The banquet table was set in all its grandeur. Crystal candles glowed softly, their light reflecting off the gold and silver furnishings that adorned the great hall. Princes from various castles had arrived, each draped in ceremonial robes that spoke of their status and legacy.
Down the corridor leading to the banquet hall, Brisena walked gracefully, flanked by royal attendants. Her flowing silk gown in shades of blue trailed elegantly behind her, matching the lightness of her steps. But her stride came to a halt when a loud voice called out from the distance.
"My beautiful little sister!" The cheerful voice echoed through the corridor.
Brisena turned and saw a familiar figure standing at the far end—Prince Magnoli, her fifth brother. His silver hair shimmered under the torchlight, and his unmistakable smile radiated a warmth that never faded.
"Lady Brisena, Prince Magnoli is calling you," one of the attendants informed her.
Brisena offered a small smile. "You may go ahead. I'll join Brother Magnoli."
The attendants bowed respectfully before continuing on. Meanwhile, Brisena broke into a light run toward Magnoli, her gown fluttering as she moved. Upon reaching him, she didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around him tightly.
"Brother! You came too? I missed you so much!" she exclaimed with joy.
Magnoli chuckled as he returned her embrace. "And you're cruel—you didn't send me a single letter for three weeks. I thought you'd forgotten all about me."
Brisena pulled back with a pout. "Three weeks? You have no idea how much more annoying the others have been! Todius and Dorges scolded me endlessly for not visiting in nearly a year. Xaverius sends letters to Doliex every single week and the first thing he did when we met was lecture me. And Neroxius? Just the same! All of you only know how to scold me!"
Magnoli laughed heartily. "Oh dear, my poor little sister. Forgive us, but how could we not care? You're our only sister—the jewel of House Whiteheaven."
Brisena crossed her arms in mock indignation. "Only in this empire? In that case, I'll go back to dressing like you boys."
"Hahaha! Fine, fine. Even across the world, you'd still be the most beautiful."
"So, I am beautiful?" Brisena looked up at him with sparkling eyes. "Does my makeup look the way you expected?"
Magnoli studied her for a moment, then smirked teasingly. "Hmm, your powder's a bit heavy. It hides your natural beauty. But don't worry—if you'd like, I can redo it before the banquet. Just give me five minutes."
Brisena scrunched her nose in protest. "Ha! You just want an excuse to touch my face again, don't you? You've tried to talk me into letting you do my makeup thousands of times. It's never going to happen!"
Their laughter rang through the corridor, only to be interrupted by a deep, commanding voice from behind.
"Your voices are so loud they can be heard from the palace gates."
Brisena turned to see a tall figure standing with undeniable charisma—Prince Todius, her second brother. His dark cloak billowed behind him as he approached with confident, purposeful strides.
"Prince Todius, you're here too?" Brisena exclaimed joyfully.
Magnoli smirked. "I didn't even realize our perfectionist brother was standing behind us."
Todius sighed. "Dearest sister, step away from Magnoli before he teaches you how to gamble."
Brisena chuckled. "At least he's not obsessed with honor like you are, Brother."
Magnoli burst out laughing, while Todius simply shook his head. But it didn't take long for them to pull each other into a warm embrace.
"How have you been, brother?" Todius asked, his tone softening.
"As you can see, my leg's still giving me trouble," Magnoli replied, gesturing to his not-yet-fully-healed foot.
Todius exhaled. "Then let me support you."
Brisena looked at the two of them, feigning frustration. "So I really do have to walk alone?"
Both brothers laughed before the three of them made their way into the banquet hall. The moment they entered, a stunning display welcomed them. A long table was lined with exquisite dishes, and crystal chandeliers bathed every corner of the room in a warm golden light.
At the far end of the table, two figures were already waiting—Prince Neroxius, the third-born, with his ever-piercing gaze, and the fourth-born, Prince Dorges, who greeted them with a calm nod.
They took their assigned seats, arranged precisely as dictated by Xaverius. The room fell into a hush, anticipation thick in the air.
Moments later, Xaverius entered, his wheelchair pushed by none other than Rogg. As the two appeared, every prince in the room froze. Todius and Neroxius exchanged a glance, clearly taken aback by the unfamiliar figure standing beside Xaverius. Dorges, on the other hand, looked equally surprised—if not slightly irritated. Magnoli simply grinned, recognizing the outfit Rogg was wearing—it once belonged to their father.
Though curiosity surged in each of the princes, no one dared to speak until Xaverius broke the silence.
"Allow me to introduce Rogg, son of Uncle Brovos," Xaverius said in a calm but firm tone. "Rogg, please, introduce yourself."
Rogg stood tall, voice unwavering. "I am Rogg Robelix, son of Brovos."
An even deeper silence fell over the hall. Every prince stared, wide-eyed, in disbelief. Even Magnoli, who had known Rogg longer than the rest, had never learned his true origins. All he knew was that Rogg and Brisena shared the same mother.
Todius and Neroxius were especially shaken. All their lives, they had been told their father was an only child.
"Brother," Todius said, voice serious, "you shouldn't spread falsehoods. You are a prince of the Empire—such stories should not come from you."
Xaverius sighed. "You are my brothers. I would never lie to you."
Neroxius gave him a hard-to-read look. "Do you have any proof that he bears Robelix blood?"
Xaverius offered a faint smile. "The greatest proof lies in the pendant he wears."
Rogg was taken aback. While it was true he had the pendant, he had never shown it to Xaverius. How did he know?
Xaverius then lifted a pendant adorned with a coin-shaped emblem, engraved with the Whiteheaven Palace. It was the insignia of the Second Hand Emperor—a title held by the Grand Vizier. But then came something even more surprising—a second pendant, etched with the image of the Emperor himself, which belonged to Rogg.
Even Xaverius hesitated for a moment. "Huh?" he muttered, realizing something that startled even him.
The room fell silent again. Dorges was the first to speak. "I don't doubt his claim as our brother, but I had no idea our father had a sibling."
Suddenly, Magnoli raised his goblet. "I raise a toast to my brother, Rogg. I owe you my life."
The other princes were stunned by his words.
Brisena smiled softly and lifted her glass. "If the truth is still uncertain, then it is our duty to seek it. But even so, I raise my glass to you, Brother Rogg. No matter what, you will always be my brother."
Once again, the others were surprised—except for Magnoli and Xaverius, who remained composed.
Neroxius let out a long sigh. "So many secrets… sometimes I feel like I don't even know my own family." He raised his goblet. "To you, Rogg."
Dorges followed suit. "To the one who reminded me how much further I still have to go."
Again, surprise rippled through the table—except for Magnoli and Brisena, who exchanged quiet smiles.
Todius looked at Rogg with a newfound curiosity. "Rogg… are you truly that formidable? Is it just me and Neroxius who never knew who you really were? Regardless, I raise my glass to you—and to all the greatness you possess."
Rogg smiled and lifted his glass. "Thank you, Princes of Whiteheaven. Tonight, I sit at this table as a free man. Whether I am a prince, a Robelix by blood, or a noble means little to me. What matters most… is that you are all my brothers—the sons of Uncle Brovon, my family."
Silence gave way to admiration.
That night was no ordinary banquet. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in the legacy of the Whiteheaven family. With respect and warmth, they resumed their feast, writing a story that would be remembered for generations to come.