The grand hall was vast and imposing, the air thick with tension as Solace stood before the King, Queen, and Princess Seraphine. The royal family sat upon their thrones—The King at the center, exuding an air of authority, with the Queen beside him, regal and composed, and Princess Seraphine by her side, her eyes curious and watchful. Solace remained still, his hands casually tucked in his pockets, his Faceless Mask hiding the beauty of his newly transformed face. There was no need for pretense; he wasn't here to impress anyone.
The three royal figures scrutinized him with their sharp eyes, their gazes heavy. The silence stretched on, broken only by the sounds of the occasional distant footstep and the soft rustle of royal robes.
"So, according to the information, you're 16, right?" The King's voice echoed through the hall, the words hanging in the air like a challenge.
"Right. I just turned 16 not too long ago," Solace replied calmly, his voice steady as he met the King's gaze.
The King raised an eyebrow. "A 16-year-old, Level 150?" His voice turned to an almost growl, the temperature in the room beginning to rise. Solace could feel the pressure in the air, the weight of the King's intentional force closing in on him.
Before Solace could react, the King's aurora of power flared, and suddenly, the air became thick with pressure. Solace's body buckled slightly, but he refused to kneel. His muscles screamed against the force, but he stood firm.
"Tell me, boy! Which kingdom sent you here as a spy?" The King's voice boomed, causing the walls to almost vibrate with authority.
Solace's eyes narrowed. This was too much. A spy? What the hell was this old man talking about?
The weight of the King's strength pressed down harder, and Solace's knees buckled under the force. His teeth gritted together as he tried to keep himself standing.
"W-what the f-fuck are you talking about, O-Old M-Man?" Solace's words were strained as he managed to speak under the crushing pressure. His voice trembled with frustration.
The Queen's eyes widened slightly at Solace's words, but she remained silent, observing the scene. The Princess, sitting next to her mother, merely watched, her expression unreadable.
The King's fury was evident. He slammed his fist against the armrest of his throne, causing the entire hall to shake. "SPEAK! TELL ME NOW OR YOU WILL NOT LEAVE IN ONE PIECE!" His voice reverberated through the room like thunder.
The pressure intensified, nearly choking the air out of Solace's lungs. He could feel himself starting to lose control, his vision swimming as the pressure mounted. His rage flared. How dare this man try to crush him like this?
"Enough, dear," came the Queen's voice, cutting through the tension like a blade. The King immediately halted, his power receding as the room cooled back to normal.
Solace gasped for air, struggling to regain his composure. His chest heaved, and his hands clenched into fists as he glared at the King, his blood boiling with irritation.
"Tell me, boy," the Queen continued, her voice softer but no less authoritative, "who sent you? There's no way you're a rogue cultivator at Level 150. Not to mention your age."
Solace shot a scathing look at the Queen, his eyes filled with disdain. "Tsk, believe whatever you want. How can you offer a competition then accuse me of being a spy?"
The Queen tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing in contemplation. After a long pause, she sighed. "Well, you're right about that. My apologies. Since you're not a spy, tell me... what do you seek in return for marrying into the royal family?"
Solace shrugged, his posture still relaxed. "Nothing. I just need a good place to live for a while." His tone was indifferent, his eyes scanning the room as if the conversation meant little to him.
The King and Queen exchanged a brief glance, their expressions unreadable. There was something about Solace that unnerved them, yet they couldn't quite put their fingers on it.
"Seraphine," the Queen said, her voice suddenly more gentle. "Go and show him to his room. Let the two of you chat for a while. We'll see you again tomorrow. It's getting a bit late."
Princess Seraphine stood, her eyes lingering on Solace for a moment before she nodded to her mother. She moved gracefully toward him, her steps light and purposeful.
Once they arrived at the room, Seraphine gestured for Solace to enter. She took a seat by the window, her posture poised and dignified. As Solace walked in, his mask still concealing his features, she looked at him with a sharp gaze.
"Let's get something clear," Seraphine began, her voice firm. "I won't be your wife. This is all a formality, so don't get your hopes up."
Solace looked at her, his gaze unreadable through the mask. He stood with his hands in his pockets, an air of unbothered indifference surrounding him. After a moment, he spoke, his voice calm and measured.
"I will say this once and only once," he began, his tone steady. "Don't say something you'll regret later. Anyways, I could care less about this marriage, so don't expect me to chase after you either."
He glanced at her info, his Abyssal Eye flashing for a second.
[Seraphine Sunbelt]
Race: Human
Age: 21 years old
Cultivation: Level 160
Solace's gaze lingered on the Princess for a moment before he looked away, his focus shifting back to the room. Seraphine seemed unaffected by his words, but a subtle glint in her eyes betrayed a curiosity—a question of her own.
"You're an interesting one, Solace," she said softly, almost as if to herself. "But don't think I'm going to be easy to win over. This isn't some fairy tale."
Solace didn't respond immediately. Instead, he took in the situation. The tension between them, the unspoken understanding of what this marriage meant—or rather, what it didn't mean. He wasn't here to woo her; he was here for something else entirely.
"I don't need you to be easy," he muttered under his breath, his voice low and quiet, but enough for Seraphine to hear. "I just need a roof over my head."
Seraphine raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. The silence hung between them, as both of them understood that this was only the beginning of a much larger game.