Author's POV....
The Royal Banquet Hall of Ravencourt had never looked more magnificent.
Hundreds of golden lanterns hung from the high ceilings, their warm light illuminating the grand hall in a breathtaking glow. Massive crystal chandeliers dangled overhead, each one decorated with tiny diamonds and rare gemstones that scattered colorful reflections across the polished marble floor. The pillars were carved from white marble and wrapped in delicate golden vines, while silver engravings of dragons, phoenixes, and ancient royal symbols adorned the walls.
Long tables covered in ivory silk stretched across the hall, their edges embroidered with golden thread. Fine porcelain plates rested beside silver cutlery, and crystal goblets sparkled beneath the lights. Small arrangements of white roses, crimson lilies, and rare blue flowers decorated the tables, their sweet fragrance mingling with the delicious aroma of freshly prepared food.
The royal crest of Ravencourt was displayed proudly behind the elevated platform where the King and Queen would sit. Golden curtains framed the massive windows, while silver chains holding precious gemstones draped elegantly between the pillars.
Even the smallest details looked expensive. The decorations alone could probably buy an entire village.
And the servants? They were moving around as if their lives depended on ensuring that nobody's goblet remained empty for more than five seconds.
Silver trays carried delicate starters, including golden-crusted pastries filled with seasoned meat, miniature cheese tarts, honey-glazed fruits, and tiny rolls decorated with edible flowers. Other servants offered roasted nuts coated in spices, fresh berry delicacies, and beautifully arranged seafood.
At one end of the hall, an orchestra composed of famous musicians from different kingdoms had gathered to perform. Their instruments produced a beautiful melody that filled the hall without overpowering the cheerful conversations of the arriving guests.
Violins sang softly over the deeper notes of cellos, while flutes added a light, almost magical quality to the music. A harpist sat beneath a chandelier, her fingers moving gracefully over the strings.
Several princes and princesses stopped the moment they entered. One princess stared at the enormous chandelier above her head, her mouth slightly open.
"Is that a diamond chandelier?" she whispered to her companion, pointing upward with an astonished expression.
Her companion followed her gaze and nearly choked on her own breath.
"That is not an ordinary diamond chandelier. Look at the stones in the center! Those look like moonstones!" she whispered back, clutching her friend's arm as though the discovery had personally offended her family's treasury.
Meanwhile, a young prince had already abandoned his admiration of the decorations in favor of the nearest food counter.
"Move aside, please. I have traveled for hours, survived dangerous forests, fought bandits, and nearly lost my appetite listening to Caleb complain about his saddle. I deserve food," he announced dramatically, reaching for a pastry.
His companion stared at him. "You complained about your saddle for exactly twenty minutes."
"Twenty-five, actually. I was being generous by not counting the last five."
His companion rolled his eyes and grabbed two pastries for himself.
Within minutes, the atmosphere became lively. Guests admired the decorations, greeted familiar faces, and sampled the expensive starters as if they had been starved for months.
The banquet had barely begun, and already several young nobles were debating which dessert they intended to steal before the evening ended.
Ravencourt's royal banquet was certainly living up to its reputation. Unfortunately, one of its guests seemed determined to ruin the cheerful atmosphere simply by existing.
Riven had arrived. And he looked absolutely miserable.
The tall young man entered the banquet hall with a gloomy expression, followed by Kael, Caleb, Lucien, and Elric. His black royal attire fitted his broad shoulders perfectly, the pure gold embroidery tracing intricate patterns across his chest and sleeves. A golden clasp rested at his collar, while the dark fabric fell elegantly around his long legs.
Years of training had transformed him into a striking young man. His shoulders were broad, his posture straight, and his movements controlled. Dark strands of hair framed his sharply defined face, making his already intense features appear even more dangerous.
He was taller than most of the young nobles present, and the cold expression he wore discouraged anyone from approaching him without a good reason.
Whispers began almost immediately.
"Is that Prince Riven?"
"He has grown so handsome."
"Handsome? Look at his face. He looks like he could execute someone for breathing too loudly."
"That makes him even more intimidating."
"Are you insane? Why would that make him more attractive?"
"Because some people have terrible judgment."
Riven heard none of it. Or perhaps he simply did not care. His eyes moved across the hall, searching for one particular person.
Maelis. Where was he? Riven's gaze passed over the musicians, the decorated tables, the entrance, and the elevated royal platform.
Nothing. His expression darkened further.
Caleb, meanwhile, had discovered something far more interesting than Riven's increasingly murderous mood.
A group of beautiful noble maidens stood near the refreshments, laughing together. Caleb's eyes practically sparkled.
Without warning, he grabbed Kael by the arm and dragged him toward them. Kael stumbled, almost spilling his drink.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kael demanded, glaring at Caleb as he struggled to free his arm.
Caleb looked at him as though he had just asked the stupidest question in history.
"Look at them! They look lonely. And when I am around, no beautiful maiden needs to suffer from loneliness," Caleb declared dramatically, placing a hand over his heart.
Kael stared at him in disbelief. Then he smacked the back of Caleb's head.
"Do not embarrass me, you idiot! Why do you become so shameless whenever you see maidens?" Kael snapped, rubbing his forehead as though being associated with Caleb had given him a headache.
Caleb clutched the back of his head, his expression wounded. "Violence! In a royal banquet! Against an innocent, compassionate young man who merely wishes to spread happiness!"
"You are seventeen years old. Start behaving like it."
"Age is just a number." Caleb replied shamelessly.
"And one day, that shameless behavior of yours will become the reason for your doom," Kael muttered, shaking his head.
Caleb snorted. "Jealousy does not suit you, my friend."
Before Kael could respond, Caleb had already turned toward the maidens with his most charming smile.
"Good evening, beautiful ladies. Have I told you how wonderful you look tonight?"
Kael watched him leave.
"I hope one of them throws a drink at him," he muttered.
Across the hall, Elric had found the dessert counter. And he had no intention of leaving it alive. Lucien stood beside him with the exhausted expression of a man who had been forced to witness several crimes against dignity.
"Try this one!" Elric exclaimed, holding a spoonful of strawberry pudding toward Lucien's face.
"I already tried it."
"That was the chocolate pudding."
"They are both pudding!"
"But they taste different!"
Lucien closed his eyes briefly, gathering whatever remained of his patience.
"Elric, I swear to the gods, if you put another spoon in my mouth, I will....."
Elric shoved the spoonful of strawberry pudding into his mouth.
Lucien froze. His eyes widened. His cheeks puffed out as he struggled to process both the dessert and the betrayal.
Elric beamed proudly. "See? Delicious!"
Lucien looked like a dying fish.
"You are going to die," he managed to mumble around the pudding.
Elric laughed and reached for another dessert. Eventually, the four troublemakers returned to Riven, who had deliberately moved toward a quieter corner of the hall.
He had hoped to enjoy at least five minutes without being embarrassed by his friends. Unfortunately, friendship was apparently a curse.
"Riven!" Elric called, rushing toward him with a plate of colorful desserts. Riven turned his head slowly.
"What?" he asked, his expression so flat that it could have frozen the nearby fountain.
Elric ignored the warning.
"You have to try this strawberry pudding. It is incredible!" he exclaimed, holding up a spoon.
"No, thank you. I am not in the mood," Riven replied, taking a small step backward.
Elric followed. "Just one bite."
"I said no."
"One."
"Elric."
"Open your mouth."
Riven narrowed his eyes. Elric shoved the spoon into his mouth. For one glorious second, Riven stood completely frozen, his eyes widening in genuine disbelief.
Kael burst into laughter. Caleb, who had apparently abandoned the maidens after discovering that one of them was already engaged, nearly doubled over.
"Oh, the great Prince Riven has finally been defeated!" Caleb cried, clutching his stomach.
Riven slowly turned his head toward them while chewing. His expression promised a very unpleasant future. Kael's laughter died halfway through a breath. Caleb immediately straightened his clothes. Lucien took three steps away from everyone.
"I was never involved in this," Lucien announced, raising both hands.
Riven swallowed the pudding. Then he looked at Elric. "Run."
Elric dropped the spoon onto his plate and fled behind Kael. The others scattered, laughing and shouting as they moved away from Riven's reach.
Riven sighed deeply. He had survived years of hardship, endured brutal training, and fought dangerous bandits. Yet somehow, these four idiots remained the greatest threat to his peace.
He turned back toward the entrance. And then the music changed. A royal announcement rang through the hall.
"His Majesty, the King of Ravencourt, and Her Majesty, the Queen of Ravencourt, have arrived! Accompanying them are His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Maelis Ravencourt, and Her Highness, Princess Seraphine Valoire!"
Every conversation stopped. The musicians lowered their instruments, and the assembled guests turned toward the enormous doors.
The doors opened slowly. The King entered first, dressed in a magnificent royal robe embroidered with gold. The Queen walked beside him in a silver gown adorned with rare gemstones, her graceful bearing drawing respectful bows from the assembled nobles.
And then Maelis appeared. For a moment, Riven forgot how to breathe.
Maelis wore a pristine white royal outfit, its fabric embroidered with delicate silver patterns that shimmered whenever he moved. A crimson silk cape rested over his shoulders, fastened with a golden clasp shaped like a blooming flower.
His long, silvery hair fell freely down his back, catching the light from the chandeliers. A few strands framed his face, emphasizing his delicate features, pale skin, and luminous eyes.
At twenty, Maelis possessed a beauty that was difficult to ignore. His face was elegant without appearing fragile, his movements graceful without seeming deliberate. He carried himself with the effortless confidence of someone born to stand beneath a crown.
Yet there was a gentleness in his expression that made him even more captivating.
When he smiled at the guests, the warmth in his eyes transformed his otherwise regal appearance. He looked almost unreal.
Like a figure painted by an artist who had decided that ordinary beauty was simply insufficient.
Riven stared. The surrounding noise faded. The music became distant. Even the people standing beside him seemed to disappear.
His entire world narrowed to one person walking beneath the golden lights.
"Enjoying the view?" A voice interrupted his thoughts. Riven turned sharply.
Theron stood beside him, dressed in a dark navy royal coat with silver embroidery along the cuffs. His hair was neatly styled, and his handsome face wore an infuriatingly amused expression.
His gaze briefly followed Maelis before returning to Riven.
"Keep looking at him from far away, kid. That is all you can do in this lifetime," Theron remarked, smiling mockingly.
Riven's expression turned cold. His fingers tightened into fists.
"What did you say?" he asked quietly, his voice carrying a dangerous edge.
Theron tilted his head, looking thoroughly entertained.
"What? Did reality hurt your feelings?"
Riven stepped closer. "Watch your mouth."
Theron did not move. Instead, he smiled more broadly. "Or what?"
The air between them seemed to grow colder. A few nearby guests noticed the tension and quietly moved away.
Kael, Caleb, Lucien, and Elric returned just in time to witness the confrontation.
Caleb looked from Riven to Theron and sighed dramatically. "Wonderful. We have been inside the banquet hall for barely ten minutes, and someone is already preparing to commit murder."
"Keep your voice down," Lucien muttered, grabbing Caleb by the sleeve.
"Why? I am merely stating the obvious."
"Your obvious statements are going to get us all killed." Kael crossed his arms, glaring at Theron. Elric covered his mouth to hide a laugh.
"Piss off," Riven said coldly, looking directly at Theron.
Theron raised his eyebrows, clearly pleased that he had managed to provoke such a reaction. Before either of them could continue, Maelis approached.
"What's happening here?" he asked, looking between the two men with genuine confusion.
His gaze moved from Riven's clenched fists to Theron's amused expression. For a moment, Maelis wondered whether the two had been arguing about Seraphine.
Perhaps Theron had been teasing Riven about the engagement. Perhaps Riven was finally realizing that the female lead was destined to marry him. The thought struck Maelis as unexpectedly hilarious.
He pressed his lips together, fighting a smile.
'Oh, gods. Are they fighting over Seraphine again? These two really need to grow up.'
Theron immediately straightened.
"Nothing serious," he replied smoothly, turning toward Maelis. "We were discussing the decorations."
Maelis glanced around the magnificent hall. "The decorations?"
"Yes. Very impressive, aren't they?" Theron continued, looking directly at Maelis rather than at the decorations.
His gaze traveled over Maelis's white outfit, the crimson cape resting against his shoulders, and the silvery strands of hair falling across his chest.
Theron's expression softened. He had seen Maelis many times before. He had grown up beside him, argued with him, trained with him, and watched him change over the years. Yet something about seeing him tonight made it difficult to look away.
Perhaps it was the lighting. Perhaps it was the smile. Or perhaps it was the fact that Maelis had become someone Theron wanted to understand more deeply than before.
Riven noticed every second of that gaze. And his mood deteriorated accordingly. Maelis, entirely unaware of the silent war unfolding around him, he turned toward Riven...his expression brightened.
"Riven, this outfit looks so good on you. I knew you would pull it off," Maelis said warmly, smiling at him.
For one brief moment, Riven's anger vanished. His heart softened at the praise. He wanted to answer...but Theron suddenly grabbed Maelis by the arm.
"Come with me for a moment," Theron said, pulling him away before he could finish speaking.
Maelis stumbled half a step.
"Hey! What are you doing?" he protested, turning to glare at Theron.
Theron continued walking. "We need to talk."
"Then talk! You do not need to drag me around like a sack of potatoes!"
Riven watched them disappear into the crowd. His face became expressionless. The kind of expression that made his friends instinctively take a step away.
Caleb swallowed. "Should we stop him if he decides to kill Theron?"
Lucien stared at him. "How exactly do you propose we stop him?"
Caleb considered that for a moment. "Excellent question."
Meanwhile, Theron finally released Maelis's arm in a quieter corridor near the banquet hall. Maelis immediately rubbed his wrist and glared at him.
"Stop dragging me around already. Just say what you want to say. I have to go back," Maelis complained, folding his arms across his chest.
Theron's amusement disappeared.
He looked at Maelis seriously. "That kid is not normal."
Maelis blinked. "Who?"
"Riven."
Maelis's expression changed from annoyance to confusion.
"What do you mean, not normal? He is perfectly fine."
Theron shook his head. "You are not understanding what I am saying, Maelis."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"When I was talking to him just now, something felt different. I cannot explain it properly, but for a moment, I felt intimidated by him." Maelis stared at him. Theron continued, his expression unusually grave.
"He barely said anything, yet his eyes were frightening, there was something in them that I have never seen before."
Maelis swallowed.
Theron held his gaze. "You should be careful around him if you do not want to end up locked in a cage."
Silence settled between them. For a moment, Maelis could only stare at his childhood friend. Then the full meaning of those words sank in.
'Of course he is not normal! He is the male protagonist of a novel! Did you expect him to behave like an ordinary teenager?' Maelis wanted to scream. Instead, he forced a smile.
"I will keep that in mind," he replied carefully.
Theron studied him for another moment before stepping back. "I am serious, Maelis."
"I know."
Theron gave him one last concerned look before returning to the banquet hall.
Maelis remained in the corridor. A chill crept down his spine. He rubbed his arms and looked toward the windows.
'What do you think I have been doing for the past six years, you idiot? I am trying to save my head!' He shuddered.
'And, yes, I know exactly what Riven is capable of. He is the male protagonist. Of course he cannot be normal!'
Maelis took a deep breath, straightened his crimson cape, and returned to the banquet hall. He intended to find Riven. He had barely taken a few steps inside when he spotted him standing near a marble pillar.
Riven was leaning against it, his arms resting loosely at his sides, his face turned toward Maelis. His gaze was fixed on him. Unwavering....almost unnervingly intense. Maelis's steps slowed.
'Why is he looking at me like that? Did something happen while I was gone?' He moved towards him with slow, deliberate steps. But before he could reach him, Seraphine appeared beside him and slipped her arm through his.
"Crown Prince, there you are! I have been looking for you," she exclaimed, smiling brightly. Maelis barely had time to react before she began leading him toward a group of visiting nobles.
"I want you to meet the princess from the northern kingdom. She has been asking about you all evening."
Maelis looked back over his shoulder. Riven was still standing beside the pillar. Watching. His face remained unreadable.
Maelis gave him an apologetic little smile before Seraphine pulled him away. Riven's expression darkened.
The evening was becoming more entertaining than he had expected. The banquet continued for another hour.
Musicians performed traditional pieces from different kingdoms, servants circulated with fresh dishes, and the visiting nobles exchanged stories about the mission and their upcoming journeys home.
Yet Riven barely noticed any of it. His attention kept returning to Maelis. Whenever someone approached the Crown Prince, Riven noticed. Whenever Maelis laughed, Riven heard it.
Whenever Theron stood beside him, Riven's jaw tightened. And whenever Seraphine touched Maelis's arm, his fingers curled against his palm. The thought of Maelis leaving him was unbearable. But the thought of Maelis hating him was worse. He could not decide which possibility frightened him more.
At last, Caleb and Kael hurried toward him, their expressions unusually serious.
"Riven," they said simultaneously.
Riven turned toward them, frowning at their breathless appearance.
"What happened now?" he asked, his voice flat. "Why are you both panting as though you have run across the entire kingdom?"
Caleb placed his hands on his knees and took a moment to catch his breath.
Kael glanced around before leaning closer.
"We heard something while talking to the noble maidens."
Riven's expression barely changed. "Then I hope it was worth interrupting my evening."
"It concerns the Crown Prince," Caleb replied.
Riven straightened immediately. "What about him?"
Caleb glanced at Kael, who nodded for him to continue.
"Do you know why Seraphine has not officially become Crown Princess yet?" Caleb asked, lowering his voice.
Riven's eyes narrowed. "No."
Caleb took a deep breath.
"When the Crown Prince was born, the Grand Queen invited a saint who was believed to be a divine messenger. The saint performed a divination and made a prediction about the Crown Prince's future."
Riven remained completely still.
Caleb swallowed before continuing.
"He said that the Crown Prince's future partner would become the reason for his death."
For several seconds, Riven did not react. The music continued. Guests laughed. A servant passed behind them carrying a tray of golden pastries.
But Riven stood frozen. His gaze slowly shifted toward Maelis, who was standing across the hall beside Seraphine.
Kael gently poked Riven's shoulder.
"Riven?" Riven blinked, his fingers loosened.
Without saying a word, he turned and walked away.
Caleb stared after him. "What was that about?"
Kael scratched his cheek, looking equally confused. "I have absolutely no idea."
The banquet finally came to an end.
The musicians played a final, gentle melody as guests began leaving the hall. Servants collected the empty plates and cleared the tables, while the royal guards escorted visiting nobles toward their waiting carriages.
Maelis had barely managed to speak with half the guests before the evening ended. And, unfortunately, he had not managed to talk to Riven properly even once.
He sighed as he returned to his palace. The corridors were quieter now, illuminated by the warm glow of wall lamps. His footsteps echoed softly across the polished floor as he approached his chambers, already imagining the comfort of his bed.
Then he stopped, someone was already standing outside, waiting for him
"RIVEN" he exclaimed with a bright smile.