I stepped out of my bedroom, the heavy wooden door closing softly behind me.
Then i looked down the long hallway stretching before me.
"…Right."
This place.
The Arkwright Castle.Possessing the family name of the man who made it for his friend who was the first emperor.
Even though i had woken up here only a short time ago, the architecture felt strangely familiar.
Not because i had lived here before but because he had explored it many time in the game when he was playing it.
"Arcadia really didn't lie about the scale…"
I began walking down the corridor, my footsteps echoing faintly against the polished stone floor.
Tall windows allowed sunlight to pour inside, illuminating the hallway with warm golden light.
Expensive carpets stretched across the ground.
Decorated pillars stood along the walls.
Paintings and sculptures were placed with careful precision.
Even as someone who had helped work on the game's lore, Edward couldn't help but be impressed.
The difference between the game and reality was enormous.Now he didn't see it behind a screen but everything was before him now.
This place is enormous…"
Back when Arcadia was just a game, players could freely explore large parts of the castle.
Several early quests took place here.
The first meeting with the emperor some political reunion and even secret meeting with the femal lead resulting in spicy scene.
But there were also many restricted areas players couldn't enter.
Edward scratched his cheek thoughtfully.
"That probably explains why I didn't recognize my bedroom earlier…"
In the game, Edward Arkwright was barely more than a background character.
Just the son of the vassal families of the emperor.
Thought calling it families was a exaggeration since only his... I mean the mother of Edward and himself was the part of it.
Even so his personal quarter was never shown.Which meant that when i woke up earlier…
I had absolutely no idea where k was."Good thing this place looks familiar enough…"
Still, the castle was huge.
After several turns through long hallways and staircases, i realized something unfortunate.
"…I'm lost."He sighed."Of course I am."
I don't have a map who show right beside the screen telling me how to move. Neither a little arrow telling me where to go.
"Now I understand why the game have map in them"I said as I continued walked anyway.
After many minute of walking the hallway opened into a much larger chamber.
I stopped as I looked at it. The room was vast, the ceiling was high, supported by marble pillars but what filled the room the most were the portraits.
Dozens of them.
Massive paintings hung along both walls.
Each one depicted a different person dressed in royal attire.
Men and women.
It was after a moment that I recognized one of the portrait who was showing the first emperor and after some inspection I remembered more and more face.
Those people were king and queen. All of them being generation of ruler.
Which mean that this was...
"The Hall of Monarchs."
In the game, this place was known as the hall where the portraits of the royal family were displayed.
Past emperors.
Past queens.
Royal heirs.
It was both a symbol of pride…
And a reminder of the empire's long history.
"Wait..." I frowned Slightly as I remembered something."…This place is restricted."
Players could enter this room in the game only during specific story quests or when the femal lead sneak up with us for showing it.
Ordinary people weren't supposed to wander here.
"Yeah… I should probably leave."
I turned around to leave but before i could take more than two steps___
"Edward?"
'Shit me and my luck need a face to face talk' I thought as I slowly turned around facing the owner of the voice.
And seeing who it was make me more to punch my luck.
Standing several meters away was a young woman.
She wore elegant royal attire decorated with silver embroidery.
Her long blue hair flowed down her back like water.
Her eyes were a brilliant golden color, shining softly under the light of the hall.
Even without the game knowledge, anyone would immediately recognize her status.
A princess.
I needed to control every instinct in my body for not running away.
This?was exactly the scenario I wanted to not be but I already knew it could happen since she was living her.
Princess Elizabeth Aurelia.The Third Princess of the Empire and also the femal lead of the game ans one of the top three most popular characters in the game in her first Launch.
"Your Highness." I said as I bowed respectfully.
But before I could finish the normal greeting elowen raised her hand to stop me.
"I told you to stop calling me like that.call me eli. E-l-i. She said with a pout on her face.
'How cute'
Wait what am I thinking get a grip of yourself ed, you need to get out of this situation.
" I'm sorry your Highness but I don't think it would be respectful to talk to you do casually" I said with all the respect I could as I straightened slowly.
I needed to put distance between me and her before some bullshit take place and deviate the story and make her fall for me like in those novel.
"You're always like this."
I blinked for a second.
"I beg your pardon?"
"You're always so formal."She crossed her arms slightly." Your family is very close to the royal family and have more history than many noble house in the empire and yet you always so formal with me and everyone."
I really didn't know what to say because in the game, Princess Elizabeth was known for being gentle and kind.
But she was also somewhat shy.
Seeing her speak so casually was… unexpected.
Before I could even respond to her she suddenly advanced toward me and clapped his hand together.
"Actually… since we're already here…" She began talking with hesitation"Would you like to walk with me?"
"Huh?" I was momentary taken aback by his proposition.
This wasn't in my plan at all. My plan was simple Stay invisible avoid the main story, avoid important characters and avoid trouble.
"Great!let's go!"
Unfortunately… for me Elizabeth was a very enthusiastic person and she didn't even wait my answer that she grabbed my arm and began pulling me toward the corridor.
"Wai___"
I didn't even give my consensual I this kidnapping.
****
As we walked through the castle halls filling with many servant.
Every one of them quickly stepped aside and bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness."
"Your Highness."
Elizabeth responded with a bright smile on his face following quickly with a little bow.
But I noticed something every time a servant passed her grip on my arm became tighter as if she was almost nervous.
'Well considering her personality it's not a surprise' even the servant have remarked it but considering she was very liked by them they didn't mind enough.
After walking a little time Elizabeth turned his around verifying if nobody followed us then she spoke:
"Ed…"
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"…What do you think about ethan?"
I frowned Slightly at his question.
Ethan veyr
The protagonist of Arcadia.
The illegitimate son of one of the veyr families one of the six great family in the empire.
A boy conceived my mistake born in seclusion raised without live and destined to disappear.
But tonight he will awaken three divine art and become a unstoppable force with a mission:
Defeat a constellation.
That was what was said in the game but personally after playing and making the game I could tell personally that Ethan was just a child.
A child who search desperately the recognition of those around him and not someone who know what he wanted really.
But in general he was a good person could make a difference between the good and the necessary thing.
I really didn't wanted to say it aloud and Im sure Edward doesn't have a relationship with Ethan so I just say nothing.
And seeing it Elizabeth asked me another question:
"Do you think… he will awaken an Art tonight?"
Her voice sounded uncertain.
"Maybe if he does… people will stop bullying him."
I glanced at her as inside my mind, memories from the game surfaced.
Princess elizabeth was one of the few characters who treated Lucian kindly in the early story.
That was one of the reasons players loved her.
She was compassionate.
Genuine.
Kind.
And didn't judge other for their statue.
She had even been one of the most popular romance options.
"I believe he will be fine" I said with a bright smile on my face.
The worry in her eyes began to fade as she listened to me.
"Really?"
"Yes."i spoke calmly.
"I think ethan will accomplish many great things."
Well he was the protagonist so of course he was going to accomplish many thing but that was something I only knew.
"I hope so too" she said with contents but I could see that the worry in her eyes didn't fade away.
Tonight was the Art awakening ceremony it was the moment where everyone would know if they will useful or discarded for the rest of their live.
She was one of those people who was afraid but contrary to other she have more pressure on her.
Deep down she was afraid;afraid of awakening something weak,afraid of disappointing everyone,afraid of not being worthy of her royal blood.
I really wanted to say that everything will be fine that she will awaken something powerful too, something that will make her worthy and admired and being remembered as a Saint on the future.
I didn't say anything, I don't have to say anything everything will happen naturally and I don't want to distord anything.
"Ed"
"Yes"
"I hope you awaken a powerful Art."
"Thanks but why?"
"Why?" She tilted her head slightly" because I wish great thing for you as a friend isn't that normal? And also you are very kind and gentle person even if you don't show it. Your mask won't work on me.
"Thanks you then" well look like the original Edward was a kuudere and she was one old the only one who could pierce thought his mask.
No wonder she will awaken a Art related to sentient.
"And you're ethan best friend too" the last sentence frozen my brain for a second.
What does she mean by best friend?Ethan never mentioned Edward as a friend in the game he rarely spoke of him in the game.
Before i could ask what does she meant by best best friend a cold voice suddenly echoed through the corridor.
"Princess Elizabeth..."