Chapter 17: The Banquet

Juhtmed stood at the entrance of the grand banquet hall, Lian at his side. He was wearing a dark formal attire, a stark contrast to the opulence of the nobles surrounding him. Though his posture remained steady, he felt the weight of their gazes—hundreds of eyes locked onto him, as if they were seing a ghost.

The whispers immediately began.

"Is that—?"

"I thought he was dead."

"Why is he here?"

"How did he show himself here…"

Juhtmed forced himself to remain indifferent to the whispers, though he could feel them pressing down on him. He had anticipated these reaction. After all, before Joon had taken over this body, Juhtmed had been nothing more than a shadow here.

Lian stepped slightly closer, "You dont to listen to there whisper my highness," she murmured. "Just walk."

He exhaled and did just that, moving deeper into the hall with the same deliberate confidence he had honed through training.

The banquet hall was an expanse of luxury—towering chandeliers bathed the room in golden light, their glow reflecting off the polished marble floors. Servants glided between the tables, offering goblets of aged wine and trays of delicacies that had been brought from the farthest reaches of the empire. Laughter and conversation swirled in the air, yet beneath it all was the unmistakable tension his arrival had created.

He didn't recognize most of these people. Their faces were unfamiliar, a reminder that he need to know more about juhtmed life before he take over his body.

But there was one face he did recognize.

Lady Meridia.

She stood near the Emperor's table, her presence as composed ever. Draped in deep violet silks embroidered with gold, her expression unreadable beneath the flickering candlelight.

Juhtmed approached her, feeling the weight of every step.

"My lady," he greeted smoothly.

Lady Meridia turned to face him, her sharp gaze assessing him as if she were peeling back his skin.

"Juhtmed," she finally said, voice quiet but firm. "It has been… quite some time since our last conversation."

There was no warmth in her tone, no joy in seeing him. 

"True but i had no intention of missing such an important event," Juhtmed said, keeping his expression neutral.

She studied him for a long moment, then inclined her head slightly. "You have caused quite the stir tonight."

"I can see it..," he replied, his tone light. "I didn't know most of the people didn't know that i was still alive."

Lady Meridia gave the smallest of smiles, one that did not quite reach her eyes. "It is not their fault. They're not used for ghosts."

Juhtmed held her gaze, resisting the urge to flinch at the weight of her words. He had expected no kindness from her.

Before he could respond, a voice cut through the conversation.

"Well, if I had known you were back, little brother, I would have made an effort to greet you sooner."

Juhtmed turned.

The man before him was a stranger.

Patrick stood tall, broad-shouldered and dressed in the rich colors of the imperial family, his red hair falling in loose waves to his shoulders. He had a presence—one that demanded attention. He had deep green eyes, is apparence is so much different from his mother.

Juhtmed knew him only through what Lian told him—a looming figure who had taken every opportunity to remind him of his place. But standing here now, face-to-face, Juhtmed realized something.

Patrick did not see him as a threat.

No, there was amusement in his gaze. As if Juhtmed were some lost dog that had wandered into the banquet by accident.

"I would have come sooner," Patrick continued, his voice smooth, "but I wasn't in the capital when you woke. Unfortunate timing, really. And by the time I returned, you were already at the Dervain estate."

Juhtmed met his gaze evenly. "Unfortunate, indeed."

Patrick chuckled, shaking his head. "You're more talkative than I remember."

"You never took the time to remember me at all," Juhtmed said evenly.

Patrick smirked, clearly entertained. "Fair enough." He leaned in slightly, his voice lowering so that only Juhtmed could hear. "I suppose I should be impressed. Most people stay dead when they die."

Juhtmed didn't react.

Patrick held his gaze for a moment longer before laughing and stepping back. "Well, I won't keep you. Enjoy the banquet."

With that, he turned away—only to be met by a new presence.

Velia.

Juhtmed blinked, at the image of the little girl she was smaller than Patrick, dressed in dark blues and silvers, her sharp eyes framed by dark curls. Unlike Patrick, she did not look at him directly. Instead, she turned to Patrick, murmuring something he couldn't hear.

Patrick listened, then nodded. Without another glance at Juhtmed, the two of them left together, disappearing into the crowd.

Juhtmed exhaled.

"Well," Lian murmured beside him, "that was fun."

Juhtmed scoffed. "I've seen worse family reunion."

His focus shifted away from Patrick and Velia. He had no illusions about where they stood—they were not his allies, and they never would be.

But there were others here.

People who might see value in him.

He scanned the room, considering his next move. If he was going to survive in this palace, he needed more than just strength.

He needed allies.

And tonight, he would find them.

The nobles barely acknowledged him.

He had approached several groups, trying to initiate conversations, but each time, he was met with cold indifference or polite avoidance. Some masked their disdain with smooth words and forced smiles, while others didn't bother to hide it at all.

One noble, a lord whose name Juhtmed hadn't caught, simply gave him a disinterested glance before turning his back as if Juhtmed were no more significant than a passing servant.

Another offered him an empty smile and a shallow bow. "Apologies, Your Highness, but I was just about to speak with Lord Telfor." And then, without waiting for a response, he slipped away into the crowd.

The third didn't even offer an excuse—just a look that flickered between pity and amusement before turning away.

Juhtmed clenched his jaw, frustration curling in his chest.

He knew it wouldn't be easy. He had prepared himself for skepticism. But he had assumed—perhaps foolishly—that his presence alone would be enough to at least start a conversation. 

Instead, they dismissed him without a second thought.

"Unbelievable," he muttered under his breath as he stepped away from the crowd.

Lian followed without a word, her sharp gaze flickering over the nobles who had just turned him away.

Juhtmed found a secluded spot near one of the large windows lining the banquet hall, a place where the golden candlelight dimmed, leaving the shadows to creep closer. It was far enough from the central tables that few would bother him, but not so far that it would seem like he had left entirely.

With a quiet sigh, he sank into the chair, his fingers tapping against the armrest.

Lian took the seat beside him, her expression unreadable.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, Juhtmed let out a short, humorless laugh. "I thought this would be easier."

Lian arched a brow. "Did you?"

Juhtmed exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Not easy, but... I thought I could at least get them to listen. Even if they were skeptical, I assumed they would at least pretend to be interested. But they won't even give me that."

Lian leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms. "You shouldn't be surprised, Your Highness. The people in this hall have already decided who matters to them. And you? You were never an option to them."

Juhtmed knew she was right. But that didn't make it any less frustrating.

"So what now?" he asked, more to himself than to her.

Lian glanced at the nobles still deep in conversation, then back at him. "You keep going."

Juhtmed scoffed. "And let them shove me aside all night?"

"If you give up now, they'll see you as weak," Lian said simply. "And then they'll never take you seriously."

Juhtmed exhaled slowly, staring at the golden glow of the chandeliers above. He knew she was right. He couldn't afford to back down—not when he had barely begun.

Before he could respond, movement in the corner of his vision caught his attention.

Someone was approaching.

Juhtmed straightened slightly, his gaze flickering to the young man making his way toward them.

The stranger looked no older than twenty, with sharp features and dark, neatly tied-back hair. His attire was elegant but not overly extravagant, the deep blue fabric marked with a silver emblem that Juhtmed didn't immediately recognize.

For a moment, Juhtmed was confused. He didn't know this man.

And yet, there was something vaguely familiar about him.

The young noble stopped a few paces away and gave a respectful bow.

"Your Highness."

Juhtmed studied him carefully. "You know me, but I don't believe I know you."

The noble straightened, offering a small, measured smile. "Im kaelis your highness."

Juhtmed's eyes narrowed slightly. "I see. And what brings you here, Kaelis?"

Kaelis hesitated, as if carefully choosing his words. Then, with quiet resolve, he spoke.

"I was present when you offered to lead the envoy to the Dervain Estate."

Kaelis continued, his expression unreadable. "At the time, I thought you reckless. Foolish, even." He exhaled slightly. "And I spoke poorly of your servant. For that, I apologize."

Juhtmed blinked. That was unexpected.

Juhtmed glanced at Lian, whose face remained impassive. Then, he looked back at Kaelis. "And why the sudden change of heart?"

Kaelis met his gaze. "Because I was wrong."

Juhtmed raised a brow, waiting for him to elaborate.

Kaelis did not falter. "In that moment, when you stood before the court, you could have remained silent. But instead, you stepped forward." His voice was quiet but firm. "You showed courage. And more importantly… you showed that you are willing to fight for your place, no matter how others see you."

Juhtmed watched him carefully, trying to gauge his sincerity.

Kaelis did not look away.

"I came here tonight because I wanted to say this to you," Kaelis continued. "As myself from a noble family, i wasn't destined to be one, i'm from the second branch of the Caleora House so i think i understand being seen as an extra or less than nothing."

House Caleora.

One of the five noble houses with the most influence in the empire.

Juhtmed tilted his head slightly. "I didn't know what i did inspire you, but you didn't come to only tell me this?"

Kaelis nodded. "I came here tonight because I wanted you to know you are not without support."

Juhtmed look at him. "Are you saying you would support me?"

"I would."

Silence settled between them.

Then, Juhtmed let out a quiet laugh. "You do realize that siding with me is not exactly the safest choice."

Kaelis smiled faintly. "Perhaps not. But I believe it is the right one."

Juhtmed regarded him for a long moment.

Then, he extended a hand.

Kaelis took it without hesitation.

It was only one ally.

But it was a start.