Ken stood before the dining hall doors, taking a deep breath before turning to Marvin and giving him a calm smile. Marvin stiffened at the unexpected gesture but remained silent.
Ken pushed the door open with steady steps, and the eyes of everyone in the room immediately turned to him. For a brief moment, his mind flashed back to that same scene four years ago, when he had entered with bowed head and broken gaze. But now, he stood tall, his chin raised, radiating confidence.
He greeted loudly and confidently:
"Good morning."
As usual, no one replied.
Seated at the table were the First Prince Adrian, the Second Prince Leon, and the Third Prince Darius, while the seat of the Fifth Princess Eliana remained empty.
Ken sat quietly, the hall engulfed in silence until Leon broke it with a mocking smile:
"Ken… I thought you had died alone like a coward."
Ken didn't respond, nor did he bow his head; he continued eating with deliberate appetite, ignoring Leon completely. Leon felt insulted and glanced at Darius, who immediately understood the subtle warning in his look.
Darius quickly reached for a plate piled with meat, pushing it toward Ken:
"Here you go, Ken. You must be hungry."
But the plate's momentum knocked against the soup bowl, almost spilling onto Ken. Quick as lightning, Ken pushed another plate aside to stop the spill, sending soup and food scraps flying onto Darius' clothes.
Silence fell over the hall, shock written on every face—servants, princes, even Adrian and Leon.
Darius rose angrily, but before he could speak, Ken stood calmly, grabbing a cloth from the table. He walked toward Darius in a cold tone:
"Oh, Brother Darius… I thought you were trying to replace me with the plate, but it seems a mistake has occurred. Let me fix it."
He reached Darius' side and tossed the cloth over his stomach. Before Darius could react, Ken struck a powerful punch through the cloth. Gasps of astonishment echoed, and Darius collapsed unconscious to the floor.
Leon leapt from his seat, stunned, shouting:
"What have you done!?"
Ken smiled coldly:
"Oh… it seems my method of correction was a little harsh."
Leon's shock deepened—not only at the act itself but at Ken's icy composure, excessive confidence, and that unwavering smile.
Ken then addressed the servants in a commanding tone:
"Send some good dishes to my room."
He turned his gaze to the head servant, standing behind Prince Adrian's chair, and fixed him with a piercing look that left the man flustered, confused at its meaning.
Finally, Ken turned to Marvin, speaking quietly:
"Accompany me to my room."
He left the hall with confident strides, leaving behind chaos and astonishment unlike anything anyone had witnessed. Leon simmered with anger and bewilderment, while Adrian remained silent, casting a cold glance at Ken before resuming his meal without comment.
…
Ken entered his room and threw himself onto the sofa with evident ease. Marvin stood, staring in amazement, muttering to himself:
"He did all that… and remains so cold? Four years have truly changed him."
Breaking the silence softly, Marvin asked:
"Your Highness… can we begin now? Why did you summon me?"
Ken opened his eyes, smiling:
"I want you to return to my service."
Marvin was taken aback:
"But… Your Highness, I—"
Ken cut him off sharply:
"I don't care about anyone else's opinions. No one has the right to reprimand or judge my servant except me. I want you back, not because I need a servant… but because I need you."
Surprise spread across Marvin's face, yet he beamed with overwhelming joy and bowed deeply:
"As you wish, Your Highness… I am honored to return to your service."
End of Chapter Five.