THE PALACE BALLROOM - MOMENTS EARLIER
The ballroom shimmered with light. Golden chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting a warm glow over the polished marble floors. Nobles filled the hall, their voices blending into a low murmur as they exchanged greetings and veiled insults beneath their practiced smiles.
Music played softly in the background, elegant and controlled, just like everything else in the palace.
At the center of it all stood the prince. He smiled and greeted everyone. Nodding if the situation called for it. Yet none of the excitement reached his eyes.
His gaze shifted, almost unconsciously, toward the grand doors. He sighed. There was still no sign of them. His fingers twitched slightly at his side. Luckily no one noticed.
"…They should have been back by now," he thought.
"Your Highness," a voice called.
He turned to see one of the ministers approaching him with a polite bow.
"Quite the evening, isn't it?"
"Indeed," the prince replied calmly.
The minister smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes as well.
"One would expect such an important ceremony to… require certain essential elements."
The prince didn't respond. He couldn't give the minister that satisfaction.
"I do hope," another voice joined in, "that all preparations have been made properly."
The prince glanced sideways. More ministers had gathered and not the ones who supported good. Of course they had. The snakes wouldn't miss an opportunity to strike and draw blood.
"The artifact," the Minister of War said casually, swirling his drink, "is not something one simply… forgets."
A few nobles chuckled softly.
"Delays can be… dangerous," the Minister of Powers added.
"Especially when expectations are so high," the Minister of Fashion said, inspecting her nails.
The prince remained composed. "I trust my envoy," he said simply.
"Ah, yes," the Minister of Coconuts spoke, a faint smirk on his face. "The half-blood."
Silence. Painful, uncomfortable silence. It cut through the prince from different angles.
"An interesting choice," he continued.
"Though perhaps not the most… reliable."
The prince's gaze hardened for a fraction of a second. Then it was gone.
"The ceremony will proceed," he said calmly.
The ministers exchanged glances. Clearly satisfied because in their minds. It was already over.
The grand doors opened. A hush fell over the room. All eyes turned as the King entered. His presence alone was enough to silence the hall. He took measured steps, his expression was completely unreadable as always. The nobles bowed and so did the prince.
"Rise," the King said.
His gaze swept across the room before settling on his son.
"Are the preparations complete?"
"Yes, Father."
"Then, present the artifact."
The room stilled. Every noble leaned in, eager to hear about the prince's shortcomings from the man himself. This was the moment that they had been waiting for.
The prince held his father's gaze.
"…It has not yet…"
BANG. The doors burst open. All heads snapped toward the entrance. Two figures stood there covered in dirt, their clothes were torn and they were breathing heavily.
Yet standing.
"…We're not late, are we?" Luminous asked.
Whispers erupted across the hall.
"The half-blood,"
"He actually returned,"
"And the artifact,"
Emily stepped forward slightly, steadying herself.
"We have it."
The prince froze. For a moment, just a moment before relief washed across his face. Then it disappeared, in its place only composure remained.
"Step forward," the King said.
His voice cut through the noise instantly. Luminous and Emily stepped forward. Each step echoed louder than the last. The nobles watched them closely. They were both shocked and annoyed.
The King's gaze rested on Luminous for a fraction longer than necessary. It was so subtle that it went unnoticed. Then it shifted.
"Present the artifact."
Luminous glanced at Emily briefly before stepping forward. He extended his hand. The artifact hovered above his palm, glowing faintly. The room fell silent and the air felt heavier. The King stepped closer to him and observed before carefully picking it up. The moment his hand touched the artifact. The light flickered slightly.
His eyes narrowed… just a bit. Then his expression returned to normal. He took it.
"Acceptable," he said.
Then, after a brief pause.
"Well done."
The words were directed at the prince. The entire room felt it. The prince blinked, just once before responding.
"Thank you, Father."
The King turned.
"To entrust such a task and see it fulfilled… you have made a suitable choice."
The nobles stiffened. Some wore forced smiles while others looked away. The King didn't care and carried on.
"Prepare the ceremony."
The ballroom shifted. Servants moved swiftly, clearing the center of the hall. A circular formation was revealed beneath the polished floor. They were intricate patterns carved into the marble, glowing faintly as the artifact was placed at its center.
The nobles stepped back and formed a wide circle. The prince stood at the edge. The King took his place beside the artifact.
"The Rite of Ascension," he began, his voice steady and commanding, "is not a guarantee."
The room grew colder.
"It is a test."
The artifact pulsed and resonated with each sentence he spoke.
"It does not recognize titles. It does not acknowledge blood alone."
The light grew slightly brighter. "It chooses."
A murmur passed through the nobles. The prince stepped forward. His heartbeat echoed in his ears.
"This is your moment," the King said.
There was no sign of warmth or encouragement in his tone. He simply stated it because it was a fact. The prince approached the center. Every step felt heavier than the last. He wondered what would become of him. Yet he knew the answer.
Behind him, countless pairs of eyes watched and waited. Hoping and praying with all their might that he would fail.
Selfish vermin don't they know the right of passage is essential to ascending the throne. Power really made people go crazy. The prince thought.
Luminous and Emily stood at the edge of the hall doing the exact same thing the rest were doing. Watching.
"…Do you think it'll work?" Emily whispered.
Luminous didn't answer immediately. His gaze was fixed on the artifact.
"…I don't know."
But something about it felt… Wrong or maybe familiar.
The prince reached the center. He stood before the artifact and a deep glow reflected in his eyes. He hesitated for a moment. Then he reached out. The room held its breath. The King watched but the nobles leaned forward. The artifact pulsed once more. It grew increasingly brighter than before.The prince's hand hovered inches away.
And in that moment. Everyone wondered the same thing. Would the artifact accept him… Or reject him?