Around eight o'clock, in the sumptuous great throne hall, a majestic atmosphere reigned as chandelier light danced across walls adorned with beautiful, costly tapestries. Upon tables laid with elegance, a multitude of dishes stood proudly each as exquisite as it was beautiful testifying to the refined culinary skill of the castle's cooks. Every course was a gastronomic masterpiece, a symphony of flavors and textures carefully orchestrated to dazzle the most discerning palates.
The room's decor had been meticulously arranged, every detail considered to reflect the class and luxury befitting a royal event. Garlands of fresh flowers brightened the space, diffusing an intoxicating fragrance that perfumed the air, while shimmering fabrics draped over chairs and walls added a touch of opulence to the whole. Works of art and precious ornaments were placed with intent, catching the ambient light and lending an additional note of sophistication to an atmosphere already steeped in grandeur.
Servants, impeccably dressed, moved with grace and diligence to serve the guests, ensuring each plate was presented with care. The guests, already immersed in the festivities, savored every bite of these culinary delights and marveled at the magnificence of their surroundings.
From his majestic throne, the king surveyed the hall, a satisfied smile stretching his lips. His posture was that of a proud, confident sovereign, a glass in hand. At his sides, seated upon two equally imposing and richly ornamented thrones, was his family.
The hall was teeming with soldiers of the army the kingdom's loyal guardians. Their immaculate uniforms and steady gazes testified to their loyalty to their sovereign and their commitment to protect the realm against any threat. Alongside them stood representatives of the Church, present in their religious attire and imbued with solemnity.
There were nobles of high birth and members of the royal court as well, their distinguished presence adding a touch of aristocratic elegance to the gathering. Their sumptuous robes and glittering jewels spoke to their rank and influence within the kingdom's circles of power.
Among them, too, were influential merchants shrewd entrepreneurs whose thriving businesses contributed to the kingdom's wealth and economic development. Their lively discussions of trade and opportunity contrasted with the Church's solemn calm and the soldiers' martial discipline.
All awaited the arrival of the evening's principal figures, taking the occasion to sample light refreshments, exchange news, and trade warm greetings in an atmosphere marked by camaraderie and anticipation for what was to come.
After some time, the servants at the door announced:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the heroes of Sigma."
Framed in the doorway stood the heroes, clad in magnificent, elegant attire that reflected their stature and importance. Their steps resounded through the room as heads turned toward them, captivated by their imposing presence.
At their entrance, thunderous applause and whistles broke out, testifying to the assembly's admiration and gratitude for these heroic figures. They crossed the hall upon a carpet of enthusiastic clapping, their assured gait expressing both confidence and modesty.
Before the royal family, the heroes knelt in respect, bowing their heads humbly in deference to the highest authority in the realm. The solemn silence that followed contrasted with the earlier tumult, revealing the deep respect and admiration each person felt for this meeting between the heroes and their sovereign.
"Raise your heads, dear heroes. If we are here tonight, it is to celebrate your first victory as Sigma's official heroes. So this evening, let us feast for this victory and those to come," the king declared in a solemn tone.
The crowd gathered in the opulent ballroom rose suddenly in a thunder of applause, vibrating with contagious fervor, saluting the sovereign's inspired words. This surge of enthusiasm marked the true beginning of the festivities. Swept up by the moment's energy, the guests surrendered with renewed ardor to the pleasures of wine and fine dishes, plunging into a celebration even more intense than before our protagonists' arrival.
Throughout the hall elegantly dressed nobles, ecclesiastics in their clerical robes, and soldiers in classic uniform queued to greet and speak with the heroes. With refined etiquette and distinction, they paid homage to the protagonists, their words woven with compliments that praised each hero individually, enriching every salutation with a personal remark or flattering anecdote.
Beyond verbal praise, recognition also took the form of small gifts, each chosen with care to reflect not only the giver's esteem but also to symbolize a particular connection or respect for the recipient. These courteous exchanges, full of gratitude, were punctuated by animated conversations, creating a lively bustle of dialogue and interaction.
To be so lauded and loved gave the heroes a deeply pleasant feeling an experience of recognition and affection they could never have imagined. The emotion enveloped them, warm and comforting, gently guiding them toward the celebration's euphoria. Soon, they let themselves be absorbed by the festive mood, eating and drinking with frenetic intensity, carried by the jovial current that permeated the hall.
Under the strong influence of alcohol flowing as freely as a river in an enchanted kingdom they abandoned themselves without restraint, letting joy and freedom take hold in a moment suspended in time, where every smile and laugh seemed to seal their belonging to this magical night.
With booming laughter, they began recounting many stories and details of their former world speaking of their past lives, their technology, and the peace that reigned there captivating everyone's attention. Each listener hung on their words before they finally moved on to tell how their first mission had gone, omitting, of course, certain inconvenient details.
Maïli, who preferred discretion to celebrity, slipped away quietly to a calm corner beside Zem. Sharing a mutual reluctance to plunge into the general fervor, the two chose to keep some distance from the hall's agitation. Meanwhile, Shawn, Méverick, and Jay became the center of attention for a cluster of young noble ladies.
They surrounded them like butterflies drawn to a flame, pouring out languid compliments. With seductive subtlety, they invited the heroes to join them for conversations punctuated by laughter and by ever more drink.
For the ladies, the reverse held true in a mirrored situation. The young noblemen of the assembly, with gallantry tinged with admiration, approached, bowing respectfully as they extended their hands in greeting, then showered them with compliments inviting them for drinks in hopes of opening more intimate conversations.
These exchanges, marked by curiosity and mutual interest, opened the door to getting acquainted, weaving connections within the evening's enchanting frame. The dialogues were exploratory each party seeking to discover the other's story and perspective in a ballet of words and attentions that mirrored the flirtation unfolding on the other side of the hall.
Emma, for her part, felt a certain discomfort at the extent of the attention she received. Though she understood the need to play along, a part of her remained uneasy with such pronounced interest. The gestures and attentions bestowed by the court upon the heroes though seemingly gilded with overt seduction concealed, in truth, more calculated motives. Beyond charm and personal allure lay a tacit recognition of the heroes' potential to become an influential, indispensable force in the future. Through flattery and invitations, the guests sought not only to seduce, but to secure proximity to those perceived as key actors in events to come.
This court of admirers looked ahead to the possibility that the heroes by their actions and growing influence would become precious, even essential allies in power games and struggles for influence. By drawing near to them now, these nobles hoped to place themselves favorably for the future, anticipating that alliance or even simple good terms with our protagonists could yield considerable benefit. Thus, behind the seductive smiles and laudatory compliments lurked a deliberate strategy to forge ties with those who might soon shape their world's destiny.
In their quest to win the young heroes' attention, these nobles spared no boasts of illustrious lineage, breadth of lands, and wealth of possessions. Conversations, peppered with references to ancestral heritage and courtly influence, had a single aim: to impress and entice our protagonists. Behind each anecdote, each mention of vast domains or family exploits, lay a deliberate attempt to flaunt elevated social status, hoping to captivate and win the affection of these newcomers seen as rising figures with potential influence. And soon enough, some of these noble youths tried to approach Maïli.
Among all the heroines, she stood out strikingly for her beauty. From the moment they entered the hall, it was she who shone brightest, drawing every eye with an aura that seemed to eclipse the rest. Her eyes captivating and deep her hair, whose texture and color caught the light in a mesmerizing way, her luminous skin, her natural elegance, and her undeniable charm endowed her with an aura reminiscent of a queen.
Yet despite the attention she aroused, she remained indifferent even resistant to these nobles' advances. She rebuffed them bluntly, granting them no meaningful attention. To her, their ostentation their eagerness to parade their possessions, their reputation, and especially the number of slaves at their service was repugnant.
This unrestrained display of status and wealth often acquired at others' expense was not only distasteful to her, but profoundly contrary to her values. Her rejection was not a mere passing disinterest; it was a tacit condemnation of their lifestyle and principles.
Her dark gaze and manifest indifference quickly discouraged even the boldest suitors. Moreover, Zem's imposing presence at her side served as an additional bulwark, reinforcing the clear message that she did not wish to be approached. The combination of her uncompromising aura and Zem's tacit support erected an invisible yet palpable barrier around her.
The atmosphere shifted noticeably once the meal had been enjoyed and the liqueurs had warmed hearts and minds. The orchestra until then the accomplice of conversations and laughter slid into a melodic transition, heralding a new phase of the evening. The once-discreet music yielded to a gentle, lilting air inviting the guests to dance.
As the tender, buoyant melody spread through the air, a collective movement stirred among the guests. The men, with renewed courtesy, began inviting the ladies onto the dance floor. Shawn and his companions, not to be outdone, chose from among those who had caught their eye and invited them to a harmonious waltz.
In this elegant ballet, steps and music married in near-magical synchrony each movement reflecting the notes played, each swirl of the couples in perfect accord with the orchestra's cadence. It was a spectacle of grace and unity, the dancers gliding across the floor with ease and lightness, guided by the music.
At the end of the second waltz, as the music softened into a calmer, more romantic tempo promising dances steeped in tenderness and intimacy the room's attention was captured by a notable movement. The prince, with a presence that left no one unmoved, rose from his seat, instantly drawing all eyes. He made his way through the crowd, each step underlining his royal bearing, until he stood before Maïli. Offering his hand, he invited her to dance a proposal charged with significance in the evening's social and political context.
For Maïli, who had thus far sought to remain apart from the commotion, this invitation posed a considerable dilemma. Refusing the offer of such an eminent figure as the prince and in front of all the guests could be taken as an affront not only to his person but to courtly etiquette. On the other hand, she knew the invitation was no accident; the prince had likely orchestrated the moment with care, fully aware that refusal would be difficult if not impossible. Reluctantly, she took his hand. With a triumphant smile, he led her to the dance floor.
The scene drew the full attention of the assembly, each taking the gesture as a special honor bestowed upon the young heroine. Meanwhile, in a parallel and equally audacious move, Shawn approached the princess, offering his arm as an invitation to dance. The two pairs thus found themselves in a similar and unwanted situation. They began to dance to the music's rhythm, Maïli and Sarah forced to look their partners in the eye.
It was a moment of forced intimacy a silent dialogue where eyes expressed far more than words could. In that exchange of gazes mingled curiosity and a certain reserve. At last, Raphaël broke the silence, his voice tinged with royal assurance, pitched just above the music:
"You are truly stunning this evening, Maïli."
"Thank you," she replied nonchalantly.
"Yet I notice you've stayed in your corner all night. Do you not enjoy the celebration?" he added, still with that small smile.
"I have my circumstances," she answered, masking a hint of irritation.
"I see—you would also rather not be dancing," he ventured, chuckling briefly.
"If you knew that, why force my hand with your invitation?" she asked, nettled by his little smile.
"Let's say I couldn't bear to let a woman as beautiful as you end the night without a dance. And you seem intent on avoiding me so this was my chance."
She did not respond, contenting herself with watching Sarah and Shawn dance.
"May I ask what disgusts you so much about us?" the prince pressed, turning cold.
The conversation begun as a tacit sparring match quickly hardened into a glacial, tense exchange. The prince's question, spoken in a suddenly frigid tone, marked a turning point, laying bare the profound divergence of values between them.
"Everything about you disgusts me your customs, your methods, your laws," she answered bluntly.
"Slavery, eh? It's not allowed in your world, but it is here. So what's the problem? The fate of those miserable objects?" he said, savoring Maïli's every reaction.
"They are not objects!"
"They are to us and let me tell you, there's nothing you can do about it. Struggle all you like; nothing will change."
A malicious, sickly smile unfurled over the prince's face, revealing his true nature. Behind the mask of courtesy and nobility lurked something dark.
"You know, when you killed those poor children, I savored every moment every second of their wretched little lives ending so pathetically," he whispered.
She began to tremble not from fear, but from a deep, uncontrollable anger rising within her. It was not only his words that set her ablaze but everything he represented: the arrogance of power that believes itself untouchable; the injustice of a system that reduces people to objects; the absolute contempt for the value of life.
"You know what I liked best? You killing them against your will. In tears, sorrowful, frightened—completely broken. It was magnificent pure ecstasy like I haven't felt in a long time. You were beautiful then."
She gripped Raphaël's arms with implacable force, but he did not budge his physical strength seeming to outmatch her own.
"Shut up!" she snapped.
"You probably think that by becoming stronger you can free yourself. Don't count on it, because you are our property as well. You will be and already are my priority, Maïli."
Maïli's face twisted with rage; mana began to pour from her body. But before she could release even a thread of power, she was suddenly struck by a crushing pressure. An invisible, pitiless force seemed to assail her from all sides, cutting off her breath as blood ran from both nostrils. In dread, she caught sight of a smile on the king's face from afar before he spoke again.
"You see? And even if you freed yourself from our yoke, know there are powers in this world far greater than we are. So obey orders like a good dog if you don't want to end up in chains."
Overwhelmed by the unseen pressure, Maïli found herself in a state of profound distress. Suffocation the physical symptom of the magical assault robbed her of any ability to retaliate. In that extreme vulnerability, she could do nothing but hear the prince's words, each one resounding with terrifying weight as she struggled to draw breath.
This dread fed by her helplessness before the prince's blatant cruelty and by the brutal realization of her own fragility in this world marked a moment of profound anguish. Her inability to answer, to defend herself, or even to flee only amplified the terror in the face of an apparently all-powerful adversary.
"I want you in my chamber tonight after the banquet. I'll break you in properly," he whispered, horrifyingly soft.
Sarah, meanwhile, watched Maïli with resignation, paying almost no attention to Shawn, who was focused on leading the dance. The only thing she could say was that something terrible was about to happen she could see it in her brother's sadistic expression, a look that summoned her own traumas to the surface.
----
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