The banquet was already in full swing.
The grand hall of the Imperial Palace glimmered with golden chandeliers and marble pillars, each corner filled with nobles dressed in ornate ceremonial robes. Laughter echoed, wine flowed freely, and musicians played soft harmonies in the background. The powerful families of the Keyos Kingdom had all gathered under one roof, exchanging polite smiles and subtle threats disguised as conversation.
Shan Lion, Duke of the Lion Family, arrived with Vermin and Roy Lion at his side. As they entered, heads turned. Conversations paused. Whispers stirred. Even among the nobility, the presence of the Lion family commanded attention. The three walked with the grace and power befitting one of the Four Great Houses.
Once all families had arrived, the king, seated upon his majestic golden throne, raised his hand slightly. A bell chimed across the hall, silencing the crowd.
"It is time," the Royal Herald declared. "Let the Loyalty Ceremony begin!"
The nobles gathered in a half-circle before the throne, standing in respectful silence. It was a sacred tradition—one that took place every five years. The eldest sons of each noble family would step forward and publicly declare their unwavering loyalty to the kingdom and its ruler.
The first to step forward was a broad-shouldered, brown-skinned young man. He knelt on one knee before the king, head lowered in absolute respect.
"I, Rohan Handol, eldest son of the Handol Family, swear eternal loyalty to the Kingdom of Keyos and to His Majesty!"
The king nodded, his voice calm and regal. "May your strength serve the kingdom well. Rise, Rohan Handol."
One by one, the heirs of the great families followed. Voices rang out with declarations of duty, while the crowd looked on in solemn pride. It was tradition, yes—but also a measure of ambition, loyalty, and hidden agendas.
Finally, as the last of the noble sons stepped back, the room seemed to exhale in relief. The ceremony was almost over.
Until—
A voice rang out from the crowd, smooth and calculated.
"I've heard," said Sork Lofan, head of the Lofan family, wearing a smug smile, "that the Lion family's eldest son has turned nineteen this year. Yet… I don't see him among those swearing loyalty."
The crowd shifted uncomfortably. All eyes turned toward the Lion family.
Rouk Joisan, head of the Joisan family, chuckled darkly. "I heard the boy can't even hold a sword. Some say he stayed locked in his room for years, too weak to show his face."
Sork Lofan's smile widened, tinged with malice. "But he came out recently, didn't he? Just two days ago, in fact. That should be enough time to prepare for the ceremony, right? Unless... he has something to hide?"
Murmurs spread through the hall like wildfire.
Shan Lion, standing tall in his black-and-gold robes, suddenly burst out laughing. A deep, booming laugh that echoed through the chamber.
"Ha… ha… ha…"
The nobles blinked in confusion.
(Whispers) "Is Duke Shan losing his mind? Why is he laughing?"
"Shouldn't he be furious?"
The king raised a hand. "Silence."
Sork Lofan immediately knelt. "Your Majesty, this is a breach of tradition. The laws of Keyos are clear—every noble family's heir must submit their loyalty publicly. No one is above the law."
Shan Lion's eyes grew serious. He stepped forward and bowed slightly to the king.
"I apologize, Your Majesty. But my son… Jun Lion… will not be submitting his loyalty. Not now. Not ever."
A stunned silence fell over the room.
The king's gaze narrowed. "Duke Shan… You are the one I trust most in this kingdom. But trust does not give one the right to defy our laws."
"I understand," Shan said calmly. "And I say this with the deepest respect: There is no one in this world worthy of my son's loyalty."
The words dropped like thunder.
Sork Lofan stood, face red with anger. "This is outrageous! Does the Lion family consider itself above the kingdom? Above the throne?!"
The king began to respond, "Duke Sha—"
But suddenly, an invisible pressure swept through the hall.
Shan Lion's killing intent spread like wildfire, suffocating, paralyzing. Nobles gasped. Some dropped their glasses. Even the guards instinctively reached for their weapons.
"I will only say this once," Shan growled, his voice like iron scraping stone. "Do not speak of my son as if you understand him. If you try to touch him, if you try to bind him to laws meant for lesser men… you will regret it."
Sork Lofan, trembling slightly, barked out in protest, "Is that a declaration of war?! Are you threatening the kingdom, Duke Lion?!"
Shan's eyes burned. "I'm speaking to the king. Not to a lapdog who barks at the scent of power."
The hall gasped again.
Shan turned to the throne and lowered his head slightly. "Your Majesty. I have sworn loyalty to you and to this kingdom. That vow stands firm. But let me give you some advice… do not try to control my son. Even I cannot control him. The world cannot control him. And if anyone tries… they will be the ones broken."
His voice dropped.
"Oh, and one more thing… I know my first wife's death was no accident."
The room froze.
"I've learned the truth. Some among us here had a hand in it. To those people, I say this—prepare yourselves. My family will do nothing to avenge her. But her son… her only son… will. And he won't stop until your blood pays the price."
The crowd was silent. No one dared to speak.
Shan exhaled slowly, then turned to the king once more.
"It is not that the Lion family refuses loyalty. It is just that this time… it won't be our eldest son."
He looked toward the stunned figure beside him.
"It will be our youngest—Roy Lion."
The crowd gasped. Even Roy turned in disbelief. "F-Father?!"
Shan smiled gently at his youngest son. "You will be the one to walk the noble path. The one who lives in the light."
Roy lowered his head, stunned but respectful. "Yes, Father…"
With that, Shan turned.
"The banquet is over for us. We will take our leave."
And without another word, the Lion family walked out. The crowd parted in silence, making way for them, as if fearing the shadow left behind.
The king remained seated, his fingers drumming the throne.
His thoughts echoed a single name.
Jun Lion...
To be continued…