Lucas advanced in the corridors of the palace, guided by the maid and the guard who accompanied him in silence.

  Sunlight streamed through the palace corridors. The walls decorated with tapestries gave the corridors a soft solemnity, while a pleasant scent filled the air.

  Soon, they arrived in front of the large wooden doors painted in white, decorated with motifs painted in gold. Two guards in armor stood on either side, spears raised, faces firm.

  The maid respectfully opened the large doors with both hands.

  Immediately, a gust of wind rushed out from inside, carrying with it a fresh scent.

  Lucas looked up, surprised by the spectacle before him. The room opened before him, vast and bright, bathed in sunlight that filtered thru blue and white veils that billowed in the air. Inside, the room was a flurry of activity: maids hurried about with arms laden with rolls of colorful fabrics, others presented silver bowls filled with refined dishes on trays, and all around, large tables were covered with platters, fabrics, and ornaments in preparation.

  At the center of this bustle stood Queen Ariane.

  Dignified and serene, she wore a purple dress with silver embroidery. She observed every detail attentively with natural elegance. Her white hair was styled into an elaborate bun, with a few strands falling loose that softened her features. Just her presence commanded natural respect.

  When she saw Lucas, her face lit up. She didn't rush, but she slowly placed a fabric in the hands of a maid, and made a gesture to end the commotion.

  Silence settled immediately. The servants bowed, moving away to clear the passage.

  She walked toward him with grace and embraced him tenderly. Her arms, both firm and gentle, wrapped around the young prince, who let himself be engulfed in his soothing scent.

  "Happy birthday, my treasure," she said in a soft voice.

  Her attitude was no longer that of a queen who commands her people, but that of a mother who welcomes her son.

  A whisper passed among the maids, touched by the scene, but none dared to interrupt this moment.

  Lucas looked up at her, his heart pounding. He received her hug with a mix of emotion and pride.

  The queen detached herself from Lucas and signaled to a servant. She approached, carrying a dark wooden box in her arms.

  "Here is your first gift," said Arianne calmly.

  The chest opened, revealing an elegant noble outfit tailored to the colors of the kingdom. The fabric gleamed discreetly under the light, and the embroidered patterns recalled the royal emblem.

  "It's a tailor-made outfit especially for tonight, so that you look up to your rank in front of all our guests," Arianne announced calmly.

  Lucas contemplated the outfit for a few moments, but remained speechless.

  He tilted his head, and said calmly:

  "Thank you, mother... I'm honored. "

  But in his eyes shone a barely perceptible glow of disappointment. An outfit, as beautiful as it was, was not really the gift he had hoped for. Arianne noticed it immediately. Her lips stretched into a discreet smile, and she made a simple hand gesture.

  A butler stepped forward, carrying a small leather chest in his arms. He placed it in front of Lucas, then bowed silently.

  Arianne knelt down to be at her son's level. Then, on her own, she opened the chest in front of Lucas.

  A light burst from within, and on a red velvet cushion, lay a sword.

  Not a ceremonial sword, but a real sword forged for him, tailored to his size and strength. The elegant guard shone with a silvery gleam, and on the delicately polished blade shimmered a discreet flame pattern. The scabbard next to the blade was finely crafted, adorned with engravings of their lineage.

  Lucas's eyes widened, and a cry of joy escaped him. Forgetting all restraint, he leaped toward his mother, wrapping his arms around her and covering her cheeks with clumsy kisses.

  "Thank you! Thank you, mother! Thank you!"

  Arianne laughed softly, a glimmer of emotion in her eyes, then stroked her son's white hair.

  The maids couldn't help but smile slightly at this heartwarming sight.

  "I'm glad you like this gift," she said calmly.

  "But don't forget, Lucas: tonight, you won't just be my son. You will be an Ingriss, and you will have to act like one."

  Ariane straightened up and waved to a servant, who brought a carefully rolled and sealed parchment. She handed it to Lucas.

  "Here is the list of guests for your banquet. Study it, as we have taught you to do. You must know their names, their titles, their faces, and above all, their weaknesses. That's how an Ingriss acts, son, know that," she said in a firm voice with her natural authority.

  Lucas took the parchment with unexpected seriousness. He tilted his head, his features suddenly more mature.

  "I will not disappoint you, mother," he said serenely.

  A spark of pride flickered in Ariane's eyes. She put a hand on her cheek, briefly, as if to mark this moment, then turned away, resuming all her royal presence.

  "It's good. You can go now, Lucas. "

  Lucas leaned politely and turned to the door. He took a few steps towards the exit, his heart still swollen by the emotion of his gifts. But before he crossed the threshold, the queen's voice resounded again.

  "Ah, Lucas... One last thing. "

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  He turned around, intrigued. Arianne smiled, her eyes sparkling with a mysterious glow.

  "Your brother Dayvon will be back today. He will be present at your banquet," she says calmly.

  His breath caught, and his eyes shone with pure joy. His fingers instinctively touched the pendant he wore around his neck.

  A huge smile appeared on his face.

  "Dayvon... I'll finally see him," he whispered.

  And, filled with new energy, he left the room with a quick step, his heart overflowing with impatience. Arianne followed him with her eyes, a tender smile on her lips.

  A few minutes later:

  Back in his apartments, Lucas sat down at his desk. The dark wood shone slightly under the light that filtered through the high windows. In front of him, he gently placed the parchment containing the list of guests for his banquet.

  He took a deep breath, broke the seal, and slowly unrolled the parchment. Neat, elegant lines filled the page. Next to each name, there was a detailed description of the character.

  Lucas began to carefully read the guest list and the small detailed report next to each name.

  Nobles, heirs of prestigious lineages, representatives of guilds, and even some personalities from other kingdoms. Lucas quickly absorbed everyone's traits and behaviors, thinking about how he should act toward them. Above all, he was already putting in place how he would take advantage of the weaknesses of his guests.

  He perfectly put into practice what was instilled in him since his early childhood... He acted like an Ingriss worthy of the name.

  As he reached the end of his guest list, he came across names marked differently from what he had read earlier.

  - The fourth prince of the Naxthor empire, His Highness, Arvid Von Lorthen.

  Prince Arvid is known as the disappointment of the imperial family of Naxthor. With no particular talent, he is described as a violent and angry person. He is a fragile prince, but arrogant, being last in the race for succession.

  - The third princess of Naxthor, Her Highness, élyna Von Lorthen.

  Princess élyna is considered the jewel of the imperial family of Naxthor. Being the same age as Prince Lucas, she is the youngest of her lineage. She is a sweet, elegant, talented girl, and overprotected by her family. There are only good rumors circulating about her.

  Seeing this contrast of personality between the members of Naxthor's imperial family who will be present at his banquet, Lucas asked himself some questions.

  "I have to stay on my guard with them. They have surely planned something," he whispered suspiciously.

  Beyond these two, other names caught Lucas's attention.

  - The Sixth Sword of Ingrissia, General Lundel Draven.

  In addition to being the sixth Sword of Ingrissia, known for being an intelligent and dangerous man, Lundel Draven is at the head of the fifth order of knights created by King Raphael: the order of the Ebony Rose. It is a prestigious order, renowned for its unwavering loyalty and inflexible discipline. They provide valuable information to the kingdom, and are authorized to eliminate all threats to the kingdom. If they file a report with irrefutable evidence on the betrayal of a noble house, they have the permission of the king to reduce this noble house to ashes. And when they suspected a house, they used every method necessary to obtain the information they sought.

  - The children of the Four Great Ducal Houses.

  These four ducal families were among the oldest and most faithful families in the kingdom. The parchment gave details about the children who would attend, but also hinted at the open and hidden rivalries among the ducal houses.

  - Arden Ingriss, son of Andy Ingriss.

  Arden Ingriss is a 19-year-old young man. He graduated at the top of his class and is recognized for his remarkable martial talent. Being the son of Andy Ingriss, he is the nephew of King Raphael. Having already accomplished various feats throughout the kingdom, everyone imagined the weight of expectations resting on him.

  When Lucas had finished reading the entire guest list, he put down the parchment for a moment and looked up at the window. The sun began to sink, painting the sky with a golden glow.

  The banquet was approaching, and with it, the certainty that a new world would open up to him tonight.

  But instead of worrying, Lucas, confident of his abilities, let a slight smile appear on his lips, and touched the pendant offered by Dayvon.

  A few hours later - main alley of the royal domain:

  A white carriage with Ingrissia's coat of arms stopped in front of the grand staircase of the palace.

  The door opened slowly, and a young man came out, a dark cape thrown over his shoulders. His fine features, already marked by a maturity that few of his age bore, lit up in the declining light of the setting sun. His hair, deep black, while having a few white locks, framed a calm face.

  His fingers delicately touched the pendant around his neck, and a discreet smile appeared on his lips.

  "I wonder how much you've grown... Lucas. "

  A light breeze stirred his coat as he walked toward the massive palace doors, where two guards bowed respectfully.