The palace had changed.
Or rather—
The way people looked at Leon had changed.
As he walked through the Royal District, whispers followed him like shadows.
"That's him…"
"The illegitimate prince…"
"He defeated an Imperial Guard…"
Leon scratched his head.
"…This is getting annoying."
Beside him, Aether remained silent as always.
Servants bowed as Leon passed.
Not out of respect—
But out of obligation.
Leon could tell.
"…They don't actually respect me."
Aether replied calmly.
"Respect is earned."
Leon sighed.
"Yeah, yeah. I figured."
Still…
It was different from before.
Before, they barely acknowledged his existence.
Now—
They couldn't ignore him.
A royal attendant approached them quickly.
He bowed deeply.
"Prince Leon."
Leon blinked.
"…That's new."
The attendant continued,
"You have been summoned."
Leon frowned.
"By who?"
"The First Sovereign."
Leon froze.
"…Him?"
Aether nodded.
"You will go."
Leon sighed.
"I don't think I have a choice."
Leon was led deep into the palace.
Far beyond the main halls.
Up a long spiral staircase that seemed to reach the sky.
"This place is ridiculous…"
At the very top—
A massive door stood before him.
The attendant bowed.
"Enter."
Leon hesitated for a moment.
Then pushed the door open.
The room was vast.
Open.
Filled with light.
And at the center—
A man stood by the window.
Looking out over the empire.
Caelus Aurelion.
Leon stepped forward slowly.
"…You wanted to see me."
The man didn't turn.
"Yes."
The moment Leon stepped closer—
The air became heavy.
Unbearably heavy.
Leon felt like his entire body was being crushed.
His legs trembled.
His breathing became difficult.
"…What is this…?"
Caelus spoke calmly.
"My presence."
Leon clenched his teeth.
Even standing near him felt impossible.
"Do not kneel."
Leon froze.
He hadn't realized it—
But his body had begun to lower itself.
Instinctively.
Like prey before a predator.
Leon forced himself to stand straight.
"…I'm not kneeling."
"Good."
The pressure increased.
Leon's vision blurred.
But he didn't fall.
Finally—
Caelus turned.
His golden eyes locked onto Leon.
And in that moment—
Leon felt like he was being seen completely.
"…Interesting."
Leon exhaled slowly.
"…You keep saying that."
A faint smile appeared.
"And you keep proving me right."
Caelus walked closer.
Each step felt like thunder.
"You felt it, didn't you?"
Leon frowned.
"Felt what?"
"The power within you."
Leon hesitated.
"…The thing that won't let me bow?"
"Yes."
Leon's expression hardened.
"What is it?"
Caelus stopped in front of him.
"It is your bloodline."
Leon's eyes narrowed.
"…Bloodline?"
Caelus nodded.
"The royal bloodline is not ordinary."
Leon crossed his arms.
"I figured that much."
"But yours is different."
Leon's heart skipped slightly.
"…Different how?"
For the first time—
Caelus's expression became serious.
"You possess a rare inheritance."
"One that appears only once in several generations."
Leon felt something stir inside him.
"…And that is?"
Caelus spoke slowly.
"The Sovereign's Will."
Leon frowned.
"…That doesn't explain anything."
Caelus chuckled slightly.
"It is the power to stand above all."
Leon blinked.
"…That sounds… arrogant."
"It is."
Leon stared.
"…And I have that?"
"Yes."
Caelus's gaze sharpened.
"But it is incomplete."
Leon sighed.
"So I'm still weak."
"Yes."
Leon rolled his eyes.
"Great."
Caelus turned back toward the window.
"The palace is watching you."
Leon nodded.
"I noticed."
"They will test you."
Leon smirked slightly.
"They already are."
Caelus's voice became colder.
"And some will try to eliminate you."
Leon paused.
"…That's less reassuring."
Caelus looked over his shoulder.
"But that is also your opportunity."
Leon raised an eyebrow.
"How?"
"Grow stronger."
Leon nodded slowly.
"Same advice as always."
"Yes."
Leon hesitated.
Then asked,
"…Why me?"
Caelus didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked out over the empire.
"…Because the world is changing."
Leon frowned.
"You mean the monsters?"
"Yes."
"And something beyond them."
Caelus turned fully toward Leon.
"For what is coming…"
"We will need someone who can stand above all."
Leon felt that strange energy inside him react again.
"…And you think that's me?"
Caelus smiled faintly.
"I do not think."
"I observe."
The pressure in the room slowly faded.
Leon finally breathed normally again.
"…That was intense."
Caelus walked past him.
"Your path begins now."
Leon turned.
"…Wasn't it already started?"
Caelus paused at the door.
"This…"
"Is only the beginning."
As Leon left the tower—
He felt it clearly.
Dozens.
Hundreds.
Of eyes watching him.
From shadows.
From windows.
From behind walls.
The princes.
The princesses.
The guards.
The assassins.
Everyone was watching.
Leon exhaled slowly.
"…Alright."
"If everyone's watching…"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Then I guess I'll give them a show."
Far above—
Caelus Aurelion watched from the window.
His gaze distant.
"The storm has begun."