Suddenly, a tall, broad-shouldered man in a regal robe stepped forward, a graceful woman at his side. Their presence alone carried dignity, their every movement refined.
They stopped before Kaito and Aria, bowing deeply.
"Please forgive our daughter's rudeness," the man said, his voice steady yet strained. "We did not know that you were the Imperial Prince himself. Your attire and appearance resembled that of a commoner. None of us expected the star of tonight's banquet to appear in disguise."
Whispers erupted across the hall.
"Yeah… how were we supposed to know he was the Imperial Prince?"
"What in the world is he doing, dressed like that?"
"How do they expect us to treat him as royalty when he looked like a beggar?"
"This isn't our fault. Anyone would have thought the same."
Their muttering grew louder and louder until —
Silence!!!
A thunderous sound cracked through the hall as an overwhelming pressure descended. The air itself grew heavy, mana pressing against flesh and bone until not a single person could move. One by one, nobles and royals alike collapsed to their knees, sweat beading down their foreheads.
"All hail the Emperor!"
"All hail the Emperor!"
The guards shouted in unison, their voices echoing like war drums. And then he appeared.
The man. The legend. The strongest vessel. The Emperor himself.
A man whose single command could summon millions of troops. A man who could erase an entire city in minutes. A man who had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, standing above all others.
The one hailed as the supreme ruler of the greatest empire of mankind—
Reyzen Bloodcrest.
"What is going on here? Explain, Romen Eryndor."
Reyzen's voice did not sound like a question. With the weight of his presence, it was a command. A demand for truth. And not just truth—every detail. For all knew, if even a single part was left unsaid, none could guess what punishment might follow.
Romen's body trembled under the crushing pressure, the air itself refusing to enter his lungs. His throat felt as though iron chains had clamped shut. Still, he forced words through ragged breaths.
"S-sorry… for causing a commotion, Your Imperial Majesty. I… I beg forgiveness for my daughter's rude behavior. Please… please grant us mercy, just this once."
Reyzen's eyes narrowed, his voice crashing over the hall like a storm.
"Did I ask for forgiveness?"
The roar was calm and controlled, yet as ferocious as a beast's. Nobles shivered, the hairs on their arms rising. The very hall seemed to shake with the weight of it.
"H-huff… huff… f-forgive my impudence, Your Majesty!" Romen gasped, sweat running down his face as he sank even lower, nearly collapsing under the pressure. "I-I will explain everything."
He swallowed hard, words tumbling out as if his life depended on them.
"Just moments ago, Imperial Prince Kaito Bloodcrest entered the banquet… in an unusual attire. None of us recognized him. He appeared… like a commoner, one who had no place here. Some guests foolishly... suspected him of sneaking in. They called him… 'beggar,' 'rat'…" His voice cracked. "My daughter was one of them."
He dared not pause, for silence in front of Reyzen was death itself.
"She… she confronted the Prince. She told him to leave, or… or die, as punishment for intruding into Bloodcrest Castle."
The hall fell still, every ear hanging on his words.
"Lady Aria then arrived. She heard it all. Enraged, she drew her blade to strike down my daughter… but Captain Elric intervened at the last moment. That is the truth of this ruckus. Nothing more, nothing less. I… I immediately lowered myself and begged for their forgiveness to save my daughter and then you arrived." His head nearly touched the floor now, his voice breaking. "Please, Your Majesty… my daughter is still a child. I swear, once we return home, I will discipline her. I will teach her the weight of her words. Please… forgive us this one time."
Reyzen's gaze fell upon me. Not the warmth of a father's eyes, but the merciless weight of a predator sizing its prey. No blood, no bond softened that stare.
"Why are you here in such attire, Kaito?"
His voice was heavy, carrying the authority of an emperor, yet buried within it was a restraint—as if he forced himself to speak as a father, not as the ruler of an empire.
So this is the second time he addresses me, and it's about my clothes? Hah. Very well. If I want to live, I'll swallow my pride and play the obedient son.
I bowed my head.
"Forgive me for disturbing today's banquet, Father. I was consumed in training, desperate to compensate for my lack of strength and technique. In that focus, I lost all sense of time. It was only when my shadow guardians reminded me that I rushed here. I never intended to appear before the court in such a state. I beg for your pardon."
That should be enough. Humble, reasonable, apologetic. He can't punish me for that… right?
Reyzen's eyes shifted. "Aria. Do you have anything to say?"
My sister stepped forward, her golden eyes burning. She smiled faintly, a cruel twist masked beneath her noble grace.
"I do not have much to say, Father. All I ask is… execute this small bitch right now. She dares threaten Kaito in front of me? I'll fucking tear her to pieces right here is what I'd like to say but I must mind my words, befitting an imperial princess."
"With your permission, Father, I would simply request one thing…" Her voice was calm, her words chosen carefully, befitting an imperial princess. But I could feel the storm raging beneath them. "The one who dared raise her voice against Kaito in my presence… should be executed where she stands."
Her tone never broke, never faltered, yet every syllable carried the promise of violence. I knew her well enough to understand what she truly wants to say. I bet in her mind she is swearing at Kaori and probably wants to tear her to shreads right here right now even in front of father. That's just how she is.