Chapter 21 - Ceremony (5)

Marianne's face contorted in a mix of fear and shock, her eyes wide with alarm. The reason was obvious: she knew I had discovered their plan.

This ceremony, a pivotal moment in the game, had left an indelible mark on Ryuk's psyche. And now, I think I know why.

The truth was ugly: Marianne and her father, Duke William, had conspired to frame me(Ryuk) for attempted rape during the ceremony.

It was a ruthless move, designed to give them leverage over the imperial family. Duke William's ultimate goal was independence, but he knew it wouldn't come easily.

So, he orchestrated this twisted plan, using his daughter as a pawn in his game of power. Marianne's role was to aid in the execution, to make sure the plan unfolded smoothly.

But now, she knew I was onto them, and her fear was palpable.

The ceremony, a celebration of the awakening of a member of the imperial family, would take a dark and sinister turn.

At some point, I(Ryuk) would be falsely accused of attempting to rape Marianne, a lie carefully crafted by Duke William to further his own ambitions.

This fabricated incident would become the catalyst for the emperor's further disdain towards me (Ryuk), and ultimately, my downfall.

As the truth would become twisted and manipulated, I would become increasingly isolated, and shunned by those I even barely managed to start trusting.

This further isolation would sow the seeds of madness, nurturing the psychopathic tendencies that would eventually define me.

The once-promising prince would give rise to the infamous 'Mad Emperor', a ruler feared and reviled by all.

The weight of this future echoed through my mind, a haunting reminder of the devastating consequences that awaited me.

My knowledge of these events stems from a pivotal moment in the game, where Ryuk forms an uneasy alliance with Jason Hunt, a man he deeply despised.

Together, they work to rescue Marianne and her family from the wrath of the northerners during their rebellion.

Overcome with guilt, Marianne confesses her wrongdoing to Jason, a shocking display of vulnerability.

It's ironic tho that she chose to confide in her lover, rather than the person she actually wronged.

The aftermath of her confession is equally astonishing. Jason, ever the opportunist, uses Marianne's vulnerable state to his advantage, offering her "comfort" that ultimately leads to a romantic encounter.

This act only serves to deepen Ryuk's animosity towards Jason.

The consequences of this encounter are far-reaching, ultimately contributing to Ryuk's declaration of war against Jistav and Jason after he ascends to the throne.

As I refocused on the present, I met Marianne's gaze once more.

Her expression had returned to normal, a mask of composure hiding her earlier distress.

The waltz had reached its crescendo, and our movements slowed as the music swelled.

As we swayed to the rhythm, I drew Marianne closer, our bodies almost touching.

The warmth of her presence seeped through the fabric separating us.

I whispered in her ear, my voice barely audible over the music.

"Don't worry, I won't reveal your little secret to my father. Consider this my final act of kindness towards you."

Her expression transformed, relief written across her features. It was no surprise; if I exposed her and her father's plan, the consequences would be severe.

We were, after all, royalty, and their actions constituted treason.

As the music faded, we came to a gentle stop. I released Marianne, and she took a step back.

"Thank you for the dance," I said softly, my voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "Goodbye." I turned and walked away, leaving Marianne behind.

As I disappeared into the crowd, I felt a single tear roll down my cheek. "Goodbye," I whispered again, the weight of my emotions slowly lifting. "Ryuk."

***************

As I sat in the corner of the grand hall, I couldn't help but feel restless. An hour had passed since my dance with Marianne, and the ceremony showed no signs of ending.

Several young ladies had approached me, hoping to dance, but I declined, lacking the enthusiasm to indulge them.

Children from other noble families had also come to congratulate me or tease me, but I ignored them, unwilling to engage in petty arguments.

I had also spoken briefly with the saintess, who simply came to congratulate me.

Ella, who had been quiet throughout the ceremony, caught my attention. "You're unusually silent, Ella," I observed, curiosity getting the better of me.

She raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. [Is there anything worth discussing?] she asked, her tone devoid of emotion, yet hinting at irritation.

I shook my head, not wanting to provoke her further. As I scanned the hall, I noticed the numerous familiar faces.

Many of the characters I recognized from the game were present, including those who had become Jason's allies or stepping stones.

Some of the sub-heroines were also in attendance, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of disdain towards them.

Their innocence was almost laughable in this cutthroat world.

In the game, it was quite easy to manipulate them with sweet words and preferential treatment.

Still whether that was the case here or not, I had no intention of wasting my time trying to save them. I had a lot on my plate as it is.

Many of them had met tragic ends in the game, serving as plot devices or tools for Jason's character development.

And even if I decided to do so, it wasn't going to be motivated by sympathy, but rather by the recognition of those who possessed unique value and could be useful to me in this unforgiving world.

I would never forget the harsh realities of this realm, no matter how much Ryuk's memories influenced me.

Redirecting my attention from the somber thought, I noticed another notable absence in the hall: Alicia Rastani, the future Saintess and second main heroine from the first game.

She hailed from a baron family in the northern region, the same family that had taken in Jason when he first arrived on the continent.

Alicia embodied the classic heroine archetype: compassionate, gentle, and seemingly incapable of harming anyone.

Yet, she was also deeply devoted to Jason, despite his role in perpetuating violence and bloodshed.

A wave of criticism washed over me, but I caught myself, recognizing the need to reserve judgment. After all, people can differ significantly from their in-game counterparts.

It was premature to make assumptions about anyone, especially since I had limited knowledge of their true nature.

I made a mental note to withhold my criticism, acknowledging that everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves beyond their gaming personas.

Clink, clink, clink. The sound of a spoon tapping against glass echoed through the hall, drawing my attention to the emperor, who stood with his glass raised.

"Dear subjects of the United Human Empire," he began, his voice commanding the attention of all present.

"We have gathered today to mark a significant occasion: the awakening of my son, the third prince Ryuk Vers Heidal." His gaze fell upon me, and I felt a sense of obligation to acknowledge the introduction.

The emperor continued, "We have danced, we have celebrated, and now it's time for a toast." With a flourish, he raised his glass higher.

"To the glory of the empire!" The nobles in attendance echoed the sentiment, their voices rising in unison as they repeated the phrase and drank from their glasses.

As I took a sip, my gaze swept the room, noting the few nobles who had refrained from participating in the toast.

Duke Ainsworth, Marianne, and the other Northern nobles present had remained silent, their faces a picture of discontent.

Duke Ainsworth's eyes locked onto mine, blazing with anger and suspicion, while Marianne avoided my gaze altogether.

I responded with a calculated grin, knowing that the ceremony was drawing to a close.

With a polite excuse, I made my departure, leaving the tension and intrigue of the evening to linger.