Reyon stood beneath the burning orange sky, his cloak billowing gently in the breeze. The silhouette of the Elise Royal Palace stood tall in the distance, its spires piercing the heavens like the pride of a nation. After a few days of travel, he had finally reached it.
"No more sneaking in," he muttered, brushing the dust off his shoulders. "Let's try the front gate for once."
He approached the palace gates calmly.
The gatekeepers stiffened, crossing their spears in front of him.
"Halt! Identify yourself!"
Reyon didn't respond.
Instead, he vanished.
The guards blinked. "What the—?!"
Invisible.
Reyon walked past them, silent as a shadow. The guards scrambled, looking around frantically, but the intruder was already gone.
Inside, the grand meeting hall shimmered with golden light. Queen Julie sat atop the throne, dressed in regal silver and blue. Ministers and nobles filled the chamber, voices murmuring over documents and reports.
Suddenly, without warning, a ripple in the air.
Reyon appeared.
Standing casually at the entrance.
"How have you been, Miss Julie?"
Gasps echoed across the hall. No one had sensed his presence.
Not even Commander Phillip.
Julie opened her mouth to speak—but a blur interrupted.
A young noble leapt between them, his blue uniform fluttering.
"How dare a mere 5th Circle speak so casually to the Queen?!"
He was Reyon's age—maybe even younger. Sharp eyes. Confident stance.
The pride of the Elise Kingdom.
Killith.
Reyon blinked.
Then chuckled.
"I wasn't talking to you," he said, stepping past him in a blur.
Now he stood before Julie.
Killith's eyes widened. "You...!"
He began chanting.
A lightning spell sparked in his palm.
"You dare insult the Queen?! I'll strike you down—"
"Stop."
Phillip's voice thundered through the hall.
His hand gripped Killith's shoulder, holding him back with ease.
Killith gritted his teeth. "Commander Phillip?! Why are you stopping me?! Didn't you hear how he addressed the Queen?! This commoner—"
Phillip looked down at him.
"He isn't a commoner. And if you're smart, you'll apologize."
Killith flinched. "W-What? But he's just—"
"He's Reyon Phoenix. And even I am not his match."
Killith froze.
The sparks in his hand faded.
His lips trembled. "R-Reyon... Phoenix..."
He stared at Reyon's face.
Realization dawned.
Rumors.
The Wyvern raid.
The title of Archduke.
Killith's knees hit the marble.
"Forgive me, Lord Reyon!"
Julie raised a hand.
"Everyone. Leave."
No one argued.
Soon, only Julie and Reyon remained in the vast hall.
Julie stepped down from the throne.
"Why are you here, Reyon?"
He sighed, folding his arms.
"Miss Julie... why are you making things difficult for the Empire? Do you not fear us?"
Julie tilted her head, smiling slightly.
"Who wouldn't be afraid of the Phoenixes? But... I just wanted you, that's all."
Reyon's eyes twitched.
"Do you even like me? You shouldn't use marriage as a political alliance."
Julie's fingers curled into his collar.
Pulled him forward.
Then kissed him.
Reyon's eyes widened.
His face turned crimson.
She stepped back, smirking. "I don't care about alliances. Even if you were just some Phoenix noble, I'd still have sent the proposal."
Reyon's heart twisted.
Memories of his past life. Julie. The kindness. The care.
But...
"Miss Julie... listen. I like Alice. We were even engaged."
Julie blinked.
Then smiled bitterly.
"Yeah, I know. That engagement was broken, wasn't it? And from what I heard... she bullied you in the Academy. Left the Empire for her Brook royal family."
She walked slowly around him.
"Brook and the Empire aren't on friendly terms. Yet... if you insist, then... you can also marry her."
Reyon exhaled. Deeply.
"Haa... why are you so stubborn? Fine. Let's say we're engaged. But I've things to do. I'm leaving."
Julie grinned.
At his words—"we're engaged"—her heart bloomed.
Elsewhere.
The Brook Royal Palace.
BOOM!
An explosion rocked the eastern annex.
Servants screamed.
Arthur Brook dashed through the flames.
His heart thundered in his chest.
"Alice?!"
He reached the room.
Walls cracked. Smoke poured.
He found her.
Collapsed. Bleeding.
Her head... stained with red.
"No! No no no—!"
Arthur knelt.
"Healing Light!"
A soft golden glow surrounded her, mending the wounds.
Alice stirred.
Tears clung to her lashes.
"Elder brother... if I don't have Reyon... I don't want to live."
Arthur clenched his jaw.
He sighed.
"Haa... listen. He's just engaged. Don't worry. In the end, you'll marry him. I'll make sure."
To Arthur, Alice was everything.
Their father? Cold. Indifferent.
To their Father arthur was Just a tool.
he was never adored
But Alice... being with his little sister gave him warmth
The only light in his world.
He would do anything.
Even raise and tame dragons.
Even rule the world.
Just to see her smile again.
Just to give her whatever she desired.
End of Chapter 97