The grand banquet hall buzzed with soft conversations, the gentle clink of silverware and crystal blending into the background. The adults had formed their own groups, deep in political discussions, while the children of noble families clustered together with Seraphina Pendragon at the center, all eager to impress her.
Ryan stood slightly apart, his gaze sweeping over the room. Seraphina was the star, and those around her were vying for her attention. One boy, Julian from the Alden family, was particularly eager to make his mark. Julian was trying hard, perhaps too hard, to impress not only Seraphina, but also Leo Lionhart and Vivienne Rosenthorne, who were standing nearby, watching with quiet interest.
As Julian boasted about his family, Ryan noticed Seraphina's faint smile, though her eyes revealed little. She listened politely, offering an occasional nod, but it was clear she was waiting for something more interesting to happen.
Ryan approached the group, his expression calm. But as soon as he joined the conversation, he noticed Julian's gaze sharpening—there was something more than just pride in Julian's eyes. Jealousy, Ryan realized. Of course. A countryside noble like me getting attention from Leo and Vivienne? That must sting.
Julian puffed out his chest, trying to maintain his dominance. "Seraphina, have I told you about my father's victory in the recent tournament? The Alden family has always been unbeatable, just like our reputation."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing, clearly uninterested. Ryan could see her subtle glances toward Leo and Vivienne, as if waiting for them to react. She was good at playing her role as the center of attention but seemed slightly bored by Julian's over-enthusiasm.
Ryan tilted his head slightly, already sensing the discomfort brewing beneath Julian's bravado. The boy was eager to prove himself, but Ryan had a different plan in mind. Gaining favor requires subtlety. Let's see if I can shift the attention. He smiled lightly, stepping into the conversation with calculated ease.
"Ah, the Aldens are indeed renowned for their strength," Ryan said, his tone smooth and casual. "Though I imagine that must be a heavy burden to carry, Julian. Always being compared to your father's achievements—how do you manage it?"
Julian's face twitched slightly, caught off guard. "I... well, it's a great honor..."
Ryan leaned in just enough, his voice light yet pointed. "Yes, but such high expectations must be exhausting. After all, no matter what you achieve, everyone will always remember what your father did first."
Julian's jaw clenched. "I don't think that's true. I'm more than capable of—"
Ryan cut him off, his expression sympathetic but with an edge of teasing. "Of course, Julian, of course. But surely you've felt it, right? That weight of expectation? Knowing that every step you take is being compared to someone else's glory?" He gave a casual shrug. "I wouldn't want to be in that position."
Julian shifted uncomfortably, visibly struggling to respond without sounding defensive. His earlier confidence now visibly shaken, and Ryan's powerful soul, though sealed, could pick up every flicker of uncertainty, the way Julian's posture tightened. Perfect, Ryan thought.
Seraphina, watching the exchange with a bit more interest now, smiled slightly. "Ryan, you have a way with words," she said, her tone amused. Her eyes lingered on Ryan for a moment longer than usual, as if sizing him up. "But let's not make Julian uncomfortable."
Ryan bowed his head slightly, offering Seraphina a warm smile. "Just a little friendly conversation, that's all."
Friendly indeed, Ryan thought with amusement. Now to win favor. He turned toward Leo and Vivienne, keeping his tone light. "But then again, expectations are a constant for all of us, aren't they? Even you, Leo—being from the royal family must come with its own challenges."
Leo, who had been observing the entire exchange, raised an eyebrow but smiled. "It does, but I'd like to think I handle it well enough. Besides, it's more about how we rise above expectations, isn't it?"
Ryan nodded. "Exactly. That's the key—to rise above. And Vivienne," Ryan added, smoothly shifting his focus, "I imagine court politics require you to constantly navigate expectations from all sides."
Vivienne's smile grew sharper, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Indeed, Ryan. You're quite perceptive."
Seraphina, observing the conversation, seemed intrigued by how easily Ryan had maneuvered his way into the dialogue, engaging both Leo and Vivienne. She gave Ryan an approving glance, as if silently acknowledging his cleverness. Good, Ryan thought. Her approval is key.
Julian, however, wasn't done. His frustration simmered into annoyance. "It's easy to talk about rising above when you come from the safety of a small, quiet corner of the kingdom," Julian muttered, trying to claw back some of his lost pride.
Ryan turned to face Julian, his expression still perfectly composed, but there was a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Oh, it's not as quiet as you'd think. Besides, isn't it nice to be underestimated? There's always room to surprise people when they least expect it."
Julian opened his mouth to respond, but Leo cut in with a chuckle. "I wouldn't underestimate Ryan, Julian. There's more to him than meets the eye."
Seraphina gave a slight nod, her gaze shifting to Ryan with renewed interest. "Indeed. You never know what surprises someone might hold."
Ryan nodded slightly to Leo and Seraphina in acknowledgment. Julian's jealousy, Leo's approval, Vivienne's intrigue, and now Seraphina's interest—it's all falling into place. His mind kept calculating as he let the conversation flow.
Just as Ryan was about to withdraw and blend back into the group, Seraphina spoke up again, her tone playful but with a hint of challenge. "Ryan, since you seem to be full of surprises tonight, why don't you share one with us?"
Ryan froze for a moment, caught off guard by her direct question. The eyes of the group turned toward him, waiting for his response. She's testing me, Ryan realized. I can't falter now.
He smiled, his mind working quickly. "A surprise, you say? Very well, I suppose I do have something that might intrigue you."