A long velvet carpet stretched from the base of the grand staircase all the way to the gates of the banquet hall, its deep crimson surface pristine and untouched—as if even dust feared settling upon it. Crystal lamps lined its edges in perfect symmetry, their warm glow reflecting softly against polished marble. The light shimmered faintly, bending across the hall like a quiet invitation meant only for the worthy.
Ahead of me, several guests were already arriving. Nobles in tailored attire, heirs accompanied by attendants, influential figures wearing practiced smiles. Their movements were guided by armored guards stationed at precise intervals, each soldier standing rigid, eyes sharp, posture flawless.
Laughter and polite conversation drifted through the air, layered with the subtle rustle of silk, the faint clink of jewelry, and the low hum of restrained excitement. Every step forward felt rehearsed—like walking into a scene where everyone already knew their role.
Everyone except me.
As I passed the guards stationed at the entrance, I noticed it immediately.
None of them greeted me.
No respectful nod.No formal acknowledgment.Not even the shallow courtesy extended to minor nobles.
Their gazes slid past me as if I were invisible—no, worse—as if I simply didn't matter.
"So that's how it is," I thought calmly.
It wasn't surprising. Within noble circles, my reputation was… lacking. A weak heir. A name carried by blood alone. Someone present out of obligation rather than respect.
A noble in title only.
Ignoring the guards' indifference, I continued forward, letting my pace remain steady and unhurried. Reacting would only draw attention. Attention was the one thing I couldn't afford.
The massive doors of the main hall loomed ahead, carved with ancient sigils and symbols of authority—marks representing power, lineage, and conquest. Symbols I had once typed casually into a design document.
As I walked beneath them, I glanced upward at the majestic roof arching over the hall.
For a brief moment, irony brushed against my thoughts.
I had designed this place.
Every arch.Every chandelier.Every unnecessary display of excess.
Back then, it had been nothing more than scenery—a lavish backdrop meant to emphasize the gap between the powerful and the powerless.
Now, standing beneath it, I could only silently admire my own creation… and feel the weight of it pressing down on me.
Then—
A sharp, commanding voice echoed across the hall, slicing cleanly through the chatter.
"Attention!"
The shift was immediate.
Conversations halted mid-sentence. Laughter died in throats. Even the servants froze where they stood. At the same time, the lights of the banquet hall subtly adjusted, converging toward a single point near the entrance.
"Princess Henna and Princess Teena are making their way inside. Everyone, bow!"
The announcement rippled through the crowd like a wave.
In unison, nobles straightened their posture and lowered their heads. The air itself seemed to tighten—heavy with reverence, anticipation, and something closer to fear.
"She's here."
My fingers curled slightly at my side as I followed the crowd's movement, bowing just deeply enough to remain inconspicuous.
"I just hope she ignores my existence."
Princess Henna was not just royalty.
She was one of the future heroines. A central pillar of the protagonist's party. Someone fate itself seemed determined to protect and elevate.
Standing out in her presence wasn't risky.
It was suicidal.
I didn't want attention.I didn't want acknowledgment.
All I wanted was to pass through this night unnoticed—another nameless noble in a hall filled with people who mattered.
So I bowed, kept my expression neutral, and prayed—quietly, selfishly—that fate would look elsewhere.
Slow footsteps echoed from above.
Measured. Calm. Unhurried.
She descended the staircase without a hint of urgency, each step deliberate, as if the world itself would wait for her. Every eye in the hall followed her descent. Conversations remained dead. Music softened further, almost reverent.
Her black dress flowed behind her like living shadow.
Dark as midnight, it swallowed the surrounding light—yet her silver-white hair shimmered beneath the chandeliers' glow, catching gold and crystal alike.
It was like watching the moon fall from the heavens, wrapped in darkness.
Despite wearing not a single jewel, she looked more regal than anyone present.
No ornament could have added to her presence.
There was no mistaking it.
"This is…"
Princess Henna of the Kingdom.
I hadn't realized I was holding my breath until my chest began to ache. My gaze remained fixed on her as she entered the main hall, her deep ocean-blue eyes scanning the room—not curious, not impressed.
Judging.
Just behind her, a couple entered arm in arm, their steps perfectly synchronized.
The man, likely in his forties, wore an immaculate white suit. His blond hair was neatly combed, his mustache trimmed with care, and his gaze carried the calm authority of a ruler accustomed to obedience rather than request.
At his side walked a woman in her thirties, clad in a flowing white gown. Her long white hair draped softly over her shoulders, and her warm brown eyes brought a quiet gentleness to the cold marble hall.
I didn't need to guess who they were.
Before the couple reached the final step, the guards raised their swords in perfect unison, steel ringing softly as blades crossed.
"Long live the King!""Long live the Queen!"
Moments later, the entire banquet hall erupted into cheers as nobles rose from their seats and bowed deeply.
"…Ding."
The sound rang inside my head—utterly out of place.
As I lifted my glass, a translucent screen flickered into view.
[Quest 1 Initiated]
Title: Silver Spire AcademyObjective: Enroll in the AcademyCondition: Enroll before the end of this month
Penalty: Stub your toe every morning for one month
Reward: +1 Fate PointReward Skill:Override
Override: Temporarily increases the user's rank by one level for 10 minutesWeakness: After activation, the user experiences pain comparable to bone fractures and is unable to move for 3 minutes
"…What?"
I stared at the screen, blinking once. Then twice.
"The hell does that mean—stub my toe every morning?!"
That wasn't a penalty.
That was psychological warfare.
"No. No way…" I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.
I couldn't allow that.
Without hesitation, I selected Accept.
I was going to enroll in the academy anyway. And a skill like this—dangerous as it was—could mean the difference between survival and execution someday.
There was nothing to hesitate over.
As the screen faded, I exhaled slowly and straightened my posture. The banquet continued around me as if nothing had happened.
Then, wearing a polite, practiced smile, I began greeting nearby nobles and young masters—just enough to maintain appearances.
I couldn't afford to disappoint my family.
Not tonight.