[A/N: Heads up—this chapter is mostly character-focused and doesn't move the main plot forward much.
If you're here mainly for action or progression, feel free to skip this one.
That said, it does explore some character dynamics (Alden & Amyra) and drops a small hint for later… ]
Alden entered the banquet hall—and yeah, it was luxurious.
He didn't know how else to describe it.
Colorful chandeliers hung from the ceiling like they were trying to make even the stars jealous.
People walked around the hall in expensive clothes, laughing and chatting like they were in the middle of some fairy tale.
Hundreds—no, probably thousands—of waiters walked through the crowd with trays of glowing wine and weirdly-shaped appetizers that probably cost more than a year's expenses for a commoner.
His eyes scanned the room. He even saw some familiar faces.
But he ignored them politely.
The Draven family was here… although Alaric himself wasn't present.
That made sense. Why would the Duke himself bother with a banquet , even if it had the Emperor's seal on it?
He probably sent a few old officials to shake hands and say the right words.
Tsk. Just looking at this is making me tired.
Let's see where Amyra is and be done with my business so I can go back home in peace.
He pulled out his ManaSync and sent a message to Amyra.
Hey where are you? I'm standing at the entrance.
The message was clean and simple.
He waited for a minute before the reply arrived.
Just a minute. I'm coming.
Alden walked towards an empty table in one corner of the room and sat waiting for her.
Honestly, it all felt too overwhelming. He hadn't really attended a banquet of this scale before.
At most, he had visited birthday parties of his friends and families. Even at those he felt awkward.
He could feel a few gazes pause on him, scanning him like a predator.
Probably a few minor nobles hoping to suck up to him.
Being a disciple of Jeremy… meant being the successor of Voidforge Family as Jeremy had no blood relatives.
And the Voidforge family wasn't less than any Ducal family… so it wasn't a lie to say he was like a direct heir of a Ducal family.
But he really hoped none of them would come to talk.
He didn't have any interest whatsoever in playing political games.
An announcement echoed within the room, loud and clear.
"Announcing the arrival of Her Highness—Third Princess of the Vallorian Empire, Heir of the Celestrian Bloodline…
All eyes turned toward the center of the hall—toward the grand staircase that spiraled upward.
And then she appeared.
Amyra Celestrian, the Third Princess of the Vallorian Empire.
Her entrance wasn't just dramatic—it was breathtaking.
She stood at the top of the grand staircase. Her hair, a cascade of silvery white silk, shimmered under the chandelier's glow.
Her gown was the color of a midnight sky. It glowed with a celestial sheen as if it was stitched using constellations themselves. [A/N: Check Paragraph comment]
Her radiant and otherworldly violet eyes were calm.
Amyra scanned the hall, her eyes trying to find him. The only one she cared about in this hall.
She didn't really care about wearing fancy clothes and make-up. But today, she put extra effort into it, making sure everything was perfect
It was her first date with her dear. She wanted him to remember it.
She saw him. Sitting alone on a table in one corner. A drink in one hand, his crimson eyes scanning the crowd like a bored observer.
Amyra's heart skipped a beat.
His eyes were calm as always but from how he looked at her a moment longer said, her preparation hadn't gone to waste.
A smile appeared on her face. A radiant and bright smile as she walked towards him.
Alden, meanwhile, tilted his head.
Honestly the light was too bright for him to see anything. Especially from where he was seated.
He squinted his eyes slightly. The glare finally cleared.
He blinked once more, finally recognizing her dress, her hair, her—
…wait, why is she smiling like that?
Amyra walked down the stairs like she was floating. Her heels barely made a sound.
Every eye in the hall followed her.
And yet, to her, none of them even existed.
There was only one person who mattered right now.
One crimson-eyed idiot sitting in the corner with a half-confused, half-stiff expression as if unsure whether to smile or escape through the window.
She found that adorable.
By the time she reached him, most of the hall had turned back to their own conversations.
After all, it wasn't the first time a royal walked into a party.
But for Amyra—it was the first time she'd walked into one .
She stopped in front of the table.
"Hi," she said, her voice warm and just a little nervous.
Alden blinked. "Hey."
He would have said something more if not for thousands of glares coming his way.
He was already getting enough stares but Amyra walking towards him with a smile multiplied that by nearly a thousand.
Now almost all of the guests within the banquet were glaring at him.
Tsk. That's why I don't like parties.
It's either judging others or being judged by them.
Still, Alden wasn't one to get intimidated just by this much.
"So, what's the plan now?" he asked flatly. "And yes… I'm counting this as the first date out of three."
Amyra's smile brightened. "Sure… the plan is simple. Just do what people do on dates."
He had no idea what that meant.
In his past life, dates usually meant tagging along while Elena dragged him around until one of them gave up and left. There was never a "proper" formula.
So he asked, voice dry, "And what exactly is that supposed to be?"
Amyra gave a small shrug. "I don't know. Maybe… just enjoy."
Enjoy what, exactly? The glares? The noise? The ridiculous chandelier trying to blind me?
He didn't bother voicing it. She probably wouldn't answer in a way that made sense anyway.
Before he could speak again, Amyra took his arm.
"Let's dance," she said, already guiding him to his feet.
Of course. Make it even more dramatic. Just what I needed.
He sighed internally.
She really didn't care what anyone thought. Fine. He'd go along with it. Just long enough to get this over with.
Amyra gently pulled him toward the center of the hall, where couples already swayed to the rhythm of slow, orchestral music.
She placed one hand on his shoulder, the other slipping into his.
Alden followed her lead more out of obligation than interest.
His posture was stiff and his steps mechanical. He moved like someone trying not to knock over a priceless vase.
He had dancing skills surpassing all the people standing here… but he was sure if he showed those skills people would probably throw bananas at him.
So, he just followed Amyra's movement.
He was so close that he could almost feel her heartbeat. Her fragrance, which smelled like wild jasmine after rain, seemed strangely familiar to him.
Amyra smiled anyway. "You're not terrible."
"I'm not dancing," he muttered. "I'm moving in sync to avoid stepping on your dress."
"Same thing," she said with a quiet laugh.
He didn't reply. He just followed her movements.
The music guided them into another slow turn.
Amyra's steps were graceful, almost weightless as if the song played just for her.
And for a moment, she wasn't a princess, or a political symbol or someone under a thousand staring eyes. [A/N: Check Paragraph comment]
She just looked… happy.
Her face held a smile that wasn't meant for show.
Alden's gaze, which had mostly been fixed on the floor or the crowd, paused on her face for just a moment too long.
A memory flashed through his mind. Not his… but somehow, it was.
A girl laughing under a tree.
The wind carrying petals through the air.
That same smile, gentle and distant.
Alden's hand twitched slightly.
His steps faltered by half a beat.
What was that memory?
It felt too vivid to be an illusion. His mind burned as a name etched itself into his mind.
"…Lumyn," he whispered, not realizing he'd spoken aloud.
He didn't know who she was. But the name felt like it belonged to something he'd lost.
Amyra froze mid-step.
Her eyes widened. Then, slowly, a single tear slid down her cheek.
"W–what—?" she breathed.
I know this chapter was on the slower side and some of you might feel like the story isn't progressing much yet.
You're not wrong—and honestly, that's something I've been hearing from readers lately. I'm still working on finding the right pacing and I appreciate everyone who's stuck around so far.
That said, the next arc is where things really start moving. No more breathers for a while—plot, conflict and chaos are coming.
Thanks for reading and as always, feel free to drop your thoughts below. I read every comment. 🖤