Two elegant young elves entered the grand hall.
The first was a stunning young woman who appeared around fifteen years old. Her flawless skin and white-silver hair contrasted beautifully with her striking golden eyes. She wore white pants, a tucked-in white shirt fastened by a golden belt, and a loose waist-length jacket draped over her shoulders. A sapphire-blue gemstone necklace rested at her collarbone, adding to her noble appearance.
Beside her stood a young man who appeared to be around sixteen. His martial robes gave him the aura of a disciplined warrior. He possessed a slender yet toned physique, golden eyes, and white hair tipped with streaks of gold. A sheathed sword rested at his waist, secured by a long sash.
At their entrance, everyone present—excluding the concubines, empress, and emperor—rose to their feet and bowed respectfully to the Crown Prince and First Princess.
However, Kaien immediately noticed the small child sitting beside Lady Aurora. The boy was staring at him with clear wariness.
Kaien's golden eyes narrowed slightly before he abruptly changed direction and walked toward Dante.
This action triggered three very different reactions.
Justin, the emperor, was practically vibrating with excitement at seeing his firstborn children. His expression radiated pride and affection. The only thing preventing him from rushing over and embracing them was the empress's firm grip on his hand.
She knew him too well.
Had she not restrained him, the great emperor feared across nations would have embarrassed himself without hesitation.
Unfortunately for him, Kaien and Salvia completely changed course and headed straight for Dante.
His face immediately fell.
The empress chuckled behind her hand as she listened to him mutter under his breath.
"I haven't even held him... I haven't seen those two in months, and the first thing they do is go to Dante. Not that I don't understand, but... Father missed you too."
Several people nearby sighed inwardly.
Justin, the mighty emperor feared across continents for his overwhelming power, was pouting like a child.
Meanwhile, Dante was far less amused.
His wariness only increased as his older siblings approached.
'Why the hell are they coming this way? What do they want?'
His mind raced.
'These stupid siblings of mine. Do they want more blood to be shed? Why must I be made into a villain? He should know I have no claim to the throne. So why is he looking at me like that? Does he want a fight? Is he a battle junkie? For fuck's sake, man, you just arrived. Can't you be civilized?'
Dante's concerns deepened.
He knew how powerful his father was, and although the system had never outright confirmed it, his mother likely ranked just as highly.
And now there was another mythical skill user standing in front of him.
Another one.
"This guy too? Seriously? If I had to kill this little shit, I would, but..."
Dante glanced toward Aurora.
'She sacrificed everything for me. I can't let my actions cause her pain.'
That thought alone restrained him.
Still, Dante chuckled inwardly.
'Just because I love you, Mother, doesn't mean I'll let anyone trample over me. The system may claim Father could squash me like a bug, but I'm shameless. If it comes down to it, I'll use Spatial Body and leave. I won't be like those pathetic protagonists who lose sight of their goals because of some flimsy moral obligation.'
His eyes gleamed.
"So come, older brother. If you seek war, then so be it."
[Master, a skill is being used to probe your power.]
Dante's face darkened.
'Shit, for real?! I was only talking tough—I didn't actually think this little shit wanted to fight!'
Externally, his expression remained calm.
Internally, he was panicking.
'Ten, what kind of world is this? Do young, cute children like me die before experiencing the joys of a woman's body? Fuck. System, should we escape?'
[No need. The skill has been blocked. Your Abyss Veil passive ability has long since activated. Would you like to counter the attempt?]
Dante hesitated.
"Wait. Can you confirm who used it?"
[Most likely the Crown Prince. Since he missed the appraisal ceremony, he is likely attempting to gauge your strength himself.]
Dante exhaled.
"So it's not an attack. Still, I don't want to reveal too much. What tier is the skill?"
[I cannot fully appraise it, but the fact that Abyss Veil and Spatial Body activated together suggests it is either an equal-tier or slightly higher-tier skill. Fortunately, unless an appraisal attempt reaches the true Mythical Tier, failure is inevitable.]
"Okay, you said a lot of things I don't understand, but as long as we resisted, let's not escalate this. I won't attack him until I know he's an enemy. It's too early to make enemies of this caliber. In novel terms, I'd just be courting death."
[Understood. Hallucination: Dark Abyss will automatically divert the attempt.]
Kaien suddenly halted.
His vision darkened.
A vast void surrounded him.
Then a voice spoke.
[Please refrain from further attempts to investigate my master's power. Your skill lacks appraisal abilities and is unsuitable for gathering information. While I cannot fully explain my master's abilities—even to him—I can assure you that further attempts will be resisted.
For your own safety as his brother, I will not harm you. I sense your affection and desire to protect him. However, his safety comes first.
Further attempts will not be tolerated.]
Kaien blinked.
He was back.
For a brief moment, he had been pulled into something.
Whatever it was, one thing was clear.
His attempt to gauge his younger brother's strength had failed completely.
His eyes flickered with uncertainty as he looked at Dante.
"The letter Father sent might actually be true. Little brother may possess a mythical-tier skill capable of resisting all appraisal attempts. Since he's still a child, it seems to function passively."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Interesting. Very interesting."
The thought lasted only a moment before pride surged through him.
Without hesitation, he rushed forward and reached Dante before Salvia could.
Scooping the boy into his arms, he lifted him into the air.
"Little brother, look at how handsome and cute you are!"
With exaggerated enthusiasm, Kaien showered Dante's cheeks with kisses.
The child burst into giggles.
"Older brother, please stop!"
Silence.
The entire hall froze.
A two-year-old child had spoken.
The words were slightly babyish and imperfect, but everyone understood them.
Aurora nearly burst into laughter as she watched the stunned expressions around the room.
Then Kaien exploded into laughter.
"Ahahaha! Dante, you're amazing!"
He attempted another round of affection only for Salvia to pinch him.
"Enough, Kaien! It's my turn!"
She promptly took Dante into her arms.
"Dante, say 'big sister.'"
Dante blinked innocently before wrapping his tiny arms around her neck.
"Big sister!"
Salvia squealed and hugged him tightly.
However, the happy moment did not last.
Murmurs quickly spread throughout the hall.
"Big sister? Older brother? Who is this child?"
"Indeed. Did the Emperor have another child?"
"That makes no sense. I've never heard of such a thing."
"The boy is sitting with Lady Aurora."
"But she has no children."
"Then who is he?"
Aurora's joy vanished instantly.
She had forgotten that many people here were not trusted with the truth.
Those who knew the truth also tensed.
In their excitement, they had overlooked the obvious problem.
Dante's identity.
Then a smooth voice cut through the growing tension.
"Forgive me, Your Highnesses, Emperor, and Empress," Archduke Phillip said. "But could you enlighten us regarding the identity of this boy? He bears a striking resemblance to the Grand Concubine and possesses the Emperor's hair. Of course, I am not suggesting the royal family would hide a child, but clarification would be appreciated."
Aurora's heart sank.
She looked down at Dante.
The child she had fought for.
The child she loved.
His small face showed confusion and hurt.
She only needed to deny him.
It was the logical choice.
For the royal family's reputation.
For stability.
For everything.
But the very thought made her soul scream.
The emperor's grip tightened around his throne.
Kaien and Salvia understood the problem immediately.
Among elves, stillborn births were believed impossible. Throughout recorded history, no healthy elven mother—especially among the royal family—had ever given birth to one. It was a belief reinforced by their connection to nature and extraordinary lifespans.
Now they stood before living proof that reality did not always follow belief.
Dante quietly observed Aurora.
He could see the pain in her eyes.
In his previous life, his mother had denied him without hesitation.
So why was this woman suffering so much?
Then he understood.
Everything she had shown him.
Every moment.
Every act of affection.
It had all been genuine.
To her, he was her greatest treasure.
His little hands clenched.
"System. Who is this noble?"
[His name is Phillip, Master. He is an Archduke aligned with the noble faction that seeks to weaken the royal family. While their ultimate motives remain unclear, my gathered data suggests—]
"No need for an information dump. Just remember him for me."
[Physical identity and name stored.]
Dante stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Geetings, Arch Duke. My name is Dante Isiah. I am child of the little brother of Lady Aurora. As you know, Lady Aurora came from a commoner family before rising through honour and fame. It is not surprising that you do not know my parents. They both passed away shortly after my birth. I have lived under Lady Aurora's care since I was only a few months old. I call the Prince and Princess my siblings because they have granted me that honour."
Phillip studied him before nodding slowly.
The explanation was plausible.
The nobles knew very little about Aurora's family.
What had always mattered was her strength and mythical skill.
Still, Phillip sneered.
"Even so, child, you have no right to address the royal family with such familiarity. It is an offence punishable by death. Know your place."
Aurora's breath caught.
Her fists trembled.
Dante simply nodded.
"I will remember the Archduke's words."
Phillip smirked.
"Good. Now kneel and ask the Prince and Princess for forgiveness."
The royal siblings paled.
Horror filled their eyes as they watched their little brother prepare to lower himself.
Before his knees touched the ground—
A voice roared through the hall.
"IMPUDENT!"
The force behind it shook the room.
Even powerful protective artifacts could not fully shield their owners from its pressure.
Phillip staggered.
Before anyone could react, Dante was lifted into the arms of a handsome young boy dressed in black-and-yellow martial robes. A sword rested at his waist, and sharp yellow eyes stared coldly ahead.
Beside him stood a young girl in pink gemstone-studded robes, her bright orange eyes burning with anger.
"Archduke," the boy said coldly. "Do you dare accuse the royal children of lying?"