"One might think you've fallen in love with him given the way you look at him."

  Upon hearing these words, Lucas immediately turned around, and he saw a young man dressed in a blue military uniform with silver patterns, with a white cape draped over his left shoulder.

  His white hair streaked with black locks was similar to the coat of a tiger, and his red eyes made him immediately recognizable. His fair skin, his refined features, and his confident stature made him as intimidating as he was elegant.

  He walked up to Lucas with a smile, giving him a casual wave.

  "Yo cousin, don't tell me you're attracted to men," said this man in a slightly mocking tone.

  Lucas was surprised by his behavior, and even more shocked by the way he had just called him… cousin?

  But as he looked at the young man more closely, an unexpected warmth spread through him. This person's aura was powerful, but she also seemed familiar.

  "What do you mean, cousin?" Lucas asked suspiciously.

  The young man put his hands in his pockets, crouched slightly, and looked Lucas straight in the eyes.

  "Yep, I'm your cousin... and you are my cousin," he said with an amused smile on his lips.

  Lucas, still suspicious and a bit embarrassed, glanced at him and thought:

  "Huh wait. Don't tell me he's really Uncle Andy's son. "

  The young man, seeing his reaction, guessed his thoughts and let a small smile appear on his lips.

  "I think I'll have to introduce myself properly this time," he said calmly, straightening up.

  When he straightened up, he bowed again to Lucas, and in a more respectful tone, he said:

  " I, Arden Ivan Ingriss, son of the Northern Defender Andy Rays Ingriss… salute His Royal Highness, Prince Lucas Ashir Ingriss."

  Lucas blinked, surprised by this change in attitude. But he immediately regained his composure and bowed in turn.

  "I, Lucas Ashir Ingriss, am honored to have one of the kingdom's prodigies in front of me, and thank you for your presence at my banquet," he said calmly with respect.

  Arden put a firm hand on Lucas' shoulder.

  "It's good. We don't need to use all these labels between us. In addition, I don't like them too much," he said calmly, smiling.

  Lucas stared at him for a few seconds, surprised by his personality. But finally, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

  "You're really different from anything I've heard about you," he said, letting a chuckle escape.

  "Ahh, people say that a lot. But don't worry. This is our first meeting, and over time you will get used to it," Arden replied with a slight smile on his lips.

  "But other than that, congratulations on your first appearance. You do better than me at your age," he added calmly, while staring at the discreet looks that the nobles threw at Lucas.

  Lucas looked down for a moment, a little embarrassed by his cousin's words.

  "Thank you, but I don't think I deserve so much praise... I'm just content to follow what I've been taught, and on top of that, I'm starting to get bored."

  Arden burst out laughing, and lightly patted Lucas' shoulder.

  "Don't worry cousin, I don't like this kind of event either. "

  Lucas chuckled softly at those words.

  But as soon as they had begun their exchange, another figure approached. The girl wore a richly embroidered burgundy dress, her chestnut hair fell in soft waves as she advanced with grace. Her hazel eyes fixed on Lucas with a mix of shyness and calculation.

  Behind her, Marquis Bernett observed the scene with a satisfied smile.

  She bowed elegantly.

  "I salute His Highness Prince Lucas," she said in a soft voice.

  "I am Lyria Bernett, daughter of Marquis Ross Bernett... It is a great honor for me to meet you," she added respectfully in a soft voice.

  Lucas, slightly caught off guard, inclined his head and replied politely, in a measured tone:

  "The honor is shared, Miss Lyria."

  "You are wearing a completely magnificent dress, Miss Lyria," he added in a calm and gentle voice.

  The girl blushed slightly, and timidly looked down.

  But before she answered, she suddenly felt a huge pressure on her shoulders.

  Next to them, Arden had his arms crossed and stared at the young Lyria with an icy air.

  "Eh... don't you see that we were in the middle of a discussion?" He said in an icy tone, his right eye turning golden.

  "Is this how they teach you to behave in the Marquis's household?"

  Following Arden's words, the atmosphere changed around them. The young Lyria froze in place, tetanized, drops of sweat running down her forehead.

  Nobles witnessing this scene held their breath. They knew perfectly well that Arden was not someone to be taken lightly despite his playful demeanor, as he could change his behavior very quickly.

  Arden slowly put his hand on Lyria's delicate shoulder.

  His smile had disappeared, replaced by a sharp look, and his voice became deeper:

  "So... is that what we taught you? Get into a conversation between members of the royal family? "

  The girl felt her legs tremble. Her hazel eyes lost their shine, and she stammered, unable to hold his gaze.

  "I-I... I just wanted... to present my respects... Your Highness..."

  His voice was so weak that it sounded like a broken breath. The pressure of Arden's hand on her shoulder, although light, weighed on her like a mountain.

  Behind, Marquis Bernett, who was watching the scene, discreetly clenched his fists. A cold sweat slid down his temple. He knew the reputation of Arden Ivan Ingriss: the greatest prodigy of the North, respected as much as feared. And he knew full well that a single wrong word could reduce years of political efforts to nothing.

  Around them, the nobles froze. Everyone held their breath, convinced that a public humiliation was going to fall on the marquis's daughter.

  But as the atmosphere became unbearable, Arden burst into a hearty laugh.

  He gently patted Lyria's back, his icy expression fading as if it had never existed.

  "Relax, little one. It was a joke," he said, a corner smile.

  He straightened up, put his hands in his pockets, and added in a lighter tone, tho still tinged with warning:

  "But remember this: never interrupt a conversation between members of the Ingriss family. Not here. Not anywhere. It's advice that could save you a lot of trouble."

  Lyria lowered her head, red with shame and still trembling, while her father discreetly tilted his, relieved but aware that this simple reminder had just crushed any attempt to approach the royal family.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  Lucas, for his part, observed his cousin. Once again, he understood that behind that relaxed smile was an authority that few dared to challenge.

  Arden looked at Lyria for a few more seconds, then he sighed softly and nodded toward his father.

  "It will be fine. You can leave now."

  Lyria bowed immediately, her voice trembling:

  "Y-yes... Your Grace."

  She hastily stepped back, her feet nearly giving way beneath her. Her father, the Marquis Bernett, gritted his teeth, but said nothing. He didn't even dare to meet the gaze of Duke Turner, who was staring at him with a mocking smile.

  Arden, on the other hand, found his smile by turning to Lucas.

  "There you go. I just freed you from all these vultures. Believe me, if she had started clinging to you, in five minutes you would have had ten more girls lining up."

  Lucas's eyes widened slightly before he let out a quiet laugh. A sincere smile appeared on his lips.

  "Thank you... cousin. "

  He stared at him, divided between surprise and a slight admiration. Arden had a strange way of imposing himself, brutal but effective, like an insurmountable wall erected between him and the nobles.

  Arden shrugged his shoulders with a proud look.

  "No need to thank me. You have to breathe a little," he said calmly

  It made Lucas laugh, but his stomach suddenly reminded him that he had eaten almost nothing.

  "Uh, cousin… I think I'll step away for a moment."

  "I haven't eaten anything all evening, and I feel that my stomach can scream from one second to the next," he said with a slightly embarrassed look.

  Arden smiled slightly, then he nodded, hands in his pockets, without trying to hold him back.

  Lucas took a few steps towards a large table set in a corner of the room. Crystal cups sparkled under the chandeliers, and a sweet aroma filled the air. Finely decorated pastries, candied fruit, and especially an imposing chocolate fountain in the center.

  Without waiting, Lucas grabbed a small honey tart and chewed on it. A sigh of ease escaped from his lips.

  "Finally... a pure bliss," he whispered.

  He finished his tartlet while savoring it quietly, but as he grabbed another candy store, a maid approached discreetly. She carried a silver tray stacked with cookies. His approach was respectful, and his gestures graceful, but Lucas noticed the slight nervousness in his hands.

  She gently placed the cookie tray on the table, then approached Lucas, before bowing to him.

  "How can I help you, Your Highness?" She asked in a shy tone.

  Lucas looked at her for a moment. She had nothing extraordinary: a young girl with simply tied gray hair, with a sweet but a little fearful look. Yet he felt a sincerity in his voice.

  "Could you bring me a cold juice? He asked kindly.

  The maid straightened up, and replied respectfully:

  "At your command your Highness. "

  Staring at her for a while longer, Lucas calmly asked:

  "By the way, were you just recently hired at the palace?"

  Hearing this, the maid was tense on the spot, and began to play timidly with her fingers.

  Seeing his reaction, Lucas sighed slightly, then answered calmly in a soft voice:

  "You know, if you work for the royal family, you don't need to worry. You must work serenely while having self-confidence. Don't let these nobles intimidate you, you're under our orders and protection."

  His words, said with quiet assurance, made his anxiety disappear. A slight smile lit up his face, and a small spark of confidence was born in his eyes. She bowed again, this time with more serene respect, then walked away to look for the requested drink.

  Lucas smiled slightly, happy to have soothed this fear he had perceived in her. But he didn't have time to take advantage of this lull.

  A strong perfume reached him as a figure approached.

  "Well, what a caring young prince. "

  Lucas turned around. His eyes collided with Arvid's. The imperial prince of Naxthor advanced slowly, his black uniform impeccably fitted. His smile was courteous, but his eyes betrayed a predatory glow.

  "Your Imperial Highness," said Lucas, bowing slightly.

  Arvid took a step forward, and replied calmly:

  "No need for so many formalities. "

  "I just wanted to see with my own eyes if the rumors were true," he said, leaning slightly towards Lucas.

  "What rumors?" Lucas asked with a calm smile.

  "Nothing interesting, I just heard that you would potentially have Lorthen's blood in your veins, second Prince Lucas," he said slowly, a mischievous smile drawing on his lips.

  A tense silence settled. Lucas felt a slight pressure on his shoulders, but before he answered, Arden stepped forward slightly, his sharp gaze fixed on Arvid.

  "Strange topic of conversation for a guest," he said calmly, smiling.

  Dayvon arrived in turn, his peaceful smile contrasting with the tension in his eyes.

  "There is only the blood of the Ingriss flowing in my brother's veins and nothing else," he said calmly.

  "Moreover, you should avoid making such assumptions within the Royal Palace, as it could be frowned upon," he added in a firm but polite tone.

  Arvid's gaze became darker, but he sketched an icy smile.

  "Well, you're so sensitive. I only asked a simple question. No need to be so defensive. "

  He took a step back, resuming his mask of indifference.

  "Let's all enjoy this magnificent banquet together," he said with a slight smile on his lips.

  And with those words, he turned on his heel and walked away. Lucas exchanged a relieved look with Arden and Dayvon, who both flashed him a knowing smile.

  "He's really as unbearable as the rumors say," Dayvon said.

  "You haven't seen anything yet," Arden replied, laughing softly.

  They were about to joke again, but a dry noise suddenly sounded.

  CLANG !

  A cup crashed to the ground.

  A muffled cry.

  Then... SLAP!

  The sound of a slap slammed throughout the room.

  Everyone turned to the origin of the din. There, in the corner of the room, Arvid stood, his icy gaze fixed on a maid collapsed on the ground. Her cheek was red from the slap, tears welling in her eyes.

  Lucas felt his heart tighten when he recognized her: it was the same maid he had asked for a drink.

  Arvid lowered his eyes to the stain that soiled his clothes... then stared at the maid on the floor, her face contorted with anger.

  "Hey bitch... how do you want to die?" asked Arvid in an icy tone.