Morning arrived quickly.
We hurriedly got dressed, finished breakfast, and prepared for the banquet.
"Roy, Aiden, Aamon—you three must stay together, understood?" Mother said firmly.
"This is an important place. Discipline and dignity are a must. Don't fool around."
"Okay, Mother," we replied in unison.
Father let out a sigh.
"Your mother and I will be meeting important figures to pay our respects. You three will stay together and look after one another."
"Eat what is offered. Don't cause any trouble. If needed, ask the maids or butlers."
"Okay."
He sighed once more.
With that, we stepped out of the carriage.
"…Whoa."
Up close, the palace was even more breathtaking.
A massive structure filled with countless rooms—
Gardens, grand halls, corridors, and the enormous banquet hall ahead.
"…So many people."
The banquet hall was vast—
but even that space felt crowded.
Nobles filled every corner.
Elegant.
Refined.
—and all of them wore masks.
…Just like us.
The moment we entered—
murmurs spread through the hall.
Expected.
The Jernova family was one of the strongest noble houses.
Attention was inevitable.
"…Hm?"
Mother and Father gave us a subtle wave.
This was where they left us.
During their conversation earlier, we had been given a silent task—
Make connections.
But how?
Aamon probably knew many nobles.
But Aiden… and me?
Aiden probably doesn't even understand why we're here…
"Don't worry," Ray said lightly. "His innocence will probably charm the prince."
"…That doesn't reassure me."
We quietly moved toward a corner, away from the crowd.
"Listen," Aamon whispered. "We're splitting up."
"…Eh?"
Aiden and I reacted at the same time.
Didn't Mom and Dad just tell us to stay together? What is this idiot thinking…?
"But why?" Aiden asked.
"Just do it," Aamon replied. "People will approach you anyway. And I've marked both of you with mana—I'll know your location."
Aiden hesitated—
…but nodded.
I stepped forward to split as well—
—but—
"What?" I frowned. "Didn't you say we're splitting up?"
"I did," Aamon said flatly.
"…But not you."
"…Brother."
A thought crossed my mind.
"Did you just trick Aiden into sp—"
He suddenly covered my mouth.
"Let's just enjoy the banquet… shall we?"
A Few Moments Later…
"Brother."
"…Hmm?"
"Why are you still following me?"
Aamon glanced at me.
"Then why are you still following Aiden?"
"Because I'm worried about him."
"Then I'm worried about you."
"…Ugh."
Before I could argue further—
a group of young noble ladies approached Aiden.
They surrounded him almost instantly.
Smiling.
Chatting.
Curious.
"…Looks like he's already being flocked," He muttered. "You don't need to worry about him anymore."
"…Ugh, Brother, please."
A few nobles passed by us, their gazes lingering.
Ting.
---
Quest
Objective: Meet the King and the Princes
Status: Complete
Rewards: Sent
---
Ting.
---
Quest
Objective: Observe the interaction between Aiden and the Prince
Reward: 3 pt
Failure: None
Time Limit: 1 hour
---
"…Hm."
I stared at the system tab.
"Brother," I asked casually, "do members of the royal family attend banquets under hidden identities?"
"…Yeah. Why?"
"Brother, what time is it?"
Aamon glanced at the wall.
"…4:45. Why?"
"…Nothing."
"Just tell me what's wro—"
This time—
I covered his mouth.
"Brother," I said calmly, "we're here to make connections. Not to enjoy the banquet."
He paused.
…Did he just pout?
I wasn't entirely sure.
"…Fine," he said.
…
"…Why are you still following me?"
"Because Mother and Father told us to."
This brat…
Now he remembers?