Chapter 3
The hall remained eerily quiet.
Dozens of eyes were still fixed on Saeroyx.
He, however, seemed completely unfazed.
He stretched lazily before turning back to the calm young man beside him.
“So…”
A familiar grin appeared on his face.
“Want to be my partner now?”
The young man looked at him without the slightest change in expression.
“…No.”
Saeroyx sighed dramatically.
“You’re rejecting me again?”
“Yes.”
“That’s cold.”
“It is practical.”
Saeroyx folded his arms.
“Come on. The city’s practically pushing us together.”
“The city requires a registered pair.”
“It does not require that pair to be us.”
Saeroyx leaned closer, lowering his voice with a playful smile.
“And yet…”
“You still haven’t found anyone else.”
The young man fell silent.
Saeroyx pointed toward the hall, where nearly every Starcrosser had already paired off.
“Looks like everyone else beat us to it.”
“…”
“So unless you’re planning to wander around alone forever…”
He extended his hand once more.
“How about giving me a chance?”
The young man glanced at the offered hand.
Then at Saeroyx’s unwavering smile.
“You know nothing about this world.”
“I’ll learn.”
“You don’t understand the dangers beyond Tyrus.”
“You’ll teach me.”
“You trust strangers too easily.”
Saeroyx chuckled.
“I don’t.”
The answer caught the young man off guard.
“I trust my instincts.”
“And right now…”
He smiled a little more softly than before.
“They’re telling me you’re a good person.”
For the first time since they had met…
The calm young man hesitated.
Only for a heartbeat.
Long enough for Saeroyx to notice.
His smile widened.
“I almost had you.”
“…You imagined that.”
“But you hesitated.”
The young man let out the faintest sigh.
“…You’re impossible.”
“So…”
Saeroyx wiggled his still-outstretched hand.
“Is that a yes?”
The silence between them lingered.
Neither moved.
Yet everyone nearby found themselves watching, waiting for the quiet young man’s answer.
The hall remained silent.
Dozens of eyes lingered on the two of them.
Saeroyx’s hand was still stretched out between them.
A long moment passed.
The calm young man closed his eyes and let out a quiet sigh.
“…Fine.”
Saeroyx blinked.
“Fine?”
“I’ll register with you.”
A bright smile spread across Saeroyx’s face.
“I knew you’d come around.”
“Don’t misunderstand.”
The young man’s voice remained as composed as ever.
“I’m accepting because there are no reasonable alternatives.”
“Sure.”
“And because pairing with an inexperienced Starcrosser allows me to keep unnecessary variables within sight.”
Saeroyx laughed.
“So that’s your way of saying you were worried about me?”
“…No.”
“It sounded like it.”
“It wasn’t.”
Saeroyx chuckled, deciding not to push the matter further.
Instead, he extended his hand once again.
“Then I guess we’re partners.”
This time, after only a brief pause…
The young man took it.
Their hands met.
A faint pulse of silver light spread across their joined palms before vanishing just as quickly.
Several Starcrossers looked over.
“The partnership has been acknowledged.”
“So they actually registered.”
Saeroyx glanced down at their hands before looking back at him with a satisfied grin.
“Now that we’re officially together…”
The young man immediately frowned.
“As partners.”
“…”
Saeroyx laughed.
“I was going to say ‘as partners.'”
For what felt like the first time in years…
The young man questioned whether accepting had been the right decision.
Saeroyx tilted his head.
“By the way…”
“You know my name.”
“I only know yours because you announced it to everyone.”
“Fair point.”
He smiled warmly.
“So what’s your name?”
The young man looked at him in silence.
For a moment, Saeroyx wondered if he would refuse again.
Finally—
“…Kyrth.”
Saeroyx repeated it quietly.
“Kyrth…”
A smile slowly returned to his face.
“It suits you.”
Kyrth raised an eyebrow.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It sounds calm.”
“…”
“And a little hard to approach.”
“…”
“But I think I’ll get used to it.”
Kyrth looked away with a nearly inaudible sigh.
“…You’re going to be troublesome.”
Saeroyx’s golden eyes sparkled with amusement.
“I prefer unforgettable.”
For the first time…
Kyrth didn’t disagree.
He simply started walking toward the registration platform.
After a brief smile, Saeroyx caught up beside him.
Neither of them noticed the quiet glances exchanged by the Starcrossers around them.
Some looked amused.
Others looked sympathetic.
One merely whispered—
“Poor Kyrth.”
The silver light surrounding their joined hands slowly faded.
A clear chime echoed throughout the hall.
Partnership Registered.
For a brief moment, the floating screen remained still.
Then new words appeared.
All fifty-four teams have now been confirmed.
Orientation complete.
A quiet murmur spread throughout the hall.
“So they really became partners…”
“I thought Kyrth would refuse until the end.”
“I’ve never seen him accept someone so quickly.”
Saeroyx glanced around at the whispers before looking back at Kyrth with a grin.
“Seems you’re more popular than I expected.”
Kyrth calmly withdrew his hand.
“They’re surprised I accepted.”
“I can see why.”
“…Meaning?”
“You rejected me three times.”
“I should have rejected you a fourth.”
Saeroyx laughed.
“You wouldn’t.”
Kyrth gave him a flat look.
“You have remarkable confidence for someone who knows almost nothing.”
“I know one thing.”
“And what’s that?”
Saeroyx smiled.
“I picked the right partner.”
Kyrth didn’t respond.
Whether he disagreed…
Or simply chose not to answer…
Saeroyx couldn’t tell.
The floating screen shimmered once more.
All registered teams are now authorized to enter Tyrus.
With a deep rumble, the colossal doors at the far end of the hall slowly parted.
Brilliant sunlight flooded into the chamber.
Beyond them stretched the true city of Tyrus.
Vast avenues of white stone wound between towering spires that disappeared into the clouds. Elegant bridges connected distant districts, while crystal waterways shimmered beneath them. Gardens bloomed atop terraces, their silver-leaved trees swaying gently in the breeze as silent floating platforms drifted effortlessly through the open sky.
The city radiated warmth.
Life.
And impossible beauty.
Yet…
An uneasy stillness lingered beneath it all.
The streets were orderly.
The people walked with quiet purpose.
No voices rose above a calm conversation.
No laughter echoed through the avenues.
No child could be seen playing among the gardens.
It was beautiful enough to steal one’s breath…
And quiet enough to make one’s heart uneasy.
Saeroyx stared at the endless cityscape.
“So…”
“This is the real Tyrus.”
For the first time since arriving…
Even he was left speechless.
The great gates of the Hall of Arrival opened completely.
One by one, the fifty-four teams stepped into Tyrus.
Saeroyx walked beside Kyrth, his eyes wandering in every direction.
“This place is even bigger than it looked from inside.”
“It is,” Kyrth replied simply.
Beyond the gates stretched a magnificent boulevard paved with white crystal stone. On either side, elegant vehicles waited in perfect formation. Their streamlined silver bodies reflected the sunlight, hovering a short distance above the ground without making a sound.
Standing beside each vehicle was a butler dressed in an immaculate white tailcoat embroidered with silver thread.
As each team approached, a butler stepped forward and bowed.
“Welcome to Tyrus.”
“Your transportation has been prepared.”
The Starcrossers entered their assigned vehicles without question.
Saeroyx stopped beside his.
“…I could get used to this.”
Kyrth opened the door.
“Get in.”
“I was hoping you’d open it for me.”
“I just did.”
“I meant like a gentleman.”
“You were standing in the way.”
Saeroyx laughed as he climbed inside.
“You’re surprisingly considerate.”
“I simply don’t enjoy unnecessary delays.”
The doors closed behind them.
Without a driver, the vehicle glided silently into the air.
Outside the panoramic windows, Tyrus unfolded before them.
District after district passed beneath the floating car.
Gardens bloomed upon rooftops.
Waterfalls cascaded between towering terraces.
Floating walkways connected crystal towers that seemed to pierce the heavens.
Yet despite its overwhelming beauty…
The city remained strangely quiet.
No crowded markets.
No shouting.
No chaos.
Only order.
After nearly half an hour of travel, the vehicle gradually descended.
Before them stood an immense palace.
Its towering white walls shimmered beneath the sunlight, while countless silver banners fluttered gently in the wind. The palace overlooked the entirety of Tyrus, as though it had watched over the city since the beginning of time.
Dozens of butlers welcomed the arriving Starcrossers.
“The royal family awaits you.”
The fifty-four teams were escorted into an enormous audience hall.
White marble pillars stretched toward a ceiling painted with stars and ancient constellations.
At the far end of the chamber stood several figures upon a raised platform.
The King occupied the central throne.
Though his hair had long since turned silver, his posture remained straight, and his piercing eyes carried an authority that silenced the room without effort.
Beside him sat the Queen, graceful and composed, her calm smile revealing little of her thoughts.
Standing to the King’s right was the Crown Prince.
Tall, dignified, and unreadable, he observed the Starcrossers with quiet restraint.
To the King’s left stood the Second Prince.
Unlike his elder brother, his expression held an easy confidence, and a faint smile rested on his lips as though the gathering amused him.
Several royal advisers and high nobles stood behind them in respectful silence.
When every Starcrosser had taken their place, the King slowly rose.
The hall became utterly silent.
“Welcome.”
His deep voice carried effortlessly across the chamber.
“You have crossed the Star Doors and arrived in Tyrus.”
“From this day onward, you are guests of the Eternal City.”
He paused, allowing his gaze to sweep across the hall.
“There is another matter that must be announced.”
The Second Prince’s faint smile disappeared.
The Crown Prince remained perfectly composed.
The King continued.
“After careful consideration by the royal family…”
“The marriage of the Second Prince has been decided.”
A wave of surprise rippled through the hall.
“The Second Prince?”
“But…”
“Shouldn’t the Crown Prince marry first?”
Even among the Starcrossers, quiet whispers began to spread.
It was common knowledge across the twelve inhabited planets of the Rytheris Galaxy that the heir to a throne married before any younger sibling.
The same tradition existed in countless royal families.
Yet here…
The order had been reversed.
For the first time since entering the palace…
Even Kyrth’s calm expression showed the slightest flicker of surprise.
Saeroyx leaned toward him with a grin.
“So…”
“I take it that’s unusual here too?”
Kyrth didn’t take his eyes off the royal platform.
“…Very.”
Whatever reason the King had for making such an announcement…
It was significant enough to shake even the oldest traditions of Tyrus.
The whispers continued to ripple through the grand hall.
Even the royal advisers exchanged subtle glances.
The King raised a single hand.
Silence returned at once.
“The wedding ceremony will take place…”
He paused.
“…eight days from today.”
A wave of anticipation spread throughout the hall.
The King continued.
“Preparations will begin at sunrise tomorrow.”
“Until then, all Starcrossers are to remain within the Royal District as honored guests of Tyrus.”
His voice remained calm and authoritative.
“You will each be assigned private quarters within the palace grounds.”
“During your stay, you are free to explore the permitted areas of Tyrus.”
He paused once more.
“There is only one matter that shall remain undisclosed.”
The hall grew still.
“The identity of the one who will stand beside the Second Prince at the wedding…”
“…will not be revealed until the day of the ceremony.”
For the first time since the announcement began, genuine confusion spread through the Starcrossers.
“No bride?”
“They’re keeping it secret?”
“Why?”
“Is it a political marriage?”
Even several members of the royal court remained expressionless, offering no clue.
The Second Prince himself simply stood with a faint smile, giving nothing away.
The Crown Prince’s face was equally unreadable.
Saeroyx quietly leaned toward Kyrth.
“So…”
“They’re announcing a wedding without saying who the other person is?”
“…Apparently.”
“That’s dramatic.”
“It is unusual.”
Saeroyx’s smile widened.
“I already like this place.”
Kyrth gave him a sidelong glance.
“I can’t decide whether you’re fearless…”
“…or simply incapable of recognizing when something is strange.”
Saeroyx shrugged.
“Maybe both.”
A nearby Starcrosser failed to suppress a laugh.
The King’s voice echoed through the grand hall one final time.
“Your butlers will now escort each registered team to their assigned residence.”
“Each partnership has been provided with a single royal suite.”
“These accommodations will remain yours throughout your stay in Tyrus.”
“Rest well tonight.”
“From tomorrow onward…”
“The preparations for the royal wedding shall begin.”
With that, the audience came to an end.
The butlers stepped forward once more, each approaching a registered team.
“Our suite?” Saeroyx repeated with obvious interest.
He looked toward Kyrth with a teasing grin.
“Looks like we’re roommates.”
Kyrth closed his eyes briefly.
“…Unfortunately.”
Saeroyx laughed.
“I was hoping for a little more excitement.”
“You’ll survive.”
“I don’t know.”
Saeroyx placed a hand dramatically over his heart.
“You’ve rejected me four times today.”
“And yet you continue talking.”
“That’s because I enjoy the challenge.”
Kyrth sighed so quietly it was almost inaudible.
The butler bowed politely.
“If the two of you would follow me.”
They walked through the palace’s endless corridors before stopping before an enormous pair of white doors adorned with silver engravings.
The butler placed a hand against the center.
The doors opened silently.
Beyond them lay a luxurious suite.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glowing skyline of Tyrus.
A spacious sitting room occupied the center, with bookshelves, a dining area, and a balcony opening toward the city.
Farther inside…
Only one bedroom.
And only one king-sized bed.
Saeroyx blinked.
Then slowly turned toward Kyrth.
“…Well.”
“I think Tyrus is trying very hard to convince us we’re a couple.”
Kyrth stared at the room in complete silence.
Then, without changing his expression, he looked at the butler.
“There has been a mistake.”
The butler smiled politely.
“There has not.”
“Every registered partnership is assigned this suite.”
“It has always been this way.”
Kyrth remained silent.
Saeroyx, meanwhile, was trying very hard not to laugh.
This…
Was going to be a very long eight days.
