The princess approached us with that unmistakable royal elegance, each step graceful enough to make half the noble boys in the hall forget how to breathe.But to me… she looked nothing like the girl in Arthur's old memories.
In those memories, Anastasia would frequently visit the Crestban Mansion.She always clung to Aldric and dragged "Arthur" around like an exasperated older sister.She was lively, talkative, affectionate — almost too comfortable with them.
But now?
She stopped directly in front of us.
Her gaze slid toward Aldric with a mischievous smirk…
Then turned to me.
And her eyes were cold. Sharp. Clearly displeased.
Fair enough — I deserved that.
I inhaled deeply, nodded in greeting, and bowed slightly.
"Your Highness… I apologize for the sin I committed — for breaking the promise I made to you."
She stared at me flatly, unblinking, giving no reaction whatsoever.Five seconds passed.Ten seconds.Twenty.
Then her lips curled into a mocking laugh as she turned sharply toward Aldric.
"Aldric, did you hear him? This person… hah— his audacity knows no limits. And what is this 'Your Highness' nonsense? Are you trying to anger me even more?"
Aldric rubbed his forehead with the expression of a man witnessing my funeral.
His eyes said clearly:"Bro, you're dead."
I sighed and subtly looked around.
Several noble heirs were staring.Some girls looked at Anastasia with jealous scowls.A few boys whispered among themselves:
"Princess looks pissed at that guy…""Yeah, what did he do?"
Fortunately, Anastasia had already put up a sound–blocking artifact.No one could hear the actual conversation, only see her reactions.
I lifted both hands in surrender.
"Look, Anastasia… I know you're upset. You should be. I promised you and Aunt I'd visit whenever you were in Crestban, but… things happened."
She continued glaring at me — for a full two minutes.
Then, to my surprise, her expression softened slightly.She nodded once and smiled sweetly.
"Just so you know… if you ghost me again, I'll beat the shit out of you."
…What a beautiful threat from such a beautiful girl.
Right afterward, she stepped beside Aldric and effortlessly slipped her hand into his — intertwining their fingers with practiced familiarity.
Several nobles gasped.
"T–They're really that close?!"
Aldric turned beet red, trying desperately to act calm.
"A–Awakening is about to start," he muttered.
Princess Anastasia tilted her head, smiling like a playful devil.
"My awakening will probably be called first. Don't you want to wish me good luck?"
"Well… good luck—"
"Not like that, stupid. How about a good luck kis—"
COUGH — COUGH —!!
Aldric nearly died choking on air, face turning crimson.
I muttered under my breath, voice dripping with envy and sarcasm:
"Get a room, you two…"
But inside?
I was crying.
Every couple should just die.
I had lived TWO lives and was still single.Why was the universe bullying me?
Trying to distract myself, I scanned the hall.
Noble heirs filled the area — some calm, some shaking nervously.
Two duke children besides Aldric.
A purple-haired boy leaning against the wall, eyes cold and distant.Sora Alburt, son of the feared high-ranked awakener Gray Alburt, and a future S-rank awakener.
A chubby blond kid surrounded by two lackeys — destined to awaken a powerful tech-type S-rank talent.
Everyone here would have their own future, their own rise.
Meanwhile, Aldric and Anastasia were whispering sweet nonsense to each other like the world didn't exist.
"Unbelievable…" I groaned.
And then—
VOOOOM—
A powerful wave of mana swept through the hall.
A man appeared floating above the Awakening Stone, his presence alone crushing the entire room into silence.
Nobles trembled.
"I–Is that…?""Adsafa Rona…?""The Immortal-rank awakener under His Majesty!"
He descended slowly.
Tall. Silver-white hair tied neatly.Brown eyes sharp yet strangely calm.A controlled aura that still made breathing difficult for the unawakened.
When he spoke, his voice echoed with authority.
"For those who do not know me, I am Adsafa Rona, Immortal-rank awakener serving directly under His Majesty, the King."
The hall collectively stiffened.
"The Awakening Ceremony will begin now. I will call your names one by one. Place your hand on the stone. If successful, it will reveal your Talent Rank, Affinity, and Physique."
He paused, letting the pressure sink in.
"After awakening, your journey begins. This moment will decide whether you are worthy or not."
A wave of tension ran through the gathered heirs.
Adsafa opened the scroll.
And read the first name:
"Her Highness, Crown Princess Anastasia Thornhelm"