After the victory in the final tournament, Raven, inhabiting Alaric's body, felt that power in Veloria was now within his grasp. However, he knew that physical strength and magic alone were not enough to control a kingdom. To hold full control, he needed to understand the politics, relationships, and dynamics within the royal family.
That evening, a special dinner was held at the palace to celebrate Alaric's victory. The guests included prominent nobles, royal advisers, and of course, the royal family themselves. At the main dining table, the King, Queen, and Alaric's four siblings were already waiting for his arrival.
Before entering the dining room, Raven paused in the corridor, focusing his mind on delving into Alaric's memories about his family. "I need to make sure I speak to them as Alaric would," he thought.
Alaric's memories began flooding Raven's mind, providing a picture of each member of the royal family.
King Valerian, Alaric's father, a wise yet stern king. Around 55 years old, with gray hair and sharp blue eyes. King Valerian always demanded perfection from his children, especially Alaric, the heir to the throne. He had high hopes for Alaric but often offered sharp criticism to push his son to be better.
Queen Elyana, Alaric's mother, a graceful and loving woman with great inner strength. Queen Elyana, around 50 years old, has neatly styled dark brown hair and soft green eyes. She always served as a balancing force in the family, offering wise counsel and calm amidst conflicts.
Prince Thaddeus, Alaric's eldest brother, 30 years old, a respected military general throughout the kingdom. Thaddeus has an athletic build and a stern face, with short black hair and dark blue eyes. He is serious and disciplined, deeply loyal to his father but with his own ambitions to enhance the kingdom's military strength.
Princess Liliana, Alaric's second sister, 28 years old, an intelligent and skilled diplomat. Liliana has an elegant appearance with wavy dark brown hair and bright green eyes. She is known for her ability to read political situations and often acts as a mediator in the family, especially between Thaddeus and Alaric.
Prince Cedric, Alaric's younger brother, 22 years old, a talented magician with a cheerful and friendly personality. Cedric has bright blonde hair and light blue eyes. Despite being the youngest, Cedric is highly respected for his magical abilities and often provides Alaric with smart yet relaxed advice.
Princess Rosalind, Alaric's youngest sister, 18 years old, a gentle and affectionate girl. Rosalind has light brown hair and green eyes like her mother's. She is more interested in the arts and music rather than politics or military matters and is often seen as the "refreshing" presence in the family with her warm and cheerful personality.
After absorbing these memories, Raven felt more prepared to face the royal family. He stepped calmly into the spacious and lavish dining room, where the long table was already filled with delicious food and the finest wines. Candles lit brightly, providing a warm ambiance amidst the palace's opulence.
"Alaric, my son, congratulations on your victory!" King Valerian called out proudly as Raven entered the room.
Raven bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Father. It's all thanks to the lessons and guidance you've given me," he replied in the tone usually used by Alaric when speaking to his father.
King Valerian gave a small, approving smile and nodded, while Queen Elyana welcomed Raven with a warm smile. "We are all so proud of you, Alaric. You've proven yourself worthy of being the heir to the Velorian throne."
Raven took his seat, observing his siblings who were ready to start the dinner. Thaddeus, sitting to the right of King Valerian, gave Raven a small nod of recognition. Liliana, sitting next to Queen Elyana, looked at Raven with a thoughtful gaze.
"You fought very well, Alaric," Liliana said with a small smile. "I'm sure many are relieved to see you come out as the winner."
"Thank you, Liliana," Raven responded, maintaining Alaric's usual warm yet slightly formal tone. "I just did what was expected."
Cedric, sitting next to Raven, chuckled softly. "You really scared your opponents out there, Alaric! I almost felt sorry for them."
Raven smiled at Cedric, feeling the usual cheerful energy of his youngest brother. "That was part of the plan. Intimidating the opponents before they had a chance to fight back."
Princess Rosalind, sitting at the end of the table with a gentle smile on her face, looked at Raven with admiration. "I knew you would win, Alaric. You've always been a hero to all of us."
Raven felt increasingly comfortable with the family dynamics. He could sense that each family member had their own role and influence, and he needed to ensure that they all remained under his control.
As the meal was served, the conversation at the dining table was relaxed yet filled with important topics. King Valerian spoke about plans for military expansion, while Liliana provided her views on diplomacy with neighboring kingdoms. Cedric interspersed jokes into the conversation, trying to lighten the mood, while Rosalind mostly listened attentively.
Raven, who continued to delve into Alaric's memories during the conversation, maintained his demeanor as the Alaric they knew the intelligent, strong, and authoritative heir to the throne. Yet, beneath it all, he was continually planning his next steps.
When the discussion turned to the future of the kingdom, King Valerian looked at Raven seriously. "Alaric, after your victory, many are looking forward to the next steps. I want to hear your plans for Veloria's future."
Raven looked at his father calmly, feeling the weight of the words. "Father, Veloria has become a strong kingdom, but we must not become complacent. I plan to strengthen our alliances with neighboring kingdoms and expand our influence into other regions. We must also enhance our military capabilities to ensure that no one dares challenge Veloria's strength."
Thaddeus nodded in agreement. "I concur. Our military must remain the strongest in the region. But strong alliances are also crucial for maintaining stability."
Liliana added, "Diplomacy is key. If we can build good relationships with other kingdoms, we can extend our influence without having to use force."
Queen Elyana smiled softly, listening to her children with pride. "I have faith in all of you. Together, you will lead Veloria to even greater glory."
Raven gave a small smile, feeling that he had navigated this conversation well. However, he knew that to truly control the kingdom, he needed to be more than just a worthy heir he had to become an unshakable ruler.
As the dinner drew to a close, Raven glanced at Seraphina, who was seated at another table with the guests. Their eyes met, and Seraphina smiled warmly. Raven returned the smile with a subtle nod, reminding himself that he had firmly established his influence with Seraphina. He now had a loyal and powerful ally by his side, ready to serve any of his desires.
As the night grew late and everyone returned to their rooms, Raven stood on the balcony of his chamber, looking out over the palace. Under the star-filled night sky, he felt the cold wind on his face. Yet, within his heart burned a fiery desire to dominate, to conquer, and to become the true ruler of Veloria and the world around it.
"This is just the beginning," he thought. "With Seraphina by my side and the royal family under my control, I will bring this world into my grasp."
With that, Raven began to plot his next moves how to seize complete control over Veloria, manipulate the royal family, and expand his power until no one could oppose him.