Chapter 30: Crown Princess Rachel de Lugar
'So noisy,' I thought, smiling gracefully at the droves of nobles while engaging in polite conversation. My facade was flawless, a mask of interest and warmth, but seeing through their true intentions was as simple as a walk in the park.
I had always been like this, a master of human psychology, capable of reading people's intentions from their actions with ease. Each glance, each gesture, each carefully chosen word revealed more than they intended. The intricacies of the power balance within the Empire unfolded before me like a meticulously crafted tapestry.
It was easy.
It was trivial.
Humans were so trivial.
As I observed the nobles, my mind wandered. 'I wonder, does every great ruler feel like this?' Perhaps it was arrogant to compare myself to the great rulers of history at my young age, but I couldn't help but ponder if anyone else saw the world as I did.
The ball continued around me, a blur of opulent gowns and glittering jewels, of laughter and whispered conversations. I navigated through it effortlessly, exchanging pleasantries with the skill of a seasoned diplomat. Each interaction was a chess move, calculated and precise.
A noblewoman in a deep emerald dress approached, her smile too wide, her interest too keen. "Your Highness, it's such an honor to be in your presence," she gushed, her eyes flicking to the side where her son stood nervously.
"Thank you," I replied, my voice smooth and regal. "I hope you are enjoying the ball."
"Indeed, Your Highness," she continued, her gaze lingering on me. "I was hoping to introduce my son, Harold. He is quite talented and would be honored to serve in any capacity."
Her words dripped with ambition, her intentions clear. I smiled, acknowledging the introduction with a nod. "It's always a pleasure to meet the future leaders of our Empire."
As Harold stammered his greetings, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement. 'So predictable,' I thought. The ambitious mothers, the nervous sons, the sycophantic fathers—all of them played their parts in this grand theatre of power.
'Well, I suppose this is around the age I should be getting engaged,' I mused as I courtesied to Harold, exchanging polite conversation. 'Even the Hero of the North came all the way here to get his son engaged to either me or Aurora.'
Duke Hilrose was a man of action, more concerned with defense and strategy than court politics. Yet the current landscape of the Killion Empire forced him to navigate these treacherous waters. I couldn't help but feel that his thoughts mirrored mine as he was surrounded by nobles flocking to him like villagers to a block of gold.
'Edwin Hilrose, he's gotten sharper,' I thought, recalling our exchange on the balcony. He was precocious from the beginning, but his intelligence had only sharpened with time. Perhaps his father was providing him with extra training to prepare him for this vicious world of politics.
My eyes wandered back to the balcony. With a light breath, I siphoned mana from my core and pulled it into my eyes, enhancing my visual acuity to observe what was happening. I wasn't a genius at magic, but I was more talented than the average noble child.
The scene unfolded before me: a tense atmosphere between Lancelot and Edwin. 'Looks like something happened after Aurora and I went back inside. Did Lancelot figure out about the future engagement talks?'
I shook my head internally at my own analysis. 'Edwin seems to hold Lancelot in some regard; he wouldn't lash out just because of that. Something else happened.'
'I lack information to come to a decisive conclusion,' I decided, 'but it may have something to do with Lyra Arlen, the one who gave Lancelot that pendant.'
It wasn't hard to deduce that Lyra was the one who gifted Lancelot the pendant. Lancelot, alongside Lucas and Baron Cedric, had saved Lyra's life during the attack two years ago, forging a bond between them. My thoughts shifted from the balcony to Lucas Orbel, the first son of a baron who had managed to become an Imperial Knight at the young age of sixteen.
He wasn't the youngest Imperial Knight by any means, but with the average age of knighthood being twenty-two, his achievement was noteworthy. Quite talented indeed.
"Did anyone catch your eye, Your Highness?" Marquis Lumar inquired as he stepped closer, causing the other nobles to retreat.
I let out a short breath of relief and turned my attention to the Imperial Guard. "Both Lucas and Lancelot are quite impressive, aren't they?"
"Lucas Orbel is impressive, yes," Magnus nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "Becoming an Imperial Knight at sixteen is no small feat."
"Yet you became one at fourteen," I retorted, a small smile playing on my lips.
He simply returned the smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"But I feel that Lancelot is more special," he said, looking out toward the balcony where Lancelot and Edwin stood.
I followed his gaze, contemplating his words. "What makes you say that?"
"He is already at the blue stage," Magnus whispered, causing my eyes to widen before I quickly masked my surprise. Blue stage at the age of twelve?
"That's better than you were, right?" I asked, my casual words slipping out unintentionally.
Magnus didn't seem to mind and nodded. "Yes, but I'm not sure if he's reached the Blood level yet in any weapon, which would elevate him to the level of an Imperial Knight."
"What would you place him potential-wise?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Magnus's gaze remained steady on Lancelot. "Lucas Orbel will likely become at least an Imperial Knight Captain in the future, possibly even reach the level of an Imperial Knight Commander. Lancelot, however, should at least reach the level of an Imperial Knight Commander, and possibly... something between my level and the rest of the Imperial Guards."
I hummed thoughtfully, digesting Magnus's evaluation of Lancelot.
'So I was correct with my previous analysis,' I thought as Magnus's words confirmed by own suspicions about Lucas and Lancelot.
"Your Highness, you seem deep in thought," Magnus observed, his tone gentle.
I met his gaze and offered a small smile. "Just considering the future, Marquis Lumar. The Empire's future rests on the shoulders of the young, after all."
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