Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Dance of Deception

As they moved deeper into the hall, their arrival took center stage.

The attention quickly focused on the two gorgeous figures, ignoring the shut doors, and the atmosphere buzzed with curiosity.

The Prince and Princess were undeniably the highlight of the evening, their presence commanding immediate respect and admiration.

Amael's lips curved into an imperceptible smile as he observed the crowd's reaction while Jash's lips almost twitched.

Jash resisted the urge to roll his eyes, saving himself from unwanted attention and choosing to focus on observing the flow of events.

'I don't need to be anywhere near the center stage,' he mused, slowly blending in with the back of the crowd.

Meanwhile, Amael took a contrasting approach, choosing to stand at the front of the crowd alongside Caera, who didn't want to act impolitely.

It was clear that the night's excitement was only beginning and the high-profile arrival of the Imperial scions had set the tone.

Unlike Jash, Amael was ready to seize every opportunity the evening might offer.

At the back of the crowd, Jash sighed inwardly, liking his quick decision to be just one of the many people in the room instead of standing out.

'This will be interesting,' he thought from an outsider's perspective, as if the upcoming events had nothing to do with him.

Deep inside him, Jash felt that the evening's events would unfold with a sense of inevitability.

However, he was also mentally prepared to uncover whatever secrets lay beneath the surface.

His instincts told him that this night would reveal more than what he truly hoped to have bargained for.

The night stretched ahead, filled with potential and promise. The banquet, with its lavish décor and well-dressed guests, was just the backdrop.

What truly mattered was the subtle interplay of power and influence that would reveal itself in the coming hours.

As the trio settled into the rhythm of the evening, each with their own agendas and expectations, the stage was set for a night that promised to be anything but ordinary.

"I greet all the respected and honored guests that have graced the Imperial Banquet with their presence," Avon began to address the attendees.

Taking his pause as her cue, Ava continued, "You all must have questions over why the doors are closed or where are the high-ranking nobles."

Hearing their words, the atmosphere turned slightly tense with their rousing curiosity yet the smart ones were busy making guesses.

"No need to overwork your brains, this banquet is a place for you all to relax," Ava added with a beautiful smile before falling silent.

Avon effortlessly took the ropes and explained, "Today's event has been planned by His Imperial Majesty, the Proud Emperor and the Sun of the Solarnelle Empire!"

His pride in his tone couldn't be anymore obvious yet everyone's expression only turned more active at the mention of the Emperor.

"You might have several questions, but before that," Avon said, gesturing to the ceiling.

As everyone gazed at the ceiling, Ava continued where he left off, "It is marked with the latest runes."

—Fssh!

Followed by her words, a strange sound drew everyone's attention, causing quite an uproar as the attendees were surprised to see their own appearance mid-air.

The technology wasn't new to them, but the implication of it finally being applied to such a large-scale were far-reaching.

However, before the nobles could make calculations about it, the holographic screen vanished.

"With this, the high-ranking nobles and Father Emperor himself will observe," Ava continued.

She stopped to let the weight of her words set in and passed the bastion to Avon to announce the main event.

"In this event," Avon started explaining, "only the ones eligible for the Solarnelle Academy can participate, but of course, it's not obligatory."

'Heh! As if these greedy nobles would leave a chance to show off their child's potential,' Jash sneered inwardly with a critical eye.

He was a sucker for details and that's why he could confirm that everything besides Amael seemed to fall into place.

'Now, it's just the main dish,' he thought, waiting for Avon and Ava to finish their performance and actually talk about the event.

Sadly for him, the two siblings continued to rouse the onlookers' curiosity, fully aware that the onlookers' inability to interrupt.

They believed it to have gone perfectly, using the Emperor as their shield, making the nobles gulp down their impatience and annoyance.

However, they couldn't keep going on like that.

Even though many young nobles were enamored and dazzled by their looks and impeccable timing, it had to end.

"Time to announce the event!" Avon and Ava exclaimed in unison, keeping aside their personal feelings.

Although siblings, they were of Imperial blood, a sense of rivalry and competition was the least of their concerns because of their similar age.

'Finally,' Jash and Amael thought at the same time, unaware of the other's thoughts, but for entirely different reasons.

"Those who wish to participate, gather near us," Ava implored, and every young noble moved, willingly or forcibly.

Surprisingly, even Jash arrived, willing to participate with a hidden smile on his face.

Unlike him, Ava and Avon visibly smiled at the sight of every eligible noble scion participating in this little game.

While the participating youngsters were mulling over what it could be, the other present attendees soon noticed an anomaly.

A white mist seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, slowly enveloping the center area and the participants.

"What's this?"

"How can this be?"

"Could it be that something went wrong?"

Just as the hushed murmurs were about to grow intense and panic was about to break out, a person wearing a golden armor appeared.

"Everything is under control," he declared, and his commanding presence shut everyone up.

'Imperial Guard Vice-Captain!' The attendees recognized the man at once.

They weren't stupid enough to voice their complaints to a S-Rank hunter, who could contest with SS-Ranks if need be.

The highest among the nobles present was barely at the Integration-rank, and she definitely didn't want to have to do anything with this.

In fact, she was just here because of her niece, the daughter of the Warmis Clan Head.

Meanwhile, inside the mist, the youngsters weren't aware of anything, their surroundings had suddenly changed to that of a lush forest.

Some were composed, some were panicking, some were scared shitless, and some... just indifferent.

"Greetings to the participating youngsters as well as the spectating guests."

A sudden polite yet heavy voice sounded in the ears of every single person inside the hall.

Hearing the voice, only one question hung in everyone's mind, 'Who?'

However, it didn't matter as the next words of the feminine voice were all the introduction it needed.

"As per his Imperial Majesty's orders, you all are inside an illusion. Your task is simple, escape the illusion."

The instructions ended, not giving any information that could be useful before it suddenly returned.

"Oh, I forgot, but even the Imperial highnesses weren't told about the event beforehand."

Unfortunately, it was something that didn't even need a mention, everyone was aware of the fairness employed by the Emperor.

As if she couldn't sense their obvious thoughts, she announced, "Also, the most impressive performance will have a special reward bestowed unto them from His Imperial Majesty!" seaʀᴄh thё Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Her final words gave the encouragement the participants needed while the spectating nobles could only hope their child or family member won.

However, there was one exception.

'What a farce,' Jash thought to himself, closing his eyes and lying down instead of rushing anywhere.

"Let the dance of deception commence," he murmured softly, already anticipating the layers of pretense to come.