The grand entrance doors swung open, and both Alice and Aaron stepped out of the carriage. A row of palace staff stood at attention, waiting for their arrival. The maids moved swiftly, collecting their luggage with practiced efficiency, each belonging carefully transported to the appropriate chambers.

Alice barely spared them a glance, her sharp gaze sweeping over the palace grounds. Everything looked the same—too polished, too perfect. Yet, beneath that carefully maintained facade, something had changed.

Aaron, on the other hand, took a slow breath, as if trying to get a feel for the atmosphere. “Feels strange to be back,” he muttered under his breath.

Alice scoffed. “It’s the same as always—just with a different person sitting on the throne.”

A royal attendant stepped forward, bowing respectfully. “Lady Alice, Lord Aaron, welcome back to the palace. His Majesty has requested your presence in the Great Hall once you’ve had time to settle in from your journey.”

Alice folded her arms. “Of course he has,” she murmured.

Aaron, however, gave the attendant a nod. “Understood. We’ll be there shortly.”

With that, the two of them made their way inside, their footsteps echoing against the pristine marble floors. Servants bustled around them, offering refreshments.

Before heading to the Great Hall, they each made their way to their respective chambers.

Aaron entered his room first, pausing briefly as he took in the familiar surroundings. Everything was just as he had left it—his books neatly arranged on the shelves, the heavy velvet curtains drawn slightly to let in the winter light. Yet, despite the familiarity, there was an undeniable tension in the air. He exhaled, rolling his shoulders.

I needed to clear my mind before facing Arthur.

Alice, meanwhile, strode into her own quarters, her sharp eyes scanning every corner. The room was immaculate, but she still checked for any signs of tampering. Satisfied, she walked over to the window, gazing out at the courtyard below.

So, that talentless bastard really had the audacity to summon us just because he is a king.

Her fingers tightened against the windowsill.

Fine. Let see how much he has change or the rumors are just rumors

After a few minutes, a knock came at their doors. A servant’s voice followed.

“The King is expecting you in the Great Hall.”

Alice turned away from the window, adjusting her cloak. Aaron straightened his cuffs.

Without a word, they left their chambers and made their way to confront the so-called ‘new’ Arthur.

…

Inside the king’s chamber, the valet bowed slightly before speaking. “Your Majesty, both Lady Alice and Lord Aaron have arrived.”

Arthur sat up slightly, glancing toward the door. “Understood.”

With that, the valet left, leaving Arthur alone once more.

He let out a slow breath, staring at the ceiling as his thoughts wandered.

Wait. I did summon them to the Great Hall because I want to understand them better and study their behavior—but what exactly am I supposed to talk about?

From the fragmented memories of the past Arthur, he knew their interactions had been minimal, almost nonexistent. Their conversations had been limited to obligatory exchanges in their parents' presence. Now, without that buffer, what was he supposed to say?

Arthur rubbed his temples. Well, whatever. I’ll figure it out as we go.

One thing was certain—he couldn’t make them wait on him. If he wanted to build any semblance of a connection, it was better to be there first, to show at least a degree of sincerity.

With that, he rose from his bed, straightened his attire, and headed for the Great Hall.

…

The doors of the Great Hall swung open, revealing Alice and Aaron as they stepped inside.

Alice walked with an air of quiet confidence, her emerald-green eyes sharp and calculating as they swept across the room. Her long, silver-white hair, a trait inherited from their mother, cascaded down her back in soft waves, accentuating her regal presence. Dressed in a deep blue gown embroidered with intricate silver patterns, she exuded both nobility and authority. Despite her delicate features, there was a coldness in her gaze—a reminder that she was not one to be easily impressed.

Beside her, Aaron carried himself with a more relaxed posture, though his brown eyes—so similar to their late father’s—betrayed the keen intellect beneath his casual demeanor. His short, raven-black hair was neatly styled, complementing his well-tailored, dark military-style coat lined with gold embroidery.

As Alice and Aaron laid eyes on him, a flicker of shock crossed their faces. This was not the Arthur they remembered.

The Arthur they had known was an overweight, unkempt mess—his posture slouched, his skin pale from a life of indulgence and neglect. Yet the man before them now was different.

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Arthur was leaner, his once bloated frame now refined. Though he was not overly muscular, his build was noticeably stronger, carrying the signs of discipline rather than excess. His once sickly complexion had gained a healthier tone, and his features—once hidden beneath layers of fat—were now more defined. The sharpness of his jawline, the striking clarity in his brown eyes, and the calm confidence in his expression made him almost unrecognizable. His dark hair, which had previously been greasy and unkempt, was now neatly styled, adding to his composed demeanor.

Alice narrowed her eyes, schooling her expression back into neutrality. Is this really the same person?

Aaron, however, was less subtle, his lips parting slightly before he let out a low whistle. Well, damn, he muttered. Did someone swap out our brother while we were gone?

Arthur, catching their reactions, leaned back slightly in his chair, his gaze steady. “Surprised?”

Alice crossed her arms, her skepticism evident. “I see you’ve changed your habits.”

Aaron chuckled, tilting his head. “Changed? More like transformed. What happened to the gluttonous mess we left behind?”

Arthur merely smirked. “He died.”

For a brief moment, silence hung between them. Neither Alice nor Aaron knew whether he was joking or speaking metaphorically, but something about the way he said it made Alice’s brows furrow.

Shaking off her unease, she took a seat. “Fine,” she said coolly. “Let’s get to the point. You summoned us, so talk. What do you want?”

Arthur rested his hands on the table, his expression composed. “I called you here to discuss the future.”

Aaron raised a brow. “The future?”

Arthur nodded. “Of this kingdom. Of our family. Of where we stand.” His gaze sharpened. “And of whether we will work together or against each other.”

Alice leaned back slightly, studying him with calculating eyes. Just what are you planning, Arthur?

Arthur let the weight of his words settle in the air, watching his siblings' reactions closely. Alice remained silent, her gaze sharp and calculating, while Aaron rubbed his chin, his usual easy going demeanor laced with a rare hint of seriousness.

Aaron was the first to break the silence. “That’s a hell of a way to start a conversation.” He then added. “You’re acting like we’re enemies already.”

Arthur’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. “Aren’t we?”

Alice scoffed. “Don’t be dramatic. You may be king, but don’t assume you can control us.”

Arthur met her glare with an even gaze. “I don’t intend to control you, Alice. I intend to understand you. And more importantly, I intend for you to understand me.”

Alice narrowed her eyes. “Understand what, exactly? That you suddenly care about Keldoria? That you’ve miraculously turned into a competent ruler? Forgive me if I find that hard to believe.”

Arthur sighed, lacing his fingers together. “I don’t expect you to believe anything. But you’re here now, which means you’re curious. About me. About the changes I’ve made. And about why the nobles haven’t torn me apart yet.”

Aaron exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “He’s not wrong, Alice.” He turned to Arthur, his skepticism evident. “Fine. You have our attention. So, tell me—how did you push through a tax reform without getting yourself assassinated?”

Arthur’s smirk didn’t waver. “Because both dukes are under my control. With them on my side, any attempt at rebellion—or even resistance—is pointless.”

Alice and Aaron stared at him, their expressions shifting from confusion to disbelief. Alice narrowed her eyes. “You’re lying. Why should I believe the dukes would ever follow you?”

Arthur chuckled. “Alice, you underestimate me too much. You still see me as that incompetent, talentless fool, don’t you?”

Silence followed. Alice and Aaron both knew—the Arthur standing before them was nothing like the man they once dismissed.

Arthur let the moment linger before continuing. “Then tell me this—why do you think both dukedoms have implemented the exact tax reforms I created? Not only that, but they’re also paying me a percentage of their collected taxes.”

He leaned back, his smirk deepening. “You don’t have to take my word for it. Ask Klein. He was there when both dukes signed the agreement.”

Alice and Aaron’s shock deepened. The idea of the powerful dukes willingly paying taxes to Arthur was almost unthinkable.

Aaron, unable to contain his curiosity, finally asked, “How did you even convince them to pay you?”

Arthur met his gaze, his expression unwavering. “As I said, you underestimate me too much.” Then, he turned to Alice. “Tell me—do you really think magic alone is what makes a competent king?”

Alice clenched her jaw, unable to immediately counter his words. Arthur had always been dismissed as a failure, an afterthought in the realm’s power struggles. And yet, here he stood, claiming to have two of the most powerful nobles in the kingdom under his thumb.

She studied him carefully. His posture was at ease, but there was an undeniable confidence in his gaze—a certainty that hadn’t been there before.

Aaron, still reeling from the revelation, pressed on. “You keep saying we underestimate you. Fine. Enlighten us, then. How did you do it? What leverage do you have over the dukes?”

Arthur chuckled. “I could tell you, but since neither of you trusts me yet—or stands by my side—I don’t see why I should.” His smirk faded slightly, replaced by something more measured. “But know this—just like you, I don’t want to see this kingdom fall.”

He studied them both for a long moment before rising to his feet. “I don’t expect you to believe me right away. So, during your stay this winter, observe. Decide for yourselves if I’m still the incompetent fool you remember.”

As Alice and Aaron processed his words, Arthur remained still, his thoughts turning inward.

I called them here to gauge their attitudes toward me, and just as I expected—Alice still looks down on me, and Aaron… he seems to believe at least some of the rumors. That’s a good start. More importantly, I want them to see that I’m not the man they once knew and that I intend to make Keldoria prosper.

A slow breath escaped him. This much is enough for now. They’ll be watching me closely until winter’s end—by then, they’ll see for themselves that I’ve changed.

With that, he turned toward the grand doors of the hall. “You’ve had a long journey. Rest for now—we’ll talk again soon.”

Alice and Aaron exchanged glances as the heavy doors swung shut behind Arthur, his presence lingering even after he was gone.

Aaron exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “That was… unexpected.”

Alice remained silent, her brows furrowed in thought. The Arthur they had once known would have stumbled through that conversation, grasping at straws to justify his actions. But this Arthur… he was composed, calculating. Dangerous, even.

“I don’t like it,” she muttered finally.

Aaron arched his brow. “Which part? The fact that he somehow managed to control the dukes, or the fact that he’s no longer a complete idiot?”

Alice shot him a glare. “Both.” She crossed her arms. “It doesn’t add up. Even if he had some leverage over the dukes, why would they willingly follow him? There has to be more to this.”

Aaron sighed. “Speculating won’t get us anywhere.” He gestured toward the door. “He’s right about one thing—we should rest. We’ll need clear heads to make sense of this.”

Alice hesitated, her unease evident, but finally nodded. “Fine. But I’m not letting my guard down. We can’t just take his word for it and assume he’s changed—or that he’ll make Keldoria better. We need to watch him closely this winter.”

Aaron nodded. “You are right”

With that, they left the hall, but the questions lingered.

…

After leaving the great hall, Arthur was on his way to the workshop to check on the progress of the Linotype when a man hurried toward him.

“Your Majesty,” the man said, slightly out of breath. “We believe we’ve found the yellow stone you tasked us to search for. I believe Your Majesty called it… sulfur.”