Chapter Text
Empress Keres of Essempi was renowned for her beauty and blessed with the ability to heal any injury or ailment, bestowed upon her by the goddess. She was beloved by the empire even before she ascended to the throne, known for her kindness, patience, and motherly love towards all children. She was considered the ideal ruler in every way.
Despite the vast number of women who could potentially qualify for the title of Essempi Empress, Keres stood out as the clear choice. Her intelligence and nurturing nature made her an ideal partner for the emperor, providing valuable guidance in times of need. She was a perfect fit for both wife and empress, perfectly suited for ruling over the empire.
But even the loveliest of blossoms can harbor the most deadly toxins.
For three years, Keres, who had become an empress, was unable to bear a child. Despite her repeated prayers and pleas to the goddess for an heir, there was no response. This caused turmoil within the royal palace, and eventually led her husband, the emperor, to bring in concubines. As a result, Keres transformed into a lethal flower - beautiful yet dangerous.
To Keres, there was no greater pleasure than wielding her power with a tyrannical hand. She reveled in the adoration and worship of her subjects, seeing herself as a deity above all others. As the sole ruler of the empire, she relished in exercising complete control over its people and their lives. And to ensure that no one would ever try to challenge her throne or threaten her future children's claim to it, she mercilessly eliminated any potential offspring from her concubines. The empress had no qualms about getting her hands dirty and silencing any dissenters with lethal force. After all, who could possibly defy the second-in-command of the mighty Essempi empire? In her eyes, she was untouchable and unquestionable in her reign.
Keres relished in the power she held over the emperor's concubines, ensuring they remained in a constant state of fear and submission to her. She reveled in their admiration and worship, knowing that she alone was the true ruler of the palace. But as the years passed and more princes and princesses were born, Keres' ego could not handle the thought of sharing her throne. The jealousy and anger consumed her, making her even more desperate to maintain her title as the one and only woman who could produce an heir for the dynasty.
When she realized her original plans were not working, she turned to alternative methods. One of which was dark magic. However, Empress Kristin intervened and offered assistance. Without her help, she may have resorted to even more sinister tactics to prevent any of them from becoming the next ruler, specifically Clay, the firstborn prince.
Finally, after much waiting and effort, little Theseus came into the world. Despite not having the presence of the goddess by her side, it didn't matter to the proud mother. All that mattered was that she had given birth to a strong heir who would only increase her power. No half-blooded royals, including the firstborn prince Clay, could stand in her way now.
However, after giving birth to her first heir, she gradually began to lose her ability to heal. This was a defining characteristic of her identity, and losing it was devastating. She could no longer fully heal wounds or emit as much light as before. The blessings that used to course through her were now gone, driving her to the brink of madness. Empress Keres blamed little Theseus for this loss and resented him for it. Losing her powers was not something she wanted - not when she had worked so hard to reach her position in the empire. She had always pretended to be a kind and caring ruler, but in reality, she didn't care about anyone or their well-being. All Keres truly wanted was power, attention, love, and respect. To be the most important person in the entire empire.
Empress Keres shares her plans with her dear friend Empress Kristen of the Hydrangeas empire. She discovered a ritual in a dark magic book that could restore her lost powers, but it comes at a terrible cost - the life of her own baby boy. It's a tragic situation; if only her son hadn't taken her powers upon his birth, he could have grown up to become the next emperor and live a fulfilling life. But Keres' greed for power and control outweighed her love for her own child. She casually discussed killing her infant with Kristen, excitedly anticipating the moment when she would regain her full strength and abilities.
And well, you know the rest of the story.
Dream was the only one who knew the dark side of Empress Keres and kept it to himself. He heard everything she said to Empress Kristen, and was aware of the truth behind the massacre that devastated Essempi. But he chose to keep this information to himself, never revealing the true reason for the brutal attack. Despite this, he could never forgive the Hydrangeas for taking the lives of his entire family, including his mother and siblings. The pain of losing his people and home still lingered, and he couldn't understand why they didn't just kill Empress Keres instead. In his eyes, she deserved to die for all the crimes she had committed.
Tommy, his younger brother and the only family he has left, does not deserve to be raised by someone like that woman. He deserves a chance at a better life, one where he can be free to explore the world and escape from the oppressive royal lifestyle. But sadly, that is not possible for him.
His younger brother was forced to go away and marry someone from the family who had caused them so much harm. He felt relieved that his friends Quackity and Tubbo would be there to protect him, making sure that no one, including their enemy Hydrangeas, could cause any more harm to his little brother. Dream was not a good person, he had done terrible things and was far from innocent. He had hurt his little brother to the point of blinding him, and the memory of the flower garden stained with blood would always serve as a reminder of his sins.
As he gazes out the window, the sky twinkles with a dazzling array of stars. The cool breeze of an approaching summer night wafts through the open window, bringing a refreshing calm to his senses. But it is not just the weather that brings him peace - it is the sound of the nearby ocean, beckoning him to come and bask in its soothing embrace. Dream has always been drawn to the sea, finding solace in its rhythmic waves and endless expanse. As he looks upon it from afar, he yearns to walk along its shores and feel the sand beneath his feet.
Dream can only hope and plead to the goddess, begging for her protection for Tommy against those who seek to harm him. Dream prays that Tommy will never discover the dark truth about his mother, as it would only cause him more pain. He knows how fragile their relationship is after everything they've been through, and he doesn't want to risk losing his brother again. He can't bear the thought of being alone. The emperor can hardly bear to remember the events in the rose garden - the dark magic book was their last resort. The blood, the screams...he closes his eyes, trying to forget.
“Please…protect my brother goddess…I beg of you..”
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This is worseWilbur's eyes bulged in terror, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His body convulsed with uncontrollable shaking as he read the reports, his mind unable to comprehend the horrors contained within. He collapsed to his knees, bile rising in his throat as he struggled to keep from retching at the sheer magnitude of what he had just witnessed.
It was worse than he could have imagined. He didn't know how to process it or even put it into words. He covered his mouth with his hand, trying to ground himself and come back to reality. His gaze fixed on the paper in front of him, unable to tear his honey-brown eyes away.
Upon meeting Theseus at the banquet and observing his disability, he immediately asked a mutual friend to investigate the circumstances that led to Theseus' blindness. Despite questioning everyone, including the servants who were likely lying, more questions arose than answers. He attempted to discuss it with Quackity, but their conversation was cut short when the knight fiercely defended Dream.
.
“Dream did nothing but protect his majesty Prince Theseus, keep his name out of your disgusting mouth.”
Even Tubbo, Thesues's loyal servant, refuses to acknowledge Wilbur's presence. He glares at him before quickly looking away
“My apologies to your highness but it isn’t my business to tell you about the royal family.”
The only person he can confide in about the traumatic incident is Theseus. However, with the current turmoil and chaos at the palace, he doubts that the young prince will even allow him inside. That's why he had to ask for a favor, but in hindsight, he regrets ever delving into it.
“I need to tell father about this!”
This report could be the key to finally bridging the gap between Theseus and the family. If he knows the truth, he can feel more connected to them. It's a foolproof plan!