that journey, there was no turning back, and the path ahead resembled a perilous cliff.
Faced with the weight of his ambitions and the fear of making a misstep that could unravel his hard-earned achievements, he found himself caught in a web of uncertainty. The path forward seemed shrouded in a dense fog, and he knew that any hasty decision could have far-reaching consequences. So, he made a conscious choice to slow down, to meticulously consider each move, and to navigate with caution. Yet, as he delved deeper into his thoughts, the labyrinth of choices and potential outcomes grew more intricate. The more he pondered, the more tangled the web became, until he felt utterly lost amidst the myriad of possibilities.
In this state of mental turmoil, he sought refuge in the wisdom of a trusted friend. Jeremy had been a constant in his life, a source of support and guidance. With a heavy heart but a glimmer of hope, he decided to share his concerns and seek Jeremy's counsel.
He rings the bell and Anton arrives. "You called, Your Highness?"
"Yes, I plan to visit the mage tower. Prepare a carriage for me," orders Flavian.
It was a sudden change and Leesa, who was in the office, seemed agitated. "Sire, you can't just decide on such an important matter so carelessly like this."
Changing a schedule like this was very dangerous for someone in the position of crown prince, who is already targeted by his enemies every week. So, he had to make sure he was careful when changing the schedule - or he'd end up with a royal headache!
"If so, then my lady wouldn't it be perfect to change my schedule every day just in case there is a spy here in the palace?" suggested Flavian as he devised a clever plan to avoid detection.
"Your Highness the crown prince, Flavian Attila Hadrian! I hope you don't consider your safety a laughing matter," yelled Leesa. "I was appointed as your aid and bodyguard. Please do not make my work harder than it already is."
"Please, my lady, you and I both know how easily you throw those assassins out the window."
"...."
"Well, I know it was a sudden decision on my part, my lady, but it is important. Please adjust my schedule accordingly. I know you can, you are perfectly capable of handling it."
"Yes, Sire, I can manage your schedule and the work while you are away, but what about your safety? Commander Elzar is away with some work and I need to fill in for you. Who do you plan to take with you?" groaned Leesa.
"Just prepare some guards from the soldiers under your command, my lady. That should be enough. I don't think anyone would likely even think about attacking me on the way to the mage tower which is already filled with traps unless there are some sort of fools."
The mage tower, a detached sentinel rising from the barren, sun-scorched expanse of desert on the outskirts of the imperial capital, held an aura of mystery and allure that transcended the borders of the empire. Even the locals, who had long grown accustomed to its presence, couldn't help but be captivated by its enigmatic charm.
The journey to the mage tower, however, was no leisurely stroll. It was an odyssey fraught with peril, a deliberate challenge constructed to deter all but the most determined seekers. The path that crept through the unforgiving desert was the only one filled with greenery, was a cunning maze of traps and treacherous terrain, a testament to the artifice of its designer.
Centuries ago, the master of the mage tower had grown weary of unsolicited visitors, drawn by whimsical curiosities or misguided desires. Their constant intrusion into his seclusion and wisdom had worn his patience thin. In a moment of vexation, he resolved to safeguard the sacredness of his sanctuary.
The result was a road that dared anyone to traverse it without a clear purpose or proper invitation. It was as though the path itself conspired against the unwelcome, weaving challenges and obstacles that tested both guts and resolve. Those who embarked on this arduous journey found themselves navigating a relentless gauntlet of trials, where only the most resolved would reach their destination.
Over time, tales of the mage tower's road spread throughout the empire, becoming a legend in its own right. It wasn't long before the road became a filter, separating the frivolous from the truly determined. To reach the mage tower, one needed an invitation from the tower's inhabitants, or one must be accompanied by someone who bore the tower's trust.
The mage tower's road, though harsh and unforgiving, served as a guardian of the tower's secrets, a shield against the intrusion of the unworthy. It ensured that those who sought its knowledge and power did so with sincerity and purpose, and in doing so, it preserved the sanctity of the ancient place of magic and wisdom in the heart of the desert.
"Hah, there are many fools around here, Sire," sighs Leesa, "Alright, I will arrange for some guards to accompany you but make sure not to do anything extraordinary in your way."
"Roger that, my lady."
Finally, Flavian departed on his journey to the mage tower. The journey was not that hard as Flavian being part of the imperial family acquired an everlasting invitation to the mage tower. Flavian was able to take advantage of the family's influence to gain access to the mage tower with ease. The travel, however, was still difficult due to the sandstorm and the distance they had to travel.