Chapter 4
One hundred years ago, there was a king who grew tired of the endless wars between kingdoms.
Determined to put an end to the bloodshed, he joined forces with the King of Vecterra.
After years of warfare, the two rulers succeeded in unifying the five neighboring kingdoms beneath a single banner.
The other kings knelt before the victor and acknowledged him as Emperor.
Thus, the Six Grand Duchies were born, and the Ernsted Empire was formed.
Tonight marked one hundred years since that historic day.
"And so I raise this toast to King—no, Emperor Arnold!"
The announcer raised his glass high.
"I raise this toast to the Six Grand Duchies!"
His voice echoed throughout the grand ballroom.
"And I raise this toast to the Ernsted Empire!"
Following his lead, every noble present raised their glasses.
"To the Ernsted Empire!"
The hall erupted with celebration.
Soft music filled the ballroom as nobles conversed beneath the warm glow of crystal chandeliers.
Men discussed politics, commerce, and military affairs.
Women admired dresses, exchanged pleasantries, and shared carefully concealed gossip.
Among the crowd, a tall man with a meticulously groomed beard and long white hair parted neatly down the middle approached another noble.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Grand Duke Renoc Vectorius."
His tone was refined and courteous.
Renoc smiled and extended his metallic prosthetic hand.
"If it isn't Sir Wayne Ravencrest. The pleasure is all mine."
Renoc Vectorius, the current ruler of the Northern Grand Duchy, possessed slicked-back black hair and emerald-green eyes.
Dark circles rested beneath them, while faint freckles dotted his face. Dressed in a sharp black suit beneath an elegant overcoat, he carried himself with the confidence expected of a Grand Duke.
"Sir Renoc, where are your wives?" Wayne asked with a political smile. "You're standing alone tonight, and if I recall correctly, you have three of them."
Renoc's smile remained.
"You know women. They enjoy speaking with other women far more than with us."
Wayne chuckled.
Renoc immediately countered.
"And where is your spouse, Sir Wayne? Come to think of it, I don't see your children either."
Wayne nodded knowingly.
"I understand your predicament. My wife disappeared with her friends the moment we arrived."
His gaze shifted toward the ballroom entrance.
"My children, however, are right there."
Renoc turned.
A pair of siblings were making their way through the crowd with graceful steps before stopping before the two nobles.
The boy bowed with one hand placed over his chest, wearing a flawless smile.
"I'm Alfred Ravencrest. I sincerely apologize for our tardiness. Unfortunately, we were delayed by unforeseen circumstances."
His younger sister followed with a respectful bow.
"I'm Elaria Ravencrest. I too apologize for being late."
Renoc's eyes softened with approval.
"Your children are remarkably well-spoken for their age, Sir Wayne."
Wayne smiled proudly.
"I'm glad you think so highly of them, Sir Renoc."
Then his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Speaking of our children, what would you think of a marriage alliance between the North and the East? Perhaps it's time our duchies put aside their differences."
Renoc's expression sharpened.
For several moments, he remained silent.
"A marriage alliance..."
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"That is an excellent idea. Truthfully, I've grown weary of our conflicts over the years."
His emerald eyes narrowed.
"Who did you have in mind?"
Neither Alfred nor Elaria reacted.
Among high nobles, discussions like this were far from unusual.
Wayne smiled politely.
"Your daughters are considerably older than my son."
He paused.
"I was actually thinking of my daughter."
His hand rested gently on Elaria's shoulder.
"I believe Elaria and your youngest son would make an excellent match."
Alfred visibly stiffened.
Beside him, Elaria quietly whispered,
"Brother, calm down. Grand Duke Renoc has two younger sons. It doesn't necessarily have to be him."
Alfred frowned.
"I don't like the idea of you marrying into the Vectorius family in the first place."
Elaria squeezed his hand reassuringly.
Meanwhile, Renoc's expression became strange.
"Allow me to call him over."
Turning his head, he called out,
"Carl! Come here for a moment."
Wayne blinked.
"What are you doing, Sir Renoc?"
"I'm calling my youngest son."
Wayne stared at him.
"I'm afraid I wasn't referring to Carl."
A brief silence followed.
"I meant Kaevorian."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
The smile vanished from Renoc's face.
The warmth disappeared from his eyes.
For the first time that evening, the Grand Duke looked genuinely displeased.
Even Alfred and Elaria noticed the sudden shift.
Renoc remained silent for several moments before speaking.
"Kaevorian."
The name left his mouth almost like an irritation.
Wayne's eyes narrowed.
"I take it there's a problem?"
Renoc looked away.
"There are many things about that boy that make him... difficult."
Alfred clenched his fists.
Elaria remained calm.
The conversation continued, but the celebration around them never stopped.
Music still played.
Nobles still laughed.
Glasses still clinked together.
Yet the atmosphere around the four of them had become noticeably colder.
Eventually, Alfred pulled Elaria away.
The two siblings moved toward a quieter section of the ballroom.
Only after they were a safe distance away did Alfred stop.
Elaria looked at her brother's back.
Concern filled her expression.
"There are no good rumors surrounding that boy," Alfred said quietly.
His voice carried genuine worry.
"What do you mean?" Elaria asked.
Alfred looked directly into her eyes.
"A student at Werya Academy insulted Kaevorian during lunch."
His expression darkened.
"Do you know what people say happened next?"
Elaria shook her head.
"The entire cafeteria fell silent."
His voice lowered.
"They say Kaevorian stabbed a fork through the boy's shoulder and twisted it in."
Elaria's eyes widened slightly.
"And after that?"
Alfred looked away.
"Nobody dared speak against him again."
Silence settled between them.
"Brother."
Elaria's voice softened.
"Since when did you start judging people based on rumors?"
Alfred laughed bitterly.
"Since my sister became a candidate to marry that monster."
The words had barely left his mouth.
Something slammed into Alfred's face with the force of a battering ram.
His body was launched backward.
He crashed across the polished floor before coming to a stop.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
The world seemed to freeze.
"Brother!"
Elaria screamed.
She rushed forward—
Only for a massive translucent gray wall of crystal-like mineral to erupt from the ground between them.
Her eyes widened in horror.
On the opposite side of the barrier, Alfred lay unconscious.
Wayne's head snapped toward the commotion.
The moment he saw his son lying in blood,
the color drained from his face.
Rage and panic surged into his eyes.
"Arbos Kalemont!"
His furious roar echoed throughout the ballroom.
A loud laugh answered him.
One by one, the nobles turned toward the source of the sound.
The celebration came to a halt.
And all eyes fell upon the man who had just struck Alfred.