Protagonists

Silver hair and violet eyes. They were more than enough to make one realise the identity of the person. These were traits only seen in members of the royal family.

-3 hours before the birthday banquet

"Your highness, it's your birthday today."

The knight in armour said this to the man sitting on a chair by his study table. Even on his birthday, Lenon Dragonaria was busy with paperwork.

A crown prince never had any time to spend leisurely on other things while abandoning his duties. Not that one couldn't have done that, but Lenon was different from those people.

"Yes. So what? I still can't take a break."

Lenon continued moving his quill pen over the papers with speed. He was trying to get done with his work as soon as possible.

'This is no different than back then...'

Lenon thought as his eyebrows made a frown. He was remembering old times.

'Even after coming to this world, nothing changed.'

Lenon was a reincarnated person. The first protagonist of the novel 'Light of Dragonaria'.

In his previous life, he used to work for a black company in Japan. Soon enough, he passed away due to overwork.

'Even though I'm turning 22 today...'

He tried to shake off the odd feeling he had been getting a while ago. It was of no use.

'Ah. What's the point of being blessed by talents?' 

Lenon was a swordmaster, who could probably fight against some huge monster without receiving much damage. He was skilled enough to be at least on the list of the top 5 swordmasters of Dragonaria.

But the main problem was the burden he had on his shoulders as the crown prince of the Dragonaria Kingdom.

"You can't neglect your duties, your highness."

The knight knew Lenon very well. He wasn't the type to just play around rather than complete his work.

Lenon was busy signing some documents, which made him not reply to the knight. He read them quickly before putting his signature on them.

Knock knock

Someone knocked on the door to Lenon's office room. The knight was going to tell them off since Lenon was busy. He put his arm before the knight, stopping him from doing so.

"You may come in. What is it?"

Lenon wasn't really interested in who it was. He was only thinking about when his work would come to an end.

"You have a visitor."

The person outside didn't enter the room. He just answered Lenon's question from behind the closed door.

"Tell them that I'm busy with work."

Lenon stopped for a while. Then he began moving the quill pen.

"B-but..."

He expected the person behind the door to go away. A frown formed on Lenon's eyebrows.

"But what?"

Bang

He slammed his hand on the table. He was already annoyed because of his work.

"I-it's Lady Belcher."

Bang

As soon as Lenon heard the man's words, he stood up quickly. Putting everything aside, he walked towards the door.

"Y-your highness- You can't. There's work still pending. Ans not to mention you have a fian-"

As the knight was speaking, Lenon glared at him. The knight could feel a cold sensation in his body.

"You stay there. I'll take care of work later."

Lenon opened the door. An old man was standing there. He wore a butler's uniform.

"Where is she?"

He asked while he kept on walking.

"S-she is in the garden."

Lenon didn't say a single word. He was walking quickly, as if he had some important matter to tend to.

The butler and the knight watched the back of the crown prince, who disappeared soon. They looked at each other's faces.

"How many times has it been now...?"

The butler was standing outside the door. The knight walked towards him to continue their conversation.

"I don't remember..."

This wasn't the first time that Lenon had run out while putting off his work. When he did this before, the reason was the same.

"How did his highness become this carefree...?"

The butler had been serving Lenon for the past 20 years. Lenon wasn't the same as before.

He had changed a lot. To be specific, he had changed over the past 5 years.

"Ask that question to Lady Belcher."

That was around the time Lady Belcher made her appearance in high society. Lenon changed a bit after meeting her.

"Don't drag me into that mess, old man Philip."

The knight said this while taking off his helmet. His brown hair became visible.

"This matter is indeed complicated, Arnold."

Arnold was Lenon's guard for the past 7 years. He was aware of how complicated and risky these matters were to get involved in.

"It all started because of that woman."

Arnold tightly wrapped his fingers around, making a fist. He was angry for some reason. Philip looked at his face and sighed.

"Don't speak ill of her. We might get in trouble."

Philip was correct about that. Everyone was aware of Lenon's behaviour by now.

"I wonder how Lady Rosenstein will act..."

Philip looked at the windowpane. It was late afternoon. Soon it would be evening, and the birthday banquet would begin.

"His highness is going to have someone else other than his fiancée escort him."

Arnold stayed quiet. He wanted to say something in favour of Lenon. But Lenon's current behaviour wasn't worthy enough for that.

"Who are we to speak..."

Philip walked away as he said that. Arnold watched him leave.

"Your highness, Lenon..."

He mumbled to himself as he saw his own reflection in the windowpane.

---------------------

There were two protagonists in 'Light of Dragonaria'. The first was the male protagonist, Lenon Dragonaria. The second was the female protagonist, Claire Belcher.

'How long will he make me wait?'

A lady with blonde hair sat on a bench in the middle of a garden. The huge imperial palace was a sight she could enjoy whenever she felt like it.

"C-cliare!"

Lenon came rushing to her. Claire was wearing a purple Victorian tea dress.

"You look gorgeous as usual."

Lenon was used to giving out compliments to Claire. She looked at him for a moment.

Lenon was wearing a red blazer with golden embroidery on top of a white shirt. He was in red formal pants.

"Y-you look good too."

Claire wasn't really impressed by Lenon's outfit. But Lenon won't possibly notice it, since he was a fool for her.

"I love you, Claire."

Calire looked at him with a blank expression for a while. Then she giggled lightly while returning his sweet words.

"I love you too."

She said this while trying to hold back her laughter. It wasn't that she found it funny or something.

The reason behind it was rather an abnormal emotion. Only those who have actually plotted such things that go smoothly would be able to understand it.

'My plans are going well... Now the last step is...'

Claire looked at Lenon. He was sitting next to her with his back straight.

"So... when are we getting married?"

Lenon flinched a bit at the unexpected question. Looking at Claire's face, he spoke with a light tone.

"About that..."

Claire already knew what he was going to say. She tried to interfere the obvious answer.

"I'm fine with being a concubine."

She said this with a sad look on her face matching her tone of speaking. She was aware that Lenon didn't like to see her sad.

Whatever she was spouting at the moment was nothing more than a bunch of lies. She had weaved them in order to accomplish her own goals.

"N-no. I will surely make you the empress."

Lenon sounded unsure at first, but then it sounded convincing when he declared that. He had multiple reasons for feeling uneasy about it.

The main reason was the public's and noble's reaction on thr two of them getting together. Compared to the individual he was engaged to, Claire was of a lower social standing.

"But what about Lady Rosenstein?"

Claire sounded worried. Maybe she felt guilt for trying to jeopardise Aliana's position.

"I will break off the engagement."

Lenon said it with a reassuring smile. Claire smiled back happily.

'How easy.'

She thought as she hugged Lenon. But her thoughts didn't stop at that.

'Just break off engagement? I will make sure to kill her.'

Claire never felt the guilt. In fact, she was envious of Aliana. Aliana was the daughter of the Grand Duke, while Claire was the adoptive daughter of a low-class baron. Only because of her talent in alchemy and magic was Claire able to gain fame for herself.

'I will take it all from her. This life is mine. I shall live as a queen.'

Claire thought while smiling to herself. Anyone would question why she was the second protagonist.

-[You shouldn't mess around too much.]

A voice spoke within Claire's mind. Claire flinched, and her smile vanished.

That wasn't a normal phenomenon for others, but for only Claire. She was used to the sudden and frequent appearance of it.

'I know. But this is the only way...'

Claire thought while closing her eyes. Lenon didn't move, feeling something warm against his chest.

His face flushed bright red, Lenon lowered his gaze. His eyes were fixed on Claire who had hugged him suddenly.

"Um, Claire?"

His low voice was audible as put his arms in the air. He tried not to hug her back.

"Ah."

Claire flinched and let go of Lenon. They both didn't open their mouths when they were able to feel their breaths brush across each other's faces.

They were so busy talking with each other that they didn't even notice that the sun had already sat, making the orange sky partially black.

Claire looked into Lenon's eyes. He also stared back at Claire. They slowly leaned towards each other. Claire could feel her face growing hot.

Banggg

A huge sound resonated throughout the atmosphere. It was heard by the whole kingdom. 

Swish

Lenon wrapped Claire in his arms, who was covering her by sudden sudden. Her eyes shut tightly didn't open when she spoke.

"W-what was that?"

Lenon didn't say a word, but stood up while picking Claire up in his both arms. He took her inside the palace while carrying her as if she were a princess.

-[That voice wasn't something normal. I have a bad feeling.]

The voice in Claire's mind was a bit low now. Something like that was just beyond unusual.

'Did your voice get low, or are you speaking like that on purpose?'

Claire noticed it easily. The voice didn't return to how it was before.

-[Why would I do it on purpose? That huge sound was the reason for this... It had some omino-]

The voice was not able to continue what it was saying. Claire tried to talk with the voice, but it was futile.

The voice acted strangely before getting drowned in a silence. Claire was praying that it would start conversing with her again.

"You wait here. I will go and have guards check this situation."

Lenon said this while putting Claire on a bed. They were in Lenon's private room now.

"W-wait..."

As Lenon was going to walk away, Claire pulled his blazer's sleeves. That made him stop in his tracks.

"Just ask them to check. You should get changed. The banquet will start soon."

Claire was on the mark here. Without the main character, the banquet would be meaningless.

Sigh

Lenon looked at Claire and smiled a bit. He knew what her words meant.

It was his own birthday banquet. He couldn't not attend it for some reasons that didn't matter to him much.

"You are right. I will be back in a moment."

Lenon went straight to his office room. He ordered the knights under him to investigate the concerning incident.

There was only one hour left before the banquet started. Since there existed no clocks in that world, Lenon didn't know accurate timing.

"Philip, how much time till the banquet begins?"

He asked the butler as soon as the knights left his office. Philip looked out the window and replied.

He adjusted his glasses while trying to maintain his composure. His words were last thing Lenon actually heard.

"A few more minutes, I believe."

Lenon didn't waste a single moment. As soon as he heard those words, he began changing his clothes.

He wore a white blazer now, which had a dragon embroidered with gold on it. His silver hair added to his charm.

"Ask my maids to have Lady Belcher ready to escort me."

Philip flinched at those words from Lenon. He was against that idea.

"B-but your highness-"

Bang

Lenon punched the wall near him. Cracks formed on it.

His cold gaze met the butler's eyes as he slowly raised his head. The commanding tone he spoke in made Philip flinch.

"Just follow my orders. You don't need to tell me what I should do or not."

Philip bit his lips as he heard this. Without saying a word, he went and gave commands to the maids.

Tap tap

Everything was ready now. Lenon walked towards the banquet hall. The path they were using was on the first floor. Guests were on the ground floor.

"Are you ready?"

Claire asked while putting her arm into Lenon's arm. The sounds of people talking on the other side were audible.

"I am."

Lenon smiled at her. He was looking forward to it.

[His highness Lenon Dragonaria is entering!!]

Someone announced this as the door above the staircase opened. Everyone fell silent admiring the beauty and charisma of the two who stood hand-in-hand.

Some were confused after seeing his partner, while others just maintained silence. The person they expected with him was Aliana.

Tap tap tap

Lenon and Claire walked down the stairs. They made their way to a stage decorated on the ground floor.

'She isn't here yet...?'

Lenon looked around while sitting on a chair on the stage. There were only two chairs available.

One for Lenon and another for his fiance, but he wasn't with Aliana. This time he hadn't even bothered notifying Aliana about it.

'Tsk... I can't break off our engagement if she doesn't attend this banquet...'

Lenon thought while tightening his grip on Claire's hand. As he was about to say something to Claire, an announcement was heard.

A smile crawled up his lips listening to those words. Finally, his wait was about to be over.

[Lady Rosenstein is entering!]

It was about time for the real showdown.