[ Reputation System v0.1 ]

  User: Ravenna Sorius / Joy Cha KimReputation Level: 61 (7034 / 9400 EXP)Current Reputation Points: 44,454Titles: Raven of the Sun Pace, Unruly Princess{ View Reputation Log } { Spend Reputation Points }

  Ravenna frowned slightly as she reread the glowing interface before her.

  “My points doubled.”

  She scrolled through her status, taking note of the numbers. The surge had happened shortly after the city’s household tap system was officially unched—something she had expected. What caught her attention, however, was how the gain had slowed to a near halt.

  The increase had been rapid at first, but now, despite the continued waves of praise and gratitude from the citizens, her reputation points barely moved.

  “Maybe there’s a limit to how many points you can gain from the same people within a certain timeframe.”

  She tapped her fingers rhythmically against her desk, deep in thought. The system wasn’t infinite—it had rules. But if that was the case, it meant she couldn’t rely on repeated actions to farm reputation indefinitely. She would need new accomplishments, and new ventures to keep her momentum going.

  Her gaze flickered toward the piles of parchment spread across her desk.

  The Innovation and Initiative Program still needed to be finalized before she departed for the imperial capital. The upcoming royal wedding had pced a strict deadline on her schedule. If she didn’t complete it before leaving, progress in Jo might stagnate in her absence.

  With a sigh, she leaned back against her chair, rolling her shoulders to ease the stiffness from hours of work.

  Her attention drifted toward her bed.

  Nestled beneath the thick covers, Marie y sound asleep. Her small form was curled up, her breathing soft and steady. Exhaustion had finally caught up to her after spending the entire day enduring dress fittings. She had tried to stay awake, still muttering compints about suffocating corsets and heavy skirts, but sleep had cimed her mid-sentence.

  Ravenna’s lips curved into a faint, almost wistful smile.

  The sight of Marie’s peaceful face reminded her—this world is all I have now.

  Her past life, the life of Joy Cha Kim, was gone, nothing more than a distant memory. There was no going back, no waking up in her old world. But perhaps that wasn’t such a tragedy.

  She had a new name. A new purpose. A new life.

  And as long as she remained in this world, she would live it to the fullest.

  With renewed determination, Ravenna turned back to her work, the candlelight casting a golden glow over her desk. There was still much to do, pns to complete, projects to oversee, and a main event of the story waiting beyond the horizon.

  Sun Pace, Capital City, Ancorna Empire

  The grandeur of the Imperial Pace was on full dispy as more than sixteen carriages rolled through its towering gates, their polished exteriors gleaming under the afternoon sun. Five of the carriages bore the emblem of Hilda Kingdom, while the remaining eleven carried the golden insignia of the Ancorna Empire—a radiant sun encircled by a ring of swords.

  The arrival marked the long-awaited return of First Prince Non Sorius, who had spent the past two years in Hilda Kingdom alongside his wife, Princess Frederica Hill of Hilda, and their young son, Hans Sorius.

  As the lead carriage came to a halt, the door was opened by a royal attendant, and Prince Non stepped out first. He was a tall man with sharp, well-defined features, his bck hair and dark eyes marking him unmistakably as a true-blooded Sorius. His imperial bearing was effortless, honed by years of training and discipline, yet there was a quiet edge to his gaze—a subtle wariness cultivated by court life.

  Following behind him, Princess Frederica descended gracefully. Her golden-blonde hair shone like spun sunlight, cascading in elegant waves over her shoulders. Her cool blue eyes scanned the pace entrance with a practiced composure, though the slight stiffness in her posture betrayed her unease. Unlike her husband, whose roots were deeply tied to the empire, she was an outsider—a princess of a foreign nd now bound to the intricate web of imperial politics.

  Trailing behind them was their son, Hans Sorius, a small boy of about four years, his bck hair a striking contrast to his mother’s golden locks. He clutched the fabric of Frederica’s gown tightly, peeking out cautiously from behind her as they approached the pace entrance.

  Standing at the top of the grand marble staircase was Emperor Andrew Sorius himself, fnked by pace officials and high-ranking nobles. Despite his advancing years, the emperor remained an imposing figure, his regal bearing unshaken by time. His dark eyes, much like his son’s, carried both wisdom and the weight of rulership.

  As they approached, the emperor’s stern expression softened slightly.

  “My, my, Hans! You’ve grown quite a bit since I st saw you!” His voice, deep yet warm, carried easily over the courtyard.

  Hans stiffened at the attention, gripping his mother’s gown even tighter. After a brief pause, he peeked out hesitantly and mumbled, “G-Good morning, Grandfather...”

  A low chuckle escaped Emperor Andrew’s lips. “Good morning, indeed!”

  Princess Frederica offered a polite smile and curtsied. “Greetings, Father-in-w. It has been quite some time since I st set foot in the capital.”

  The emperor gave her a curt nod, though his attention remained fixed on his grandson. Frederica gnced down at Hans, gently rubbing his back before speaking again.

  “I apologize. Hans is quite shy. He was only an infant when he st saw you, so it may take him some time to grow comfortable.”

  “No need to apologize,” the emperor said, his gaze unwavering. “Trust is not earned so easily, especially from such an esteemed young man.”

  At his words, Hans peeked up again, his small fingers twitching against the fabric of his mother’s gown.

  “Indeed, Father,” Prince Non interjected, stepping forward. “It brings me great relief to see you in such fine health.”

  Emperor Andrew finally shifted his gaze to his son and gave him a slow nod. Then, without preamble, he stated, “You should head inside. Landon and William arrived earlier today. Serena will be here in a few more days. As for Ravenna—she will be arriving in a week.”

  A brief silence followed.

  Prince Non blinked, his expression momentarily frozen. “Ravenna? You invited Ravenna?”

  Princess Frederica, standing beside him, stiffened slightly, though she masked it well.

  The emperor’s lips curved into a knowing smile, though his dark eyes gleamed with something unreadable. “But of course. She may be exiled, but she is still your sister. It is only natural that she attends Serena’s wedding.”

  A fleeting look of discomfort crossed Frederica’s face. Non, too, hesitated before nodding stiffly. “You… You are right, of course.”

  With that, the imperial entourage moved inside, the grand pace doors swinging open to welcome them into the vish corridors of the Sun Pace.

  The opulence of the Imperial Dining Hall was unrivaled—its towering chandeliers cast a golden glow upon the long banquet table, set with the finest porcein and silverware. The air was thick with the scent of freshly prepared delicacies, and murmured conversations echoed beneath the high-vaulted ceilings.

  As Prince Non and his family made their way inside, they were immediately approached by a tall man with broad shoulders and a pyful smirk.

  “Well, well. The mighty schor has finally returned,” the man remarked with an amused gleam in his sharp eyes.

  Prince Landon Sorius. His dark hair and piercing gaze marked him as another of the emperor’s sons, though unlike Non, his expression always carried a mischievous edge.

  Non let out a short ugh. “Of course—”

  “Oh, I wasn’t talking about you,” Landon interrupted smoothly, his smirk widening. He then crouched down to Hans’s level, ruffling the boy’s hair. “I was talking about the mighty Prince Hans.”

  Hans blinked in surprise, looking up at his uncle with wide eyes. Frederica chuckled, finally rexing slightly.

  “It’s nice to see you again, Your Highness Landon,” she greeted with a polite nod.

  “And you as well, Frederica.” Landon straightened and fell into step beside Non as they continued toward the main table.

  Once they were slightly distanced from the rest, Non lowered his voice and murmured, “What’s this about inviting Ravenna? I thought Serena explicitly ensured she wasn’t on the guest list?”

  Landon sighed, his demeanor fading just a fraction. He responded in the same hushed tone, “I don’t know. He made the decision himself. This is one of his games again.”

  Non clenched his jaw. Their father was always calcuting, always scheming. If he had invited Ravenna to the wedding, It meant something.

  And whatever it was, it would soon come to light.

  Read 12+ Advance Chapters by becoming a Patron : 73. A Breakfast at Imperial Pace