The moment the doors swung open, the ambient noise of the palace seemed to die. It wasn't just the silence of respect; it was the silence of a vacuum.

A man stepped into the Dinning Hall.

This was King Gilbert Von Regulus.

To a stranger, he didn't look like some Cold Ruler. He looked young, even younger than his actual Age. On that note, He was currently in his early thirties.

The man had a face so symmetrical it felt sculpted from marble. He was handsome, possessing a sharp jawline and the same golden hair Just like my Half-Siblings.

And He had Bright Amethyst purple eyes just like me.

Or rather, It is me who has the same eyes as him.

 

He didn't look 'dangerous' in the way a soldier or warrior does, with scars or a permanent scowl.

Instead, he possessed an invisible aura—a weight to his presence that made the very air around him feel denser. It was the aura of a man who had never been told 'no'.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," the three Queens said in unison, finally standing. The children and I followed suit, bowing our heads as the 'Sun' of the Empire moved toward the head of the table.

He didn't speak immediately. He merely inclined his head, his gaze sweeping over the table with a Cold neutral expression. When his eyes passed over me, I felt a shiver down my spine.

He took his seat at the head of the table. "Sit," he commanded.

The word was quiet, yet it carried the force of a thunderclap. We sat.

The Royal Dinner began.

It began with the surgical precision of a play. A line of maids filed in, placing gold-rimmed plates before us.

The food was exquisite—rare meats, glazed vegetables, and wines that smelled of summer—but under the King's gaze, it might as well have been ash.

of course, We kids were served Juice glass instead of Wine Glass.

Sucks to be a kid. Even Nick never got to taste Wine but was always curious about its taste.

In a normal home, the clinking of silverware is a background noise. Here, every clink against the porcelain felt like a gunshot.

The King ate with a slow, deliberate grace. He was the 'Clock' of the room. We followed his pace. If he put down his fork, we put down ours.

If he took a sip of wine, we reached for our glasses. It was a masterclass in psychological subjugation.

And Just like that The dinner session almost reached its end. Throughout the entire dinner No one said a word. It was Silent.

This is how it has always been, Silent.

If the princes were older and were involved in Fundamental studies, that are essential for Imperial princes, Then maybe there would be some Talk about our progress in our studies.

But, Nothing sort 0f that is going on, So, No point thinking. We, The princes are supposed get our tutors and start essential Royal Studies at the age of eight And continue that for about Four years.

After that we will be enrolled in school. It's not mandatory, Though.

In any case, How do I bring it up in this Quiet and heavy atmosphere.

If this goes on, The dinner will end without him or me saying anything. I gotta talk.

"The Dinner was Delicious" The King Said.

Yes, 'This guy' and Not 'Father'. Since I have not acknowledged This Man as my Father yet.

I looked at him with surprise. And not just me all Royal Members, Excluding my mother looked at him with slight surprized expression.

That's how much weird his action was. Normally, He hardly says Three to five words and the dinner is passed without any sentence from him.

Yet, Today that same man is Wasting his words and speaking a full sentence, Just to praise the food ?

And why is mom not even surprised ? does she know something ? Is He sick ?

"...And is there something, Anything any of you wants to ask ?" He said

What the ? This man is now even asking if someone has something to say ?

Just when i was busy getting One after another surprise attack from the king, I felt someone giving nudge against my leg under the table.

I didn't need to look; it was Mother.

I stood up and said "Father"

"Yes, Tyler ?" He replied in a stern voice.

"There is something, I would like to Discuss" I said.

"and That is ?"

"Can i meet you after The Dinner ?"

He thought for a moment and said "Alright, Follow me to the office After this"

"alright, Father"

I thought I was being fearless. But whoever made this set up is even more fearless. Even an amateur can understand that this an opportunity set up for my sake. Let alone the queens, even the kids can understand it.

I can already feel their heated gaze, full with suspicion, Trying to bore hole in me. Especially, The Second Queen.

And So the dinner went on with the same Quiet pace as before but this time Some people had some unanswered Question in their head.

After a little while the Dinner was finished And we all stood up and got ready to leave.

"Tyler, Follow me" I did as i was told. Before leaving the dining room, I took One last look at my mother.

She just gave me a gentle Nod with a smile.

We, A king and A Prince Or A father and A son, Walked through the Hallway.

All the maids and butlers bowed to us throughout our little journey.

No, That would be wrong. They were only bowing to This man before me, Their King who can decide there Life or Death withy one word.

We reached at his office.

Surprisingly, There was no guard.

We entered the room. The room was smaller than I expected.

It wasn't the gilded, over-decorated chamber of a pompous noble. It was a workspace. One desk, one chair, two sofas, a few shelves, and a cupboard.

On the table there was a small mountain of Documents.

 

It was the office of a man who valued efficiency over ego.

He went towards the and said "Sit there" While pointing at the sofa.