EPISODE 2: “THE BANQUET OF LIES”

The hall fell into silence.

Crown Prince Lucian stood just a few steps away,

golden eyes locked on them like a hunter deciding

which prey to kill first.

“So,” he repeated softly, “which one of you is first

to be executed?”

Kian’s breath caught.

Arjun didn’t move.

Didn’t flinch.

Instead, he bowed slightly — perfect etiquette, too

perfect for someone accused of poisoning.

“Your Highness,” Arjun said calmly, “if I had tried to

poison you, you would not be standing here speaking.”

A flicker passed through Lucian’s eyes.

Interest.

Not trust — not yet.

But something more dangerous.

Amusement.

Kian quickly followed Arjun’s lead, forcing a nervous

smile. “We… just woke up, Your Highness. I think

there’s been a misunderstanding.”

Lucian stepped closer.

Too close.

Kian instinctively took a half-step back.

Arjun did not.

Lucian noticed that.

“…Interesting,” the prince murmured. “One of you

trembles. The other pretends he is already above

fear.”

His gaze lingered on Arjun.

Longer than necessary.

A new system notification flashed in Arjun’s vision.

⚠️ SUB MISSION UPDATED

TARGET EMOTIONAL STATE: INTEREST (Lucian) +5%

Arjun’s jaw tightened slightly.

So even silence could be dangerous.

Lucian turned away suddenly.

“You will attend tonight’s banquet,” he said. “If you

are truly innocent… you will survive it.”

He paused at the door.

“And if not…”

A faint smile.

“Then I will personally decide how slowly you die.”

The doors shut.

Silence returned.

Kian exhaled sharply. “Okay. That man is insane.”

Arjun finally let out a quiet breath. “He’s not insane.”

Kian looked at him.

“He’s observant.”

🌙 NIGHT — ROYAL BANQUET HALL

Crystal chandeliers lit the massive hall.

Nobles whispered behind fans and wine glasses

as Arjun and Kian entered under heavy stares.

Everyone knew.

They were the “poisoned nobles who woke up.”

Everyone was waiting for them to fail.

At the far end of the hall—

Lucian sat on the throne-like seat at the center table.

And beside him…

A boy in black military robes.

Silent.

Still.

Eyes like frozen steel.

Kian’s system flickered.

TARGET DETECTED: PRINCE’S SON — ETHAN

EMOTION LEVEL: ZERO (DANGER CLASS)

Kian swallowed.

“That one looks worse,” he muttered.

Arjun didn’t answer.

Because Lucian’s gaze had already landed on them

again.

And this time…

It wasn’t amusement.

It was challenge.

🍷 BANQUET STARTS

A noble suddenly stood.

“Your Highness! Why are the accused allowed here?”

Whispers spread instantly.

“Poisoners…”

“They should be executed…”

Lucian leaned back slightly. “Let them speak.”

All eyes turned.

Silence pressed down.

Arjun stepped forward.

Kian’s heart dropped.

What is he doing? There’s no script for this—

Arjun spoke clearly.

“If I were truly a poisoner,” he said, “would I attend

a banquet where I could be killed before I finish

my first drink?”

A pause.

Then soft laughter… from Lucian.

The sound shocked the entire hall.

Kian froze.

Lucian raised his glass slightly.

“Continue.”

Arjun’s eyes met his.

For a split second—

Something passed between them.

A challenge.

A spark.

Then Arjun said the worst possible thing:

“Or… perhaps Your Highness enjoys entertaining

dangerous people.”

Silence.

Kian nearly choked.

Even Ethan’s gaze shifted slightly.

Lucian’s smile faded… slowly.

Then—

He stood.

The entire hall froze.

Lucian walked down the steps.

One by one.

Until he stood directly in front of Arjun.

Too close again.

Always too close.

“You are either very brave,” Lucian said quietly,

“or very stupid.”

Arjun didn’t step back.

“I’ll let you decide.”

A new system alert exploded in his vision.

💥 TARGET EMOTION SPIKE: INTEREST +12%

WARNING: RAPID ATTRACTION DEVELOPMENT

DETECTED

Kian stared in horror.

“Arjun…” he whispered. “Why is it working??”

Across the hall—

Ethan finally spoke for the first time.

Cold.

Quiet.

“Father.”

Lucian didn’t look away from Arjun.

“Yes?”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“This one is dangerous.”

Lucian’s lips curved faintly.

“I know.”

And then—

He smiled.

At Arjun.

Not cruelly this time.

Not like a king.

Like someone who had just found a puzzle he

intended to break slowly.

“Stay alive until the end of the banquet,” Lucian

said softly.

“Let me see what you become.”

🌑END OF EPISODE 2

Kian pulled Arjun aside in panic.

“What the hell was that?! You’re supposed to make

him fall in love, not provoke a royal psychopath!”

Arjun watched Lucian from across the hall.

“…I didn’t provoke him,” he said quietly.

“I caught his attention.”

A pause.

Then softer:

“And now he won’t look away.”

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