The fourth day of the grand celebrations in Elyndria was even livelier than the previous ones. Colorful banners hung across the streets, music echoed through the city, and performers filled every corner.
That morning, Nael received an invitation from his brothers to stroll around the city and enjoy the festival together.
Meanwhile, Leo had been summoned away.
His father had arrived to attend the royal banquet celebrating the birthday of the king, King Aurelian. Since Leo and Nael were now betrothed, Leo's family had official ties with the royal family, making their presence at the banquet necessary.
So for today, Nael was left in the care of his brothers.
—
Nael happily hooked his arms around his two elder brothers as they walked through the busy streets—his eldest brother Ravel on one side and his second brother Marcus on the other.
Their third brother wasn't with them yet.
Ravel glanced down at Nael and asked casually,
"Have you decided what you're going to give Father for his birthday?"
Nael froze mid-step.
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you didn't think of anything."
Nael immediately looked away, pretending to study a nearby stall.
"I've already thought of something," he said quickly.
Ravel narrowed his eyes slightly. "You're sure?"
Nael's smile stiffened, a small bead of sweat appearing on his forehead.
"Yesss, obviously! Haha!"
Before either brother could question him further, Nael quickly pointed somewhere ahead.
"What's happening over there, Brother?"
Ravel followed his finger and looked toward a small crowd gathering in the street.
"I think someone is performing stunts this time," he said. "Maybe a circus act."
Marcus looked down at Nael with a grin. "Want to see it?"
Nael pouted dramatically.
"I'm short unlike you two tall and sturdy brothers," he complained. "You can watch easily. I can't see anything."
Marcus didn't say another word.
Instead, he simply lifted Nael up.
"Hey—!"
But the protest quickly turned into excitement.
From his higher view, Nael could see everything clearly.
The performer in the center of the crowd took a deep breath before suddenly spitting a burst of bright flames from his mouth. The fire lit up the air in a dazzling flash.
"Woooah!"
Nael's eyes sparkled with amazement as he watched the stunt, completely thrilled.
The three brothers continued strolling through the bustling festival streets afterward, stopping at various stalls and enjoying the lively atmosphere.
Then suddenly—
"Nael."
A familiar voice called out.
Their third brother Adrien appeared, holding a small box filled with rare festival snacks.
Nael's attention snapped to him instantly.
His eyes locked onto the snacks.
And in the next moment, he had completely abandoned Ravel and Marcus.
Nael rushed over and hovered around Adrien like an excited puppy.
"My third brother! My good brother! My best brother!"
He clasped his hands dramatically while staring at the snacks with shining eyes.
Ravel and Marcus exchanged a look.
Just moments ago, Nael had been clinging to them.
Now they were forgotten.
All because of snacks.
Adrien raised an eyebrow, amused.
"These are rare festival treats," he said.
Nael gasped softly, eyes wide with admiration.
"Not just snacks," he declared seriously.
"It's a treasure." 🍡
Adrien gave his elder brothers a smug look, clearly enjoying his small victory.
Ravel and Marcus could only watch as Nael happily received the precious box of snacks, looking as if he had just been handed a chest of gold.
Nael carefully opened it, eyes shining with excitement.
But unfortunately, his happiness—and his luck—did not last long today.
Just as he was about to pick one up, someone suddenly bumped into him from behind.
"Ah—!"
The box slipped from his hands.
The snacks scattered across the ground.
For a moment, Nael just stood there frozen.
Then he slowly looked down at the fallen treats… his treasure.
His expression crumbled.
"My snacks…"
He looked utterly devastated.
Adrien and Ravel gently patted his shoulders, trying to comfort him, while Marcus immediately turned around, his expression darkening as he searched the crowd.
He was ready to throw hands.
But the person who had bumped into Nael had already disappeared into the busy festival streets.
Ravel frowned slightly.
Something about the situation felt strange.
Quietly, he signaled to a few hidden royal guards nearby.
"Investigate," he ordered under his breath.
The guards disappeared into the crowd.
Not long after, the brothers returned to the palace with Nael in the center, looking extremely pitiful. His shoulders drooped and his steps were slow, as if he had lost something irreplaceable.
—
Later that evening, after sending Nael back to rest, Ravel finally received a report.
The guard approached him privately while he was alone.
"My lord," the guard said quietly. "We found the person."
Ravel's gaze sharpened. "Who was it?"
"A nobleman who attended Prince Nael's engagement banquet. He once sought to marry the prince. When his proposal was rejected, he grew resentful… and unstable."
Ravel's expression turned cold.
"So that was his way of venting his anger just by dropping some snacks."
Guards spoke " no my lord we found some needles which were poisened but he couldn't use because of the crowd"
Ravel's expressions were unreadable at this moment. But
Before he could say anything, a voice came from behind him.
"Let me deal with him, brother."
Ravel turned slightly.
Marcus stepped forward from the shadows. It seemed he had been listening the whole time.
Ravel studied him for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Fine."
Then he added calmly,
"Just… hold back a little, now is the prosperous time for our country, alright?"
Marcus smiled.
But it was not a comforting smile.
It was the kind that made people nervous.
His eyes glinted with something dangerous as if silently replying—
You must be joking.