The gala hall was packed with light, music, and voices.
Crystal chandeliers floated above like glowing stars, and enchanted lights danced across the polished marble floor.
Nobles in elegant robes and shimmering dresses walked about in groups, talking and laughing as servers moved around with silver trays carrying drinks and snacks.
The scent of rare perfumes mixed with the gentle smell of incense coming from decorative burners near the walls.
Someone from Earth would find it strange that a five-year-old child was attending a social event without being in the immediate company of his parents or close family members. It wouldn't be very common in Ainheaven either.
However, Noah was not just any five-year-old. He was the 9th prince of the Rankaal Kingdom. As such, he was expected to mingle with nobles and other important figures of the kingdom from a young age.
Noah stood quietly in one corner of the grand hall, a few feet away from the crowd. He was surrounded by a few of his royal guards, who kept a respectful distance but were clearly watching everyone around him.
Elena stood right beside Noah, holding a glass filled with a bright, fizzy drink. The liquid shimmered softly and gave off a sweet citrusy aroma.
"Here, Your Highness," Elena said with a gentle smile, handing the drink to Noah.
Noah nodded and took the glass. "Thank you, Elena."
From where he stood, he had a good view of the whole room. Across the hall, Emeric was already deep in conversation with a few young nobles, laughing loudly and waving his hands as he bragged about something.
Noah, meanwhile, greeted a few passing nobles who came over to exchange polite words. Most were barons or viscounts from different parts of the Rankaal Kingdom.
They bowed respectfully, made a little small talk, then moved on when they realized Noah wasn't much of a talker.
Then, as he stood quietly sipping his drink, he overheard a conversation between a group of noblemen standing nearby. They weren't whispering, just speaking in a slightly lowered tone.
"…She rejected the 1st Prince's proposal? Seriously?" one of them said.
"Yeah. Duchess Nadia Nirvana refused to cooperate in that new trade route plan he's working on. Said she wasn't interested."
"Hah! That woman doesn't have foresight. Does she not realize the 1st Prince will definitely become the crown prince one day? And after the king's— errr, I mean the 1st prince is set to become a king one day. You don't say no to a future king, do you?"
Another voice cut in. "Don't underestimate her. Nadia has close ties with King Alexander himself."
Someone else nodded. "And don't forget—she's a 3rd Circle Arakner. Her personal strength alone makes her a force to be reckoned with."
"Not to mention her private army. House Nirvana has one of the largest independent forces in the kingdom."
There was a pause, and then another voice added, "The First Prince's maternal House isn't happy with her either. There's bound to be some conflict soon. You can feel the tension building."
Noah blinked slowly, his gaze still on the far wall, but his ears fully focused on what he had just heard.
After a moment, he turned slightly toward Elena. "Elena," he asked quietly. "Who is Duchess Nadia Nirvana?"
Elena looked around quickly to make sure no one was listening before leaning in slightly.
"She is… quite special, Your Highness," she said softly. "Duchess Nadia is the only noble in the Rankaal Kingdom who governs a duchy without being part of the royal bloodline."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? I thought only royals could be dukes."
"That's usually the case," Elena replied. "The duke and duchess positions are reserved for members of the royal House Ifrit, or those connected to it through blood. But House Nirvana is the only exception."
"Why?" Noah asked.
"Because their contributions to the kingdom go back over 700 years," Elena explained.
"They've protected the borders, crushed rebellions, funded Arkane research, and trained thousands of elite soldiers. House Nirvana's loyalty and service are unmatched."
Noah sipped his drink again, this time slower.
"So even though she's not royalty… she holds the same power? A noble with the influence of a royal?"
Elena nodded. "In many ways, yes. Some say she's even more than a regular 3rd Circle Arakner. And unlike most nobles, she has no need to play palace politics. She has her own land, army, and influence."
Noah hummed softly in thought, his eyes drifting back to the noblemen who were still whispering about her.
A duchess with power and connections... and someone who dared to say no to the 1st Prince.
Interesting.
Noah nodded quietly to himself, his eyes scanning the grand hall lit with floating crystal lights. Even though he could understand some things on a deeper level like an adult without being mentioned to him, he had no interest in stirring up troubles for himself.
What the 1st prince or any of his royal half-siblings did had nothing to do with him. He had already decided that he would stay low for as long as he could.
Over the last five years, he had completely assimilated into his new reality. He had learned to speak like a child, act like a prince, and think like a survivor.
From the moment he realized that Arakners—those capable of wielding mana and casting magic—existed in this world, Noah had withdrawn from the outside world.
He hadn't dared to take unnecessary interest in anything beyond the safety of his palace walls. Because what if… what if one of these Arakners discovered the truth?
What if someone realized that Noah wasn't truly a five-year-old boy but an otherworldly soul wearing the shell of a dead baby prince, who by the way, died right after his mother birthed him?
Anything could happen when mana and magic were involved.