Capturing the Male Lead: Red String System

ARC 3.4: CHILD OF LIGHT

Auris looked away from the owner of the ocean blue eyes and stared at the emperor and empress. The emperor is quite attractive. He still has the appearance of a handsome middle-aged man, despite his old age. The empress has a devilish piercing beauty. Her bright red hair, blazing red eyes, and her jade white skin make the audience breathe take away. However, the crown prince's appearance is a combination of the beauty of the emperor and the empress. Prince Zachariah got the emperor's deep blue eyes and the empress's bright red hair. Like the emperor, his skin was slightly tanned. Because of his stature, he could effortlessly look down on others. He's not that robust where you could see muscle everywhere, but he's also not slim like the original. To Auris, his lover had a perfect combination of being muscular and being slender.

"Like you, all know, thirteen years ago, the oracle delivered a message," The emperor started as he gazes down.

"I won't explain it further. The reason I called you here is about the position for the crown princess," the emperor looks at Auris and slightly smiled, "or another crown prince. A man or woman is permitted to join the candidacy as long as the lineage won't end. Although I rather choose my son to marry someone he loved, I couldn't help but let him choose during the candidacy." The emperor said with a sigh.

Auris secretly sneered at what the emperor said. If he genuinely wants his son to marry someone he loved, why would they choose to have a candidacy when he could use his mana if his son fell in love with another man? Why would they choose to have competition if their son loved an aristocratic woman? Just say that you're finding someone who had strong backing and monstrous talent that you could use. Why would you act as you cared for your son's marriage?

"The test will begin tomorrow. Take your time to familiarize the west palace. It will be the place where all the candidates will stay." Emperor Conall continued.

When the emperor saw the youths listening carefully at him, he showed a gentle smile and dismissed them, "Guide them to the west palace." He ordered as he looks at the knights standing near them.

The knights nodded and bowed as they guide the candidates to the west palace.

Before leaving, Auris smiled at Archbishop Loyset and said his goodbyes, "I'll get going now, Your Grace."

"Be careful. May the Goddes of Light guide you." Archbishop Loyset replied as he slightly bowed.

Auris gave him a warm smiled and walked towards the others. He secretly took a peek at his lover and smiled.

When they arrived at the west palace, Auris went to his designated room. When Auris entered the room, he saw a plain bedroom. But after a while, it turns into a magnificent bedroom. For a moment, Auris was shocked, but he remembered what Bishop Jarvis said. The rooms in the palace had a magic device where the room will turn into what the owners desire.

Auris doesn't have anything to arrange. The palace will provide them their necessities. Without anything to do, Auris walked towards the dressing table. He took a hairbrush and started brushing his long hair.

After a while, a palace servant brought him snacks. For the whole day, Auris didn't do anything. He just slept to his heart's content.

The next day.

The palace servants gave them the clothes for the candidates. It's a light blue robe with an accent of white. Auris wore the robe, and he also wore his hair ornament. After dressing, he sat on a sofa and started reading a book.

In a few minutes, a servant came again. The emperor is calling them on the main hall.

When Auris arrived, he calmly sat on the front as he carefully observed others. Then, his eyes met Lillian's. She is also looking at him. Auris smiled at her and nodded.

"Good day, everyone." The emperor said.

Auris retract his eyes and looks at the emperor.

"The candidacy is about the behavior and talent of the candidate, and lastly, the six arts. The first test is about music skills. In the next three hours, we will meet on the Royal Willow for your performance. Please prepare yourself. All of you could go now." The emperor announced. No one is anxious about the test. All of them practice the six arts, but they can't help but get nervous about performing.

Auris didn't stay long. After the emperor dismissed them, he also left afterward.

When Auris is about to enter his room, someone blocks the door with their arms. Auris looks at the person and saw the protagonist.

"Do you need anything?" Auris calmly asked. He didn't do anything for the protagonist to approach him, so he's curious why Lillian is stopping him.

"Control your eyes. The prince is mine." Lillian fiercely said as she tries to prick his eyes.

Auris is in shock. He knew that Lillian is not that good of a person, but pricking someone's eyes just because of staring at someone is too much! And it's not like Auris did a crime! He's staring at his lover! This little protagonist has the guts to prick his eyes!

Auris grab Lillian's hand and grips it tightly. He coldly stares at her and smirks, "You're irritating. You don't have the right to stop me. And miss, for your information, he is not yours."

Auris let go of her hand and looks at her from head to toe, "So please, excuse me. Your face is hurting my eyes."

Lillian's mouth gaped. Seeing him not obeying her made her irritated. She stomped her feet and points at his face, "You idiot! I'll get rid of you sooner or later!"

Auris just sneered at her and rolled his eyes.

When Lillian left, Auris gazed at the corner of the corridor and spoke, "I didn't know that you're a gossip, your highness."

Zachariah chuckled and left his 'hiding' place, "I didn't know that you're that fierce, your holiness."

Auris tried to hide his laugh but failed, "Ahem! Why are you 'hiding' there, your highness? If it's even considered a form of hiding."

"Well, I'm just watching something interesting," Zachariah replied.

"What interesting?" Auris asked.

"My future wife," Zachariah answered with a smirk plastered on his face.

"You're a player, your highness. There are two people here a while ago." Auris answered as he lightly glared at him.

"So, you considered yourself as my future wife?" Zachariah retorted.

"In your dreams!" Auris exclaimed.

Zachariah grin at him as he approaches him, "Yeah, you're in my dreams. Go visit again tonight." Zachariah whispered as he waves his hand and left.

Auris glared at Zachariah's departing back.

That damn idiot! Why his character like that!?

[You don't hate it anyway.]

So what!?

[Well, good luck to you, master, your lover's identity is quite a player this time.]

What!? That idiot!

[Enjoy!]