Later that day.
The Grand Banquet Hall was a breathtaking sea of gold, crystal, and velvet.
Following the absolute triumph in the mythical arena, the atmosphere was thick with celebration. Battered but victorious students toasted one another with sweet elven wines, their laughter echoing up to the painted ceilings. Wealthy nobles applauded enthusiastically, imperial military commanders exchanged deep nods of respect, and foreign delegates openly praised the unmatched strength of the Edrath Holy Empire.
At the center of the grand head table sat Cassian. Beneath his heavy layers of silk and formal embroidery, his body still ached with deep physical exhaustion. To his left sat Sora, radiating an ethereal, quiet beauty that drew the eyes of everyone in the room. And Just a step behind Cassian's chair stood Lucien. The giant knight was motionless, his ice-blue eyes fixed steadily on the prince's movements, an invisible shield protecting the man he so fiercely yearned for.
Then, Emperor Cedric rose from his throne.
The clinking of crystal glasses and the loud chatter vanished instantly. A heavy, expectant silence fell over the massive hall. Cedric surveyed every nation present, his chest swelling with imperial pride.
"Today marks more than the conclusion of the Grand Continental Tournament," Cedric announced, his deep voice carrying flawlessly across the room. He paused, letting his gaze linger on the foreign kings. "Today, a new era begins."
Every political leader and military general leaned in, listening intently.
"My son, Crown Prince Cassian Valemont..." Cedric continued, gesturing warmly toward the young prince. Cassian turned his head toward his father, his heart tightening slightly.
"...—he has requested my imperial blessing."
A low, curious murmur spread through the crowd like wildfire. Nobles tilted their heads, whispering behind their silk fans. Cedric's smile only widened.
"And I have granted it," Cedric declared. Then, drawing himself up to his full majestic height, he made the proclamation that would alter history.
"It is with great joy that I announce the official engagement of Crown Prince Cassian Valemont... to Sora Curzon."
The hall exploded.
Gasps tore through the crowd. Expensive crystal wine glasses slipped from numb fingers, shattering loudly against the polished marble floor. Human nobles stared in utter shock, their faces turning pale, while the elven delegates stood up abruptly from their seats. Even seasoned foreign kings exchanged panicked, frantic looks. Engaging with an elf was supposed to be a capital crime, yet the Holy Empire was openly embracing a Divine Vessel, the one that everyone thought had openly deceived them and was a spy.
But before anyone could recover from the political shockwave, Cedric raised his hand, his voice cutting through the noise.
"Furthermore..."
The Emperor's expression turned incredibly soft.
"Our imperial family shall soon welcome its newest member."
Silence. Absolute, suffocating silence gripped the room.
Then, the banquet erupted into complete chaos.
"The Crown Prince has an heir?!" a high-ranking duke gasped out loud.
"With an ELF?! Is this a joke?!"
"The Holy Empire and the Vertant Elven Alliance are becoming one family... This changes the entire balance of the continent!"
Political leaders immediately began recalculating their military alliances in their heads. Merchants instantly thought of the massive, untapped trade routes opening through the elven forests. The common people present knew they were witnessing a legend that would be told for generations.
Amidst the roaring noise of the crowd, Cassian quietly glanced toward Sora. The Divine Elf was entirely frozen, his beautiful features pale and his hands trembling visibly on the table. Understanding his panic, Cassian gently reached out beneath the table and grasped Sora's hands. It was not only a romantic gesture; but it was a protective, grounding touch meant to keep him steady.
Sora immediately squeezed back—too tightly, his fingers digging into Cassian's skin as if he were a drowning man clinging to a lifeline. Cassian felt the desperation in the grip, but he didn't pull away. He let Sora hold onto him.
Meanwhile, just behind them, Lucien watched everything unfold.
The knight forced a polite, weakened smile onto his face. He lifted his large hands and began to applaud along with the crowd. Because that was his duty. That was what a loyal knight was supposed to do for his prince. But internally, every single clap felt like another heavy nail sealing shut a coffin.
'Congratulations, My Prince,' Lucien thought, his chest tightening so hard he could barely draw breath.
His smile never faltered for a second, yet beneath his silver breastplate, his heart quietly shattered into pieces.
Then, the massive ballroom doors began to turn.
The grand orchestra slowly faded into silence, the musicians lowering their bows. Every servant and noble turned their heads as the enormous wooden doors opened together. Warm, golden evening light poured into the ballroom, cutting through the dimness.
A single woman stepped through the threshold.
Golden hair flowed down her back like liquid sunlight, catching the glare of the crystal chandeliers. Her champagne-colored gown shimmered brilliantly with every step, woven from genuine phoenix silk that cast a faint, magical glow around her. Every jewel she wore was tasteful and understated, yet every experienced noble in the room immediately recognized their priceless value. She carried herself without an ounce of arrogance, and without a shred of fear. She simply moved with an effortless, natural elegance that demanded attention.
Conversations stopped completely. One by one, every eye in the room followed her path. Even the musicians forgot to pick up their instruments.
Someone in the back whispered,
"...Who is she?"
The woman walked directly toward the head table. She didn't stop for the Emperor, nor did she look toward the foreign kings. She walked straight toward Cassian. That bold action alone created another massive wave of intense whispers.
Stopping before the prince, she offered a graceful, perfect curtsy. Attendants stepped forward, carrying a beautifully carved crystal case. Inside the glass, resting on a velvet cushion, was a living Wyvern egg. It was glowing faintly, its shell pulsing with a warm, rhythmic breath.
Everyone in the audience gasped. Even the veteran beast tamers in the hall were completely shocked; a living, viable wyvern egg was an priceless treasure that money could not buy.
"I hope this rare Wyvern egg, which I personally retrieved from the jagged peaks, will serve as a beautiful symbol of new beginnings for your future, Your Highness," she said, her voice clear and melodic.
Cassian smiled. It wasn't his usual cold, polite smirk. It was one of his genuine smiles—small, rare, but profoundly warm.
"Thank you," Cassian said softly, his eyes reflecting a genuine relief.
"It is more than enough. My partner and I shall treasure it deeply."
Beside him, Sora's eyes narrowed slightly, a sudden spark of suspicion flaring in his chest.
'Partner...?' he thought, his grip on Cassian's hand under the table tightening. Why was His Highness smiling like that at another woman? It was a genuine smile, a look of pure warmth that Sora hadn't seen directed at himself in weeks.
Cassian stood up slightly, gesturing toward her to address the entire hall.
"Lady Ruby Charmainia Thompson," Cassian announced, his voice ringing clearly.
"You honor this celebration with your presence."
Ruby laughed softly, the sound like chiming bells. "You know me, Your Highness?"
Cassian chuckled, a sound that made Lucien's stance stiffen behind him.
"Who in the Empire doesn't know the eldest daughter of Marquise Thompson? The proud heiress to House Thompson, our empire's greatest exploration family."
He gestured lightly, highlighting her achievements to the listening crowd.
"Lady Ruby is known across the entire continent. She is the youngest scholar ever admitted into the Imperial Grand Academy, the brave woman who rediscovered the lost trade routes through the treacherous Ashen Desert, and the adventurer who successfully mapped three unexplored ancient dungeons. She is the very first noblewoman personally licensed by the Adventurer's Guild to command S-Class expeditions, the founder and Guildmaster of the Imperial Exploration Society, and the Empire's foremost authority on magical beasts."
He looked directly at her, his smile widening. "And... she is one of the very few people I have deeply admired since my childhood."
The entire hall stared in absolute disbelief. The murmurings grew louder because Crown Prince Cassian *never* praised anyone. He was notoriously cold, critical, and distant. To hear him shower a woman with such high praise was unprecedented.
Ruby's cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink.
"Your Highness... you flatter me far too much. I merely do what I love."
As Ruby smiled, her gaze shifted slightly behind the prince, and her eyes locked onto Lucien. Their eyes met for a long, silent moment. Lucien, ever the professional, gave a polite, respectful bow of his head, offering nothing more. Yet, Ruby's smile lingered on the knight much longer than necessary before Lucien politely looked away, keeping his expression neutral.
Cassian noticed the exchange. A profound sense of satisfaction washed over him. 'Perfect,' he thought. 'It is finally beginning.'
Cassian turned slightly, introducing the two. He genuinely believed he was doing the right thing, completely unaware of the heartbreak he was causing.
"Sir Arden," Cassian called out smoothly.
Lucien looked over instantly, his posture straight.
"Yes, My Prince?"
"This is Lady Ruby," Cassian said, his eyes bright.
"I have wanted to introduce the two of you for quite some time now."
Lucien blinked, a faint trace of confusion crossing his features, but Cassian just continued to smile warmly.
"You will find very few people in this entire Empire who can match Sir Arden's integrity, Lady Ruby," Cassian said. "He is a man of unmatched honor."
Ruby laughed softly, her eyes scanning Lucien's massive, imposing frame.
"I have heard countless stories from the front lines, Your Highness. The Holy Knight certainly lives up to the grand tales."
Lucien offered another formal bow, his voice tight.
"The honor is entirely mine, My Lady."
Then, rather than accepting the praise, Lucien looked directly at Cassian, his ice-blue eyes filled with a deep, hidden emotion. "Lady Ruby is mistaken," Lucien said, his voice dropping to a serious, resonant tone. "The truly admirable person... is standing right before us."
The room fell strangely quiet around them.
"I have met many remarkable people across the continent," Lucien continued, his gaze locked onto Cassian, completely exposing months of silent devotion and unsaid words. "But none can compare to His Highness. He has taught me what true strength is. He has taught me what mercy is, and what true leadership means. It is my greatest honor... to simply stand beside him and protect him with my life."
Cassian's breath caught, and he immediately became incredibly uncomfortable. Lucien's words were becoming entirely too personal, too dangerous, and too thick with a yearning that Cassian could not allow himself to accept. If he let those words touch his heart, his resolve to leave this world would shatter.
He needed to cut this off immediately. Pushing a polite, formal smile back onto his face, Cassian glanced toward the orchestra.
"Speaking of honors..." Cassian interrupted smoothly, his voice light.
"I believe it is time for the opening dance of the evening."
He turned back to the knight, actively pushing the two together.
"Sir Arden. I trust you won't refuse a lady her very first dance?"
Lucien froze entirely, his heart dropping into a cold abyss. Ruby, however, smiled brightly and extended her hand.
"I would be delighted, Sir Arden."
Cassian didn't wait to see them walk away. He immediately turned toward the Divine Elf, extending his palm.
"My love. Shall we dance a well?"
Sora took his hand instantly, his long, elegant fingers locking around Cassian's almost possessively, pulling the prince close. Throughout the entire conversation, Sora had been watching Cassian's face. He had noticed that genuine, rare smile directed at Ruby—a smile he hadn't seen in weeks. For reasons he couldn't fully explain, that beautiful smile had frightened him far more than any political announcement or threat of war ever could. He felt an intense, dark fear of losing his mate even more than with Lucien.
As the grand orchestra began its first sweeping waltz, Cassian led Sora onto the crowded ballroom floor, moving gracefully with the music.
Behind them, near the table, Lucien stood frozen. He silently watched the prince's retreating figure for one long, lingering heartbeat, his chest aching with a hollow, suffocating pain, before he reluctantly offered his massive arm to Ruby.
Neither man realized it in that moment, but that single dance marked the beginning of two completely different tragedies.
Cassian looked out over the ballroom, watching the couples move. A quiet, bittersweet peace settled over his mind as he thought to himself:
'Everything is finally returning to how it should have been.'
He genuinely believed he was correcting the original story, placing everyone back onto the paths they were always meant to walk. Now Sora had a grand future as a protected father to the empire's heir. The Empire had secured a lasting peace with the Elves. And Lucien would finally meet the brilliant woman he was originally destined to love. Everything was falling perfectly back into place... except his own heart.
He was forcing himself to become a stranger to the people who loved him, ensuring that when his three months were up, he could leave for Earth without looking back. Fate, however, had already begun writing an entirely different story, and the paths he was forcing them onto would only lead to a deeper, more agonizing ruin.
*****
THE END OF SEASON 1
*****