Accompanying the King was none other than Duke Monopolis.
If the King's appearance only caused mild surprise, the moment Duke Monopolis stepped into the banquet hall, the entire atmosphere changed.
It was not loud. It was not dramatic.
It was heavy.
The laughter that had filled the hall only moments ago softened, then slowly died down. Conversations lost their rhythm. Even the royal orchestra seemed to hesitate, their notes turning careful and restrained.
Everyone looked at Duke Monopolis.
In Ruthiana, his name was not merely famous. It was a legend carved into history. Even children who had never seen the battlefield grew up hearing tales of the Monopolis family. A lineage that produced monsters. Guardians who stood firm when kingdoms trembled. People who did not bow easily, and when they did, it meant something terrible was coming.
Many nobles straightened their posture unconsciously. Some swallowed hard. A few avoided eye contact entirely.
