Gathering Husbands with a System in a Game Like World [BL]

The Royal Knights began to withdraw. Orders were called out. The Horses turned. The once scary formation slowly broke apart as the soldiers marched back toward the capital.

Yet the crowd refused to leave. If anything, more people gathered outside House Valerius. The arrest they had come to see had turned into something completely different. A miracle. A scandal. A story that would spread across the Empire before the sun set.

”I told you something was strange!”

”You absolutely did not.”

”I did!”

”You called him a monster five minutes ago.”

”Let’s not dwell on the details.”

Another group whispered excitedly.

”The Duke falsely accused him.”

”Do you think His Majesty knew?”

”I doubt it.”

”If the Sword Sovereign hadn’t intervened...”

The man did not finish. He did not need to. Everyone understood. Kai Valerius would have died. An innocent man. A chill ran through the crowd as that truth settled in.

Not far away, several noblewomen stood together under colorful parasols. One sighed dreamily.

”I’ve attended every royal banquet for three years. I’ve met princes from neighboring kingdoms. And not one of them compares to Lord Kai.”

Her friend nodded.

”His eyes... They were beautiful.”

”No.”

Another corrected softly.

”Everything about him was beautiful.”

A younger noblewoman frowned.

”Then why did everyone keep saying he was hideous?”

Silence answered her. Finally an elderly noble spoke quietly.

”Because people often believe the first story they’re told.”

No one argued.

Across the square, merchants were already making the tale bigger.

”They say the heavens themselves transformed him overnight!”

”I heard a celestial being blessed House Valerius.”

”No, no. My cousin works near the capital. He told me Lord Kai has always looked like that. The Duke simply spread lies.”

Within minutes the rumors had turned into many different versions.

Kai watched everything from the manor steps. He could hear nearly every conversation. Not because they spoke loudly, but because his senses had grown sharper after the system’s changes. He stayed silent.

Edmund approached carefully.

”Young Master...”

Kai smiled faintly.

”It feels strange.”

Edmund tilted his head.

”What does?”

Kai looked toward the cheering crowd.

”Yesterday most of these people wouldn’t have looked at me. Today they’re praising me.”

He chuckled softly.

”People really are simple.”

Edmund hesitated before answering.

”They are. But not all of them. Beauty opened their eyes. But your conduct earned their respect.”

Kai thought back to what had happened. He had not shouted. He had not insulted anyone. He had not taken revenge even after being publicly shamed. He had simply stayed calm. Perhaps Edmund was right.

Still Kai shook his head.

”I don’t want to be admired because of this face.”

He lightly touched his cheek.

”If one day this beauty disappeared, I wonder how many of them would still stand by me.”

Edmund smiled kindly.

”This old servant would.”

Kai laughed.

”I know. And that is more than enough.”

The courtyard gradually emptied. Merchants went back to their stalls. Commoners headed toward the city, eager to share the news. Soon only the Royal Knights remained.

Captain Roland approached Caelum with his head lowered.

”My Lord... I...”

Caelum did not even look at him.

”You failed to verify the accusations.”

”Yes.”

”You nearly executed an innocent noble.”

”Yes.”

”You allowed emotion to cloud your judgment.”

Roland’s face burned with shame.

”There is no excuse.”

”There isn’t.”

Caelum’s voice stayed calm.

”Submit yourself for disciplinary review.”

Roland bowed deeply.

”I accept.”

He mounted his horse and led the remaining knights away. Within minutes the big estate became quiet again. Except one person had not left. Caelum.

Kai noticed right away. This meeting had never happened in the original game. History was changing.

The system chimed.

[Notice.]

[Fate Divergence has exceeded the minimum threshold.]

[Hidden Events will continue to manifest.]

Kai blinked. Hidden events?

Before he could think more, Caelum began walking toward him. Each step was steady and it felt as if he was measuring them. The servants tensed. Several moved in front of Kai.

Edmund lowered his voice.

”Young Master... Please allow us to accompany you.”

Kai gently shook his head.

”It’s alright. He isn’t here to arrest me.”

The servants looked uncertain but trusted him. They stepped aside reluctantly.

Caelum stopped a few paces away. For several seconds neither man spoke. The silence felt comfortable.

Finally Caelum broke it.

”You handled yourself well.”

Kai smiled.

”I had no other choice.”

”There is always another choice.”

Caelum’s golden eyes met Kai’s.

”Most people panic. Some become angry. Others beg. You did none of those.”

Kai shrugged lightly.

”Panicking wouldn’t have helped. Neither would shouting. And begging only works if the other person intends to listen.”

A faint flicker of approval appeared in Caelum’s eyes.

The system updated quietly.

[SSS-Rank Husband Candidate: Caelum Draven]

[Affinity: 7%]

[Reason: Respect for Host’s composure.]

Kai almost smiled. Sowly. We’re getting somewhere.

Caelum studied him for another moment.

”Were you truly certain they would find nothing?”

Kai answered without hesitation.

”If I weren’t innocent, that would’ve been a terrible gamble.”

For the first time the corners of Caelum’s lips lifted slightly. It was not quite a smile, but the beginning of one. The system reacted.

[Affinity Increased.]

[Current Affinity: 8%]

Kai thought to himself, Eight percent already? You’re easier than your game version.

The system replied, immediately

[Correction. Candidate Caelum Draven is not developing romantic affection].

[Current Affinity represents trust, respect, curiosity, emotional openness, and future relational potential].

[Host is advised against confusing affinity with love.]

Kai coughed awkwardly.

...Right. Thanks for exposing my thoughts.

[Host’s thoughts were sufficiently loud for internal processing.]

Can you not sound smug?

[Negative.]

Kai resisted rolling his eyes. Caelum, unaware of the exchange, reached inside his white coat. He took out a sealed envelope with the Imperial Crest.

Kai’s expression became serious. This never existed in the original game.

Caelum extended the letter.

”This is why I came.”

Kai accepted the envelope with both hands. The wax seal was deep red with the Imperial Dragon. He broke it carefully and unfolded the parchment.

The handwriting was elegant and official.

To Lord Kai Valerius,

News regarding the accusation against you has reached Us. We regret that justice nearly failed one of Our subjects. Your composure in the face of adversity has not gone unnoticed. Therefore, We extend to you an invitation to participate in this year’s Imperial Academy Entrance Examination. Talent should not remain buried because of rumor. May your future be decided by your own merit.

By Our Authority,

His Imperial Majesty.

Kai read it twice, then a third time. His brows furrowed.

”...This shouldn’t exist.”

Caelum heard him.

”It didn’t.”

Kai looked up.

”What?”

Caelum folded his arms.

”That letter did not exist yesterday. The Emperor had no intention of inviting House Valerius. He believed the reports from Duke Ashbourne.”

Kai stayed silent. Caelum continued.

”Three days ago, Lady Seraphine’s personal maid escaped the Ashbourne estate. She sought an audience with His Majesty. She claimed the Duke intended to use his own daughter to eliminate House Valerius and seize its lands. The Emperor did not believe her immediately. But he found the timing suspicious.”

Kai listened closely.

”So he sent you.”

Caelum nodded once.

”I was ordered to observe. Not to interfere. If the accusations were true, I was to ensure the arrest went peacefully. If not, I was to prevent a mistake.”

Kai understood.

”So the invitation was prepared only after today’s events.”

”Correct. It was written while the messenger rode here.”

Kai’s eyes widened slightly. The Emperor had acted very fast.

The system chimed.

[Hidden Story Explanation Unlocked.]

[Host has successfully altered a fixed destiny.]

[Because the execution route no longer occurred, all subsequent events dependent on Host’s death have been recalculated.]

[The Imperial Invitation is not a reward. It is the world’s natural correction after fate was rewritten.]

Kai blinked.

”The world’s correction?”

The system answered.

[Affirmative. The original timeline removed Host from history. Host now remains an active participant. As a result, opportunities once impossible have become possible]

[ This phenomenon is designated: Butterfly Effect.]

Kai slowly lowered the letter.

”So changing one event changes everything after it.”

[Correct. Host possesses knowledge of the original game. However...]

Another window appeared with glowing red edges.

[Warning. Future events are no longer guaranteed. The greater the Fate Divergence, the less reliable Host’s memories become.]

Kai stared at the warning. A smile formed on his lips.

”...Good.”

The system paused.

[Host approves?]

”Of course.”

He looked toward the horizon.

”If everything followed the game exactly, then I’d just be reading a script. I didn’t come to this world to repeat someone else’s story. I came to write my own.”

The system stayed silent for a moment, then responded.

[Statement acknowledged. Host compatibility re-evaluated. Current Compatibility: 100%. Reason: Host has accepted this world as reality rather than fiction.]

Caelum watched Kai fold the letter carefully.

”You intend to accept.”

It was not a question.

Kai smiled.

”I’d be a fool not to. The Imperial Academy is the center of the continent. It gathers geniuses from every kingdom.”

Caelum nodded.

”It will also be dangerous.”

”I expected nothing less.”

For the first time Caelum extended his hand.

”Then allow me to say this properly. Congratulations.”

Kai looked at the offered hand. In the original game this man was the legendary Sword Sovereign. Now he was congratulating him personally. Kai reached out. Their handshake was firm and respectful.

The system reacted immediately.

[Bond Established.]

[Candidate Caelum Draven recognizes Host as a worthy individual.]

[Affinity Increased: 10%.]

Kai almost laughed. Ten percent was good but he was expecting more.

Caelum released his hand after a long lingering touch.

”The Academy examinations begin in one month. I suggest you prepare.”

”I will.”

Caelum turned toward his carriage. After several steps he stopped. Without looking back he said,

”Lord Kai.”

”Yes?”

”Do not disappoint His Majesty.”

Kai chuckled softly.

”I’ll try not to disappoint myself first.”

A faint smile tugged at Caelum’s lips.

”...A wiser answer.”

With that he entered the carriage. The horses moved, and the Sword Sovereign disappeared down the road.

Kai stood at the manor gates until the carriage was gone. The afternoon breeze stirred his white hair. For the first time since arriving in this world he felt excitement. Not fear. Not uncertainty. Excitement.

The system chimed one final time.

[Main Story Quest Updated.]

[Destination: Imperial Academy.]

[Time Remaining: 30 Days.]

[Objective: Become strong enough to survive the opening of the Academy Arc.]

Kai slipped the invitation safely inside his coat and looked toward the distant capital. A few hours ago this body’s fate had been execution. Now the road led to the greatest academy on the continent.

He smiled.