After the spontaneous embrace, Pierre said, “Lieutenant General Druqir was very generous in gifting me this. I’m not sure whether I deserve it.”

Druqir smiled and placed a hand on Pierre’s shoulder, saying, “Of course you do, Milanion. I wanted you to have something to remember me by while I’m away.”

Pierre felt his heart warm at Druqir’s words, without any naivety or innocence. Yes, he was a sentimental villain. With a gaze laden with emotion, Pierre said, “I will cherish this gift with all my heart.” He then looked up, seeking Druqir’s eyes with palpable anticipation as his trembling fingers touched the gift.

Zelen, who had been watching, couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy at the intimacy of the moment. His hands clenched into fists as he struggled to maintain his composure.

Druqir leaned in closely toward Pierre, caressing his hair, making Zelen’s eyes widen and his brow furrow in exaggerated surprise. For a moment, Zelen acted as if something was caught in his throat, either unable or unwilling to express what he was thinking. His lips moved, but no sound came out. He could not ignore the raw truth in Milanion’s words.

Lady Crarina approached gently, placing a hand on her son’s arm, and mentioned that Mage Kuron wished to see him. Druqir bid Pierre farewell with a nod before leaving.

Druqir said goodbye to Milanion and his brother, then began to walk slowly through the castle garden. People stepped aside to give the Lieutenant General passage, their eyes following his every step, admiring the almost supernatural elegance of his posture. With a calculated movement, he mingled with the guests, greeting them with a smile but maintaining the safe distance of a leader who harbors dark secrets. Although his face was a mask of cordiality, his gaze swept the surroundings as if calculating each interaction, each hidden alliance among those present.

After Druqir’s majestic departure, Lady Crarina felt rage bubbling within her, as if she were about to explode. How dare her son behave this way, especially after the proposed alliance with Prince Lulian? She clenched her fists, trying to control her emotions. She would not allow her plan to be easily thwarted.

Lady Crarina spoke with extreme gentleness as she looked at the young man: “I thought we had an agreement, Milanion. You promised and accepted my proposal.”

Pierre felt the light in his eyes dimming, knowing exactly what that meant. When a person sells themselves, regardless of the price, they are always considered cheap. But he decided not to run away.

“I’m rolling the dice with you, Lady Crarina. I’m not playing with the charity of someone who hates me,” Pierre said, searching for a needle in the haystack that were Lady Crarina’s feelings. “My illusions are lost, my heart is broken—and my dreams have been sold. In truth, I’m so cheap I can hardly believe it!”

After a brief silence, Lady Crarina replied firmly, “You don’t understand, Milanion. I’m being cruel only to be kind. Different people follow different paths. But you can’t back down; you have to see this through to the end.”

With a scornful smile on his face, Pierre responded to Lady Crarina: “Oh, don’t worry, I understand you’re being kind to me, Lady Crarina. I know I’m cheap and worthless.” The air grew heavy, as if the tension between them had become electrified.

Zelen hesitated, his eyes fixed on Pierre as if seeing him for the first time in a new light. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer, almost reluctant, loaded with a tension he couldn’t fully disguise: “Milanion, that doesn’t mean you have no value. We just want what’s best for you, even if it’s not what you want right now. No one needs to search for who is guilty and who is not.”

Despite his dislike for Pierre, Zelen felt a strange unease in his chest. As much as his loyalty remained with his mother, he could not ignore the raw truth in Milanion’s words.

Pierre looked at Zelen, surprised by the change in tone, but still cautious about Lady Crarina’s intentions. He knew she was a smart and manipulative woman, capable of using words to get what she wanted, but in a ruthless manner.

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“I understand, Lady Crarina,” he replied, still keeping his guard up. Pierre was immersed in a moment of tension and discomfort, seeking a way to escape the embarrassing situation he found himself in. Everything seemed distasteful, inelegant, and pathetic.

After being left by Lady Crarina and Zelen, he faced yet another moment of awkwardness and… accidentally or not, he ran into Prince Lulian.

This made Pierre wonder if it was an ambush. He didn’t want to enter another game of insults… He felt like a villain from a sordid story. Pierre had in mind beautiful love stories that walked a fine line, but the reality before him seemed quite different.

Their eyes met, and Pierre could see something in the prince’s eyes that he couldn’t identify, confirming what Mrs. Peyton had told him: he simply couldn’t adapt to that situation.

“Allow me to introduce myself first. I’m Prince Lulian,” said the young man. Unconsciously, Prince Lulian let slip what he was thinking: “Do you think you can get what you want by pretending nothing is happening?” asked Prince Lulian.

“Let’s talk and see who we really are, I don’t care what you think,” Pierre retorted. Suspicious, Lulian narrowed his eyes and said, “What kind of move are you planning? I don’t want you pretending in front of me.”

As the Prince held a drink, he approached and spoke as if the person in front of him were a confidant. He spoke with a raspy voice: “Do you think you can rest after climbing the ladder to the future Marshal of the Taldraex galaxy?” Before Pierre could respond, Prince Lulian added with feigned shyness: “My voice is sweet, isn’t it? Gentle, look, anyone watching us from afar would think we’re having a nice conversation, wouldn’t they?”

Pierre sneered: “Certainly, very cute.”

The conversation continued in a sustained cycle of misunderstandings, abuse, and cannon fodder… “I’ve always been more patient with animals; I can be kind to you, Prince,” Pierre tried to calm him.

Pierre had an “oh-oh” moment when he noticed the fire in Prince Lulian’s eyes!

But Lulian didn’t care: “To me, you’re just an insignificant being. I want to be the future wife of the Marshal of the Taldraex Galaxy, and you don’t matter to me.”

“I believe you and Lady Crarina are perfectly compatible as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Congratulations!” With those words, he quickly withdrew to observe his surroundings.

But Lulian left with a question: where was he going wrong, or better yet, where had the young man he just spoke to gone right? And for a moment, he admitted that he felt at a disadvantage…

After a day full of celebrations and rituals, it was time to conclude this ceremony. We thank everyone who joined us on this journey and hope you enjoyed all the activities offered.

As part of the closing, we will perform a powerful lunar boundary spell, capable of creating a strong and intense connection with the Moon’s energies.

Lord Eredan oversaw the final ritual, instructing everyone present to “light your intended magic candles or form a three-dimensional magic circle around yourselves.” Close your eyes and visualize a strong glow in the night sky, representing the Moon. Feel your energy connecting with hers as if you were entering a portal of lunar light. Breathe deeply and feel the Moon’s magic flowing through your bodies.

**Enchantment: **

```

Sub benedictione ancestrali Lunae, ut voluntas mea manifestetur.

Magia lunaris me ducat, et arcana eius me protegant.

Limites Lunae mihi prosperitatem et sapientiam conferant.

Lux aetheria Lunae illuminet omnem gradum meum in itinere.

Sic fiat.

```

Suddenly, a bright, blinding light appeared, illuminating everything around them and enveloping the people in its dazzling glow. The flash was so intense that it seemed to come from all directions at once, transforming the landscape into a surreal, brilliant world.

Everything seemed incredible, new, extraordinary, and strange. The possibilities of the future were endless, as were the magical theories he now explored. All thanks to a lost book he had found, which his uncle had discovered in Saqqara, allowing him to be reborn through the centuries.

After the event ended, Pierre climbed to the highest tower of the castle and watched the spaceships take off. It was a spectacular scene of lights and colors, as if they had come out of a dream. He couldn’t take his eyes off the small spaceship as it began to hover over the crowd, ready to transport its passengers.

Some of the spaceships had a sleek, aerodynamic design, while others looked more robust and resilient. They all shared the metallic sheen of their hulls, reflecting the moonlight as if they were made of precious metal. Some had wings that flapped like a bird’s, while others floated effortlessly in the air, as if supported by invisible magic.

Pierre could hardly believe that this incredible world of super-futuristic technology was real. He watched the spaceship slowly drift away, disappearing over the horizon. It was an impressive shift in reality.

Alone, Pierre was surprised by Druqir’s unexpected arrival,

but couldn’t help but smile at the compliment to his wizard’s outfit. He felt a bit like a movie character, ready to embark on an epic adventure at any moment. And for a moment, he felt that the end of the night could actually be worthwhile. Except for the magic ceremony, he had had a bad day.

Druqir uttered a phrase that made Pierre’s heart race: “Today, I just wish I could get lost in your arms and travel to a world that’s only mine and exists only when I’m with you.” With a soft, almost whispered voice, Druqir leaned close, his lips almost touching Pierre’s ear.

Pierre felt a shiver run down his spine, his heart beating wildly as Druqir’s words seemed to resonate in every cell of his body. He knew, at that moment, that he was completely enthralled by the spell of this man. When their lips finally met, Pierre felt as if he were floating in the air, surrounded by a sea of shining stars.

For a moment, he felt like the big bad wolf, ready to devour his Little Red Riding Hood. It was the strange feeling of a dream, but it wasn’t him dreaming that day, the magic and its possibilities.

But of course, there was a problem. Druqir looked absurdly sexy in his wizard’s robes, and it was seriously affecting Pierre’s sanity. He tried to keep his composure, but it was difficult when Druqir looked at him with those deep, seductive eyes.

The kiss was sweet and passionate, with a touch of fire that made Pierre tremble. He felt as if he were floating in a sea of passion and desire.

“You’re a danger to my sanity, you know?” Pierre said, trying to sound funny, but with a hint of truth.

Druqir laughed. “I know, but you love this danger.”

They kissed again, even more passionately than before. Pierre knew he would never forget that moment, that kiss. It was just one day… But it felt like it would last a lifetime. He was happy.

By the gods…