READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 7: The Veil of Ambition
The Von Drakrion family had always been a symbol of wealth and power, their influence stretching across continents and into the very heart of Drakmaris. As the heir to this immense fortune, Hiroshi felt the weight of expectation pressing down on him each day. But it wasn't just the responsibility of wealth that troubled him—it was the understanding that he was living in a reversed world, one where women held the reins of power and control. In a society that had elevated the feminine to the highest pedestal, Hiroshi, for all his inherited greatness, had to learn how to navigate a world that was very different from the one he once knew.
It was another crisp morning when Hiroshi arrived at Drakmaris Academy, his steps accompanied by the gentle hum of his sleek black sedan. As the self-driving car glided through the gates, Hiroshi could see students already gathering in the academy's sprawling courtyard. The academy, a fusion of ancient stone architecture and cutting-edge technology, was home to the most talented and influential minds in the kingdom. Its classrooms were filled with holographic displays, interactive lessons, and simulated leadership challenges that combined medieval strategy with modern intelligence.
Hiroshi's reputation at the academy had only grown in the past few weeks. Lady Veronica Goldstone, the ambitious young noblewoman, had been trying her best to earn his favor, while Lady Selene Arkwright remained an intriguing rival. But it wasn't just the aristocracy that had their eyes on him—students, young women from across the kingdom, had taken a particular interest in his presence. Their admiration was sometimes overwhelming, often bordering on obsession.
As Hiroshi entered the courtyard, he was greeted by a chorus of whispers and admiring stares. Groups of young women giggled and whispered behind their hands, their eyes following his every movement. Hiroshi had never experienced such constant attention in his previous life, and now it felt both intoxicating and suffocating.
"Lord Hiroshi!" A voice broke through his thoughts, and he turned to see Lady Veronica, her smile wide and eager. "I was hoping to catch you before class. There's a gathering later today in the Celestial Hall, and I would be honored if you could attend. It's a private affair, only for the most distinguished students. Your presence would be most… appreciated."
Her words, though polite, carried a distinct air of manipulation. Hiroshi could tell that Veronica was not simply asking him to attend out of kindness; she wanted something from him. The Celestial Hall was a place where the most influential members of the academy's social circles met, a space where alliances were formed, and secrets were shared.
"I'll think about it," Hiroshi said with a cool smile. "But no promises, Lady Veronica. My schedule is quite full today."
Her eyes darkened slightly, but she masked it quickly with another bright smile. "Of course, Lord Hiroshi. I'll leave the invitation open, then."
As she walked away, Hiroshi felt the eyes of several other students on him. They were watching, waiting for him to make a move, to choose his allegiances. But Hiroshi had learned quickly that in Drakmaris, every choice had consequences. It wasn't just about who you allied with, but how you did it, and why. A single misstep could shift the delicate balance of power.
Later that day, Hiroshi found himself in the grand lecture hall of Drakmaris Academy. The room was a monument to both the past and the future—stone walls adorned with intricate carvings of the kingdom's history, while the floors glowed with soft, interactive displays that provided real-time data on the lessons being taught.
The class was about diplomacy and influence, two topics Hiroshi had become particularly adept at. The professor, Lady Maera Eldrith, was a woman of unparalleled intellect and power, one of the few who could rival the likes of Rosalyn in her strategic brilliance. As the professor spoke about the delicate balance between coercion and persuasion, Hiroshi couldn't help but reflect on how these concepts played out in his own life.
"You see," Lady Maera said, her voice carrying a weight of authority, "in Drakmaris, power is not just wielded through brute force or wealth. It is in the subtle art of persuasion, the ability to make others believe that following your lead is not only in their best interest but also in their destiny."
Hiroshi's eyes narrowed slightly. Destiny—it was a word often used by the women who ruled this world. To them, power wasn't simply earned; it was their birthright. And Hiroshi, for all his advantages, was still learning how to make that idea work for him.
After class, Hiroshi walked through the halls of the academy, contemplating his position. As the day wound down, the atmosphere in the courtyard shifted. It was time for the Celestial Hall Gathering, the event that Lady Veronica had invited him to. He had a choice to make—he could go, making alliances with those who could further his family's power, or he could avoid it, remaining a distant figure and keeping his options open.
But before he could make his decision, he was approached by a familiar face: Lady Selene Arkwright. She was standing in the shadows, her expression thoughtful, almost unreadable.
"Lord Hiroshi," Selene said softly, her voice carrying a quiet intensity. "I see you've been invited to the gathering tonight. I trust you know what that means?"
Hiroshi paused, sensing the challenge in her words. "I know enough," he replied, his tone guarded. "But you have me at a disadvantage, Lady Selene. What do you think it means?"
She stepped closer, her eyes piercing. "It means a chance to cement your alliances, to show Drakmaris that you are more than just a pretty face with a noble name. It means the opportunity to choose your place in this world."
Hiroshi considered her words carefully. Selene was sharp—too sharp. She was not interested in superficial pleasantries. She wanted something more from him, something deeper.
"I'll be there," Hiroshi said finally, his voice steady. "And I'll choose my place on my own terms."
Selene's lips curved into a smile, but it wasn't the smile of a woman pleased by his decision. It was the smile of someone who knew that Hiroshi's decision to go to the Celestial Hall would be a pivotal moment. One way or another, his actions tonight would speak volumes about his future in Drakmaris.
As the night unfolded, Hiroshi found himself at the Celestial Hall, a sprawling palace-like venue where the most powerful students and influential figures gathered. The hall was opulent—marble floors, golden chandeliers, and holographic displays that projected the most recent political developments across the kingdom. But it wasn't the luxury that caught Hiroshi's attention; it was the women.
They were everywhere—powerful, beautiful, and ever-watchful. Lady Veronica Goldstone was among them, her eyes fixed on Hiroshi as she spoke animatedly with her fellow guests. Lady Seraphina DeLacroix, the famous actress, was surrounded by admirers, her every word hanging in the air like a golden thread.
But there was one woman who caught Hiroshi's eye the most: Lady Elysia Valmont, the daughter of the Queen of Drakmaris, and one of the most powerful women in the kingdom. Unlike the others, Elysia exuded an air of quiet authority, as if she commanded the room without speaking. Her gaze met Hiroshi's, and for a moment, he felt as though the room had gone silent, as if the very air around them had thickened.
Hiroshi didn't move. He didn't need to. In a world where women ruled, this was as much a test of his ability to read the room as it was a moment of deciding whether to take the next step.
Elysia's smile was slight, but it was enough to send a shiver down Hiroshi's spine. There was something dangerous in her gaze, something that told him that power in Drakmaris was not easily given, nor was it easily kept.
Later, as the night drew to a close, Hiroshi found himself standing in the garden outside the Celestial Hall, the cool breeze ruffling his hair. His mind was racing with the choices before him. The women in this world were more than just admirers—they were rulers, decision-makers, and strategists.
And now, Hiroshi had to figure out which of them would be his ally and which would be his rival. Every move he made would determine the course of his future, not just in Drakmaris Academy, but in the kingdom itself.
End of Chapter 7.