The air felt different this morning.
Maybe it was just me.
I stood in front of the tall mirror, shirt half-buttoned, watching how the morning light spilled over my reflection. The white strands of my hair shimmered faintly, almost glowing. Long, shoulder-length—soft, like silk. My gray eyes looked sharper than they did last night, less dull. I wasn't sure if it was the Bond or something deeper, but the System hadn't stopped humming in the back of my mind since dawn.
"Status check," I thought silently.
[Vitality: Increased. Libido: Stable. Charisma: Slightly boosted due to recent Bond.]
[New Trait Active: Healer's Grace. Passive aura enhancing recovery.]
[Attraction radius increased by +12%: Female targets within 5 meters show elevated interest.]
I sighed.
No wonder the maid who delivered my clothes this morning kept dropping her gaze. She didn't even say a word—just stared like I was some forbidden statue carved from marble.
Which… I kind of liked.
I adjusted the collar of my royal black shirt and rolled up the sleeves. My body felt different. Stronger. Lighter. Like the aches and weight from yesterday had vanished. The new Raiden—the one I'd become—wasn't the same man who used to crawl behind the shadows of his brothers.
And they were about to find that out.
"System," I said under my breath, buttoning the last clasp on my coat. "Where's the dining hall?"
[Route calculated. Proceed straight, down two staircases. East Wing. 7-minute walk. Targets detected: Prince Cael, Prince Lucien, and Lord Orion.]
"Let's go, then."
The palace was quieter than I expected. Grand, but cold. Every corridor stretched on like a maze lined with portraits and flickering wall sconces. I tried not to look too lost, but honestly, without the System, I'd probably end up in the dungeons or someone's bedroom.
I turned a corner and almost bumped into two young maids carrying a tray of fruit.
They froze.
So did I.
Their eyes dropped to the floor instantly, but only after trailing a little too long across my exposed collar and face. I raised an eyebrow.
They didn't bow. Or greet me.
At least… I thought they were supposed to?
"Cat got your tongues?" I asked, cocking my head. "Don't know how to greet a prince?"
Their eyes widened, cheeks reddening.
"S-sorry, Your Highness!" they stammered, quickly bowing low.
I smirked and kept walking, though I could feel their stares burning into my back.
[Charisma +1: Passive effect triggered.]
"Yeah, I get it," I muttered. "I'm shiny now."
The doors to the dining hall loomed ahead—tall, carved, intimidating. I pushed them open with both hands, trying to walk in like I owned the place.
Inside, three men were already seated at a long obsidian table.
All of them looked up at once.
And for a moment, silence stretched like wire between us.
The man at the center—tall, regal, dark blond hair slicked back with ridiculous precision—arched a brow.
Prince Cael, the Crowned One.
Beside him sat Lucien, leaner, sharper, eyes like daggers, fingers twirling a silver ring. The youngest prince, and apparently the loudest.
The third—Orion—was lounging with one leg over the other, sipping from a glass like he had nowhere better to be. Their cousin. A war general, if the System was right.
"Look who crawled out of his cave," Lucien said first, a grin spreading across his face. "Did you finally remember where the dining hall is, little brother?"
Cael didn't smile. His eyes scanned me. "You look… different."
"Different?" Orion said, setting his cup down. "He looks like someone polished him overnight."
They all chuckled.
I walked calmly to the far end of the table, noting the untouched plates stacked at the corner.
"No maid to feed you this morning?" Lucien asked, feigning innocence. "Or did you scare her off with your new 'shiny' look?"
I sat.
"Maybe she ran off before you could beg her to stay," Orion added.
Cael didn't laugh. He just stared.
"You're early," he finally said. "That's… rare."
"I figured I'd try something new," I replied coolly. "Like showing up."
Lucien let out a low whistle. "Oh? He speaks. And with confidence. That's new."
"System," I whispered internally. "Can you give me quick summaries on these three?"
[Cael: First Prince. Calculated. No known humor. Dominant political mind. Hostile relationship with Raiden.]
[Lucien: Third Prince. Chaotic, playful, verbally aggressive. Sees Raiden as weak.]
[Orion: Cousin. Military commander. Neutral but easily entertained. Observing.]
"Fantastic."
A servant brought over a tray, placing it in front of me without a word. Eggs. Toast. Meat. Soup. The usual royal spread.
I didn't touch it right away.
Cael spoke again. "Did you get hit on the head recently?"
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You're walking straighter. Looking people in the eye. I don't remember my little brother having a spine."
"Maybe you just weren't looking hard enough."
Lucien snorted into his cup. "That's rich."
I ignored him and reached for the goblet of water beside my plate.
Cael's gaze narrowed.
"You're still nothing, Raiden," he said smoothly. "No title. No military record. No alliances. No accomplishments."
Orion raised a brow, mildly curious.
Lucien added, "Hell, the maids forget your name half the time."
I took a sip of water, letting it sit on my tongue before swallowing. Then, I smiled—just a little.
"Funny," I said. "For people who don't think I matter, you sure talk about me a lot."
Lucien's smile vanished.
Orion let out a low chuckle, clearly amused.
Cael didn't flinch. "One witty comment doesn't change the years of disgrace you've gifted this family."
"Maybe not," I said, leaning back. "But it's a start."
[Charisma Check Passed. Opponents mildly unsettled.]
I didn't know the palace rules, the etiquette, or what counted as royal behavior. But I did know one thing:
These men thought I was still the old Raiden—the one who flinched at his own name.
And I wasn't.
Not anymore.
Lucien spoke again, voice dripping with sarcasm. "So what now, brother? Planning to join a war? Save a village? Marry a duchess?"
"I'm just eating breakfast," I said.
"But for how long?" Cael murmured. "Until your next disappearance?"
[System Suggestion: Controlled silence. Let them speak. They're watching for cracks.]
I nodded internally and stayed quiet.
Lucien leaned forward. "Tell me something, Raiden. Did you make a deal with a demon? Because I swear, you smell different."
I raised a brow. "Like what?"
He sniffed theatrically. "Like sex and arrogance."
Orion burst into laughter.
"Maybe he finally learned how to use his cock," Lucien said with a grin.
I stared at him, unfazed. "Worried I'll catch up?"
That shut him up.
Even Cael's eyes flickered.
The System buzzed softly in my ear.
[Threat Level: Low. Social dominance gained: +5 Respect with Orion.]
I resumed eating, ignoring the growing silence around the table.
Let them wonder.
Let them guess.
I wasn't the weakling they pushed around for years.
I am the beast Emperor I thought with a smile