Cracks Beneath the Gilded Hall
When the group returned to the hall, the atmosphere had subtly changed.
The music was still elegant, the chandeliers still poured down golden light, but the air felt tighter—as if something unseen was stretching, ready to snap. Conversations softened into polite murmurs. Eyes followed the elders as they took their places once more at the front.
The D'Aurelius patriarch rose slowly, leaning on his cane. His back was slightly bent with age, yet his gaze remained sharp, steady, carrying the authority of a man who had ruled a family empire for decades.
He lifted his glass first.
"Thank you," he said, voice calm but resonant, "to all our friends and guests who have come today to celebrate my birthday."
Applause rippled through the hall like a gentle tide.
Then, lowering his glass, the patriarch beckoned.
"Julian. Selene. Come here."
Julian D'Aurelius felt his scalp tighten. Selene Aurevale's expression remained composed, but her fingers brushed lightly against her gown, betraying a trace of tension.
They stepped forward together.
The patriarch smiled faintly and spoke again, his voice carrying clearly across the hall.
"Dear friends and family, I have another joyous announcement to share today."
He paused, letting anticipation bloom.
"The D'Aurelius Family has decided to form an alliance with the Aurevale Family. From today onwards, Selene Aurevale is half a granddaughter-in-law of our D'Aurelius Family."
For a heartbeat, there was silence.
Then—applause erupted.
The guests clapped enthusiastically, smiles blooming across refined faces. Congratulations flowed freely. Members of the Aurevale Family beamed, grinning from ear to ear, their pride impossible to hide.
At the edge of the hall, however, a glass froze mid-air.
In a shadowed corner, Evan—black hair, black eyes, dressed plainly among silks and tailored suits—slowly set his wine down.
The warmth drained from his face.
A dark, oppressive chill leaked from him like smoke from a cracked seal.
He stepped forward.
One step. Then another.
Each footfall carried a faint pressure, as if something heavy was grinding against the floor of reality itself.
His gaze locked onto Julian.
Murderous intent.
[Holy crap. He's coming. He's really coming—with killing intent. Damn it, why is it always like this? Am I destined to get beaten up today?]
Julian's inner voice screamed even as his face stayed stiffly polite.
Selene glanced sideways.
And she saw him.
Evan was indeed walking straight toward them, eyes cold, expression carved from ice.
Her heart skipped—not in excitement, but shock.
The Aurevale Family hadn't brought bodyguards tonight. There was no need. This was a birthday banquet, after all.
Yet here he was.
Just like Julian's inner voice had predicted.
"I do not agree to this marriage."
Evan stopped three meters away and spoke loudly, his voice sharp and frigid, cutting straight through the applause.
Silence fell like a dropped curtain.
Every gaze in the hall turned toward him.
The guests present were all noble families of Valemont, elites of Japan's upper circle. Aside from a few Aurevale members, no one recognized the young man standing there so brazenly.
Shan Aurevale narrowed his eyes.
He remembered now—this Evan was the newly hired bodyguard in his household.
Seeing him openly disrupt the banquet, Shan's expression darkened. He stepped forward, voice thunderous.
"Who do you think you are?" he shouted. "A mere bodyguard—and you think you have the right to interfere in the Aurevale Family's affairs?"
A flicker of killing intent flashed through Evan's eyes.
If not for the fact that the man speaking was Selene's father, blood would already have stained the marble floor.
I am the Obsidian King, Evan thought coldly.
Ruler of Obsidian Wing. King of Freelance Warriors abroad.
Even foreign royalty wouldn't dare speak to me like this.
He swept his gaze across the Aurevale elders, pointing at them one by one.
"The so-called prestigious Aurevale Family," he said with scorn, "sacrificing a woman's happiness for the sake of prosperity. Do you have no shame?"
[Hahaha—there it is. The classic speech.]
[First you accuse the family, then you play the righteous savior, then you beat someone half to death.]
[In the end, the family suffers, and you walk away with the beauty.]
[Ah, but of course—feel-good novel logic. Your success is built on other people's bones.]
Julian's inner commentary echoed again.
According to the original plot, Selene would have been forced by her family into this engagement.
At her most desperate moment, the Obsidian King would descend, break her chains, and take her away.
From then on, he would become her only pillar.
And she would become his first harem member.
But now—
Selene merely frowned.
She felt no excitement. No rescue. No fluttering heart.
Only irritation.
After hearing Julian's inner thoughts again and again, her entire perspective had shifted.
"This is outrageous!" Shan Aurevale roared. "A mere bodyguard dares to cause trouble. Throw him out!"
At once, a tall figure in a black suit strode forward.
This was Shera, head bodyguard of the D'Aurelius Family.
Black hair. Black eyes. Broad shoulders and a stance honed by years of combat. A retired special forces soldier—loyal, disciplined, dangerous.
In the original plot, he would have been the first to move.
And the first to die.
After that, it would have been Julian's turn.
"Don't," Julian blurted out, stepping forward quickly. He raised a hand to stop Shera. "Let's talk this out. It's my grandfather's birthday. Starting a fight would be inappropriate."
Shera halted instantly.
"Young Master."
Around them, murmurs spread.
"See? Young Master D'Aurelius has true class."
"He wouldn't lower himself to argue with a barbarian."
"If it were me, I'd drag him out and feed him to the dogs."
"He must be trying to steal Young Master D'Aurelius's woman."
"With that shabby appearance, does he even deserve it?"
"Julian, give him a line—shut him up!"
Praise and ridicule mixed together, voices rising.
A familiar rhythm.
Julian felt cold sweat break out.
Why are you all shouting?!
You enjoy trash-talking—I'm the one who ends up in the crematorium!
As expected, Evan's face darkened further.
Veins stood out faintly on his temple as he glared at Julian.
It's this bastard's fault.
If Julian hadn't pestered Selene, none of this would have happened.
[Why are you staring at me?!]
[I didn't curse you—I even stopped the bodyguards!]
[If you want to take her, just take her!]
[Don't come at me, you lunatic!]
A chill crept up Julian's spine.
This was the Obsidian King.
Even if every D'Aurelius bodyguard rushed him together, they wouldn't last ten seconds.
If Evan snapped, today would end with a funeral.
Mine.
Then—
Selene laughed.
The sound was light, sudden, completely out of place.
Evan froze.
Seeing her laugh, his expression softened slightly. He misunderstood it instantly.
She's laughing… because I stood up for her.
Confidence surged through him.
He straightened, lips curving into what he believed was a charming smile, and walked toward her.
"Selene," he said warmly, "no one can sacrifice your freedom for their own benefit. With me here, you can go wherever you want. Anyone who tries to stop you—will die."
Julian quietly took two steps back.
Excitement bubbled in his chest.
[Yes. Yes. Take her. Hurry up and leave.]
In the original plot, he would already be shouting orders, leading bodyguards into battle.
But now?
He had stopped them.
As long as Evan took Selene away, none of this would be his problem anymore.
Evan reached out, intending to grab Selene's hand.
Before his fingers could touch her—
She stepped back.
Twice.
Her face was cold, blue eyes sharp as frost.
"What are you doing?" Selene snapped. "Are you insane? When was my freedom ever sacrificed?"
Evan froze.
After listening to Julian's inner thoughts, Selene had already pieced it together.
This was a novel world.
And in the "normal" plot, she would have eloped by now.
The thought of becoming part of Evan's harem made her stomach twist with disgust.
Shock flickered across Evan's face, quickly followed by irritation.
She… rejected him?
Didn't she understand?
When the whole world betrayed her, he was the only one willing to betray the world for her.
Then he smiled again, forcing warmth into his voice.
"Selene, I know what you're afraid of," he said gently. "Don't worry. With me here, the D'Aurelius Family won't dare touch you."
As he spoke, he turned a cold gaze toward Julian.
She must be afraid because of him.
A mere Young Master D'Aurelius—what a joke.
If this were abroad, one order would be enough to have a hundred Freelance Warriors erase the D'Aurelius Family overnight.
[Are you brain-dead?]
[What does this have to do with me?]
[I even stopped the bodyguards!]
[And Selene—are you really acting this hard to protect him?]
[I'll give you a million Euros. Just leave already. Stop torturing me.]
Julian felt like collapsing.
Both of them were insane.
"You're overthinking it," Selene said coldly. She pointed toward the entrance. "You're just a bodyguard of the Aurevale Family. From today onward, you're fired. Leave immediately."
Anger flickered across her beautiful face.
But it wasn't only directed at Evan.
It was also aimed squarely at Julian.
Why does this bastard still think I have anything to do with Evan?
The more she spoke like this, the sweeter Evan felt inside.
She's protecting me.
She's deliberately playing the villain so I won't be implicated.
She really does have feelings for me.
No wonder she's the woman chosen by the Obsidian King.
Understanding. Considerate. Perfect.
His gaze softened even more. His smile grew confident, dazzling.
"Selene," he said firmly, "I won't leave you. With me by your side, you don't need to fear anything."
His eyes swept across the hall, filled with disdain.
"The D'Aurelius Family is nothing."