Outside the venue, the world watched the scenes with confusion. Calling it underwhelming and disappointing was an understatement. People came from all over the world just to witness this, and yet it didn't happen for one reason or another.
Naturally, speculations spread everywhere as news outlets rushed to write about this situation as fast as possible and get a headline out of it. After all, a failed awakening had never occurred in the history of the royal family.
"Excuse us, ladies and gentlemen. It seemed some sort of mix happened. Please enjoy your dinner while we make sure everything is going according to plan. We will update you shortly." The young man who welcomed everyone at first stepped forward to speak. Meanwhile, Venera and her mother stood up and left.
Meanwhile, the servants stepped forward in a hurry to start serving dinner, not anticipating such a change in plans. The situation was still shockingly organized for something nobody could've predicted.
However, Rize could immediately sense the shift in the general atmosphere.
"How could this happen…" Geralt muttered as he watched in disbelief. "This is bad. This is really bad."
"Why is it bad, sir?"
"This is a sacred ceremony that every member of the royal family undergoes. It has never occurred that a ceremony fails like this." Geralt said. "This won't be easily contained."
"Why did it happen? Is Prince Kane ok?" Rize asked. 'I remember reading that people assumed Prince Kane was a cripple for a long while. That definitely was a huge hit to the Royal Family's name.'
"Prince Kane is very much fine. Every member of the Royal Family undergoes yearly checkups on their entire bodies, including the progress their Soul Cores were going through and if there was any problem with that."
"I see… Then they perhaps made a mistake with the time?"
"Perhaps. I will have to see later what exactly happened. Sigh… These bastards will take advantage of this now." Geralt murmured as he watched the faces around him. Most were confused, a few were amused, and a certain group of people had a very weird look on their faces.
A look that Geralt didn't like whatsoever. In fact, he knew those particular individuals were waiting for a miracle like the one that happened today. Clenching his fists, he tried to remain calm and not do anything.
At the same time, the food was served to the guests. Rize shrugged and decided to eat his dinner. There was not much he could do about a situation like this except to simply wait and see what would transpire.
The dinner was naturally amazing and delicious. Rize ended up finishing his plate not that long after. The Royal Family were nowhere to be seen still, so many assumed the party was postponed completely.
Some decided to also eat while others were talking to one another in hushed voices. Rize knew this place was very calm compared to whatever was happening outside in the city.
'Ugh, this atmosphere sure is annoying.' Rize sighed as he looked around him. 'I need some fresh air.'
"Sir, is there any balcony nearby? I want to get some fresh air?" Rize asked.
"Hm… Going through that double door will lead you to the balcony." Geralt said. "Don't cause any trouble, though."
"Yes, sir."
"And don't take too long."
"Yeah yeah, I know."
Wiping his mouth, Rize left his seat and headed there. Some eyes stared at him but didn't linger long. Reaching the door, he opened it and found himself in what seemed to be a cozy lounge. There weren't any people there. On the other side was a big balcony. He walked through the lounge, smelling the faint odor of air freshener that made him exhale tiredly.
Exiting onto the balcony, Rize was met with a gorgeous view in front of him. Since the Royal Family palace was on a high hill, it overlooked the entire city. The beautiful night lights illuminated everything around him, and massive structures in the distance gave him a sense of peace he couldn't really describe.
He rested against the rails and stared into the distance. The cool breeze caressed his body as he enjoyed a moment of quietness.
"This is really nice…" He closed his eyes. "I feel like I haven't had a moment of rest since I came to this world. That old man doesn't believe in holidays and vacations."
Every single day felt so intense and hard that Rize forgot to think or contemplate anything, let alone get a break from everything.
These quiet moments were foreign to him in this world, and Rize didn't know whether that was a good or a bad thing.
After chilling for a few minutes, he finally exhaled. "I should head back. It's getting chilly."
With that, he turned around to walk out of the balcony when he suddenly froze as he saw the door open to the lounge. Then, three boys entered and locked eyes with him immediately. They were none other than the trio he talked to earlier that day.
"Great…" He whispered as he started walking again. The trio headed toward him, but Rize tried to pretend like they didn't exist. As he was passing by, he felt one of the boys grab his shoulder and make him stop.
"Where do you think you're going, hm?" Arthur asked. "Wouldn't you sit with us for a bit. It's really quiet and peaceful here. Right, guys?"
Rize looked over his shoulder, his eyes turning colder and more sinister. The boy shuddered as he felt the odd gaze and released his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, but I will have to decline. Thank you for the offer, though."
With that, he turned around to leave, only to be grabbed again.
"I said to stay here," Arthur said. "Who do you think you are saying no to me, huh? Do you not know who I am?"
Rize's shoulder was suddenly yanked back as he was pushed to the other side of the room. He lifted his hands.
"Let's calm down, gentlemen. I'm not here to pick a fight with you." He said, trying to contain his anger.
"You've been acting so slick since earlier, huh? Trying to make fun of me, you bastard?" Arthur asked as he stepped forward while the other two surrounded him from every angle.
"I wasn't trying to do anything. I was in a hurry, just like how I'm in a hurry right now. I will ask you respectfully… Let me pass." Rize said with a calm yet threatening tone. 'I really don't want to get in trouble, but if these idiots think they can just walk all over me, then they're very wrong.'
However, his threat fell on deaf ears as Arthur closed the distance between them. Then, out of nowhere, he launched a punch toward Rize's face. The boy's eyes widened before he instantly tilted his head, dodging the hit with ease.
'He's…'
"What the…? Who told you to dodge huh?!" Arthur asked, taken aback by how fast Rize moved. So, he launched another punch, only for Rize to dodge it swiftly.
'He's so…'
*Swish*
Feeling frustrated, the boy punched again and again in quick succession, trying to take him by surprise. However, none landed or were even close.
Meanwhile, Rize had one thought.
'He's so slow!!'