The moment Princess Elisha's procession reached the gates of the Royal Palace, the atmosphere shifted as if the entire capital inhaled at once.

Golden mana-lanterns glowed like suspended suns. Nobles in embroidered silks drifted about in shimmering clusters, servants hurried in precise, practiced movements, and the grand hall buzzed with layered conversations.

But as soon as Elisha entered the banquet floor, dressed in a gown of pale sapphire—

every gaze slid toward her.

And then, naturally… toward the four figures following behind her.

Oliver walked at her left, wrapped in a black-and-silver noble cloak the girls had forcibly put on him. His disguise worked flawlessly: raven-black hair slightly longer than usual, eyes shifted to a muted silver, jaw softened under a faint glamor. He looked like a young noble—mysterious, polished, untouchable.

Isolde, in a sleek midnight dress, radiated quiet danger with every measured step.

Ariana looked like an elegant academy sorceress, her staff miniaturized and floating behind her like a decorative enchantment.

Seraphine, in a soft white dress, seemed like the silent daughter of some prestigious house.

The effect was instant.

Whispers rose like sparks from dry leaves.

"Who are they…?"

"They aren't royal guards… nor noble retainers."

"That silver-haired girl… northern noble? Elf-blood?"

"Who's that man near the princess? He's… handsome."

When Elisha moved deeper into the hall, the noble ladies pounced immediately.

Fans fluttered. Perfume swirled. Skirts rustled like waves.

A noble girl leaned forward with a bright, sugary smile.

"Your Highness, your appearance tonight is exquisite."

Another chimed in.

"And your skin—truly radiant. The entire hall has been murmuring about your expedition."

A third lowered her voice conspiratorially, eyes sliding to Oliver's group.

"If I may ask… who are the individuals accompanying you?"

Their gazes carried polite curiosity… and the typical noble disdain toward adventurers.

Elisha answered calmly, not bothered in the least.

"They're my companions. The ones who journeyed with me into Evergrove."

The shift was immediate and dramatic.

Fans froze mid-air.

Eyes widened in disbelief.

A small gasp escaped someone's lips.

"The Evergrove expedition… those were the people?"

"They retrieved the lost artifacts…?"

"They survived that forest?"

Suddenly, arrogance crumbled.

Respect—cautious and earnest—took its place.

A noble lady stepped forward and bowed lightly.

"I—I apologize for my bluntness. My name is Lydia of House Marvelle. It is an honor to meet those who safeguarded Her Highness."

Others followed, offering greetings.

Some smiled at Oliver.

Some at Isolde.

Many—far too many—at Ariana.

Ariana, overwhelmed, bowed so deeply Oliver feared her spine would snap.

Seraphine imitated Ariana exactly one second later, expression blank and obedient.

Isolde simply smirked behind her wine glass, greatly enjoying the nobles' sudden humility.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Across the Hall – The Heroes' Side

The otherworlders were living a different experience entirely.

Daniel, the "Hero," stood like the center of gravity. Even Oliver had to admit he looked like a man straight out of a fantasy poster—perfect posture, clean features, glowing aura.

Around him gathered:

Amy Weller – red-haired, charming, dressed in elegant green.

• Lisa Brooks – sharp-eyed brunette, navy gown.

• Jason Grant – buff, confident, chest puffed like a proud gorilla.

• William Hayes – the boot-delivering bastard; loud, smug, loving the attention.

• Sophia Winters – quiet intellectual beauty, glasses gleaming.

• Alan Price – tall spear-user, stoic, answering in five words or less.

Nobles swarmed them like moths to a bonfire.

"Sir Daniel, may we hear about your conquest of the Eravilis Dungeon?"

"Lady Amy, your hair is beautiful! May I ask your homeland's secrets?"

"Sir Jason, is it true your strength rivals royal knights?"

Jason flexed.

William bragged.

Lisa and Amy gave practiced polite responses.

Sophia looked like she wanted to go home.

Alan looked like he wanted everyone else to go home.

Then—

Daniel's eyes suddenly sharpened.

Because he saw her.

Princess Elisha entering.

A spark practically lit behind his gaze—hero instinct mixed with male pride.

Royalty.

Young.

Beautiful.

Potential political marriage.

He straightened his coat, took a smooth breath, and marched toward her.

Jason and William exchanged grins and followed, like wingmen in a cheesy teen movie.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Back at Elisha's Side

Elisha had just finished responding to the noble girls when the atmosphere shifted again.

Whispers.

Murmurs.

A ripple across the banquet floor.

Daniel approached with rehearsed grace.

He bowed smoothly.

"Your Highness, thank you for granting us the honor of attending this magnificent banquet."

He extended a hand.

"May I?"

Elisha blinked in surprise but offered her hand out of politeness.

Daniel gently lowered his lips toward it—

Then he froze.

Because right behind her, he finally noticed the four unfamiliar figures.

Isolde smiling faintly.

Ariana nervous but trying.

Seraphine quietly blank.

And Oliver…

Standing against a pillar, mask on, wine in hand.

Daniel didn't recognize him.

But he didn't like him.

William leaned toward Jason.

"Who the hell are those guys? Why are they with the princess?"

"Probably strong adventurers or something," Jason muttered.

William scoffed.

"Strong? Please. We could beat them with our hands tied."

Isolde heard that.

Her smile widened dangerously.

If only he knew.

The banquet had just begun.

And the real drama was still waiting to unfold.

****

The banquet had settled into a comfortable rhythm. Music drifting. Laughter echoing. Nobles dancing under crystalline chandeliers.

Elisha was still politely conversing with Daniel, though anyone with eyes could see it was purely formal courtesy. Her smile toward him was polite, poised… distant.

Meanwhile, every time Oliver passed near her, that same Elisha's face softened into something warm and familiar.

And the heroes noticed.

Particularly Jason and William.

Standing to the side with wine glasses they barely knew how to hold properly, both were eyeing Oliver's group with an irritation that only grew by the minute.

Jason nudged William, voice dripping with annoyance.

"Dude. Look at that guy."

William followed his gaze.

Oliver—leaning on a pillar, relaxed, effortlessly handsome even under disguise—surrounded by three beauties.

Isolde, cool and commanding in her midnight dress.

Ariana, shyly adorable, laughing with pink cheeks.

Seraphine, serene and elegant like a noble doll.

Jason scoffed.

"They don't even look at anyone else. They're glued to him."

William gritted his teeth.

"We're the heroes. We saved a dungeon. Why the hell is some random adventurer hogging all the attention?"

Their eyes turned toward Oliver again.

Oliver didn't even notice them.

He was talking softly with Ariana as she playfully elbowed him about something. Isolde flicked his ear for teasing her earlier. Seraphine calmly adjusted his collar like a wife fixing her husband before an outing.

The heroes' jaws clenched.

That was the final straw.

"Alright," Jason murmured, adjusting his coat like a man preparing for battle. "Let's go introduce ourselves."

"Yeah," William smirked. "Time to show them who the real stars of the night are."

And just like that, the two strode confidently toward Oliver's companions.

****

Isolde saw them first.

Her eyes sharpened.

Her polite smile stayed.

But her aura?

Absolute zero.

Ariana, unaware, was sipping wine.

Seraphine stood expressionless, though she subtly shifted a step closer to Oliver.

Jason reached them first, flashing what he probably thought was a heart-melting grin.

"Good evening, ladies," he said in a low, practiced voice. "May I join you?"

Isolde blinked once.

"No."

Jason froze.

"…Huh?"

William swooped in with a smirk.

"Don't be shy. We're the heroes of the Valemont Empire. You must have heard of us."

Ariana gave a polite nod.

"Oh. Um… congratulations."

That was all.

No squealing.

No flirting.

No batting of eyelashes.

Just… polite acknowledgement.

Seraphine tilted her head at them.

"…Heroes?" she asked neutrally.

Her voice was sweet, but devoid of interest.

Jason recovered with a chuckle.

"You're really beautiful. Are you perhaps free after this banquet? I'd love to—"

"No," Seraphine responded instantly.

"…I didn't even finish—"

"No."

William tried next, leaning toward Ariana.

"If you'd like, Lady Mage, I can show you the capital sometime. I'm really strong. I could protect—"

Ariana stepped closer to Oliver without thinking, clutching his sleeve.

"I'm… already with someone," she said timidly.

Oliver blinked.

He hadn't expected that.

Isolde's grin sharpened with wicked delight.

William's smile faltered.

Jason's eyebrow twitched.

And then—

the final nail in the coffin.

Elisha finished her stiff, formal conversation with Daniel and walked toward Oliver's group… her entire aura melting into bright friendliness the moment she saw them.

"Oliver! Isolde! Ariana! Seraphine!"

Elisha beamed.

She didn't even glance at Jason or William.

"Have you tried the berry wine? It's wonderful. Come, I'll introduce you to a few ministers. They've been curious to meet the people who helped me."

She gently wrapped her arm around Oliver's.

Oliver went stiff.

Jason's eyes widened.

William's jaw dropped.

The princess casually leaning close to a… nobody adventurer?

Ariana giggled at Oliver's panicked expression.

Isolde smirked like she was watching her favorite drama.

Daniel looked over from across the hall, expression tightening.

Jason muttered under his breath.

"What the hell…?"

William clenched his glass so hard it almost cracked.

"These girls—how can they ignore us for some masked stray?"

Daniel's eyes narrowed dangerously.

They couldn't understand it.

They were the heroes.

Yet the girls they expected to swoon over them… were smiling, laughing, and closing in naturally around someone they considered insignificant.

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