A few hours later, Alexis stepped out of his office to get some fresh air. The airlock balcony gave a wide view of the Xeiren skyline—sleek towers of chrome and glass stretching toward the artificial sky, transport lanes shimmering with the passage of hovercrafts. He rested his hands on the rail, letting the cool breeze ruffle his coat. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to forget the burden on his shoulders.
But peace never lasted long.
His communicator buzzed. A priority message. He opened it, and Dr. Layham's face flickered into view, worry clearly etched on the doctor's aging features.
"Alexis. I need more time," Layham began without pleasantries. "The compounds needed for the stabilizer serum are delayed. Without them, the mixture will be incomplete and potentially volatile."
Alexis clenched his jaw. "How long?"
"At least four more days. If I rush it, we might trigger a rejection response—your body won't adapt. I can't risk your condition flaring up during the Celebration."
Alexis's silence hung in the air. Then he nodded once. "Do what you have to. I'll manage on my end."
After ending the call, Alexis remained still, his expression unreadable. Deep inside, he knew this wasn't just about the Celebration—it was about showing strength. About survival.
When he returned to his office, Anthony was waiting again, arms crossed.
"You look like someone just told you the sky's falling," Anthony said, half-joking.
"It might as well be," Alexis murmured, pouring himself a glass of water. "Dr. Layham won't make it in time."
Anthony's jaw tightened. "So what now? You still plan to go through with it?"
Alexis looked at his brother, resolute. "We can't afford to show weakness. If I don't attend, the Royal Court will take it as a snub—or worse, a confession of instability. The enemies we have won't wait for explanations."
Anthony ran a hand through his hair. "Then I'm not letting you out of my sight that day."
"Wasn't planning to be alone, anyway," Alexis said softly, grateful but not showing it too obviously. "I'll need everyone on high alert. That includes you, the council, and our security division. We'll coordinate a protective detail that doesn't draw attention."
Anthony gave a firm nod. "Done."
As preparations ramped up, special attire for the Celebration was delivered—tailored for prestige but also subtly fortified for defense. The diplomatic staff sent word that Meian Corp's representatives had begun lobbying for the Kallior supply lines—an aggressive move, but not unexpected.
Late that night, as the corridors quieted, Alexis reviewed his final itinerary for the Celebration. Everything was moving—his health, the politics, the undercurrents of the trade war—all of it hinging on his next few decisions. And through it all, he couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger loomed just beyond what he could see.
He looked toward the stars beyond the glass wall, whispering to no one in particular, "We've come too far to fall now."
The next two days passed in a blur.
Dr. Layham sent daily updates, each one more tense than the last. The lab team worked nonstop, but the missing compound hadn't arrived. The stabilizer serum remained incomplete—too unstable to use. Alexis didn't show it, but the pressure was building.
The Celebration was just around the corner.
"Three days left," Anthony reminded him one morning. "And you still don't have the serum."
"I'm aware," Alexis said, staring at the holomap without really seeing it. "But panicking won't fix anything."
Anthony frowned. "Dr. Layham sounds panicked."
He wasn't wrong. That night, the call from the lab came in shakier than usual.
"Alexis, the new sample from Lerien just arrived, but it's not pure. We're trying to clean it now, but the process is unstable," Dr. Layham said quickly, his hands moving across screens in the background. "It might take longer than expected."
Alexis pinched the bridge of his nose. "How much longer?"
"Best case—forty-eight hours. Worst case—we don't make it in time."
Alexis didn't reply right away. He simply said, "Keep trying."
The next day was the hardest. Everyone was moving faster than ever—organizing transport, finalizing escorts, confirming schedules. Behind all of it, though, was the quiet but heavy fear that Alexis would be walking into the Celebration without protection from his condition.
Back in the lab, Layham's team worked like machines. There were moments of panic—one of the test samples nearly destabilized and melted through its container—but slowly, finally, the solution began to clear.
Late in the evening, just twenty-four hours before the Celebration, Alexis was in his study when the urgent call came through.
"It's done," Layham said. His voice was tired, but steady. "The stabilizer serum is complete. It still needs to be carefully injected and monitored, but it's stable now. It's ready."
Alexis let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Good. Send it to my personal medical suite. I'll take it tonight."
"Understood. But you'll still need to limit your exposure to stress. No overexertion, no pushing your limits."
"I'm attending a Royal Celebration with every political predator in the galaxy. What part of that sounds stress-free?" Alexis replied dryly.
Later that night, after the injection and a brief health scan, Alexis sat quietly in his private room, feeling the medicine start to settle into his system. His body was tired, but stable. The worst was behind them—at least for now.
He stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the stars again.
Tomorrow, he would face them all—the royals, the rivals, the wolves in silk.
The day of the Celebration came fast.
The capital was glowing with lights, music, and movement. Ships from different parts of the galaxy landed one after another. Inside the palace, everything was polished and grand. Security was tight, and the Royal Guards stood tall, watching every corner.
Alexis's cruiser arrived at a private landing dock. He stepped out in a formal deep blue outfit with silver patterns, looking both regal and sharp. Underneath, protective armor was hidden—light but strong. Anthony stayed close, his eyes alert.
A royal attendant greeted them with a bow. "Lord Alexis of Mayana. Welcome."
Alexis nodded politely. "Thank you. It's an honor."
Inside the grand hall, tall glass walls sparkled in the light. Floating lights hung from above like stars. Music played softly, and guests in elegant attire filled the room, speaking in low voices. The Royal Family watched from a high platform, calm and composed.
Anthony whispered, "No trouble yet."
"Not yet," Alexis replied. "But it's only the beginning."
Soon, the arrival of Lord Silas Veil from Meian Corp was announced. He walked in smoothly, wearing black and red, smiling like someone with a secret. As he passed Alexis, he gave a quiet nod.
"Hope you're ready," Silas said under his breath.
"I always am," Alexis answered without emotion.
The Celebration continued—dances, speeches, shared toasts. Alexis stayed focused, watching the crowd, scanning every move.
Then came a change.
The music stopped. The room fell silent.
A new voice echoed through the hall:
"Announcing His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Alaric Frozze of the Fleitre Universe."
Every guest turned toward the entrance. The doors opened slowly, and a tall figure stepped into the hall. He wore silver robes that shimmered like light on water. A quiet strength surrounded him. His presence was calm, yet powerful.
His hair was a striking red-scarlet, wild and unbound, like fire caught in motion. Each strand shimmered under the lights of the Celebration hall, drawing eyes whether they wanted to look or not.
But it was his gaze that truly silenced a room.
Alaric's eyes, a bright golden-yellow at first glance, seemed almost warm—until they changed. When angered, focused, or threatened, those eyes would shift in an instant to a deep, vivid green. And when they locked with someone else's—eye to eye—those caught in the stare felt it like stone in their veins. Paralysis. Silence. Fear. His glare could turn even the most seasoned warrior into a statue of breathless stillness.
Few knew how it worked. Fewer lived to speak of it.
As Alexis turned to look—his breath caught for just a second.
The Emperor's face... it was familiar.
He couldn't explain it. But something deep in him recognized that man. Not from public records or royal portraits—but from somewhere else. A dream, maybe. Or a memory he couldn't fully reach.
He stood still, his eyes slightly widened.
Anthony noticed. "What's wrong?"
Alexis shook his head slightly, collecting himself. "Nothing... it's just—"
But he didn't finish the sentence.
The Emperor walked further into the hall, slowly moving through the crowd. His gaze passed over many. Then, for the briefest moment, it landed on Alexis.
And for a second—just a second—it felt like he recognized him too.
Alexis's heart beat faster, though his face stayed calm.
Whatever this was… it was only the beginning.