The Royal Banquet

[SYSTEM NOTICE: MISSION ISSUED]

Objective: Gain the General's Favorability at the Royal Banquet.

Reward: High-Grade Health Elixir.

Penalty: Temporary Loss of Bodily Control for 24 Hours.

---

Elaria's breath hitched for a fraction of a second as the translucent blue panel flickered before her.

A mission? At this crucial moment?

Her fingers instinctively clenched the fabric of her dark blue dress, one that screamed villainess. The color, the elegant yet striking design, the way it hugged her form, it was meant to be intimidating. If she had a choice, she wouldn't have worn it. But among the options available, this was the most modest one.

Laura had started her preparations early in the morning. When Elaria had first seen her own reflection, she had been momentarily stunned.

Her skin was pale yet... her features strikingly symmetrical, and her figure... well, she finally understood why the original Elaria had so many suitors despite her reputation.

Now, as she descended the grand staircase of the manor, her father and brother stood waiting at the bottom.

The Duke's golden eyes flickered with brief surprise before his expression returned to its usual cold indifference.

Her brother, however, he barely hid his disgust.

The moment she stepped onto the final stair, he abruptly turned on his heel and strode toward the carriage without a word.

Elaria exhaled softly. As expected.

She didn't even blink when her father extended a hand to help her into the carriage. She took it. Not because she wanted to, but because refusing was meaningless.

The ride to the palace was silent, tension thick in the air.

At some point, she felt her brother's gaze on her, cold, filled with disdain.

System, she thought. What is his current favorability toward me?

A small notification appeared.

---

[Leon Velchanth – Older Brother]

Favorability: -12% (Disgust, Mild Hostility)

---

A bitter smile tugged at her lips.

"Elaria... you really had no one beside you, did you?"

---

ARRIVAL AT THE ROYAL BANQUET

As their carriage slowed, the grandeur of the imperial palace came into view.

It was majestic, far more intricate than how it had been portrayed in the game. The towering crystal chandeliers, the elegant archways lined with golden embellishments, the distant sound of classical instruments playing...

This wasn't a game. This was real.

Elaria barely reacted as her father offered his hand once more, assisting her out of the carriage.

Her brother was already walking ahead, not even sparing her a glance.

A long sigh left her lips. How tiresome.

Together, the three of them stepped through the entrance into the lavish banquet hall.

And the moment she crossed...

---

[SYSTEM NOTICE: BANQUET MISSION UPDATED]

Expanding…

---

> MISSION: "Gilded Masks and Silent Wars"

Objective: Gain the favor of General Caelum Ravenous.

Current Favorability: ???

Reward: High-Grade Health Elixir.

Failure Penalty: 24 Hours of Lost Bodily Control.

Additional System Restrictions Active:

Directly harming or manipulating core figures may trigger penalties.

Strategic interactions will determine relationship trajectories.

Warning: The Four Great Houses have arrived.

---

A chill ran down Elaria's spine.

Caelum Ravenous.

The youngest Grand General of the Empire. A man known for his unshakable discipline, brutal efficiency, and complete loyalty to the Crown Prince.

And worst of all...

He hates Elaria more than anyone, how am I supposed to gain his favouribility?!

This...the system must be joking, he might even kill me if I approach him.

And he was one of the hardest characters to manipulate in the game.

A silent, calculating force of war.

But there...there has to be a loophole. The system wouldn't force me to death trap.... would it?

If she failed here…

Her body wouldn't belong to her for a full day.

And if she approached or even tried, he might even kill her on the spot.

Elaria's fingers twitched.

No. I can't let that happen.

Just as she tried to calm her racing heart...

The hall went silent.

A heavy, unmistakable presence filled the space, suffocating like a storm about to break.

Elaria slowly turned her head.

Cold silver eyes locked onto hers.

Caelum Ravenous was looking straight at her.

The system must really want her dead.