The Levicious Imperial Palace was far larger than Kyle had imagined.
Even after stepping out of his chambers, he found himself wandering through an endless maze of corridors. Polished marble floors reflected the golden light of crystal chandeliers above, and the walls were lined with enormous paintings of past emperors.
Each portrait seemed to stare down at him with silent judgment.
Kyle tried not to make eye contact.
"Seriously… this place is huge," he muttered under his breath.
Clara and Livia walked a few steps behind him, their footsteps light and quiet.
"Your Highness, should we summon a carriage?" Clara asked gently.
Kyle paused.
A carriage?
He imagined rolling through the city in some overly decorated royal vehicle while people bowed and whispered about the lazy prince.
Yeah… no.
Kyle shook his head.
"I'll walk."
Both maids blinked.
"Walk…?" Livia repeated in surprise.
Kyle nodded casually.
"I need some fresh air."
The truth was simple.
Kyle needed time to think.
Everything had happened too fast.
Just last night he had been a normal student struggling with homework.
Now he was a prince in another world.
And not just any prince.
A doomed prince.
Kyle exhaled slowly.
I need information.
The novel he had read months ago was long, and he didn't remember every detail. But he remembered the important parts.
The Levicious Empire.
Three princes fighting for power.
And a court filled with dangerous nobles.
If he wanted to survive, he needed to understand this world quickly.
The three of them reached the grand staircase leading toward the palace entrance.
As Kyle stepped down the stairs, he noticed the guards stationed nearby.
Each wore silver armor engraved with the imperial crest: a roaring lion surrounded by a ring of swords.
Their expressions were calm and disciplined.
Imperial knights.
Kyle suddenly remembered something.
In the novel, the empire's military was divided into several elite knight orders.
The most powerful of them all was the Levicious Knights.
And their commander was—
Kyle stopped walking.
At the bottom of the staircase stood a tall figure in dark armor.
The man's posture was straight and commanding.
A long crimson cloak flowed behind him, embroidered with the symbol of the knight order.
His silver armor gleamed faintly in the light.
But what caught Kyle's attention most was his face.
Sharp features.
Pale skin.
Long dark hair tied neatly behind his head.
And striking violet eyes that seemed calm but incredibly sharp.
The air around him felt tense.
The surrounding knights stood slightly straighter in his presence.
Kyle's heart skipped a beat.
No way…
The man turned his gaze toward Kyle.
Their eyes met.
Those violet eyes were piercing.
Observant.
Unwavering.
Kyle immediately recognized him.
Luis Stark.
Commander of the Levicious Knights.
One of the most powerful characters in the story.
And also—
An omega.
Luis Stark stepped forward.
The sound of his armored boots echoed through the hall.
He bowed slightly.
"Your Highness."
His voice was deep and controlled.
Kyle forced himself to stay calm.
"Oh… uh… Commander Stark."
Luis raised an eyebrow slightly.
Kyle immediately realized something.
Wait… how does the original Prince Kyle talk to him?
Unfortunately, Kyle's memory of the novel didn't include many conversations.
But he did remember one thing.
The original Prince Kyle often mocked Luis for being an omega.
Which was incredibly stupid considering Luis commanded the strongest knights in the empire.
Kyle cleared his throat.
"Well… good morning."
Luis studied him carefully.
There was a faint hint of surprise in his eyes.
It was subtle, but Kyle noticed it.
Luis bowed again.
"I came to report to His Majesty. I did not expect to encounter Your Highness here."
Kyle nodded.
"I was just heading out."
"Out?"
Luis looked slightly confused.
"Yes," Kyle replied casually. "I'm going to the city."
Silence filled the hallway.
Several nearby knights glanced at each other.
Even Clara and Livia looked nervous.
Luis frowned faintly.
"Your Highness wishes to leave the palace… on foot?"
Kyle shrugged.
"Why not?"
Luis stared at him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Luis stepped slightly closer.
"Your Highness collapsed during yesterday's banquet. The royal physician advised rest."
Kyle waved his hand dismissively.
"I'm fine."
Luis's gaze sharpened.
Something about the prince seemed… different.
Usually, Prince Kyle avoided him.
Or worse.
The prince had once loudly complained during a banquet that it was "shameful" for an omega to command knights.
Luis had ignored the insult.
But he had not forgotten it.
Yet today…
Prince Kyle was calm.
Polite.
Almost… normal.
Luis studied him carefully.
Kyle suddenly felt uncomfortable under that intense gaze.
This guy is way too observant.
He needed to end the conversation before Luis noticed something strange.
Kyle straightened his coat.
"Well then, Commander Stark, I'll be on my way."
He started walking toward the palace doors.
Luis hesitated for a moment.
Then he turned and followed.
Kyle stopped.
"…Why are you following me?"
Luis replied calmly.
"As commander of the imperial knights, it is my duty to ensure the safety of the royal family."
Kyle blinked.
"I'm just going to the city."
"Precisely."
Kyle sighed.
Great.
Now he had a knight commander babysitting him.
But arguing with him might attract even more attention.
Kyle shrugged.
"Fine. Do whatever you want."
Luis nodded.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Together they stepped outside the palace.
Kyle squinted slightly as sunlight filled his vision.
The imperial capital stretched before them.
It was magnificent.
Wide stone roads.
Towering buildings.
Colorful banners fluttering between rooftops.
The streets were filled with merchants, travelers, and citizens moving through the busy markets.
The smell of food drifted through the air.
Fresh bread.
Grilled meat.
Sweet pastries.
Kyle's stomach growled.
"…I'm hungry."
Luis glanced at him.
"There are restaurants nearby."
Kyle grinned slightly.
"Perfect."
They walked down the palace road together.
At first, people didn't recognize him.
But soon whispers began spreading through the crowd.
"Is that… Prince Kyle?"
"The prodigal prince?"
"What is he doing outside?"
Kyle pretended not to hear them.
But inside he sighed.
Wow… this guy's reputation is really bad.
Luis walked quietly beside him.
His presence alone made people step aside.
The commander's aura was intimidating.
Eventually they reached the central market district.
Colorful stalls lined both sides of the street.
Merchants shouted loudly to attract customers.
"Fresh fruit!"
"Fine fabrics!"
"Magic potions!"
Kyle's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Everything felt so alive.
He stopped in front of a bakery.
The smell was irresistible.
Kyle pointed at a tray of golden pastries.
"I'll take one of those."
The baker froze when he recognized the prince.
"Y-Your Highness?!"
Kyle blinked.
"Relax. I'm just buying bread."
The baker hurriedly wrapped several pastries and handed them over.
"No charge, Your Highness!"
Kyle frowned.
"No, I'll pay."
He turned to Luis.
"…Do I have money?"
Luis silently handed him a small pouch.
Kyle opened it.
Inside were several shining gold coins.
His eyes widened.
"Whoa."
He handed one to the baker.
The baker looked like he might faint.
Kyle grabbed a pastry and took a bite.
The warm sweetness melted in his mouth.
His eyes widened again.
"This is amazing."
Luis watched quietly.
The prince looked strangely… genuine.
Almost like a curious child exploring the world.
Very different from the arrogant noble Luis remembered.
Kyle finished the pastry quickly.
"Alright," he said. "Next stop."
Luis raised an eyebrow.
"Where does Your Highness wish to go?"
Kyle looked down the street thoughtfully.
Then he remembered something important.
In the novel, an underground slave auction happened soon.
And that was where Joshua Violet first appeared.
Kyle's expression grew serious.
If he remembered correctly…
That auction should be happening today.
Kyle looked toward the far end of the market district.
A narrow street disappeared into the lower city.
"That way."
Luis followed his gaze.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"That district is… not suitable for royalty."
Kyle smiled faintly.
"Exactly."
Luis frowned.
But he continued walking beside the prince.
The streets slowly became darker and more crowded.
The elegant shops disappeared.
In their place were rough taverns and shadowy alleys.
Kyle could feel people watching them carefully.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
Eventually they reached a large stone building guarded by several men.
A wooden sign hung above the entrance.
Kyle stopped.
His heart beat faster.
This was it.
The underground auction house.
Luis looked at the building.
His expression darkened.
"Your Highness… this is a slave market."
Kyle nodded.
"I know."
Luis turned toward him sharply.
"You know?"
Kyle smiled slightly.
"Yes."
He stepped toward the entrance.
Luis immediately grabbed his arm.
His grip was firm but not painful.
"Your Highness."
His voice was serious now.
"Slavery is legal in the empire, but this place is controlled by dangerous people."
Kyle met his gaze calmly.
"I'm not here for trouble."
Luis studied him carefully.
Then he slowly released his arm.
"…Very well."
The guards at the entrance quickly bowed when they recognized the prince.
"Welcome, Your Highness."
Kyle walked inside.
The room was dimly lit by lanterns.
Rows of seats surrounded a raised stage.
Several wealthy nobles and merchants were already gathered.
Some turned in surprise when they saw Prince Kyle enter.
Whispers immediately spread.
"The prodigal prince is here?"
"What is he doing in a slave auction?"
Kyle ignored them.
He sat down calmly in the front row.
Luis stood quietly behind him.
The auction soon began.
One slave after another was brought onto the stage.
Men.
Women.
Children.
Some looked scared.
Others looked empty.
Kyle's expression grew tense.
This world was beautiful.
But it was also cruel.
Finally—
The auctioneer's voice rang out again.
"Next item."
Two guards dragged a thin figure onto the stage.
The room fell silent.
Kyle's eyes widened slightly.
The boy looked young.
Maybe around eighteen.
Long violet hair fell over his shoulders.
His skin was pale.
His wrists were chained.
But even in such miserable condition…
He was breathtakingly beautiful.
His eyes were dull with exhaustion.
Yet they were a striking shade of amethyst.
The auctioneer grinned.
"A rare omega slave."
The crowd murmured excitedly.
Kyle's heart sank.
He recognized him immediately.
Joshua Violet.
The slave who would later change the fate of the empire.
Kyle leaned forward slowly.
His eyes hardened.
"Starting bid," the auctioneer announced loudly.
Kyle quietly raised his hand.
"I'll buy him."
The entire room turned to stare at the prodigal prince.