Ryan sat in his study, poring over the latest reports from his territory. The results of his efforts were finally beginning to show. His fiefdom, once stagnant, was now thriving with a newfound vitality. The Duskveil territory's revenue had risen by 15%, a modest start, but one that hinted at the potential for even greater prosperity. His strategies—cultivating rare herbs, optimizing trade routes, and employing efficient agricultural techniques from his past life—were beginning to bear fruit.
But as he stared out the window at the bustling streets below, his satisfaction was tempered by a deep unease. Despite their minor noble status, the Duskveil family held a peculiar position under Duke Robert Pendragon. The Duke, a figure of immense power and influence, had shown an unusual interest in their small territory. Ryan couldn't help but wonder: Why?
He knew the Duke's family all too well—Seraphina Pendragon, in particular. She was one of the central heroines in the game he had played, Fate of the Enchanted Realm. In the game, Seraphina had been a proud, sharp-witted noblewoman who was constantly at odds with her role in the political machinations of the noble court. Her route had been fraught with political intrigue, battles for power, and her struggle to reconcile her duties with her emotions.
Ryan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. In two days, they would be attending Seraphina's birthday banquet. It would be the first time he'd meet her—and the thought filled him with a mix of excitement and dread. This could change everything.
He knew too much. And yet, he couldn't predict how his actions would alter the world he now inhabited. The characters he once viewed through a screen were now living, breathing people with their own goals and emotions. Interacting with Seraphina, and other key figures, could set off a cascade of events, each more unpredictable than the last.
Just as he was lost in thought, a knock came at his door.
"Ryan, breakfast is ready," his mother's soft voice called from the hallway.
"Coming," he replied, taking one last look at the documents on his desk. The numbers might be improving, but it was the unknown variables—the human elements—that worried him most.
Entering the dining room, Ryan was greeted by the warm scent of freshly baked bread. His father, Roger Duskveil, sat at the head of the table, casually flipping through some papers. A broad-shouldered man with sharp features, Roger's air of authority was tempered by the simplicity of their life on the outskirts of Lyzandor. His mother, Helena, was gracefully setting the last of the dishes on the table. Her kind smile never failed to make the morning feel brighter.
"Morning, Ryan," Helena greeted him as she took her seat.
"Morning, Mother. Father," Ryan replied, taking his place at the table.
Roger glanced up, smiling briefly before returning to his papers. "You've been working hard these last few months. Plotting to take over the kingdom, are we?"
Ryan smirked, shaking his head as he buttered a slice of bread. "Not quite. But I've made some progress."
"Well, the numbers don't lie," Roger said, setting his papers down. "A 15% increase in revenue is no small feat. At this rate, I'll have to start calling you 'lord' in earnest."
Ryan chuckled, though his thoughts remained distant. His efforts had indeed made a difference, but in the grand scheme of things, it was just the beginning. The world was far more dangerous than his parents realized, and the Duskveil family's modest successes wouldn't shield them from what was coming.
As they ate, Ryan's mind drifted back to the upcoming banquet. He had never paid much attention to Seraphina Pendragon's route when he played the game, but now, he couldn't ignore it. She was more than just a character—she was a key player in the political arena, someone with the power to shift alliances and influence the fate of the kingdom. Meeting her would be a delicate dance, and one wrong step could unravel everything.
His absentmindedness didn't go unnoticed.
"You seem distracted today," Helena said gently, pouring him a cup of tea.
Ryan blinked, brought back to the present. "I'm just thinking about the banquet," he said, trying to sound casual.
Roger raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "Ah, the Duke's daughter's birthday. I've heard she's quite the beauty. You'd better be on your best behavior, son. You might charm your way into the Pendragon family."
Ryan's mouth twitched slightly. His father wasn't exactly known for his seriousness, but this time, the jest felt oddly out of place. Charm Seraphina? The idea was laughable. She was a political powerhouse, someone who commanded respect and fear in equal measure. This wasn't about charm; it was about survival.
Helena gave Roger a reproachful glance. "Don't tease him like that. It's just a birthday celebration, Ryan. I'm sure it will be a pleasant evening."
But Ryan knew better. Nothing in the world of Fate of the Enchanted Realm was ever simple. Beneath the surface of the festivities lay a web of alliances, rivalries, and hidden agendas. And now, he was tangled in it.
Roger chuckled, still amused by his own joke. "Well, if nothing else, it'll be a good chance for you to mingle with some other nobles. You've been cooped up here with your books and plans for too long. You'll forget how to talk to people."
Ryan smiled faintly, though the tension in his chest remained. He was walking into a world he knew too well and yet not at all. Two days from now, he would be surrounded by powerful nobles, and the weight of his knowledge pressed heavily on him. Every word, every gesture could alter the course of the future.