The day of the welcoming banquet finally arrived.
From the early hours of the morning, the Imperial Palace bustled with activity.
Servants hurried through the corridors carrying fresh flowers, polishing crystal chandeliers, and preparing the Grand Ballroom for the most important diplomatic event Terraina had hosted in decades.
Every influential noble family had received an invitation.
None could afford to be absent.
Inside the Grand Duke's mansion, Marbella stood before a full-length mirror.
She wore an elegant silver gown embroidered with delicate silver thread that shimmered beneath the candlelight. Rather than choosing the royal violet she had favored in her previous life, she had deliberately selected a more understated color.
Mia adjusted the final ribbon behind her neck.
"My Lady…"
"You look beautiful."
Marbella smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
A gentle knock sounded.
"Marbella?"
"Come in."
The door opened to reveal Grand Duchess Helena Petrovic.
Even after years of marriage, Helena remained one of the Empire's most admired noblewomen. Her platinum-blonde hair was tied into an elegant chignon, while her gentle pink eyes reflected the royal blood of the Kingdom of Heiderburgh.
She looked at her daughter for a long moment before smiling warmly.
"My little girl has truly grown up."
Marbella's heart tightened.
In her previous life…
Her mother had died without ever learning why House Petrovic had been condemned.
Unable to stop herself, Marbella stepped forward and embraced her.
Helena blinked in surprise before gently returning the hug.
"What is it?"
Marbella smiled.
"I simply wanted to hug you."
Helena chuckled softly.
"I suppose daughters never outgrow their mothers."
"No."
"They never do."
For that brief moment…
Marbella allowed herself to forget revenge.
Outside, three luxurious carriages bearing the crest of House Petrovic departed for the Imperial Palace.
The Grand Ballroom glittered beneath hundreds of crystal chandeliers.
Music floated gently through the hall as nobles from across the Empire conversed in small groups.
The herald struck his staff upon the marble floor.
"His Grace, Grand Duke Adrian Petrovic."
"Her Grace, Grand Duchess Helena Petrovic."
"Lady Marbella Petrovic."
The ballroom grew noticeably quieter.
House Petrovic entered with composed elegance.
Grand Duke Adrian walked confidently at the front.
Helena matched his pace with effortless grace.
Marbella followed half a step behind her parents.
Whispers immediately spread throughout the hall.
"House Petrovic…"
"The Empire's strongest ducal family."
"The Grand Duchess is as elegant as ever."
"And Lady Marbella truly inherited the beauty of both her parents."
Marbella paid no attention to the curious gazes surrounding them.
She had experienced far greater attention as Empress.
This was nothing.
Moments later…
The sound of trumpets echoed throughout the ballroom.
Every noble immediately turned toward the grand entrance.
The herald raised his voice.
"Their Imperial Majesties!"
The massive doors slowly opened.
Emperor Hans Terraina entered first, dressed in magnificent imperial robes.
Beside him walked Empress Beatrice, whose regal elegance immediately drew respectful admiration from the assembled nobles.
Behind them stood Crown Prince Wilbert, wearing a formal white military uniform embroidered with gold.
Although his complexion remained pale, his posture was dignified.
The entire ballroom bowed deeply.
Emperor Hans ascended the imperial dais before taking his seat upon the throne.
Empress Beatrice sat gracefully beside him.
Wilbert took his place slightly behind and to the Emperor's right.
After a brief silence, Emperor Hans raised one hand.
"You may rise."
Everyone obeyed.
The Emperor's gaze soon found House Petrovic.
"Adrian."
"It has been too long."
Grand Duke Adrian stepped forward with Helena and Marbella.
All three bowed respectfully before the imperial dais.
"This subject greets Your Majesty."
Helena curtsied gracefully.
"This subject greets Your Majesty."
Marbella followed.
"This subject greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Hans smiled warmly.
"No formalities tonight."
"We are among family."
Grand Duke Adrian smiled.
"As Your Majesty wishes."
Empress Beatrice's eyes settled upon Helena.
"It has been quite some time since we last spoke."
Helena smiled.
"It has indeed."
"I hope Your Majesty has remained in good health."
"As well as one can while worrying over children."
Her words carried gentle humor.
Helena laughed softly.
"I believe every mother shares that burden."
The two women exchanged knowing smiles.
Then the Empress turned toward Marbella.
"You've grown into a remarkable young lady."
"I heard your birthday banquet was a great success."
Marbella bowed her head slightly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I was honored by everyone's presence."
Before the Empress could continue, Wilbert stepped forward.
"Cousin."
His gentle smile immediately brightened his pale face.
"I'm glad you accepted Father's invitation."
Marbella returned the smile.
"So am I, Your Highness."
Wilbert chuckled.
"I've recovered enough to attend today's banquet."
"It wasn't easy convincing Mother."
Empress Beatrice sighed dramatically.
"You neglected to mention that your physicians were against the idea."
Wilbert smiled sheepishly.
"They worry too much."
"They care for Your Highness."
Marbella answered calmly.
"And so does Her Majesty."
Wilbert lowered his eyes with a faint smile.
"I know."
"But I cannot remain hidden forever."
"If I am to become Emperor someday…"
"…I must learn to fulfill my duties."
Emperor Hans looked at his eldest son with quiet pride.
"Well said."
Helena smiled gently.
"I'm certain Your Highness will become a wise ruler."
Wilbert bowed respectfully.
"I hope to live up to everyone's expectations."
Marbella silently observed him.
The kindness in his eyes had not changed.
Neither had the quiet determination she had begun to notice.
This time…
She would not allow him to die.
Just then, the herald struck his staff once again.
The music ceased.
Every noble instinctively turned toward the entrance.
The herald's voice echoed throughout the Grand Ballroom.
"His Imperial Majesty…"
"…Emperor Caelan Valerius of the Northern Empire!"
The enormous doors slowly opened.
A tall man entered with measured, confident steps.
He wore a black military uniform adorned with silver embroidery rather than ceremonial robes.
A dark cloak rested upon his shoulders.
His silver hair gleamed beneath the crystal chandeliers.
His piercing steel-blue eyes calmly surveyed the assembled nobles.
Behind him followed the Northern delegation in flawless formation.
The atmosphere within the ballroom changed instantly.
Even seasoned generals found themselves unconsciously straightening their posture.
This was not merely another monarch.
This was the ruler who had forged the largest empire on the continent.
Marbella finally understood.
The silver-haired man she had encountered twice before…
Was truly Emperor Caelan Valerius.
As Caelan's gaze swept across the hall…
It paused for only a heartbeat.
On Marbella.
Recognition flickered in his eyes.
The young woman from the marketplace.
The young woman from the conservatory.
Marbella met his gaze calmly.
She offered the proper greeting due to a foreign sovereign.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Caelan inclined his head almost imperceptibly before continuing toward the imperial dais.
No one else seemed to notice.
Except one man.
Standing near the ministers, Chancellor Lucien Veritas observed the brief exchange without missing a single detail.
His expression remained perfectly composed.
Yet behind his calm eyes…
A new calculation had already begun.
For the first time in many years…
Something had appeared on the board that he had neither predicted…
Nor controlled.