Caelmir had barely turned away from the mirror when a metallic sound echoed through the corridor.
Clang.
Clang.
Heavy footsteps approached from the other side of his chamber.
Slow.
Measured.
Deliberate.
They stopped directly in front of his door.
Then came three firm knocks.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
"Prince Caelmir Crownveil," announced a deep, serious voice. "His Majesty requests your presence."
Caelmir sighed.
Of course.
He had barely finished getting dressed, and his father was already sending guards after him.
"Coming."
The door opened.
Three Imperial Guards stood outside.
Their golden armor reflected the light of the corridor, each breastplate bearing the unmistakable emblem of the Crownveil throne. Their weapons rested firmly against their hips, and their expressions were as rigid as stone.
Caelmir recognized them immediately.
Calvin.
Meliodas.
Gwen.
They belonged to Arthur Crownveil's personal guard.
Unlike ordinary Imperial Knights, these three were almost always at the King's side. Their presence alone was enough to make nobles straighten their backs.
If they had come personally to retrieve him, there could only be one explanation.
His father was running out of patience.
Calvin stepped forward.
"By order of His Majesty, Prince Caelmir is expected in the Audience Hall immediately."
Caelmir raised an eyebrow.
"Immediately?"
Calvin nodded.
"Immediately."
Caelmir glanced over his shoulder.
His reflection stared back at him from the mirror.
He quickly ran his fingers through his white hair.
One strand was slightly out of place.
He fixed it.
"There."
Meliodas's eyebrow twitched.
Caelmir turned toward him.
"What?"
"...Nothing, Your Highness."
"Good."
Caelmir straightened the collar of his Tharion one final time.
"Alright, I'm coming. There's no need to make such a dramatic entrance."
He walked past the guards.
Gwen followed.
Caelmir stopped after a few steps and looked back.
"Wait."
The three guards turned.
He pointed toward his room.
"Did I leave anything behind?"
Calvin stared at him.
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Caelmir nodded.
"Good. Let's go."
The guards exchanged a brief glance.
None of them said anything.
They had long since learned that trying to understand Prince Caelmir was an exercise in futility.
The Celestial Palace was enormous.
Calling it a palace was almost an insult.
It was closer to an entire city suspended above the clouds.
It stood upon one of the highest celestial islands in the entire archipelago, surrounded by floating landmasses that drifted silently through the heavens.
From the highest towers, one could see countless islands scattered across the blue horizon, some connected by bridges of light, others floating independently among the clouds.
According to ancient records, the palace had been built by the first King of Celestia himself.
Generations of Crownveil rulers had expanded it since then.
Every corridor, every tower, every chamber carried a piece of the dynasty's history.
The walls and floors were made almost entirely of white marble.
Not ordinary marble, either.
The stone was so smooth and pale that it sometimes looked like porcelain.
Thin veins of gold ran through it naturally, giving the impression that the palace itself had been carved from some divine material.
Massive crystal chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings.
Golden ornaments decorated the pillars.
Ancient runes were engraved into certain walls, their meanings known only to the oldest scholars of the kingdom.
Caelmir had grown up surrounded by this grandeur.
Yet even after eighteen years, there were still sections of the palace he had never visited.
The Celestial Palace was divided into five major wings.
The first was the Audience Wing, where the royal family received nobles, foreign envoys, military commanders, and representatives of the various territories under Celestia's rule.
The second was the Armory, one of the most heavily guarded areas in the entire palace.
Countless weapons, magical artifacts, ancient relics, and treasures accumulated by the Crownveil dynasty over the centuries were stored there.
The third was the Royal Wing, where the King, Queen, and members of the royal family resided.
Then came the Celestial Gardens, a vast collection of gardens, courtyards, fountains, and cultivation grounds.
Finally, there was the Imperial Wing, where the palace's military forces were stationed.
Caelmir walked through the Royal Wing with his hands casually behind his head.
The three guards followed several steps behind.
He looked around.
Servants hurried through the corridors.
Knights stood beside various entrances.
Nobles dressed in elaborate clothing moved toward the main hall.
The palace was unusually busy.
Caelmir's eyes narrowed.
"So many people."
Calvin glanced at him.
"The Awakening Ceremony is one of the most important events of the year."
"I know."
"Then you understand why the palace is crowded."
"I do."
Caelmir paused.
"That doesn't mean I have to like it."
Calvin said nothing.
Caelmir smiled.
"You're not very talkative, are you?"
"No, Your Highness."
"Is that because you're disciplined?"
"Yes."
"Or because you don't like me?"
A pause.
"...I wouldn't dare."
Caelmir laughed.
"Smart answer."
They continued walking.
They soon passed through a long corridor lined with enormous windows.
Beyond the glass lay the Celestial Gardens.
Caelmir slowed down.
Even he had to admit that they were beautiful.
The gardens stretched endlessly across the floating island, almost like a paradise suspended between heaven and earth.
Pale stone paths wound between trees with silver leaves.
Their branches swayed gently in the wind, producing a faint whispering sound.
Flowers of impossible colors bloomed everywhere.
Deep blue.
Brilliant white.
Violet.
Some even possessed translucent petals that seemed to glow from within.
Crystal-clear fountains were scattered throughout the gardens.
The sunlight reflected off the water, creating thousands of tiny points of light.
Statues of ancient heroes and celestial deities stood among the flowerbeds.
Some depicted legendary kings.
Others represented ancient warriors whose names had become myths.
Caelmir had always liked the gardens.
They were one of the few places in the palace where he could escape the suffocating atmosphere of court life.
But today, something felt different.
He stopped.
His eyes moved across the gardens.
For a brief moment, the scene reminded him of his nightmare.
The same palace.
The same trees.
The same sky.
Except there had been blood everywhere.
Fire.
Corpses.
Destruction.
Caelmir's expression darkened.
"Your Highness?"
He blinked.
Calvin was looking at him.
"I'm fine."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes."
Caelmir looked away.
"It's nothing."
He continued walking.
But the strange uneasiness remained.
They eventually reached the Reception Hall.
The atmosphere changed immediately.
The hall was immense.
Dozens of meters wide, with towering marble columns engraved with ancient celestial symbols.
Golden braziers burned along the walls, their flames casting warm reflections across the polished floor.
At the far end stood the royal dais.
Two magnificent thrones rested upon it.
One belonged to the King.
The other to the Queen.
Both were crafted from gold and celestial crystal, with intricate patterns carved into their surfaces.
Above them floated an enormous circular stained-glass window.
It depicted a golden crown surrounded by radiant wings.
Sunlight passed through the colored glass and bathed the entire hall in an almost divine glow.
Nobles filled the room.
Dukes.
Marquises.
Counts.
Military commanders.
Elders.
Knights.
Scholars.
Representatives from powerful families.
Everyone had gathered for the same reason.
The Awakening of the Crown Prince's younger children.
The constant murmur of conversation filled the hall.
Ambition.
Curiosity.
Expectation.
Even fear.
Caelmir could feel dozens of eyes following him.
He hated it.
He adjusted his collar.
Then a familiar voice came from beside him.
"You'll wear that collar out before the ceremony even begins."
Caelmir turned.
Célénia stood there.
As expected, she looked flawless.
Her long white hair reached all the way to her hips, carefully arranged and partially tied behind her head.
Her pale blue eyes were sharp and calm.
Her posture was perfect.
Her ceremonial attire was elegant without being excessive, decorated with subtle golden embroidery.
She looked exactly like what every noble family expected a Crownveil princess to look like.
Caelmir sighed.
"You're nervous."
Célénia raised an eyebrow.
"Me?"
"You're constantly checking your clothes."
"I haven't touched my clothes once."
"You just did."
"I adjusted my sleeve."
"Exactly."
She stared at him.
"You're an idiot."
Caelmir smiled.
"Nice to see you too, sister."
Célénia shook her head.
"Unlike you, I take important occasions seriously."
"Oh, I take them seriously."
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
"And what are you thinking about?"
Caelmir placed a hand against his chin.
"The best way to impress the Elders."
Célénia's expression became suspicious.
"Without causing a scandal."
"...That's a difficult condition."
She sighed.
"Try staying silent. It would be a good start."
Caelmir smiled.
"I'll consider it."
"You won't."
"Probably not."
Before Célénia could respond, the atmosphere inside the hall changed.
The murmuring stopped.
One by one, the nobles turned toward the entrance.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the hall.
Clang.
Clang.
Arthur Crownveil appeared.
Silence descended instantly.
The King walked with measured steps.
He did not need to shout.
He did not need to threaten anyone.
His mere presence demanded respect.
Arthur was tall and imposing.
His long white hair fell behind his shoulders, carefully tied to keep it away from his face.
His features were sharp, carrying the marks of years spent on battlefields and in royal courts.
His eyes were a deep blue touched with silver.
Cold.
Clear.
Unforgiving.
A thin scar crossed his left cheek, a reminder of an old battle.
He wore dark royal robes embroidered with gold and silver celestial symbols.
A heavy cape rested over his shoulders.
At his side hung Astra Dominus.
The King's sword.
A weapon so famous that entire generations had grown up hearing stories about it.
It was said that Astra Dominus was drawn only when Celestia faced a threat capable of shaking the kingdom to its foundations.
Caelmir had never seen it unsheathed.
And he hoped he never would.
Arthur stopped before his throne.
Beside him stood Seraphine.
She looked every bit the Queen.
Her long golden hair was decorated with delicate celestial ornaments.
Her pale silver-blue eyes swept across the room.
Not a single detail escaped her attention.
Her gown combined nacre-white fabric with gold embroidery, each pattern representing ancient celestial symbols.
She looked elegant.
Beautiful.
And terrifying.
Caelmir had learned early in life that his mother's smile was often more dangerous than his father's anger.
Arthur looked toward his children.
"Célénia."
Célénia immediately bowed.
"Father."
His gaze shifted.
"Caelmir."
Caelmir straightened.
"Father."
Arthur studied him for several seconds.
Caelmir resisted the urge to fidget.
Finally, the King spoke.
"This ceremony is not a game."
Caelmir's expression became serious.
"What happens today will determine the path you take from this moment forward."
Arthur's gaze hardened.
"And it will not concern you alone."
His eyes swept across the hall.
"The strength of the Crownveil family is the strength of Celestia itself."
The nobles remained silent.
Seraphine stepped forward.
"The Elders will observe every detail."
Her eyes landed on Caelmir.
"Every mistake. Every word. Every action."
Caelmir sighed internally.
Here we go again.
He lowered his voice.
"With this much suspense, it almost feels like a public execution."
Seraphine's eyes narrowed.
"One more word."
Caelmir immediately shut his mouth.
Célénia turned her face away.
Her shoulders trembled slightly.
Caelmir narrowed his eyes.
"Are you laughing?"
"No."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"Your shoulders are moving."
"I'm breathing."
"You're terrible at lying."
Célénia finally smiled.
Arthur looked between them.
His expression remained stern.
But for the briefest moment, something resembling amusement flickered in his eyes.
Then it disappeared.
"Caelmir."
The prince immediately became serious.
"Yes, Father."
"Whatever happens today, you will face it with dignity."
Arthur stepped closer.
"No provocations."
Caelmir nodded.
"No jokes."
He nodded again.
"No unnecessary arguments."
Another nod.
"And no throwing food at nobles."
Caelmir blinked.
"...That seems oddly specific."
Seraphine sighed.
Célénia covered her mouth.
Arthur stared at him.
"Do you understand?"
"...Yes, Father."
"Good."
Arthur placed a hand on his shoulder.
For a moment, the stern King disappeared.
He was simply a father looking at his son.
"Whatever power awakens within you, remember who you are."
Caelmir looked into his father's eyes.
Arthur's voice became quieter.
"You are a Crownveil."
Seraphine stepped forward and placed her hand over Caelmir's shoulder as well.
"Never forget that."
Caelmir looked at his parents.
For once, he had no sarcastic response.
He simply nodded.
"I won't."
Then—
BOOOOM.
A deep bell echoed throughout the palace.
The entire hall trembled.
The great doors leading toward the ceremonial chamber began to open.
Slowly.
Massively.
Golden light spilled through the widening gap.
The nobles straightened.
The knights lowered their heads.
The Elders became completely silent.
A herald stepped forward.
His voice echoed throughout the hall.
"The Awakening Ceremony is about to begin."
He turned toward Caelmir.
"Prince Caelmir Crownveil."
The entire hall seemed to hold its breath.
"Prepare yourself."
Caelmir took one slow breath.
His heart was beating faster now.
Not from fear.
At least, that's what he told himself.
Célénia stepped closer.
She looked at him for a moment.
Then she whispered:
"Try not to make me regret being your sister."
Caelmir smiled.
He glanced toward the enormous doors.
Then back at his sister.
"I promise."
He paused.
"Although I'll probably only do half of what you expect."
Célénia rolled her eyes.
"That's exactly what I'm afraid of."
Caelmir stepped forward.
The golden light swallowed his figure.
And as he crossed the threshold, he felt something strange.
A sudden chill.
The exact same sensation he had felt in his nightmare.
His smile disappeared.
For the briefest moment, he thought he heard a whisper.
A voice.
Faint.
Almost impossible to hear.
Run.
Caelmir froze.
He turned around.
Nothing.
The hall behind him remained unchanged.
His father.
His mother.
His sister.
The nobles.
The guards.
Everyone was there.
Alive.
Safe.
Normal.
Caelmir slowly looked forward again.
His fingers tightened around the hilt of his ceremonial sword.
It was just my imagination.
He continued walking.
He did not know it yet, but the moment he stepped into that chamber, the fate of Celestia would begin to change.
And the nightmare he had seen that morning—
would soon become reality.