"Also… the least you must do is dance with three young men."
Carina gasped sharply, as if the words had struck her like a bolt of lightning, and said with shock mixed with panic:
"Wha… What?! Three?! Nooooo! That's impossible! I won't do it!"
…
After approximately a million attempts—or so it felt to Carina—of persuasion, argument, and empty promises, she finally relented. She agreed… but only in front of them. Behind their backs, she knew full well she would not keep that promise.
A few days passed until the day of the party finally arrived.
Carina prepared carefully; she donned her soft pink dress, selected her accessories with meticulous care, then put on those white gloves that covered her hands to the wrists, along with elegant low heels that added to her grace without tiring her.
She went to her father's study to bid him farewell. She knocked on the door gently, then entered, walking with dignity before curtsying before him, showing herself off, and displaying her taste and elegance as befitted a Visci daughter.
Theobald looked up at her, and as soon as he saw her, a warm, bright smile spread across his face.
"My daughter looks beautiful… as always."
He approached her and kissed her forehead tenderly.
"Don't forget the teacher's instructions, and if anyone bothers you, tell me immediately."
Rina nodded enthusiastically, making Theobald smile and say in a softer voice:
"Stay safe, my dear… my little heir."
She bid him farewell, and upon exiting, she ran into her grandmother, so she bid her farewell too before heading towards the carriage. She climbed in and sat waiting… for San and Sina.
Unfortunately, she had to endure riding the carriage with them.
The siblings arrived shortly; Sina was wearing an elegant blue dress, her eyes filled with the usual coldness, and San in his formal suit with glances not devoid of silent contempt.
The two sat in the seat opposite Rina, and the carriage set off.
Silence prevailed inside, and the road seemed long towards the eastern border. Rina stole a glance at them; San was half asleep, and Sina was engrossed in a book in her hands.
Rina opened her small purse, took out an elegant pen and her notebook, and began jotting down the preparations and ideas she had for the day. About ten minutes passed before the driver announced in a voice audible to all:
"We've reached the border. It will take about fifteen minutes to reach the Marquis's palace, ladies and sir."
Rina and Sina heard him, but San… remained captive to his sleep.
Rina tried to peek from behind the curtain; there they were before the protective Eastern gates. And as soon as the guards spotted the Visci emblem painted on the carriage, the gates opened quietly and respectfully.
Shortly after, the carriage stopped in front of a long line of luxurious carriages near the Marquis's palace. The guard opened the door, and the three disembarked together. They walked slowly on the red carpet leading to the entrance, and upon reaching it, they found the Marquis's son and daughter greeting the guests.
"Welcome, Your Highness Princess Visci, and welcome to Mr. and Miss Bional. We are delighted you could attend today's party."
They bowed to them; San and Sina with a full bow, while Rina merely placed her hand on her heart and lowered her head slightly, without fully bowing her back—for her status was still higher and nobler.
"Thank you for your kind invitation. I am pleased to be among you at this beautiful gathering that brings us together."
Rina said with a refined smile, before San or Sina found a chance to speak, so they settled for artificial smiles.
"Please, this way," said the Marquis's daughter kindly.
The three entered, and Rina paused for a moment.
A crowd of teenagers and those a bit younger; whispers, laughs, scattered groups. Girls whispering about dance partners, boys already choosing, groups laughing and joking, and others sitting immersed in gossip.
Decorations filled the place, tables arranged carefully to suit their ages and the calm atmosphere, servants in every corner, and soft music flowing from the musicians, bringing a strange comfort to the heart.
Rina took a step forward and smiled with shy enthusiasm, her eyes searching for someone she knew. Her gaze caught Damian, laughing and talking with one of the noble sons. She hesitated to interrupt him, so she moved further… and some of the crowd began to gather around her.
"Oh! It's Princess Visci! Isn't she the one who was sick?"
"Yes, I heard her head was injured!"
"How are you, Your Highness?"
"Isn't she the one who performed The Buried Pride sonata?"
"She's the star of the musicians!"
---
"Thank you, everyone… I am well and in good health."
Rina said with a calm smile, but she felt the weight of the stares more than the words. She had barely finished her sentence when another crowd approached, and suddenly a girl's excited shout rang out, her voice almost jumping with enthusiasm:
"Isn't your uncle Lord Yuri Visci?! Wow! When is he coming back?!"
Rina froze in place for a moment, her eyes widening in surprise. Before she could process the question, voices poured in from all sides:
"Handsome, tall, strong, and friendly… what a wonderful man!"
"I read in the Yuri Visci newsletter that he's in the country, but in another region!"
Rina gasped involuntarily and stared at them with frank astonishment.
"My uncle… has a news magazine?!"
She wasn't unaware of people's admiration for her uncle; she knew his features leaned more towards Asian than European, and his mixed blood sparked debate among the nobles… but she never imagined it would reach this level of obsession.
"Wait, you all! He's engaged, be quiet!"
Rina said it quickly, in a tone she tried to make low and firm so as not to be heard by many, but that didn't stop one of the girls from leaning in and whispering to her friend with a sly smile:
"And what's the problem? He can have mistresses... and I think that's possible."
In an instant, her friend poked her sharply and whispered angrily:
"Shut up! They are against such things; they don't take mistresses. If anyone hears you, you fool…!"
Carina stood among them, looking on in silent shock, as if watching a strange world she hadn't realized was watching her family so closely.
With confident, quiet steps, Damian moved towards the crowd. As soon as everyone noticed him, they automatically stepped back, making way for him with clear respect.
"Oh, Damian! How are you!"
Rina said with sincere relief and stepped towards him, smiling.
"I'm fine. Carina… thank goodness for your safety. I heard you were injured."
She nodded gently, and they exchanged a calm, warm, unforced smile.
All eyes were on them; on their natural closeness, on a harmony that needed no explanation.
As for Sina… she stood at a distance, staring with sharp, hateful glances towards Carina. She approached some of the princesses, moved among them with a polished smile that hid inner anger, and began trying to weave relationships with noble girls.
San, for his part, seemed lost; moving a little then stopping, as if the place was rejecting him.
Rina talked quietly with Damian, then took a deep breath and said:
"Look… the idiot San is standing alone. I'll go get him moving and come back."
Damian nodded, watching her with calm eyes as she headed towards her cousin.
"Hey! You fool! Why are you standing alone?!"
She said as she pushed him lightly:
"There are lots of boys your age here, they'll like you! Only cowards hide! Come on!"
She insisted, pushed him again, but he shouted at her, annoyed, his face reddening:
"Get away, you…!"
He pushed her hand roughly. Rina quickly withdrew her hands, her smile gone. She turned towards the entrance… and at that moment, time stopped.
Vicky Flax.
And Richard Flax… her half-brother.
Carina's eyes widened, filling with tears before she could stop them. She ran with all the longing in her body and threw herself forcefully into Vicky's embrace.
Vicky hugged her immediately and laughed happily:
"Carina!! I missed you!!"
Then she pushed her back a little to look at her face, and as soon as she saw her tears, she gasped:
"You fool! Why are you crying?! Should I take you back to Papa?"
"Shut up!"
Rina said, laughing and crying at the same time:
"I missed you…"
The past crept into her memory; that night she heard the news of her friend's death, the pain, the emptiness, the fear. She remembered how Victoria was always wounded by her stepmother's cruelty, the Countess. She looked at Vicky's hands… unscathed, without wounds.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
From a distance, Damian watched the scene and smiled quietly, then sat on one of the seats and went back to talking with the others.
With deliberate calm, Rina was strolling with her friend through the corridors of the vast place, where the scent of flowers mixed with the soft sound of music and the noise of the guests. The fan in her hands was closed tightly, as if trying to hold back her flowing thoughts. The light reflected in her eyes as she said with a tone full of enthusiasm:
"I'm glad I convinced my father to let me come… and I must attract attention at this party, I want him to be proud of me."
Vicky said that quietly, but behind her words was a hidden determination, a child's desire still seeking her father's acknowledgment. Carina turned to her, her gaze carrying sincere curiosity:
"And why did he refuse to let you come in the first place?"
Vicky sighed and raised her fan to cover half her face, as if hiding from a distressing memory: "Ah… all because of my father's wife… that annoying woman."
Rina understood the meaning immediately, and anger flashed in her eyes as she whispered in a low voice: "Is… is she still hurting you?"
Vicky nodded slowly, then let out a short sigh: "No… not now. My father's mistress is the one defending me these days… not because she loves me, but because she's trying to win him over to her side. Honestly, I don't know what she even sees in him… his face is ugly."
Carina couldn't prevent her laughter from escaping at the last comment, laughing lightly and drawing some looks towards them. Then she said in a more solemn tone: "It doesn't matter. What's important is that she's good to you now. And you must also strive for your future… for your wish."
Victoria's features calmed, as if the words touched something deep inside her: "I really don't know how I'll convince my father to allow me to study veterinary medicine… he's still difficult and stubborn."
Rina stopped walking, turned to her, then firmly placed her hand on Vicky's shoulder: "Don't worry. I'll help you… I promise."
Victoria's smile widened, and she threw herself into Rina's embrace forcefully, as if clinging to safety: "My best friend… and the sweetest!"
They laughed together, a light and sincere laugh that seemed like a brief respite from a merciless world.
As for Sina, she was watching the scene from afar, occasionally stealing glances towards Carina before returning to talk with the daughter of Duke Prelimon… Beatrice Prelimon.
Beatrice was surrounded by a crowd of girls, questions and words of admiration swirling around her, praising her undeniable, captivating beauty. An aristocratic, quiet beauty, carrying the remnants of the majesty of a woman who once sat on the imperial throne.
Yes, she was the Empress in the past.
Rina saw the scene and remembered. Beatrice was arrogant, that's true, but she was smart enough to marry the Third Prince in times past. That marriage was no coincidence; Duke Prelimon's alliance with the crown prince of that era was as clear as day. Yet, the Third Prince didn't hate her… he truly loved her.
Until Sina entered.
Somehow, the Prince took her as a mistress, and over time, he began to neglect Beatrice with cruel disregard, as if she had become a shadow of the woman who was once everything. And without anyone's knowledge… except Carina.
Carina alone knew the truth, because she had tasted the darkness of black magic and lived among its chains. She saw how Sina began, in secret, to destroy Beatrice with forbidden incantations. Malicious sorcery, slowly turning a person into a near-monster, a body deforming and a soul corroding, then… inevitable death.
That's what Sina did to that girl.
And when Beatrice fell, Sina sat on the throne instead, as if she had just been waiting for the moment. The Prelimon family tried to fight, to reclaim at least half of their rights, but all those attempts faded before the strong grip and invincible influence of the Third Prince.
And so… everything ended.
Or so it seemed to everyone.
Both Victoria and Carina sat at a table surrounded by an elite group of noble girls, young ladies of similar ages, their laughter mingling with excited whispers and endless talks about dancing, alliances, and who would be the most prominent partner that night.
One of the girls said, a haughty smile not devoid of pride on her lips: "Ah… my first partner tonight is the son of Marquis Polius… the host of this party."
Her tone didn't hide her happiness; rather, she deliberately displayed it. Another hurriedly said with enthusiasm: "How wonderful! And what about Miss Leonora?"
The daughter of Marquis Polius, Leonora herself, smiled a calm, elegant smile and said in a gentle voice: "As for me… I will dance with the younger Lord Prelimon."
Gasps of admiration erupted immediately, and the girls exchanged looks of suppressed envy. He's the second son of Duke Prelimon, Beatrice's half-brother… a name alone enough to set hearts aflame.
And before the whispers subsided, a confident voice came from the other end of the table, the voice of the daughter of Duke Trions: "And I… will dance with the First Prince."
It was as if a thunderbolt had struck the place. Another group of girls gasped with even greater fascination, while the daughter of Duke Trions exchanged sharp glances with her sister sitting nearby, a silent conflict needing no words.
One of the noble ladies said, her eyes gleaming with curiosity: "And what about Miss Beatrice?… and also Miss Carina?"
Carina was distracted, lost in a whirl of old memories, images of the throne, magic, and collapse… until her name was heard, and she flinched lightly, as if suddenly brought back to reality. She hadn't even thought about it.
Beatrice said quickly, as if she had decided the matter beforehand: "Oh… I will dance with the Third Prince."
Murmurs of admiration rose again, and excitement shone in their eyes. "What a suitable couple!" one of them said, then all eyes turned towards Carina, awaiting her response.
Carina stammered: "Ah… I… I… It's…"
The words stuck in her throat, and tension began to creep onto her features. She let out a faint, flustered laugh, and Vicky smiled slyly and pinched Rina hard from the side: "You fool! Say something!"
Rina hurried to save the situation and said quickly, tapping her fingers: "Oh, it's a secret… a surprise, a surprise!"
The girls finally calmed down before one of them said in a tone no less boastful: "As for me, my dance will be with the Second Prince, as he promised me."
Little screams rose, and whispers began comparing the handsomeness of the Second and Third Princes, and which of them outshone the other.
Rina frowned upon hearing that, and her features suddenly changed. Her eyes began searching the hall for Damian, and Vicky whispered to her in a low voice that might reach some of the girls' ears: "You jealous thing… stop it, the Prince isn't a cheater like you."
Rina flinched strongly and turned to her: "Shut up!!!"
Vicky burst out laughing, rose from her chair, and with a slow, deliberate movement began to "escape." "Where are you running to, you dreamer?!"
She laughed as she ran through the crowd, and Carina chased after her, her eyes gleaming with a childish desire for revenge, both laughing carelessly of noble rules.
They ran through the corridors, laughter, chaos, uncalculated steps… until Rina began to slow her speed, wanting to stop, but—
Vicky bumped into someone.
She stepped back quickly, her face red with embarrassment. She didn't even raise her eyes but bowed apologetically immediately. A calm, gentle voice came to her: "It's alright, Miss Flax."
It was him… the son of Marquis Polius, the host of the party himself.
Carina approached in two steps, laughing a victorious laugh, then straightened up and whispered: "Come on, be happy… Lord Polius is kind-hearted."
Vicky looked at her with shame and confusion, wanting to ask her to be quiet, but she couldn't utter a single word.
The boy said with a polite smile: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness… I hope you both enjoy the party."
Then he withdrew quietly to his place.
As soon as he left, Carina burst out laughing: "You got shy!!!"
And as they began playfully bickering, a strong melody suddenly started, and the dancers gathered in the center of the hall. The crowd moved forward to watch the famous singer specially invited for this party. Awe spread, and Carina and Vicky's laughter faded as they stepped forward with the others, captivated by the scene.
The song ended, and applause erupted.
The Marquis's daughter stepped forward and said in a loud voice: "By the honor of the Polius family… I was impressed by Princess Carina's performance at the previous music awards ceremony. Would you honor us with a piece tonight?"
Carina smiled nervously, and Vicky jumped to her side and whispered enthusiastically: "Go on! Play the song ////, and I'll sing it!"
Rina got excited and nodded with an outward steadiness that hid her trembling heart. They stepped towards the stage with hesitant steps. Rina sat in front of the grand piano, her fingers recalling the melody from memory, while Vicky stood beside her, trying to control her nerves.
Carina thought: If I excel, and everyone is impressed… Father will be pleased. If I make a mistake… if anyone hears my mistake… Father will be angry.
And silence fell.
One moment… before the music began.
Carina started to play.
Her fingers flowed over the piano keys with astonishing calm, as if they knew the way alone without hesitation. Her smile was light, reassuring, and the performance was soft and warm, like a gentle evening breeze sneaking into the hall. With the first note, the noise lessened, and a listening silence prevailed.
Then… Vicky's voice soared.
It was quiet, transparent, echoing between the hall's pillars and high corners. Despite the tension constricting her chest, her voice came out steady, sincere, carrying a feeling that made hearts lean without resistance. The singing blended with the playing in beautiful harmony, as if the melody was born for this moment alone.
The music continued, steady, confident, until it ended in complete calm.
For a short second… silence reigned.
Then the hall exploded with applause.
Sounds echoed in its luxurious expanse, frank admiration, mesmerized looks, and countless whispers. Damian smiled as he looked at Carina, a long look carrying silent appreciation. At the same time, the crowd began to gather around Vicky, praising her voice, her tenderness, the beauty of her performance.
Rina seized the opportunity and approached Damian with quiet steps. "What did you think of the performance?"
He placed his hand on her shoulder without hesitation and said with simple sincerity: "Magnificent."
One word… but it was enough.
The next music started, dance music, and partners began to step forward. Rina and Vicky stood beside each other, whispering, still under the influence of the moment, until a boy approached Vicky with a polite bow: "Would you care for a dance, Miss?"
He extended his hand… and before she could answer, two others stepped forward. "I liked your voice, may I have a dance?" "No, I asked first!"
Voices rose, and a silly squabble began, so Carina stepped forward decisively: "You two, stop!!"
And suddenly…