The very next day, as if the universe was determined to make my life as complicated as possible, another unexpected visitor arrived.
From my bedroom window, I could see the royal procession approaching our estate, and it was absolutely ridiculous in its grandiosity.
The lead carriage was something out of a fever dream - a massive golden vehicle that somehow hovered three feet off the ground, pulled by what I could only describe as holographic phoenixes made of pure light. The carriage itself was covered in precious stones that caught the sunlight and projected rainbow patterns across the countryside, while classical music played from hidden speakers built into the ornate framework.
Behind it came a convoy of floating vehicles that looked like someone had decided to upgrade medieval carriages with anti-gravity technology and LED displays. Each one bore the golden phoenix crest of the Aetherian Empire on holographic banners that shifted and danced in the air, accompanied by guards in ceremonial armor that had clearly been enhanced with magical technology - their swords hummed with energy and their armor glowed with protective enchantments.
"Jesus Christ," I muttered, watching the spectacle. "This is like if medieval royalty had access to Tony Stark's workshop."
The sheer absurdity of it was almost comical. Here was a world advanced enough to have floating carriages and holographic animals, but they still felt the need to maintain all the pomp and ceremony of ancient royal traditions. It was a ridiculous display of wealth and power that screamed "look how important we are" from every glowing surface.
"Shit," my mother breathed as she joined me at the window, watching the procession land on our front lawn with unnecessarily dramatic flourishes of light and sound. "Shit, shit, shit."
I'd never heard her curse before. That was... concerning.
"What's wrong?" I asked, though the floating light-show on our lawn was answer enough. "Who is it?"
"Royal messenger," Cassandra said grimly, appearing beside us. "Bearing the Empress's personal seal."
The lead carriage had settled onto the ground with what I swear was unnecessarily dramatic music, and figures in elaborate uniforms were emerging with the kind of choreographed precision that suggested this whole thing had been rehearsed.
"The Empress?" I felt my stomach drop. "Why would the Empress—"
"Because" my mother interrupted, her face pale, "Her Imperial Majesty Aurelia the Golden has very particular tastes when it comes to male nobles. And apparently, our secret isn't as secret as we thought."
Lyanna materialized on my other side, her expression grim. "Mother, you don't think she knows about Marcus, do you?"
"Lyanna, she's the ruler of the entire Aetherian Empire. She has spies in every noble house, probably including our own staff. Of course she knows about Marcus."
My mother turned away from the window, running her hands through her hair in a gesture of pure frustration. "I should have seen this coming. The moment we planned his awakening, the moment word started spreading about academy enrollment... it was only a matter of time."
"What exactly are her 'particular tastes'?" I asked, though I was beginning to suspect I didn't want to know the answer.
"Empress Aurelia," my mother explained reluctantly, "has a well-documented preference for beautiful young men from powerful houses. She's never married, never taken an official consort, but she's had a string of... favorites over the years."
"Favorites?"
"Young nobles who catch her eye," Cassandra said delicately. "Men who find themselves invited to court, showered with gifts and attention, and who essentially become... personal companions to Her Imperial Majesty."
"You mean—"
"I mean," my mother said bluntly, "that the Empress collects beautiful boys like other people collect art. And once you're in her collection, you don't leave."
The royal messenger was already at our door, the sound of formal knocking echoing through the estate. My mother closed her eyes as if gathering strength.
"She can't just... claim me, can she?" I asked.
"She's the Empress," Lyanna said flatly. "She can do whatever she wants. The only reason she hasn't simply commanded your presence is because she respects mother enough to give you the illusion of choice. Makes her conquests feel more... willing."
Anna appeared in the doorway, looking flustered. "Your Grace? The Imperial Messenger requests immediate audience regarding a summons for Master Marcus."
My mother straightened her shoulders, slipping back into her duchess persona. "Send him to the formal receiving room. We'll be there momentarily."
As Anna hurried away, my mother turned to me with an expression I'd never seen before - part protectiveness, part resignation, part barely controlled panic.
"Marcus, listen to me very carefully. When we go in there, say as little as possible. Be polite, be respectful, but do not give them any reason to think you're eager to accept whatever invitation they're bringing."
"What kind of invitation?"
"Probably a request for you to attend court before your academy enrollment," Cassandra said grimly. "So Her Imperial Majesty can 'personally evaluate' your suitability for various... opportunities."
We made our way to the receiving room, where a man in elaborate royal livery waited with a scroll bearing the Imperial seal.
The first thing that struck me was that this was actually the first man I'd seen since arriving in this world. He was clearly trying not to stare at me, but I caught him glancing over repeatedly with barely concealed amazement.
But what really caught my attention was his demeanor. Despite being a messenger for the Empress herself - which had to require significant power or background to earn such a position to be a messenger of the Empress to someone as powerful as our duchess mother - he carried himself with an almost submissive deference that set my teeth on edge.
His posture was respectful to the point of being apologetic, his voice soft and carefully modulated, his entire bearing screaming trained obedience.
This was what men were supposed to be like in this world. Respectful, submissive, grateful for whatever attention they received from powerful women.
Honestly, I would have preferred if they'd sent a woman. At least then I wouldn't have to watch a grown man act like he was perpetually asking permission to exist.
"Duchess Ravencrest," he began formally, his voice carrying none of the authority you'd expect from someone representing imperial power, "I bear greetings from Her Imperial Majesty Aurelia the Golden, Empress of Aetheria, Sovereign of the Central Realms."
Watching him made my resolve crystallize. Whatever this world expected of men, whatever submissive role they wanted me to play, I wasn't going to end up like this guy. I'd rather die than spend my life bowing and scraping and speaking in carefully modulated tones designed not to offend anyone.
If I was going to reshape this paradise secretly, I needed to start by refusing to be buried under the weight of what men were "supposed" to be.
He unrolled the scroll with practiced ceremony. "Her Imperial Majesty requests the pleasure of Lord Marcus von Ravencrest's company at the Imperial Palace within a period of one week, beginning immediately following his awakening ceremony. This invitation extends to include private audiences with Her Imperial Majesty to discuss potential opportunities for service to the Empire."
The way he said "service" made my skin crawl.
"Additionally," the messenger continued, "Her Imperial Majesty wishes to personally oversee Lord Marcus's preparation for academy enrollment, ensuring he receives education and guidance befitting his... obvious potential."
There it was again. Everyone seemed to know about this "potential" that I was still in the dark about.
"This is a great honor," my mother said carefully, "but we had planned—"
"Her Imperial Majesty," the messenger interrupted smoothly, "is aware of the Ravencrest family's preference for privacy. However, she feels that such an exceptional young man should not be hidden away when he could serve the greater glory of the Empire."
Translation: she knew we'd been hiding me, and she was done allowing it.
"When would Her Imperial Majesty expect a response?" Cassandra asked.
"No response is necessary," the messenger replied with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Her Imperial Majesty is confident that the Ravencrest family understands the importance of loyal service to the crown. Lord Marcus will be expected at the palace at most three days hence."
With that, he bowed formally and departed, leaving us alone with what amounted to a royal command disguised as an invitation.
"Well," Lyanna said after a long moment, "at least now we know why you've been having so much attention lately. The immortals, the Empress... it's like everyone suddenly decided you're the most interesting thing in the Empire."
I sank into a chair, trying to process everything that had happened in the last two days. "But why? What's so special about me that everyone's suddenly crawling out of the woodwork?"
"That," my mother said grimly, "is what I'm afraid we're about to find out."
Despite the fear and uncertainty, I couldn't help but feel a small surge of pride. The most powerful women in the Empire - immortal academy instructors, the Empress herself - they were all interested in me. Not my family's wealth or political connections, but me specifically.
But that pride was tempered by a growing unease. Beautiful women didn't usually go to this much trouble just for good looks and potential magical ability. There had to be something else, something I didn't understand yet.
Something that made me valuable enough for an Empress to abandon subtlety and an academy to send immortal envoys.
"What aren't you telling me?" I asked my family directly. "What is it about me that has everyone so interested?"
The look that passed between my mother and sisters told me everything I needed to know.
They didn't know either.
And that, more than anything else, was terrifying.
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A\N: At least my dear sisters don't know but what about mother? What do you think of the Duchess, Starting Boss level, or Last Boss level entity? comment your answer!