A solemn silence enveloped the hall, filling the air as the various nobles present awaited with anticipation the imminent words of the king. Only one section of the room was bathed in light, becoming a revealing sign of where the royal family would soon make their appearance. All eyes turned with anxiety, eager to unravel the true purpose behind this summons.
After a few minutes of anticipation, the royal family finally made their entrance. One by one, the king entered the room, followed by the queen, and shortly after, their children followed in their footsteps. The thoughts of those present aligned harmoniously, as was customary, the royal family emanated a dazzling aura. Although this fact was undeniable, the nobles couldn't help but once again marvel at the stunning beauty of the members of royalty.
Gradually, each member of the royal family took their seat with a serenity that enveloped the room in silence. After brief seconds that seemed like an eternity to the spectators, the king uttered the first words. His voice resonated with unquestionable majesty and authority, filling the space with a commanding presence.
"Esteemed nobles, I express my gratitude for answering my call on this occasion. I understand that many of you may be enveloped in questions about the purpose of this summons. However, before sharing the details, I wish to emphasize that this was a thoughtful decision on my part, and a frivolous approach to it will not be tolerated"
The king pronounced these words with an imposing demeanor that made everyone swallow hard, while the nobles, increasingly curious, awaited with anticipation the monarch's next statements.
"The purpose that brings us together today is to celebrate the wedding of my daughter, Emi"
The instant the king gave voice to these words, a wave of murmurs whispered through the room, with countless minds formulating questions about the identity of the suitor. Some nobles showed more evident surprise than others, especially those in higher positions, who did not expect such an announcement of a royal marriage without prior information. The mystery intensified, as none of them had the slightest clue about the identity of the future spouse.
As they anxiously awaited the king's next words, their gazes naturally converged onto Emi. As always, the nobles couldn't help but admire the radiant beauty of the nation's princess. Even her usually composed and undisturbed expressions held a unique charm, a part of her everyday personality. However, they were well aware that behind that expressionless mask lay an affectionate and warm soul that was observing them attentively.
"Please, come in"
As he uttered these words, a young man appeared before them. At first glance, he appeared to be around the same age as the princess, with light brown hair and eyes of the same shade. His stature could be described as delicate, though it revealed a shy trace of muscles. However, this initial impression of common appearance soon dissipated upon closer observation, revealing his true beauty. This was the shared thought of the attending nobles, all fixing their eyes on Ren.
Yet, this was not the reason for the unanimous surprise among the nobles present. The true reason lay in the fact that this young man was the same person who had been revolutionizing the world with his innovations and creations - a true genius of the century. Now, he was about to join his life with that of the princess of his country. For the nobles, this news was undoubtedly pleasing. Although there were some who were dissatisfied with the occasion, the majority recognized the latent potential in Ren, despite his modest origins in the nobility. They saw clearly the promising future that lay behind the facade, considering this marriage an ideal opportunity to align Ren's interests with those of the country.
***
As I heard the king's words, I took a slow step towards the exit of the place. Upon crossing the threshold, I realized that all eyes were converging in my direction. The truth is, that concentrated attention was surprisingly intimidating, each individual seemed to be analyzing me, looking for openings or opportunities. Keeping my gaze directed ahead, I struggled to avoid staring at the audience watching me.
Upon reaching the presence of the royal family, I was greeted by warm smiles from all the members present. This warm reception, thankfully, helped significantly ease my tension. On some level, I believe I already considered them as part of my family. After all, considering all that we've been through and all the conversations we've shared, such a feeling seemed natural.
"I would like to introduce to you Ren Orchid Solaris. Recently, he was honored with the title of Baron for his notable contributions during the war against Storne. Furthermore, due to his bravery in the recent assassination attempt, Ren risked his own safety to protect a member of the royal family, earning him a promotion to the title of Viscount"
As the king spoke his words, his gaze turned towards the nobles. My initial impression was that they didn't appear hostile, although I was aware of the underlying true reason. However, I confess that it didn't affect me much. If they believed they could manipulate me, then I was ready to witness their attempts. If they dared to threaten my family or Emi's, they were about to bear a high and severe cost for their actions.
"With all these considerations in mind, it is with great pleasure that, on my behalf, I announce that from this moment on, Ren Orchid Solaris becomes a member of the royal family and, furthermore, the betrothed of Emi. Today marks the birth of a new couple, a moment to be celebrated. I ask everyone to fully enjoy the festivities, toasting and savoring the pleasures of this day"
The king pronounced with a smile on his lips. In response to the monarch's words, all the nobles burst into applause, including my parents, Aria, and even Liam. With that, the next few minutes passed without major hitches. Overall, nobles I had never seen before approached us, blessing us, yet their smiles revealed ulterior motives. Even some lower-ranking nobles subtly tried to present their daughters as potential candidates. Although they didn't express it openly, their intentions weren't hard to decipher.