-Capital City-
Palace
In a grand, quiet chamber within the vast imperial palace, a sudden series of knocks shattered the early morning calm.
"Prince Gilbert," a voice called from the other side, polite yet with a hint of strain. "Are you awake?"
(A:N/ first mentioned this character in chapter 93)
Inside, a voice came out, low and almost indifferent. "What is it?"
"Prince Alex requested I inform you of Princess Elize's return," the attendant replied.
Gilbert's response was sharp with irritation. "And why does that matter to me?"
There was a moment of silence, and then the attendant spoke cautiously, as if picking his words carefully.
"I'm not sure, my lord. I was only told to inform you. You're expected to be present when she arrives." With that, the attendant's footsteps began to fade down the corridor. But as he left, Gilbert could still hear his muttering, the words filled with disdain.
"That useless prince... They call him royalty? Hah. I have more talent in my little finger. Does he even deserve his title? That trash should just disappear and let someone worthy take his place."
Inside, Gilbert sat in silence, his hands clenched tightly, his jaw tense.
The attendant's sneering words hung in the air, a familiar sting that he had long learned to bear.
This wasn't new; remarks like these had become part of his daily life. Servants, guards, and even some nobles took every chance to sneer at him, mock him.
He was the "black sheep" of the imperial family, known as the "trash prince" who bore the royal name but, in their eyes, added no honor to it.
Yet, behind that closed door where no one could see, the anger simmered within him. It was fierce, an ever-burning fire that he kept hidden beneath a mask of indifference.
Gilbert rose from his bed, his gaze dark as he looked out the window, the early light spilling into his room.
He had grown accustomed to their judgment, their ridicule, but every slight cut a little deeper than the last. They saw him as weak, as useless.
He took a deep breath, his chest tight with frustration. No matter what he did, he was met with scorn.
His family saw him as an outsider, a mistake. But he wouldn't let their opinions break him, not yet. The fire in him was still burning, and though it was small, he held onto it, hoping for the day he could prove them all wrong.
Today, again, he would endure their looks, their whispers, just as he always had.
Sometime later, Gilbert stepped out of his chambers, dressed in his royal attire.
Gilbert watched her from the edges, inclining his head slightly in acknowledgment when her gaze finally passed over him.
His expression remained neutral, his face a mask of indifference. The family's star had returned, the favored child who embodied everything the imperial line stood for.
And once again, he was the quiet shadow in the room, the one most people barely noticed.
As Elize began to speak, Gilbert listened from the sidelines, barely hearing the words but keeping his eyes on her.
He imagined the day when he might stand in her place, earning the respect he'd been denied.
Prince Alex gave Princess Elize an impatient look before speaking up, "Why did you call us here, sister?"
Gilbert glanced around the room, noting the questioning expressions on his siblings' faces, all turned toward Elize. They were clearly eager for answers, waiting to hear what she had to say.
Elize stepped forward, her gaze sharp and commanding, taking a moment before she spoke. "As you know, with our father's absence, the capital is becoming unstable. Tensions are growing, and unrest is spreading. Right now, one of our greatest threats comes from a group of dark-cloaked assailants."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "On my journey back to the capital, I was ambushed by these very attackers. They targeted my entourage."
Her expression darkened, her voice hardening as she continued, "Luckily, I returned unharmed, thanks to a powerful savior I encountered along the way."
A ripple of shock spread through the siblings. Murmurs filled the room as they exchanged uneasy glances.
If these attackers dared to target Elize herself, then none of them were safe. Fear and anger flashed across their faces, mingling with a new sense of vulnerability.
Prince Alex was the first to speak, breaking the tense silence. "So, is this meeting about these attackers?"
The siblings were aware of these dark-robed assailants, who had recently emerged and were creating unreat in the captial.
"Exactly," Elize replied. "This ambush wasn't random; it was carefully planned. Someone knew my exact route. I have reason to believe we're dealing with a spy."
"A spy?" one of her siblings blurted out, their eyes widening in disbelief.
"That's impossible!" another exclaimed. "Who could it be?"
"If I get my hands on the traitor," muttered a third sibling with a clenched fist, "I'll make sure they pay."
Elize raised a hand, signaling for silence. The room fell quiet, the tension thick in the air as everyone waited for her next words.
"I assure you, I'm taking immediate action. I am issuing a city-wide bounty on these attackers. I won't let our capital be threatened by shadowy assassins."
Her voice was resolute, her gaze fierce. "And any traitor among us who dares to betray our family will not escape."
Her siblings exchanged glances, each processing her words with a bit of fear.
The reality of a threat so close to home had shaken them, stirring up emotions they rarely allowed to surface.