Chapter 4 - Throne Room Tango (Or, Rei's Guide to Accidental Insurrection)

The throne room glittered under chandeliers the size of wagons, packed with nobles in peacock silks whispering about the "Calamity Sovereign." King Eldric, a bearded man with a crown too big for his nerves, gestured Rei forward. Lira trailed like a starry-eyed shadow, Squish (now a majestic, antlered fluff-beast) lounging on Rei's shoulder like a living epaulet.[System Notice: Host enters Power Nexus. Royal Favor: Tentative. Recommendation: Assert Dominance via Subtle Posture.]Rei slouched casually—system optimized it into a regal lean that screamed "I own this kingdom." Nobles gasped. "Such poise... he's already measuring us for the gallows!"Eldric cleared throat. "Great Sovereign, our scouts report demon armies massing. Your prophecy—""Prophecy? Look, I tripped on a slime. There's no—" Rei waved dismissively.[System Hint: Host denies visions. Optimizing for Oracle Authority. Voice: Prophetic Thunder engaged.]Rei's words rolled out like doom: "The demons crumble before the true shadow rises from within!"Silence. Then pandemonium. Nobles paled; one fainted. Eldric stammered, "Y-you mean... betrayal in our ranks?!"Lira nodded sagely. "The Sovereign exposes traitors! All hail the purger!"Princess Enters, Chaos DoublesDoors burst open. Enter Princess Elara: fiery red hair, leather armor under silk, eyes locked on Rei like he'd hung the moon (or burned it). She'd overheard "shadow rises" en route and decided Rei was signaling her secret rebel faction against her tyrant dad."Your words ignite my soul, Shadow Sovereign!" Elara dropped to one knee, slipping Rei a dagger etched with "Freedom's Edge." "Lead us against the throne's rot!"Rei blinked at the blade. "Uh, pretty knife? Thanks, but I—"[System Alert: Host accepts Insurrection Token. Revolution Quest Unlocked: Overthrow (Optional). Ally Acquired: Rebel Princess (Loyalty: Fanatic).]Eldric's face drained. "Daughter?! Treason?!" Guards shifted uneasily. Squish growled cutely—system broadcast it as "Doom Roar," cracking a marble pillar.Elara winked at Rei. "Your beast approves. Tonight, we strike the vaults?"Rei spluttered, "No striking! Coffee? Anyone?"Escape via EscalationNobles erupted in factions: pro-Rei zealots vs. "traitor hunters." Lira chanted blessings; Elara plotted coups. Rei bolted for a side door, muttering, "This is a nightmare..."[System Notice: Host flees wisely. Stealth Mode: Calamity Cloak activated. New Title: "Whispered Revolution." Kingdom Stability: -50%. Quest: Survive Dinner (Active).]Outside, festival fireworks lit the sky—villagers celebrating the "prophet's arrival." Elara caught up, grinning. "Our signal! To the shadows!"Rei sighed. Kingship? Try babysitting a rebellion.