Suddenly, a maid appeared beside Elise, leaning in to whisper something in her ear. Rou watched as Elise's expression shifted, her face paling, all traces of her earlier composure slipping away. He felt a flash of concern.
Rou:
[... Is something wrong?]
But Elise didn't answer. She merely looked at him, her face unreadable for a moment, before turning sharply down the hall.
Elise:
[Just… follow me.]
Rou did as she said, feeling tension build in his chest as he trailed her through the winding corridors. Soon, they reached the grand doors of the main hall, and when Elise pushed them open, Rou's breath caught. The massive room was filled with nobles, dressed in luxurious silks and adorned with glinting jewels, all waiting eagerly around the center of the hall where knights stood in gleaming armor, each one a testament to the strength and prestige of their own households.
Rou's stomach twisted as recognition dawned. This was the moment—the very event he remembered from the game. It was here, amidst the gathering of noble families, that Elise would begin her descent, pushed by the callous disregard of those closest to her.
He glanced at her and could see that the sight was hitting her hard. Despite her usual confidence, there was something brittle in her gaze as she took in the scene before them.
Rou looked back toward the knights, recalling the ritual that would take place. This was a formal selection ceremony, one where each knight was free to choose or refuse the noble who approached them. If a noble wanted to recruit a specific knight, they would step forward, extend their hand, and await the knight's response. Should the knight accept, they'd clasp the noble's hand and kneel, pledging their loyalty. But if the knight did nothing, it was a silent rejection, one that had been established by the king himself to uphold a fair, honorable system.
Rou's jaw tightened. He knew how this scene would unfold for Elise, the painful memories she would carry from this day onward.
As they entered the grand hall, the murmuring of the gathered nobles grew louder, their gazes turning toward Elise with a mix of judgment and disdain. Rou walked beside her, catching fragments of the whispers that carried through the room.
Noble 1:
[Isn't that the "cursed" girl? Poor thing—still without a trace of magic in her, despite her family's lineage.]
Noble 2:
[A shame, really. It's an embarrassment to the Vandorea name. Them upholding this important event and then having a daughter who can't perform even the simplest spell.]
Noble 3:
[Imagine thinking a knight would actually pledge themselves to her. Who would even consider it?]
The words stung, even for Rou, who glanced at Elise. He could see her shoulders tense, her hands clenched at her sides as she continued forward. Though her expression remained controlled, there was a slight tremor in her steps, a sign that she was bracing herself against the weight of their scorn.
Rou kept quiet, unwilling to intervene, but his gaze never left her. He knew she was fighting to hold herself together. He wanted to offer words of support, but he also understood that any sympathy might feel hollow amidst her family's ruthless judgment.
Suddenly, a loud, commanding voice echoed through the hall.
Voice:
[Presenting Lord Alistair Vandorea, head of the Vandorea family!]
The nobles turned toward the front of the hall as a tall, formidable man stepped forward, his presence radiating authority. Lord Alistair Vandorea was a man with piercing gray eyes and a stern expression, a leader known for his unwavering dedication to the Vandorea legacy and his reputation as a powerful mage. The room fell silent as he took his place at the podium, his gaze sweeping over the assembly.
Alistair:
[Welcome, esteemed guests and honored knights, to this year's Selection Ceremony. Today, we continue our kingdom's proud tradition of choosing the finest knights, warriors who shall carry our names and bring honor to our legacies.]
His voice was steady, yet there was an unspoken pressure behind his words, a demand for excellence. Rou noticed that Lord Alistair's gaze never once drifted to Elise, as though her presence was merely an afterthought.
Alistair:
[Now, without further delay, let the selection begin.]
With that, the hall was filled with an anticipatory silence, the nobles eager to claim their chosen knights.