The Banished Prince's Survival in a Romance Novel

The time for the Princess consort talent showcase had arrived. The air was filled with excitement as the first performer, the White Princess, took the stage. She moved gracefully across the floor, her steps light and measured, as she began her folk dance. The melody of traditional instruments resonated through the air, adding to the elegance of her performance. Her movements were fluid, capturing the essence of her palace's culture and history, as the audience watched in awe.

The White Princess's dance was a perfect blend of precision and fluidity, reflecting both the strength and grace of her people. As she finished with a graceful spin and a bow, the audience erupted into applause, impressed by the beauty and elegance of her performance.

Rin watched the White Princess's folk dance with a keen eye, his understanding of each step and movement clear in his mind. The grace with which she moved spoke of years of practice and dedication. As the dance unfolded, he recognized the intricate patterns of her footwork and the subtle shifts in her body language, all carefully designed to tell a story of tradition and culture. Each step had its purpose, its meaning, and the White Princess executed them flawlessly.

For Rin, it wasn't just about the performance; it was the way she conveyed the essence of her people through each movement. He admired her precision and the elegance she embodied, seeing how deeply she understood the significance of her art. The White Princess had truly mastered the dance, and Rin couldn't help but be impressed by her ability to bring such beauty to life.

Rin felt a sense of unease settle in as he watched the Azure Princess, Chinen Suzuki, step onto the stage. He had heard whispers of her plan to perform a poem, but a part of him dreaded what the content might be. Her gaze had been intense whenever it lingered on him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that she might somehow incorporate him into her performance.

As Chinen Suzuki began, her voice rang out clearly, each word flowing smoothly with grace. Rin quickly realized that this wasn't just any ordinary poetry recital. The Azure Princess wove her psychic magic into the verses, and soon, illusions began to form around her. Images and scenes materialized in the air, each one beautifully illustrating the words she spoke. It was mesmerizing to watch—the way the illusions danced and shifted, capturing the essence of her poem.

Rin couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort, especially when he saw some of the illusions flicker with images that felt all too familiar. Despite the enchantment of the display, a quiet, unspoken tension lingered in the air, as if Chinen Suzuki's poem was not just an artistic expression, but a hidden message—one that he wasn't sure he was ready to hear.

Rin breathed a sigh of relief as the Azure Princess's poem unfolded. Thankfully, it was not about him, but rather a reflection of her personal journey. She spoke of her sickness, of the trials she had faced, and how each struggle had taught her to view the world in a new light. The illusions surrounding her shifted with each verse, depicting scenes of hardship, recovery, and growth. It was as if the world itself had changed for her, showing her beauty even in the smallest, most mundane things.

The poem was deeply personal, revealing a side of the Azure Princess that few had seen—her vulnerability, her strength, and the quiet resilience that lay beneath her royal facade. Rin could see the healing in her words, the way she had learned to appreciate life despite the trials she had endured. It was a powerful performance, one that left the audience in quiet awe, and Rin couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. Though her feelings for him remained unspoken, the weight of her emotions was clear in the poem's verses.

The Azure Princess's final words resonated deeply with the audience, as she described the image of a star shining through the dark, endless night. Her poetry painted a vivid picture of hope—a single, steadfast light that pierced the overwhelming darkness, standing as a symbol of resilience. Even in the most hopeless of circumstances, the star endured, unwavering and constant.

The imagery was both beautiful and poignant, drawing out emotions from everyone who listened. Rin felt the weight of her words, knowing she had poured her heart into this performance. Though the poem wasn't directly about him, he could feel the lingering sentiment, the unspoken message she had woven through her verses. The star, symbolizing hope, seemed to mirror her own struggle, and Rin couldn't help but wonder if she saw herself as that star—shining through her pain, holding onto the hope that things would get better.

As the applause for the Azure Princess's performance echoed throughout the hall, Rin stood up, preparing to leave. His mission now was to assist the Vermillion Princess with her sword dance, but as he glanced toward the stage, his eyes met the Azure Princess's gaze. She smiled at him, a soft, knowing smile that seemed to hold deeper meaning, sending an unexpected shiver down his spine.

Rin's heart raced slightly, but he kept his composure. He couldn't afford to show any sign of weakness or discomfort. The smile she gave him only served to remind him of the delicate situation he was in—one that was growing increasingly complicated. He could feel her eyes on him, the weight of her unspoken feelings. But there was no time to dwell on it. With a steady breath, Rin turned and made his way to the Vermillion Princess, who was preparing for her turn.

The Vermillion Princess, Rei, flashed a confident smile as she faced Rin. There was a gleam of determination in her eyes, but it was also mixed with a hint of excitement. "Thank you, Rin. With you by my side, I know everything will go as planned. I'll be able to push my limits today."

Rin gave a slight nod, his expression serious but supportive. "You can go all out, Vermillion Princess. I'll be sure to hold my ground and make it believable. Feel free to improvise if you need to."

Rei's smile widened at his words. "I appreciate that. Let's make this a performance they won't forget."

With a final glance between them, the two readied themselves, the air thick with anticipation as the stage was set for the sword dance that would follow.

As the two stepped onto the stage, the emperor's gaze snapped to Rin, his eyes widening in surprise. For a brief moment, recognition hit him hard—this was his son. However, Rin's composed expression and subtle glance towards his father sent a silent message: *Don't do anything rash, Father.* The emperor, understanding the unspoken warning, immediately relaxed, though a sense of unease still lingered in his eyes. He chose to remain silent and watch, trusting that things would unfold as planned.

Meanwhile, on stage, the Vermillion Princess drew her blade with grace, her movements a testament to her mastery. She held it with elegance, poised to perform the sword dance. Beside her, Rin gripped his old, dull-bladed katana in an unorthodox manner. His thumb pressed against the guard, while the unsheathed blade pointed forward in a stance that was both unexpected and strangely effective. It wasn't the conventional approach, but Rin's focus was sharp, and his readiness was clear. He was prepared to meet the Vermillion Princess's every move with precision, ready to counter and make the dance come to life.

The Vermillion Princess moved swiftly, launching herself into a dash before executing a powerful downward slash. Rin reacted quickly, blocking the strike with the scabbard of his katana before drawing the blade and countering. But the Vermillion Princess was faster—she evaded his strike with a graceful sidestep and immediately retaliated with another swift slash from the side.

Rin, focusing intently, imbued his old blade with reinforcement magic. The blade shimmered faintly, as if glowing with a sharpened edge, though in reality, it remained an old, worn weapon. The mana infused into it gave the illusion of sharpness, enhancing the blade's effectiveness. Rin relied on his refined technique and magic to make it feel as if his katana was as dangerous as any true sword, though it was all part of the performance—just another layer in the intricate dance they were performing for the crowd.

The exchange of blades was lightning fast, each strike executed with precision and grace. While the performance could be considered scripted, the speed and fluidity of their movements spoke volumes about their skills. Rin, though on the receiving end of the assault, was never truly threatened. His eyes tracked every movement, every subtle shift in the Vermillion Princess's stance. Despite her relentless barrage of attacks, none of her strikes reached him.

Rin had consciously taken a step back, allowing the Vermillion Princess to take the lead and dictate the flow of the spar. He was giving her the freedom to experiment with different techniques, and just as he had expected, she went off script at times—trying new moves, testing his limits. But Rin wasn't caught off guard. His senses were sharp, and the magic infused into his body gave him enhanced reflexes. With every attack, he could see it coming before it even reached him, dodging and parrying with minimal effort.

As the sword dance reached its climax, Rin nodded at the Vermillion Princess, signaling the moment they had been preparing for. With a swift and practiced motion, the Vermillion Princess imbued her mana into her blade, transforming it into a vibrant, vermillion-colored flame. The fiery aura that enveloped her sword embodied the spirit of the Vermillion Bird Palace, radiating a fierce beauty that captivated the audience.

The crowd watched in awe as she charged forward, each strike of her flame-infused sword sparking with the intensity of her magic. Rin met her every move with grace, his old blade barely holding its own against the ferocity of her attacks. Each clash sent sparks flying, but Rin remained calm, allowing her to guide the flow of their dance. However, with one precise strike aimed at the center of his blade, his old sword shattered into two pieces, the once-durable weapon now rendered useless.

The fiery sword arced toward his head in a final, decisive move, but Rin, ever the agile warrior, spun out of the way, dodging the strike with practiced ease. He passed by the Vermillion Princess, his broken sword in hand. The audience gasped, witnessing the broken weapon and the end of the performance. Rin raised his hand in surrender, signaling the end of their dance, and as he did so, the crowd erupted in applause, marveling at the skill, magic, and elegance displayed by both the Vermillion Princess and her partner.

The officials watched in awe as the Vermillion Princess showcased her exceptional skill, her fiery blade cutting through the air with elegance and power. Her performance, culminating in the striking image of her flame-infused sword breaking Rin's old blade, left a lasting impression. It wasn't just her technical prowess that impressed them, but the way she wielded her power with grace and precision.

The spectacle conveyed a powerful message—how a single moment, a decisive strike, could break through even the most unyielding defenses. Rin, despite calmly receiving each attack, could not withstand the overwhelming force of her final blow. The officials couldn't help but be in awe of how the Vermillion Princess combined both her swordsmanship and magic, creating a performance that was not only visually stunning but also symbolically powerful. It was clear that she had earned her place among the Princess Consorts, and this performance would be remembered as one of the most impressive of the entire celebration.

The Emperor's hand, poised to present the Golden Pin to the Vermillion Princess, froze in mid-air as a voice rang out from the crowd. "For the Fall of the Empire!" The words struck like a thunderclap, and a ripple of panic spread through the audience. Before anyone could fully react, a dark magic circle began to form beneath specific sections of the Pavilion. Its ominous glow filled the air with tension.

Rin's eyes widened as the circle expanded, knowing instinctively what was about to happen. The teleportation magic was active. Without wasting a moment, he pushed forward, calling out to the panicked crowd, "Get out of the Magic Circle! It's a teleportation type!" He could see the fear in the eyes of the people around him. Some froze in terror, while others scrambled in all directions.

With no time to lose, Rin darted through the chaos. His body moved with precise urgency as he shoved people away from the expanding magic circle, guiding them to safety. His heart pounded as the feeling of impending doom weighed on him. He couldn't let the circle engulf them. But just as he pushed the last group of people clear, the magic circle activated.

Rin's vision blurred as the world around him twisted and distorted. Before he could react further, the pull of the teleportation magic gripped him, drawing him into the sub-space. His body vanished into the shimmering vortex, disappearing from the pavilion as the magic consumed him.

Inside the dark, swirling expanse of the teleportation spell, Rin steeled himself. He knew the story he had read about, the terrorist attack, and the sub-space filled with demons. Innocent lives were at stake. He wasn't about to let that happen.

Rin focused, gathering his thoughts and preparing for whatever lay ahead. This was no longer just a celebration. It was a test—one where he would face whatever horrors awaited him to save those who had been pulled into the void alongside him. He was ready to intervene, to fight, and to protect.