A group of nobles we had noticed earlier stepped onto the stage—
—and removed their masks.
"All hail the King!"
The entire hall echoed with the same voice.
"…That's King Marcus," Ray said. "That's why the quest completed earlier."
The king stood tall—
a middle-aged man with a beard and a sharp, calculating gaze.
He raised his glass.
"Let the banquet begin—"
"—for the coming of age of my third child…"
"…Leo."
Applause filled the hall.
Hm… that's Theo… and Arlo, I noted mentally.
"And that's Queen Priscilla," Ray added.
"…Wait."
Where is Leo?
Isn't this his birthday?
Ting.
---
Notice:
[Mass Transmigration Procedure] will begin in 5 minutes
During the procedure, system functions may become unstable.
Please use system functions afterward.
---
…Shit.
It's already started.
"Brother—"
I tugged Aamon's sleeve.
"Where is Aiden?"
Aamon was still watching the king.
Then he glanced at me.
"…Where? …What do you mean where? He was right there a moment ago..."
"Brother, that's why I'm asking you," I said, my voice tightening.
"Didn't you mark him?"
"…I did. He's outside."
"…Outside?"
"Yeah."
"…Outside where?"
Aamon clicked his tongue.
"Tch. Why are you so worried about him?"
"Because he might get lost," I replied.
"Just tell me his location."
"…No."
This brat…
"…Please," I said, looking at him directly.
"…Only if you promise me one thing."
"…What is it?"
"I'll tell you later."
"Brother! That's not fair."
"I know. So? Do you accept or not?"
"…Fine …Now tell me where he is."
…...
Aiden's POV
"Ugh… Aamon Brother is so cruel…" I muttered while walking through the crowd.
Even after being here for a while—
I was still in awe.
"…Wow."
Everything was so flashy.
So elegant.
"The food is good too…" I said, grabbing a fruit skewer from a passing tray.
"Hello, young boy. You seem to be enjoying the banquet."
A voice interrupted me.
I turned—
and found myself surrounded by a group of young noble girls.
"Hm? Are you shy?" one of them asked.
"Why do you look so lost despite having such a nice face?" another added.
"…Why is everyone so interested in me?"
They leaned closer—
curious, amused—
closing in.
Then— attention shifted.
The king had appeared on the stage.
(Or… at least, I think it was him. I don't really know what royalty looks like.)
Taking the opportunity—
I slipped away.
"…Ugh. This party is stressful."
Hm?
A door leading outside.
"…I should go to the garden."
"It feels more comfortable there."
I stepped outside—
—and suddenly—
Click.
The door behind me shut.
"…Eh?"
For a moment, I was startled.
Then I remembered—
Mother had mentioned it.
The main hall doors close at 5 PM. But the back door stays open.
"…I'll just go back through the back entrance later."
I walked deeper into the garden.
The sun was setting—
casting a warm, golden glow across everything.
"…Wow…"
The rows of flowers—
so many colors—
so peaceful.
"…It's beautiful."
Then—
I noticed someone.
A boy.
Sitting alone on a chair.
Head lowered.
"…What is someone doing here?"
I stepped closer.
His features became clearer.
"…Wait."
"…Isn't he… the Third Prince?"
I remembered what Mother had told me yesterday:
"Listen, Aiden. We're attending Prince Leo's birthday banquet."
"He's around your age—black hair, blue eyes."
"Be careful when approaching him, okay?"
"He's sensitive… and gets hurt easily."
…Isn't it his birthday?
Then why is he out here… alone?
I was still thinking—
when—
"…?"
A faint sound reached my ears.
Someone…
was singing.