~Where Words from Above Test the World Below~
The Grand Lunar Hall, moments ago humming with quiet conversation, now held its breath beneath the towering balcony.
High above, beneath the crescent-moon crest carved into black marble, the family of Rosenfeld stood assembled.
Duke Arcturus von Rosenfeld took his place at the center—his presence forming the axis around which the hall's atmosphere rotated. To his left stood Kel's second brother, Leonis von Rosenfeld, aged 11, fair-haired and clad in ceremonial white trimmed with gold. On Arcturus's right stood Kel's third brother, Reinhardt, younger by two years, fiery-haired and armored lightly, exuding the vigor of one naturally blessed.
Between them, slightly behind… stood Helena von Rosenfeld—Kel's mother.
She wore an evening gown of deep obsidian silk, subtly embroidered with silver threads swirling like sleeping storms. A calm, poised figure, her expression was reserved but dignified—the kind of beauty that once commanded courtly attention without needing to speak.
Her gaze swept the hall once.
Never landing on Kel.
But never avoiding him either.
That was her grace.
Beside the Rosenfeld family, positioned with royal propriety, stood Fourth Imperial Prince, Adrian Aurelius.
Clad in imperial black and gilded scarlet, he held a goblet in one hand, his other arm resting lightly behind his back. His expression was composed—neutral…
Until he turned to face the crowd.
In that moment, a hush fell over every breath.
Prince Adrian Speaks
"Tonight," he began, voice carrying across the hall without need for amplification, "we stand beneath the name and legacy of House Rosenfeld."
Each word fell smoothly, with the weight of diplomacy, not theatrics.
"By command of His Majesty the Emperor," he continued, eyes steady, "I bring this message."
He turned slightly toward Duke Arcturus.
"For the successful subjugation of the Western Monster Swamp—an ongoing threat to commerce, survival, and empire stability—"
Kel's eyes narrowed.
That swamp arc… was one of the hardest sub-quests in Destiny. The boss monster there wiped entire fleets if improperly managed.
To clear it with minimal loss meant peak tactical precision.
Adrian's voice resonated deeper.
"…His Majesty grants full reclamation rights of the Western Swamp territory—including its mineral, medicinal, and strategic assets—to Duke Arcturus von Rosenfeld—in full and absolute authority."
Murmurs surged—astonishment barely contained.
The Western Swamp was not merely land.
It was a territory rich with:
Mana-conductive ores
Rare alchemical fungi
High-tier monster cores
Deep strategic location near empire trade routes
This was more than a reward.
It was power.
The nobles exchanged careful glances.
A land granted is a land expected to be built upon… and defended.
Kel's Inner Thought
And that means…
Father's influence increases.
The house's future war projection shifts.
Sons will be reevaluated.
Marriages negotiated.
And succession…*
His gaze flickered upward.
…tightens.
Duke Arcturus Responds
The duke extended his goblet toward the prince—not lowering himself, nor elevating.
"On behalf of House Rosenfeld," Arcturus replied, voice deep, unwavering, "I accept His Majesty's decree with appreciation."
He turned to the hall.
"And I thank His Highness for personally delivering such message on this night."
A respectful bow of the head toward Adrian.
Then—he faced the crowd.
"Tonight," he said, voice strong enough to echo through bone, "you stand not merely in celebration… but at the edge of change."
Silence descended heavier.
Kel inhaled slowly.
He'd heard this in the game—but never from the man himself.
"I thank all who attend," Arcturus continued. "For honoring this house with your presence."
He lifted his glass.
"So let us begin."
Unified Toast
Nobles raised their glasses.
Some with fervor.
Some with calculation.
Some with hidden unease.
Kel raised his glass.
A breath.
Three seconds of stillness.
Then, in perfect timing with the hall…
He drank.
Post-Toast Reactions
Conversations resumed—now more restrained.
Political board shifted subtly.
"Rosenfeld receives strategic land…"
"Who will maintain it?"
"Which son will inherit field command?"
"Can the cursed heir still be ignored?"
Kel listened.
Not to words.
To direction.
Eyes of nobles now occasionally darted toward the balcony…
Then toward him.
Before tonight, I was forgotten.
Now I am unaccounted for.
A difference that unnerves.
He placed his glass back.
Slowly.
Intentionally.
Quiet Shift in Balcony
Helena—the duchess—shifted her gaze slightly.
Her eyes finally acknowledged her eldest son.
No expression.
No warmth.
But for the first time…
Recognition.
Like the moon acknowledging the shadow of a cloud crossing.
Just momentarily.
Kel did not react.
Don't show longing, he reminded himself.
Not yet.
Strength comes before reunion.
His fingers rested against the table.
A subtle tremor—quickly suppressed with breath control.
Father expanded land.
Prince confirmed imperial favor.
My silent entry has become a variable.
He exhaled.
So now, I must justify existing beyond the title that curses me.
The orchestra resumed.
Strings under silence.
He looked up just once at the duke.
A thought pierced cleanly.
Tonight the dragon returned…
One day…
I will return with wings.