The grand hall of Orvallis Castle shimmered like a piece of heaven brought to earth.Rows of crystal chandeliers burned steadily, scattering soft, golden light over walls draped in fine silks that swayed gently with every breath of cool air seeping through the high windows.
Along the marble walls hung the emblems of the two kingdoms —the silver dragon facing the golden phoenix, locked together in a symbol of strength and unity.
The royal orchestra played a solemn tune, its echoes weaving through the hall like a sacred prayer for a new beginning.
Nobles and envoys from both realms stood in perfect formation, each carrying a different gaze —some filled with pride and ambition ,others shadowed by suspicion and quiet resentment.
Then the great doors opened.
From the east came the royal procession of Orvallis, led by King Val Orvallis, his stride steady, his expression unyielding. From the west came Savina's delegation, led by King Elios Savina, clad in white robes stitched with threads of gold, his presence calm yet commanding.
The herald's voice rose with ceremonial precision:
"Let the official ceremony begin —marking the Alliance of Orvallis and Savina, the dawn of an era of peace and cooperation!"
Applause thundered through the hall. Crystal goblets clinked like chimes, harmonizing in a melody that blessed the joining of two crowns.
King Val stepped forward to the stage, his deep voice carrying the weight of royalty:
"Today, we do not simply sign a pact between crowns —we unite two wills toward one destiny. An alliance to end war, and open an age of shared glory for our people."
The crowd clapped once more. Trumpets flared as the kingdoms exchanged symbolic gifts —a jeweled sword from Orvallis, and a golden crown from Savina.
But amidst all that brilliance, not every pair of eyes reflected joy.
Darius — The Calm Before the Storm
Prince Darius sat in his dark velvet chair, composed as ever.His suit was immaculate, his smile practiced — only appearing when etiquette demanded it.Yet his eyes moved restlessly between the two kings, then lingered briefly on Ken, who stood quietly across the hall.
Darius muttered to himself, his tone edged with cold amusement:
"All this glitter… yet nothing but a mask. True alliances aren't forged under lights — but behind closed doors."
Gray and Kyle — An Unexpected Encounter
In the far corner, Gray stood among the royal guards, his polished silver armor reflecting the hall's brilliance. He kept his posture perfect — firm, silent, invisible.
But Prince Kyle Savina, sharp-eyed and calm, noticed him.There was something in that gaze — the quiet fire of someone who had seen real struggle.Kyle slowed, his expression thoughtful.He'd seen that face before —in the shadows of the training yard, during a brutal fight that still echoed in memory.
A faint smile curved his lips.
"I didn't expect to find eyes like yours among palace guards. What's your name?"
Gray hesitated for a beat, then straightened.
"G–Gray, Your Highness."
Kyle took a step closer, lowering his voice — calm, yet laced with challenge:
"Gray… A strong name. Have you ever thought about serving in Savina ? We could use men with eyes like yours — eyes that don't know retreat."
Gray froze. He couldn't tell if it was an offer… or a test.
Before he could answer, a hand rested lightly on Kyle's shoulder —so effortlessly that the prince hadn't even noticed its approach.
A composed, steady voice followed:
"I'm afraid you're too late, Your Highness. This man is my knight."
Kyle turned sharply — and found Prince Ken Orvallis standing behind him,his hand still resting with effortless authority. Ken gaze was calm, yet his words carried the weight of quiet command.
"I claimed him first. So let's avoid stealing what already belongs to someone else… in my kingdom."
Then, with measured grace, Ken withdrew his hand and walked away, his steps so light they barely made a sound.
Kyle watched him go, whispering under his breath, both amused and intrigued:
"I didn't even sense him approach…What composure — what stillness."
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"It seems Orvallis doesn't exaggerate when it praises its sons."
Ken and Elaine — A Dance of Words
As Ken moved through the guests, a young woman stepped into his path —her presence as radiant as the chandeliers above.
Long black hair flowed over her shoulders, eyes of smoky gray gleaming with wit and warmth. Her white gown was simple yet elegant, the kind of simplicity that radiates confidence.
She stopped gracefully before him, offering a polite, teasing smile.
"Weren't you supposed to be here four years ago, Your Highness?"
Ken blinked, caught off guard, then smiled faintly.
"Perhaps… it took me four years to find a good reason to attend."
She laughed softly.
"A reason, hm? And would I happen to be that reason?"
Ken's face flushed, and he quickly looked away.
"Not exactly— I didn't mean—"
She interrupted, her smile softening.
"I'm Elaine von Loren, daughter of Duke Loren —my father serves in the royal council.I suppose we'll be seeing each other often from now on."
Ken bowed slightly, voice calm but still awkward:
"It's an honor, Lady Elaine. Your presence brings more grace to this hall than all the decorations combined."
She chuckled elegantly.
"So the rumors were wrong after all —They called you the 'mysterious prince,' not the shy one."
Ken exhaled a quiet laugh, regaining some composure.
"Maybe time has changed me more than I thought."
Elaine's eyes lingered on him, a spark of genuine intrigue behind her poise.
"Something tells me this won't be the last time you surprise me, Your Highness."
The Royal Shock
Suddenly—the music stopped.
All eyes turned toward the stage, where King Val Orvallis stood beside King Elios Savina.
Val's deep voice filled the silence like thunder:
"To make this alliance more than words on parchment…we shall bind blood to blood, and throne to throne."
The room froze. Time itself seemed to halt.
Then came the words that shattered the air:
"I hereby announce the union of Princess Eliana Val Orvallis and Prince Ren Savina , sealing the bond between our two great kingdoms."
A stunned hush fell. The hall that once glowed with joy now held only disbelief and murmurs.
Darius smiled faintly — a cold, knowing smile , as if he'd expected this twist all along. Leon bowed his head slightly, and Adrian stood motionless — unreadable as ever.
But Ken…
He didn't breathe for a moment. His gaze lifted toward the stage.
There stood Eliana, in a pale blue gown, smiling gently for the crowd —a smile so delicate it nearly broke him.
But behind that smile, her eyes trembled —as if holding back tears.
Their eyes met for a fleeting second,and in that instant, he understood everything.
"Some decisions, she'd said once are made in the name of family…but they take everything from the person inside."
She hadn't been talking about the festival. She'd been talking about this —her forced marriage.
Ken turned his face away, his hand tightening into a fist until his knuckles whitened. He whispered, his voice raw and trembling:
"My sister…How much pain are you hiding behind that smile?"
His gaze flicked toward his father —and for a heartbeat, there was lightning in his eyes.
The Ending — Beneath the Gleam
The music returned. Laughter and clinking glasses filled the air once more. But behind every sparkle, cracks had begun to form.
Kyle watched Ken from afar, his expression a mix of curiosity and respect.
Elaine stood silently among the guests, her smile fading as she observed the prince's shadowed face. Something told her the calm young man before her carried storms within.
And in the far back of the hall, Gray stood among the guards, watching, unaware of the deeper game unfolding around him —but somehow, deep in his chest, he felt it.
That this night…was the beginning of something far greater than anyone could imagine.