Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Adrian's polite smile was perfectly in place as Isabella and Cassandra bantered, his responses calm and measured. The warmth of Isabella's small jokes, the way she engaged him, brought some ease to the moment, yet he couldn't ignore the prickling sensation coming from the other side of the hall.

Two gazes, sharp and cold, seemed to pierce right through him, colder than any of the others scattered around the room.

'As expected,' he muttered inwardly, a trace of amusement mixing with annoyance. 'Those two impatient, scheming fools in princely garb...'

Without letting his attention visibly waver from the conversation, he glanced briefly in their direction. Prince Morgan and Prince Cedric—their expressions barely concealed their disdain. Cedric's jaw was tight, the barely veiled resentment clear in his narrowed gaze. Morgan was no better, his calculating glare sizing Adrian up as if gauging some unspoken challenge.

But Adrian didn't let it affect him. He returned his attention smoothly to Isabella and offered her a knowing smile. "You're as sly as I remember, Princess."

Isabella's eyes sparkled, but she feigned innocence, her face softening as she tilted her head slightly. "What could you mean by that?" she murmured, though her coy tone betrayed a hint of amusement.

'Yep, this is her personality.'

Adrian knew her and her character well enough to recognize her intentions. She was, in a way, using him as a shield, drawing his attention to distract from the scrutiny of those around them.

And he was a good shield considering who he was.

Both in good and bad ways. Good he was now the hero who saved many lives, and bad - sole heir of Lighthaven family(this was good for him but bad for many who didn't like their family).

Still, Isabella puffed her cheeks in mock indignation, adding in a softer, almost affectionate tone, "But it's good you remember me." The hint of warmth in her voice didn't go unnoticed, though she seemed to quickly mask it behind her usual composed expression.

Cassandra, standing nearby, glanced at Isabella knowingly, clearly picking up on the subtle exchange. She smiled slightly, a flicker of amusement in her eyes, while Alina—her expression a bit more puzzled—looked between Adrian and Isabella, furrowing her brow.

'Why is he calling her sly?' Alina thought, her lips pressing into a faint pout. 'Hmph, his attitude is still the same,' she concluded, shaking her head lightly.

Adrian's smile softened as he looked between the three women, then gave them a respectful nod.

"You ladies continue with your conversation. I should pay my respects to the King and Queen as well—and offer my congratulations. They were there when my sister and I awakened, after all. It's good to return the courtesy, don't you think?"

His smile was polite, but a brief, cold glint passed through his eyes, subtle enough to go unnoticed by most, but it spoke volumes of the quiet emotions and confidence he held within.

Turning away from the group, Adrian walked through the hall with a measured, unhurried grace. He felt the weight of Isabella's gaze linger on him, though she maintained a polite expression, her eyes holding a hint of something softer, almost affectionate, that she was careful to mask behind the composed exterior.

To anyone else, it looked like she was merely following social etiquette, but Cassandra, watching carefully, noticed the barely concealed sentiment. She turned to look at Adrian's retreating figure, then back at Isabella, piecing together the subtle glances and unspoken words, nodding slightly to herself as if she'd come to an understanding.

Meanwhile, Alina simply observed the scene with a puzzled expression, oblivious to the layers of sentiment surrounding her.

____

Adrian walked across the vast hall with the unhurried, calculated grace of someone who was fully aware of every pair of eyes that followed his movements.

Silence descended as he approached the royal dais, where King Edmond and Queen Seraphina presided over the banquet with the practiced ease of seasoned rulers. Their eyes met Adrian's as he reached them, a polite yet subtle exchange passing between the young man and the royals—an unspoken acknowledgment of the complex undercurrents of their relationship, masked beneath the facades of formality and courtesy.

Both sides knew that they weren't exactly close, but acted like a loyal noble and royalty.

Bowing deeply, Adrian greeted them with a voice that held just the right blend of deference and poise. "Your Majesty, Your Highness," he began, his words respectful but carrying an edge of sincerity. "Thank you for allowing me to attend tonight's celebration. I wish to offer my heartfelt congratulations. Princess Isabella shines brightly—a beacon of the kingdom's future, no doubt."

He of course had to congratulate them.

King Edmond chuckled warmly, a sound that carried a note of pride mixed with the restrained formality of the occasion. "Ah, we are honored indeed, to have the famed hero of the Lighthaven family in our daughter's banquet," he said, his eyes gleaming as if genuinely pleased by Adrian's words.

Adrian maintained his polite smile, effortlessly meeting the King's gaze with a hint of humility. "Your Majesty flatters me. I only did what anyone would in such times. As a citizen of this kingdom—and a friend of the Princess—it's an honor to attend this celebration and pay my respects. Congratulations to you both, for raising a daughter with such a promising future."

Queen Seraphina smiled graciously, her expression warm and poised. She inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment, speaking with an air of formality softened by the touch of maternal pride. "Thank you, Adrian. On behalf of the royal family, we are grateful for your kind words. And we look forward to the day our children might achieve great accomplishments, as you have."

Her words, though courteous, carried a subtle undertone—a recognition of Adrian's achievements, tempered with a quiet awareness of his potential as a threat.

'As careful as she is...'

'Letʼs see how will she react to this one...'

Adrian, ever perceptive, noted the layer beneath her carefully chosen words and responded with a calm smile. "You're too kind, Your Highness. Besides, you have a fine successor already—one who may soon surpass me in more ways than one."

He paused, letting his words sink in before adding with a touch of nonchalance, "Ah, I nearly forgot to mention—your son, Crown Prince Aurelius, is doing well now. He asked me say his regards, and he too will return soon after he takes permission from his master."

His deliberate mention of Aurelius's name sent a ripple through the hall, a subtle but noticeable shift as conversations faltered and heads turned.

The Crown Prince's status as Seraphina's stepson was an open secret, yet rarely mentioned in such direct terms. Still, the Queen's face remained unperturbed, her expression calm and gracious, a serene mask of warmth and control.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I'm glad to hear that," she replied smoothly, as if the slight stir in the hall had gone unnoticed. "My silly son hasn't been writing to us for a month now, so we were becoming quite concerned."

Her tone was light, almost amused, though there was a quiet steel behind her words—a mother's pride mingling with the subtle reminder that she, too, was always aware of her son's movements.

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"Thatʼs right, awe aren't worried about the crown prince. And..." King Edmond leaned in slightly, his voice carrying the weight of both formality and challenge. "I hope that my other children will surpass you as well, Adrian. Their future is bright and unrestricted. They, too, have great ambitions ahead of them."

Adrian chuckled softly, meeting the King's gaze with unwavering confidence. "You are, of course, correct, Your Majesty. They have no limits upon them, unlike me, and I'm certain they will indeed surpass me someday."

He paused, allowing a moment for the weight of his words to linger, then continued with a slight smile that held a spark of ambition. "But I must admit, I'll do my utmost to remain ahead. After all, the higher I climb, the harder they'll strive to reach new heights. Isn't that the way of progress?"

A tense silence settled over the room, each word hanging heavily in the air. Those watching sensed the quiet challenge in Adrian's words, though cloaked in politeness. King Edmond's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, though his smile remained steadfast. "Indeed, Adrian. Such ambition only strengthens our kingdom."

Adrian inclined his head respectfully, his expression calm and composed. In that exchange, he had delivered a subtle reminder of his own power, his status within the kingdom as both an ally and potential adversary. The delicate dance of courtly intrigue, masked beneath the veneer of formality, had played out in mere minutes, leaving both sides quietly measuring each other.

With a final respectful bow, Adrian turned to depart, his strides as composed and unhurried as before. Behind him, he sensed the weight of King and Queen's gaze—a gaze both calculating and assessing.

Those who had watched the exchange in the hall resumed their conversations, though with a renewed sense of curiosity, the ripples of tension slowly dispersing as the night wore on.