The grand hall of the royal palace was a dazzling display of opulence. Intricately carved marble pillars lined the room, and golden chandeliers cast a warm glow over the assembly. Nobles from every corner of the kingdom gathered, their voices filling the air with hushed gossip and strategic whispers.
Elias entered the hall wearing the formal attire of House Elgard, a deep navy coat embroidered with silver accents. The weight of the family crest pinned to his chest felt heavier than it should, a constant reminder of the expectations he was forced to shoulder.
As he scanned the room, he spotted familiar faces—members of noble houses who often appeared in the background of the original story. Yet now, they were all too real, their sharp gazes assessing everyone, including him.
"Elias!"
Turning, he found himself face-to-face with Seraphina. She looked stunning in an emerald gown, her fiery red hair tied back elegantly. Behind her was Leon, ever the charismatic hero, flanked by several other students from the Academy.
"You clean up well," Seraphina said with a smirk. "For a third-rate villain."
Elias rolled his eyes. "Glad to see your sense of humor survived the journey."
Leon stepped forward, clapping Elias on the shoulder. "I didn't expect to see you here. Representing House Elgard, I presume?"
"Unfortunately," Elias replied. "And you? Here to charm the masses?"
"Something like that," Leon said with a grin. "But you might want to keep an eye out. There's talk of a surprise announcement from the royal family tonight."
Elias frowned. "What kind of announcement?"
Before Leon could answer, a herald's voice echoed through the hall. "Presenting Their Majesties, King Alden and Queen Selene!"
The room fell silent as the royal couple entered, their regal presence commanding attention. King Alden, a tall man with silver-streaked hair, radiated authority, while Queen Selene's serene smile masked a sharp intellect.
Once they were seated, the herald continued, "And now, Crown Prince Damian."
Elias stiffened as Damian entered the hall. The Crown Prince was a key figure in the story, known for his cunning and ambition. His dark hair and piercing blue eyes seemed to scan the room, lingering briefly on Elias before moving on.
As Damian approached the podium, the crowd held its breath. "Thank you all for attending," he began, his voice smooth and confident. "Tonight, we honor not only the bonds of our noble houses but the future of our kingdom."
Elias felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. The system chimed softly:
Damian continued, "In light of recent events, the Crown has decided to appoint special envoys to investigate the rise in corrupted mana throughout the kingdom. These envoys will work closely with the Academy and the noble houses to uncover the truth behind this threat."
Murmurs spread through the room. Elias's mind raced. Special envoys? This wasn't part of the original story.
"And now," Damian said, a sly smile playing on his lips, "we will announce the first set of envoys."
The tension in the room was palpable. Elias prayed to every deity he could think of to be left out of this.
"From House Elgard," Damian announced, "Elias Elgard."
The world seemed to tilt. Elias felt every pair of eyes in the room turn toward him. Leon gave him a surprised look, while Seraphina's smirk grew wider.
Elias forced a polite smile as he stepped forward, his mind racing. Why me? What's Damian playing at?
As he reached the front, Damian extended a hand. "I trust you'll serve the kingdom well, Elias."
Elias shook his hand, feeling the Crown Prince's firm grip and the weight of expectations settling on his shoulders. The system chimed again:
Returning to his place, Elias kept his expression neutral despite the storm brewing inside him. He caught Leon's amused grin and Seraphina's raised eyebrow.
"Looks like you're moving up in the world," Leon teased as the assembly resumed.
Elias sighed. "Let's hope I don't fall off the ladder."
One thing was clear—his goal of staying out of the spotlight had just become much harder.