We can see a boy standing before a tall, ornate mirror, his reflection staring back at him with calm determination.
A group of eight maids stood silently behind him, perfectly arranged in two lines, their posture straight and their eyes lowered. Each of them was ready—trained to respond instantly to even the smallest gesture or command from the prince. Their presence filled the chamber with a quiet air of formality, a reminder of the authority and status he carried by blood.
The boy has black hair and deep brown eyes. At first glance, his features seem ordinary, yet there is an undeniable sharpness in his gaze that sets him apart. His skin is fair, smooth and youthful, carrying a natural glow of vitality. His body is well-built for his age—not overly muscular, but strong and proportionate, with the firmness of someone who trains diligently. Despite his young years, there is a balance and symmetry in his face that makes him strikingly handsome, the kind of presence that draws attention without effort.
His name is Renyus Aurelian Eldoria, the youngest prince of the vast and powerful Eldoria Empire, and today held great significance for him. "It is time… Today is the grand celebration of my birthday, and tomorrow… tomorrow I will do it. I will leave all of this behind and go somewhere far away—alone, free of chains, free of duties, free of expectations," he thought to himself.
For many years, Renyus had prepared for this very moment. Through relentless training, cunning decisions, and careful planning, he had gained enough strength, knowledge, and hidden resources to secure his independence. He was no longer just a sheltered prince but a young man who had quietly forged his own path in the shadows of the imperial court. He had gathered wealth beyond what most nobles could dream of, built connections in secret, and mastered abilities that few would believe a boy of his age could command.
Though he stood as a royal son under the weight of his family's legacy, his heart longed for freedom. No throne, no crown, no palace walls could contain the spirit within him. Tomorrow, when the celebration was over, he would slip away from the splendor and politics of Eldoria—casting off the identity of a prince to seek a life shaped by his own hands.
Thinking about his decision, Renyus finally allowed the maids to approach. With graceful precision, they moved to dress him, their hands quick and practiced, as though they had rehearsed every motion countless times. Piece by piece, they adorned him in his royal attire—a white noble outfit, finely woven from the empire's rarest silks. The fabric shimmered faintly under the morning light, clean and flawless, like untouched snow.
Golden edges traced along the cuffs and hem, weaving into intricate patterns that embodied both elegance and authority. Upon his chest rested the proud insignia of the Eldoria Kingdom—a radiant Golden Phoenix rising before a shining sun, stitched with threads of pure gold. This crest was not mere decoration; it was the living emblem of Eldoria's history, duty, and unyielding honor, a symbol carried only by those who bore the blood of the royal line.
As the last layer was fastened, the boy looked once more at his reflection. The attire fit him perfectly, transforming him from a young prince into a figure of dignity and authority. Yet behind the handsome face, behind the brown eyes that caught the flicker of golden light, lay thoughts of freedom far from the palace walls.
The maids stepped back in unison, bowing their heads slightly, awaiting his next command. Renyus did not speak. Instead, he stood quietly, his hand brushing over the royal crest on his chest. To the world, he was the youngest prince, radiant in his birthright. But within, he was only a boy preparing to leave it all behind.
The grand celebration is divided into two parts: the Morning Gathering and the Evening Celebration. Renyus already knows the true significance of the night's event, but as a prince—and one quietly supported by powerful factions such as the Magic Tower, the Merchant Guild, and even smaller but influential groups like knightly orders and mercenary companies—he is required to attend both. His absence would raise questions he does not wish to answer, not yet.
At last, he arrives before the towering double doors of the gathering hall. The polished wood gleams under the torchlight, inlaid with golden vines and the royal crest of Eldoria at its heart. With a steady breath, Renyus places his hand on the door and pushes.
The doors open with a deep, resonant sound that rolls across the chamber. Conversation ceases immediately. The sudden hush falls like a wave, and dozens of eyes turn toward the entrance. Nobles, guild leaders, mages, knights—all pause to look.
Renyus steps inside. His entry is not grand. There is no fanfare of horns, no voice announcing his name, no dramatic gesture. He walks in plain and unhurried, his movements calm and unassuming. Yet it is more than enough.
The atmosphere shifts the moment he enters. His presence alone carries weight, an invisible pressure that makes hearts stir. He does not need to show power, for he is power. His quiet steps across the polished marble floor echo louder in the minds of those watching than any parade or proclamation could have.
And in that silence, they remember who he is: Renyus Aurelian Eldoria, youngest prince of the empire, and the boy destined for more than they can ever imagine.
Many people including some small and big group leaders came to greet him, while the real big people's are on side, enjoying the time because they don't need to be part of crowd.
Renyus enjoying the show when he see His brothers and sister enter the Hall.
Many people, including both small and large group leaders, step forward to greet him. The hall fills with voices and formal gestures, yet the truly powerful figures—the great nobles, guild masters, and high magi—remain at the sides. They do not press into the crowd, for they do not need to. Their authority is unquestioned, their presence alone enough to command respect. They watch, smiling faintly, as others scramble to offer their greetings.
Renyus simply enjoys the spectacle, his calm eyes observing it all, until a shift in the atmosphere catches his attention. The noise in the hall changes, and the crowd parts slightly as his brothers and sister make their entrance.
"Why…? Why did they come here? This has never happened before." The thought strikes him sharply. His siblings never bother with the Morning Gathering. By custom, they appear only during the Evening Celebration, when ceremony and honor demand it. If they are here now, it means something important—something unusual.
Renyus keeps his composure, showing no displeasure at their presence, but his mind begins to turn.
Then, a movement above draws his eyes upward. On the first floor balcony, descending with regal grace, is his father—the Emperor. At his side walks a young woman, a striking figure who immediately captures the attention of the entire hall.
She is beautiful, her presence commanding. White, snow-like hair flows down her back, framing her pale face, while piercing blue eyes shimmer like frozen lakes beneath the winter sun. Her attire is no less remarkable: thick garments adorned with the rare pelts of magic wolves and ice beasts, creatures found only in the harshest northern lands. Each thread and fur piece speaks of both nobility and strength, leaving no question of her identity.
"The Princess of the Kharzian Dominion…" Renyus realizes, narrowing his gaze. "The cold kingdom that rules the northern frostlands, commanding both scattered tribes and border villages. A land renowned for its endless snow, for its druids who commune with nature, for the power of ice itself… Why is she here?"
His mind races, recalling every detail he knows of her homeland. Yet before he can dwell further, he notices the company following her—several loyal bodyguards clad in foreign steel, and behind them, soldiers of the Eldoria Empire itself.
The message is clear: her presence is no accident.
Suddenly, a notification echoes within his mind.
[System Alert: Survival Quest Activated]
Difficulty: Extreme
Conditions:
1. Negotiations
2. Survive Poison Effect
3. Avoid the King's Wrath
Rewards: 10,00,00,00 Points
Renyus stares at the glowing text, shocked. He has never once received such a high reward from the System. His heart pounds, his thoughts racing at an extreme speed.
"What should I do? I want to survive…"
He lifts a glass from the table—juice, not wine. Renyus has always disliked alcohol for its bitter taste and chooses juice instead, a preference everyone silently accepts. After all, they have seen his high tolerance for alcohol before and no one dares to object.
[Poison Sense]
The thought triggers a subtle flow of mana. A chill runs down his spine as his senses sharpen—his glass of juice contains poison. Not ordinary poison, but an advanced, refined toxin that even high-level detection spells would miss.
"If not for my System-boosted spells, I would have never noticed this."
Without hesitation, Renyus drinks. At the same time, he casts:
[Poison Digestion]
The spell works silently, breaking down the poison and converting it into energy. To any outside observer, nothing is unusual; his face remains calm, untroubled. This subtle advantage—the ability to nullify poisons without detection—was one of his trump cards.
From the corner of his eye, Renyus notices someone watching intently. His eldest brother.
Caelis.
Caelis's gaze is sharp, careful, almost calculating.
"So… this is his doing."
Before Renyus can process further, the great hall stills as his father steps forward.
Emperor Velgus Kernalt Renald Drupis Eldoria—the ruler of Eldoria, his father—raises his voice, drawing the full attention of every noble present.
"My fellow nobles," the Emperor begins, his tone resonant, commanding silence. "For years, our empire has battled against the Kharzian Dominion—fighting for survival, for power, for honor. But now, I believe it is time to end this endless cycle. For days, we have met in secret to negotiate, and at last, we have reached an agreement."
The room trembles with anticipation.
"We—the Eldoria Empire—and the Kharzian Dominion will sign a peace accord. To make this bond unbreakable, I will give my youngest son, Renyus Aurelian Eldoria, as husband to Princess Sylvara Eirene Kharzia."
The hall erupts in murmurs. Shock ripples through the gathering like a wave—no one had expected this. Some whisper in disbelief, others in awe, but all are stunned.
Yet among them all, none are more shaken than Renyus himself.
Only moments ago, he had steeled his heart to abandon everything—to slip away from this gilded cage and live freely, on his own terms. But now, with a single decree, his father has shattered that path, turning him into a bargaining chip, a pawn to be exchanged.
A dog sold to the enemy.
Renyus stands frozen, his heart torn, his mind storming with disbelief, anger, and something far deeper—a swell of emotions too heavy to name.