Then, one evening as they were having dinner, a knock came at the door. A servant opened it, and in walked Imperial.
"Hey, bro! You're back!" Tracey exclaimed, rushing to him. Everyone's faces lit up.
Imperial gave a faint smile and headed for his room to shower. When he returned for dinner, the rest had already finished, but none left the table. They stayed just to talk.
As he began eating, the silence was broken by Imperial. "I can tell… you've all been training hard."
The simple remark was enough to bring a shy smile to each face.
Then Imperial spoke again. "Dad, I have a favor to ask."
Cyrus felt a lump rise in his throat. This was the first time in his life Imperial had asked him for something. "Of course, son. Whatever it is, I'll do my best to make it happen."
Imperial didn't hesitate. "I want to attend the Eleven Supreme Family Summit."
Everyone froze.
Lyra drew a sharp breath. "Imperial, do you understand what this means? That summit is about you and Ari. You're a Red-Dot Criminal candidate. It will be dangerous. Too many people would love to capture or kill you."
Imperial met her gaze calmly. "Until the final decision is announced, I am still Imperial Alden. No 'Red-Dot' status is official until the summit concludes. I have a right to be there."
Cyrus thought for a moment and nodded slowly. "He's right. You're seventeen now — old enough to stand as the Alden family representative. And with the Everly Family sending their support, we now have forty percent of the votes in our favor." He placed a hand on Imperial's shoulder. "Very well. You can go."
Imperial smiled faintly. "Thank you, Father. We'll leave tomorrow morning."
With that, preparations began. The next morning, Imperial, along with the Drakes, and the Rowans, departed for the Pyronis Empire, where the summit would be held.
On the way, Imperial met Zeran, Magna, and Erika, who were acting as escorts for the families. Together, they spoke quietly about few think that they want to be between them only.
A day later, the party arrived in the Pyronis Empire. The land was a serene mix of mountains, rivers, and greenery. The Empire itself was divided into two halves: the left connected to the central Empire and ruled by the Hale Family, and the right, governed by the Everly Family. Both sides were beautifully built, and the people lived in peace under their respective rulers.
The royal army was stationed to escort the delegations from the port to the Summit site. They traveled by royal carriages until they arrived, where servants guided them to their assigned rooms.
The complex featured two buildings — one for the family representatives attending the summit, and one for their guards. As soon as word circulated that Imperial Alden and Ari Hale were present, security tightened significantly.
No one yet knew that this summit would turn the tables of the world itself.
The morning arrived, and representatives of the eleven royal families made their way to the grand hall where the Summit would be held. Strict rules were in place: only two guards were allowed per family representative, due to the already heightened security within the room. The tension was palpable — after all, Imperial Alden was attending, and many viewed him as the biggest threat of the era.
One member from each family as a representative entered and took their place at the massive, circular table. In the center, where the table curved inward, a man stood.
Each royal family's representative stood tall, flanked by two elite guards, each one overlord-ranked—their presence alone enough to silence the air with tension. The execution platform had become a gathering of giants.
Among them—
Ari and Ezren stood firm beside Zech, the representative of the Hale family, their eyes sharp, every movement measured. The weight of the past and the threat of the present shimmered behind their silence.
Not far from them, Zeran and Magna guarded the Drake family's representative, their auras radiating raw strength—unshaken, unyielding.
Dawn and Tracey stood at the side of Imperial Alden, like shadows of the storm he carried within. Even now, with the weight of betrayal and destiny hanging in the air, they stood with him.
And finally—
Erika, alone, yet unshakable, stood beside her father—the Rowan family's representative. No guards at her side.
She didn't need them.
Her blade was already drawn.
And her resolve was armor enough.
He spoke clearly, voice ringing across the room. "It's an honor for me to witness this Supreme Summit. My name is Peter, General of the Pyronis Empire, and I will be moderating the proceedings. Let us begin."
He glanced down at the documents before him and announced, "First, we review the case of Ari Hale, daughter of Zech and Kira Hale — the Princess of the Hale Family and one of the two Princesses of the Pyronis Empire.
"She has been charged with killing and injuring many royal soldiers. Even as a member of a royal house, she does not have the right to kill indiscriminately."
At that, a sound rose from across the room. Imperial Alden was leaning back in his chair, gazing at the ceiling, and laughing quietly. The sound drew the attention of every person present — some scowling, others looking puzzled.
The General pressed on. "Ari Hale is considered a threat to the people and the royal council itself. The petition in your hands allows you to mark whether you accept Ari Hale as a Red-Dot Criminal. If you agree, stamp the paper on the agreed portion. If you reject so stamp on rejected portion,"
He passed the papers out, one to each family representative. All watched as Zech Hale — worried, yet hopeful — glanced at Ari. Ari offered him a serene smile. In that moment, it was enough for him to fill out the form.
Then the results came in. General Peter announced aloud, "Six families have agreed. Four have refused." He looked towards the Everly Family. "Are you certain you do not wish to accept?"
A Everly Family elder replied firmly, "Yes. We stand by our decision."
"Very well," Peter said, repeating the confirmations for the other three families. The Hale Family refused to mark the paper. As a result, the motion failed. "With only 60% in favor, the request to mark Ari Hale as a Red-Dot Criminal is rejected. However, due to the nature of the incident, she will remain classified as an Orange-Dot Criminal."
Then came the second, and more anticipated, item on the agenda.
"Next, we review the case of Imperial Alden," announced General Peter. "Second son of Cyrus and Lyra Alden, one of the four Princes of the Voltaris Empire. Imperial Alden has been charged with numerous acts of destruction — including the killing of four Vice Generals, countless captains, and vice captains. He is the wielder of Dark Magic and is said to be the subject of an ancient prophecy foretelling doom upon the world."
The room fell into a tense silence. Whispers bubbled, and every gaze landed on Imperial. Even Ari and the others exchanged alarmed glances upon hearing of the prophecy — information that hadn't been revealed until this moment.
"The motion before you," the General continued, "is to mark Imperial Alden as a Red-Dot Criminal. Those in favor, stamp the paper. Those against, leave it blank."
The results came in quickly. "Six families in favor. Four families opposed."
Then the General announced, "Result: sixty percent in agreement, forty percent against. The Red-Dot status for Imperial Alden is rejected."
Everyone drew in a sharp breath. All except Imperial.
He held up a hand as the General was about to move on. "Wait." Imperial rose slowly, voice commanding. "Give me a pen."
He pulled one of the papers closer, wrote a few lines upon it, stamped it, and held it aloft.
All eyes widened.
"What is this?" General Peter asked sharply.
Imperial smiled faintly. "My stamp of agreement… with one condition. Red-Dot status means I am no longer an Alden. No longer tied to the Alden Family. No longer protected or represented by their name. If sixty percent of the families here accept this condition, I will accept the Red-Dot status myself."
Ari rose sharply from her seat. "Are you out of your mind, Imperial?!"
The General slammed a gavel, voice rising. "No guard or guest may speak during proceedings!"
Imperial ignored the outburst, looking squarely at the General. "I am waiting for their reply."
The families that had voted for Red-Dot status exchanged wary glances — and then, one by one, nodded.
"We accept the condition," announced one representative. "All six families accept."
Imperial smiled grimly. "Then here's my stamp." He pressed the paper down, submitting it with a quiet finality.
With that, the result was announced: seven families in agreement. Imperial Alden became the first Red-Dot Criminal in the history.
"The matter is settled," General Peter announced, voice shaking slightly. "This Summit is now concluded."
The families rose and departed, murmurs filling the air. Imperial ignored the stares and quietly left the chamber.
Each person felt the weight of the moment. The world had changed tonight, and everyone knew that when the morning sun raised, a new chapter — one that could shatter nations — would begin.