"It's wonderful to see all of you here at this event for the Princess," exclaimed King Pierson as he looked out at the crowd. "Today marks the debut of the Princess in the Noble Society, and she is now ready to be betrothed!" The audience erupted in applause upon hearing the news.

"I recently learned about the strong bond between Prince Claus and Princess Harriet, as the Prince has purchased an exceptional gift for his beloved sister. Please bring it out!" said the King, gesturing for his staff to display the gift.

A grand spectacle unfolded in the center of the ballroom as the maids moved swiftly to position a table before the dignified seating area reserved for the esteemed Royal Family. With utmost care, they proceeded to unveil the table, revealing a stunning sight that left everyone in awe-struck amazement: the legendary Azure Necklace, symbolizing the vast ocean and all its secrets. The audience could hardly believe their eyes, never having imagined they would bear witness to such a magnificent sight. The necklace was a treasure beyond compare, shrouded in mystery and possessing untold powers, like the ability to communicate with mermaids. It was no wonder that the necklace was so invaluable.

Though the nobles were no strangers to hearing tales of the Azure Necklace, experiencing it in person was a truly wondrous moment. Despite their innate greed, they knew that the necklace rightfully belonged to the King and that there was nothing they could do to claim it for themselves.

“Oh, your highness this is magnificent!”

“I never thought the Royal family could ever obtain this”

“We are right to support Prince Claus and not the other Princes”

“Yes, indeed”

The Royal family was delighted as they listened to their guests praising their son's achievement. The Queen and the King were particularly pleased. The Prince had received a reward, but due to the necklace's high value, it would be kept safe in the Palace's treasury. The King instructed the maids to remove the display. He couldn't help but notice his guests' obvious greed, which secretly amused him. He needed to make sure his son received a suitable gift, and the organization's percentage didn't seem enough. 

The King continued, "It's hard to top off the Prince's gift, but I've decided to allow the Princess to hire a teacher after her talent is checked." This announcement surprised both the crowd and the King's own family.

The Princess found herself in a state of utter confusion and bewilderment. She was struggling to comprehend what was happening before her very eyes. It was beyond her wildest dreams that His Highness would bestow such a remarkable opportunity upon her, especially considering the patriarchal norms of their society. In her state of concern, she cast a fleeting glance at her mother for some semblance of support.

The Queen was equally taken aback by the unprecedented turn of events. She felt a pressing need to speak with the King in private to gain clarity on the matter. As she looked at her daughter, she offered a reassuring smile and silently conveyed her intent to engage the King on this matter. The Queen had an inkling that the King's motives might be driven by a desire to appear magnanimous rather than any genuine concern for the Princess's future.

On the other hand, the Prince was nonchalant about this development. He was indifferent towards his so-called "sister," and the news did not faze him in the slightest. As the announcement echoed through the crowd, a hushed silence descended upon the gathering. The females in attendance appeared apprehensive, while the males struggled to suppress their emotions. The applause that followed was tepid, lacking in enthusiasm and sincerity.

"I have some exciting news to share with you. The Heir will be graduating from the Academy soon!" The King beamed with pride as he spoke about Prince Claus.

The crowd erupted in applause, thrilled at the prospect of the Heir's graduation. Everyone in attendance expressed genuine excitement, hoping for a bright future for the Continent.

In response to the applause, Prince Claus gracefully curtsied to the crowd.

"Now, without further ado, please enjoy the ball with your partners," the King announced before retaking his seat on the throne. He gestured for his children to join the floor, encouraging them to socialize with the nobility. He knew that making connections at their age could prove beneficial.

The Prince and Princess nodded in agreement before mingling with the other guests. They were quickly surrounded by peers eager to strike up a conversation.

At first, Han was thrilled about attending the grand event, but now he's overwhelmed with regret. The tension in the atmosphere is suffocating, and he feels like he's responsible for everything just by being there. He's obsessing over his appearance and struggles to understand the behavior of the aristocrats. It's baffling to him why they don't appreciate their wealth and privilege or respect their forefathers' legacy.

Rasial interrupted Han's thoughts with a pat on the back. "You seem overwhelmed," he observed, letting out a sigh.

"You seem exhausted too," Han noticed, picking up on Rasial's tired demeanor. As he glanced around the table, he was surprised to see the dark circles under Kace and Lynx's eyes. "What happened to you guys?" he asked in shock.

"This is what happens when you're constantly in tense situations like these Royal conflicts," Lynx explained as he wiped his glasses clean.

"I feel like I just came back to life. It was so intense," Kace added, slumping back on the couch.

Han chuckled at their reactions, but he knew this atmosphere wasn't for him. He was grateful that he had built his Clinic in the peaceful death forest. The thought reminded him to check his Quest progress, and instantly a blue screen appeared before him.

Han was puzzled as he checked his progress. Why wasn't the first milestone completed? He had talked to Kace, Lynx, and Rasial, who were aristocrats. What was the problem?

[Host, to complete this milestone, you need to converse with someone from the Royal family], Sophie informed.

Han's frustration was palpable as he mentally chided Sophie, realizing that the system should have been more specific in its approach. His initial assumption that reaching this milestone would be effortless had proven to be incorrect. Although the third milestone had been successfully completed. 

In an attempt to boost his friends' morale, Rasial urged them to take pleasure in the moment, wondering why they were sighing. As they lifted their glasses in unison, they all cheered jovially.

Lynx hastily gulped down his cocktail, hoping the alcohol would invigorate him. On the other hand, Han opted for a more soothing option, taking a sip of his refreshing juice. Kace and Rasial appeared to be rejuvenated by their drinks as well. 

The next second, Han inquired about the Royal Family, stating that they seemed peculiar as a family. Lynx placed his glass on the table and agreed to share more information.

Rasial smiled, realizing that Han enjoys gossiping. Despite not knowing when he began to think of Han as his brother, Rasial felt a duty to protect the naive boy from the Royal Family. He did not want to be like his own brother and put his friends in harm's way. Even though Rasial was only an Alchemist and not a magician, he would do everything in his power to protect his friends.