As the old saying goes: calm before the storm.

That’s exactly what this scene was.

Some drank, some chatted and laughed, some tore into lamb legs, others nursed their sorrows with wine glasses.

Then, the master of ceremonies’ piercing cry cut through the air—the protagonist made her dazzling entrance.

"Her Highness Princess Cecile of the Rose arrives!"

Honestly, Sima Luan Tong had always prided himself on seeing beauty as fleeting clouds. But the moment Cecile stepped into the hall, he turned to stone.

A backless crimson gown, fierce as flames, sculpted her figure into something sinfully alluring. Her fiery hair was swept high in an uncharacteristic updo. Lips stained the faintest cherry red complemented her flushed cheeks perfectly. Her meticulously tapered lashes only deepened the hypnotic pull of her eyes.

Cecile—a creature who embodied beauty, grace, charm, and sensuality all at once.

"How did she suddenly become this stunning?!" Ryosuke muttered under his breath. Cecile shot him a gaze brimming with springtime allure. His Iceflower Evil God Dragon instincts screamed danger.

Ryosuke had zero doubt she could annihilate him in the next second.

Her ghost-like movements were beyond his ability to counter!

Just as Ryosuke plotted his escape, Lord Mayor Snook approached with the Crimson Mercenary Corps.

"Lord Mayor Snook of Xianglong City, and Es, Captain of the Crimson Mercenary Corps, with our subordinates—paying respects to Her Highness the Third Princess!"

[*Not Princess of the Rose? Why Third Princess? She doesn’t look like Xianglong’s royalty… Why’s the mayor groveling? Damn! I thought they’d pull a father-daughter act!*]

Cecile raised a hand with elegant grace. Mayor Snook instantly rushed forward to support her elbow, guiding the bewitching princess toward the main seat.

Timed perfectly, the musicians began a hauntingly beautiful melody…

Ryosuke felt like he was in a karaoke lounge. Uncomfortable, Sima Luan Tong twisted away to find someone to talk to.

"Uh… Alpha… care for some wine?"

"Mew?"

Alpha turned, blinking adorably at Ryosuke. She lifted a crystal glass, watching his fractured reflection dance inside it, then clapped her hands in delight.

"Ahem. Sorry. Forget I asked."

[*Damn it! Why fear her? I saved her life! She should be licking my boots—not that I’d let her!*]

"Captain Es, what a pleasant surprise. I never expected you’d attend a banquet for commoners…"

[*Hey, that’s an indirect jab at me too…*]

"Ahem, Your Highness flatters me. I merely share the light of these… common folk."

[*Flattering me while calling me common? Es, you’ve got artistic insults down to a science. You really wanna die, huh?*]

"Captain Es, I heard you intend to donate part of your imperial-issued weaponry to Kempfer Royal Academy. Is this true?"

Cecile took a delicate sip of red wine, leaving a blood-red cherry stain on the rim.

The Crimson Mercenary officers exchanged hushed whispers, shooting puzzled glances at their captain.

Es dabbed sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, forcing a smile.

"Your Highness misunderstands. The imperial equipment scrolls were all handed to our former captain. They were lost during the Frostbound Dragon Valley battle…"

"Silence!" Cecile cut him off like a Tyrant. Steam visibly curled from her shoulders—

—Her fury was volcanic, ready to erupt.

*Women’s moods change faster than flipping pages!*

Ryosuke leaned forward, suddenly invested. Old debts were being called in—and this involved his idol, Zhanma IX, and Fan Qiandai. He even stopped Apsen from grabbing another lamb leg with a sharp look.

(Though normalized, Apsen’s thick arm still blocked Ryosuke’s view.)

"You be silent…" Her bangs shadowed her eyes. "Tell me, Es. What truly happened to my third brother?"

Es and Snook exchanged glances. Snook gave a barely perceptible nod.

Es sighed.

"Your Highness… Prince Mariano has passed. He fell during the battle at Frostbound Dragon Valley…"

"Liar!"

Cecile shot to her feet, finger jabbing at Es. Her stilettos drummed against the crystal floor.

"My third brother… such a good man… impossible… *sob*! It’s you! You murdered him out of jealousy for his position!"

Tears blurred her eyes, her fragile beauty making hearts ache to cradle her.

"Your Highness, the noble Prince Mariano was slain by the Iceflower Evil God Dragon. His entire royal guard perished with him under its ‘Evil God’s Sigh.’ We all witnessed it."

"Proof! Show me proof! You have none! I refuse to believe it! The Iceflower Holy Dragon—the guardian who fights Demon Kind for humanity—would never kill my brother! I *refuse*!"

Ryosuke’s heart clenched.

[*So she’s Mariano’s sister? How? The harem king Mariano had a sister named Radiant Ten Stars · Hun · Cecile? Did my穿越 alter history? What’s going on?!*]

"Your Highness! Captain Es speaks truth! This is accepted fact across the empire! Please accept your grief!"

"Snook! You have no place speaking here!"

"Your Highness, this isn’t the empire. Remember who sheltered you when you ran away. Who built this lavish palace for you. And there are outsiders present. This disrespect to Lord Mayor Snook is uncalled for."

"Built for *me*? Do you think I’m a fool? The funds came from Father’s coffers! Why else could the city’s name be changed so easily? This ‘shelter’ is just house arrest, Snook!"

Silence crashed over the hall. Even Alpha stopped fidgeting.

All eyes locked onto tonight’s most beautiful—

—and most tragic heroine:

Cecile.

Like a snail retreating into its shell, she slowly curled into the lion-pelt chair.

Only her broken sobs filled the hall…

No one spoke. From the mercenaries’ and Snook’s demeanor, they’d clearly known this truth—and likely conspired. But the Third Princess was innocent.

Her reason for running away was clear: unable to accept that her beloved brother died by the claws of the dragon she once revered, she’d clashed with her family.

"My apologies, Mayor Snook…"

Cecile’s sudden words left Es and Snook bewildered.

"Please forgive Cecile’s rudeness~"

Her voice smoothed like silk as she lifted her head, locking eyes with Snook—a gaze sharp enough to slice steel.

Snook’s feet turned icy. He stood, bowing deeply.

"Your Highness honors me. This old man failed in his duties. I beg your forgiveness."

"My apologies to you too, Captain Es…"

"I dare not accept. Only that Your Highness understands reason…"

"Everyone! Bear witness!" Cecile rose with regal poise, her resonant tone and piercing gaze announcing a decision that would shake the Reno Continent.

"I, Zhanma IX · Hun · Cecile, renounce my royal title. I enter Kempfer Royal Academy as a commoner—until graduation!"

Before anyone could react, Cecile issued commands like lightning strikes.

"Snook, handle the imperial notification. I trust King Zhanma IX will honor our choice."

"This… ah… understood, Your Highness…"

"Captain Es, I hear you and Kempfer’s headmaster are old friends. Secure my recommendation."

"By your command, Princess."

"Benefactor," she turned to Apsen’s group, "since Ash Forest lies on the path to Kempfer… would you escort me there? This humble girl would be eternally grateful."

All eyes snapped to Apsen. Who knew the real power stood beside him—the unassuming Sima Luan Tong?

Ryosuke lunged, dangling from Apsen’s neck, voice dripping with sugary whines.

"Papa~! I wanna see Kempfer too! Let’s go together!"

Alpha yowled, leaping onto Ryosuke.

A picture-perfect family scene…

Apsen opened his mouth—a wave of pungent lamb stench hit Ryosuke’s face. Thankfully, his own wine reek held its ground.

Poor Alpha wasn’t so lucky. Overwhelmed by the twin assault of alcohol and mutton, she swayed and collapsed onto her chair.

"B-by… your… command…"

Suddenly, an elderly man burst through the doors, wailing.

"Princess! Let me follow you too!"

"Granted! Magru! I’ll rely on you from now on!"

Ryosuke tilted his head back. The suppressed alcohol surged through him, giddiness sparkling in his eyes.

[*Maybe fate planned this. Finally—a chance to learn Battle Qi and magic properly. Fan Qiandai… wait for me… Oh! And my idol too… wait for me…*]

Then, Sima Luan Tong’s eyes glazed over.

He passed out cold.

Yes—even the strongest BOSS in history, the Iceflower Evil God Dragon, could get drunk…