The Nihility Chef

"Alice, go to your banquet. Your party is about to begin," Elizabeth said gently, her voice a soft murmur in the grand hallway. "And remember to be polite to all the guests."

"Yes, Mother," Alice replied, her tone subdued. She turned to Samael, her small hand gripping his. "Let's go, Sami."

The duo made their way to the Great Hall, a cavernous space that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. Towering at 15 meters tall and 20 meters wide, the hall was a spectacle of opulence, adorned in gold and white.

Long tables groaned under the weight of sumptuous dishes, their aromas weaving through the air like a tantalizing spell. Nobles mingled, their laughter and conversations filling the space with a cacophony of sound. Deals were struck, alliances forged, and smiles exchanged—each one a mask hiding deeper intentions.

The children, dressed in their finest, exuded an air of arrogance, their haughty expressions suggesting they were the true stars of the evening.

But as Alice and Samael stepped into the hall, a hush fell over the crowd.

Fake cheers and slow, sarcastic claps erupted, their hollow echoes bouncing off the walls. Some of the young masters and madams didn't even bother to hide their sneers, their mocking gazes fixed on Alice and Samael as if they were nothing more than clowns in a circus.

Alice, though the Royal Princess, was not their Royal Princess.

When the Emperor ascended the throne, he abolished the tradition of the eldest prince inheriting the crown. Instead, he decreed that the most talented of his offspring would rule. The original crown prince, now 30, was a prodigy with a formidable physique and a powerful bloodline.

He was currently cultivating at the Tianjiao Academy, a neutral territory that accepted only the most exceptional talents from across the world.

To enter the academy, one had to reach Tier 6 before the age of 17 and break through to the Sovereign Realm before 100. It was a school for the elite, a place where mediocrity was not tolerated.

Alice, despite her title, had few allies. Her mother, once a commoner, was shunned by the nobility, and Alice's inherently kind nature made her an easy target for disdain. The original crown prince still held the support of many, leaving Alice isolated and vulnerable.

"Happy Birthday, Royal Princess. We wish you all the best," the nobles said, their voices dripping with sarcasm. The blatant disrespect was sickening, a cruel mockery of the kind-hearted girl who stood before them.

Samael's fists clenched, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. But before he could speak, Alice tightened her grip on his arm, her eyes silently pleading with him to stay calm.

They walked to the center of the hall, Alice bowing with impeccable royal etiquette. Samael, however, only offered a slight nod, his eyes never leaving Alice

. He could feel her emotions spiraling, the weight of the nobles' scorn pressing down on her like a suffocating fog. He tightened his grip on her hand, a silent promise of his unwavering support.

Thirty minutes later, the Emperor arrived.

Draped in a purple and black robe, he carried a black scepter in his left hand and a golden orb in his right. His presence commanded the room, and as he ascended to his throne, the nobles bowed deeply—all except Samael, who offered only a slight nod.

The Emperor's gaze lingered on Samael for a moment, but he said nothing.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!" the nobles chorused.

"You may sit," the Emperor replied, his voice cold and detached.

The nobles exhaled, their relief palpable. They had not forgotten how the Emperor earned his nickname: The Righteous Tyrant.

"Happy Birthday, Alice," the Emperor said, his tone devoid of warmth.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Alice replied indifferently. She felt no familial love for the man who had abandoned her mother, favoring his concubines while leaving Elizabeth to wither in isolation.

As the nobles resumed their socializing, the more powerful among them approached the Emperor, their conversations laced with veiled inquiries about the empire's future.

The Dukes, too influential to attend a mere princess's birthday, were absent. Victoria and William were also missing, having left to investigate the mysterious figures they had encountered months prior.

It was time for Alice to receive her gifts. A butler stepped forward, removing the fabric that concealed the presents. A collective gasp—fake and exaggerated—rippled through the hall.

The gifts were coffins.

Wooden ones, metal ones, luxurious ones, and dilapidated ones. Alice stared in confusion, her mind struggling to comprehend the cruel jest. Was this a threat? Even if the nobles despised her, surely they wouldn't dare threaten her in front of the Emperor.

"What is this?" the Emperor demanded, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

"Father," a voice called out. A boy of about 12 stepped forward, his golden locks and brown eyes marred by an expression of arrogance. His name was Tobias, one of the Emperor's many sons.

"Auntie Elizabeth is always sick," Tobias said, his tone dripping with mockery. "We thought it would be thoughtful to provide my dear half-sister with an assortment of coffins to choose from when she dies."

Alice's breath hitched, her vision blurring as tears welled in her eyes. The pain was unbearable, a dagger twisting in her heart. She knew her mother's health was failing, but she refused to accept it.

She would save her.

Her ferocious gaze locked onto Tobias, her eyes burning with a fury that could have reduced him to ash. But the weight of the insult was too much. Unable to bear it any longer, Alice turned and fled the hall, her tears tracing a path of sorrow on the polished floor.

Samael's anger erupted like a volcano. His best friend, his family, had been humiliated on her birthday. He couldn't—wouldn't—let this stand.

Without thinking, he tapped into the Time Element, slowing time within a three-meter radius—just enough to trap Tobias. In that frozen moment, Samael's fist connected with Tobias's smug face, sending him flying into the wall.

The hall erupted into chaos, but Samael didn't care. He rushed after Alice, his heart pounding with a mix of rage and determination.

The Emperor watched him go, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Time Element," he murmured. "How interesting."