"His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor!" a guard announced, his voice booming. "And his most esteemed guest, the General, Prince Alaric!"
The massive doors of the great hall swung open, and all heads in the hall turned toward the grand archway before bowing deeply.
The court parted like a curtain.
The Emperor, in his regal gold and crimson robes, entered first, his presence filling the vast space with an air of absolute authority.
Just behind him, a stark contrast to the Emperor's flamboyant attire, was Prince Alaric.
He was dressed in a black military uniform, its impeccable lines and polished silver buttons were a testament to his disciplined nature.
His short dark hair was perfectly styled, and his chiseled jaw was set in a calm, powerful expression.
Daphne's heart was beating fast. Her first instinct was to hide, to shrink back into the shadows and pull the veil even tighter over her face.
But her feet remained rooted to the spot.
Her gaze was fixed on Alaric. He was even more formidable in person than she remembered.
In her last life, she had seen him only as a hero from a distance.
Now, she saw the man, the warrior.
The one man who could save her from her fate.
Alaric, for his part, scanned the sea of faces, his mind still preoccupied.
His eyes moved over the crowd, looking for a flash of golden hair, a specific posture, anything that would confirm his absurd suspicion.
His gaze landed on the Duke's family and he saw the silver-blue gown, the delicate veil, and the golden hair peeking out from beneath it.
The sight of her with the Duke's family, the very family he had been watching for years, made everything click into place.
He was certain.
The veiled lady was her.
His eyes met Aidan's, and he gave his friend a brief nod.
Daphne's heart hammered against her ribs.
She saw the flash of recognition in his eyes and the subtle nod to her brother.
He knew.
The Emperor and Prince Alaric made their way through the hall, a path opening up for them as nobles bowed low in deference.
The Emperor proceeded to a magnificent throne-like chair set upon a raised dais. He took his seat, the Empress and four second-rank consorts who had arrived earlier remaining in a deep, respectful bow until he was settled.
The General, Prince Alaric, took his place on a lower, but no less ornate, chair beside the Emperor's. The Empress sat on the other side of her husband.
Their seating arrangement was a visual representation of the kingdom's power: the Emperor at the center, flanked by his two most powerful figures, his General and his Empress.
The ceremony began, as a succession of performers and nobles showcased their talents, from intricate sword dances to beautiful music.
"I'm feeling a bit peckish," Daphne whispered to Lianna.
She had noticed the curious stares she was getting.
"Would you care to join me at the food tables?"
"Of course," Lianna replied, ever observant. "You're a magnet tonight, my friend. It's almost comical."
They made their way to a table laden with pastries, miniature tarts, and exotic fruits.
As they moved through the crowd, whispers followed them.
"Did you see her?" a young noblewoman whispered to her friend, her eyes glued to Daphne. "She's so elegant. Who could she possibly be?"
"Some say she is related to the Duke Thomas family. Perhaps she is his daughter who was supposedly banished to the mountains?"
"Nonsense!" another voice scoffed. "Lady Daphne Thomas was known for her frail health. That woman carries herself like a queen. Her poise is incomparable. Look at the way she walks. She is a true lady. I've never seen such elegance in my life."
"Perhaps she is Finn's fiancée, a match kept secret until tonight's grand reveal?"
Lianna shot a fierce glare in their direction. "They're impossible," she muttered to Daphne.
Daphne simply took a small orange tart, the sweet flavor a momentary distraction from the scrutiny.
From his seat, the Emperor watched Daphne, intrigued by her mysterious elegance.
Her veil was a challenge, and the Emperor was a man who never backed down from one.
While everyone else saw his bored expression, only Alaric noticed his focused attention on the veiled woman who had captivated the entire court.
Her poise was flawless, her movements elegant and deliberate. He saw how the court buzzed with speculation, and he found her ability to command such attention without showing her face to be a fascinating spectacle.
"An interesting guest," the Emperor murmured, his voice low enough to be heard only by Alaric and the Empress.
The Empress, ever watchful, followed his gaze to Daphne. A flicker of annoyance crossed her features. "Just a common girl, surely," she said, her tone dismissive. "Likely a new noble who has yet to learn court etiquette. To wear a veil to a royal ball is unheard of."
Alaric's expression hardened, his jaw tightening and his knuckles clenching at his sides.
The Emperor's gaze on Daphne, combined with the Empress's casual dismissal, was a direct threat to the woman he had decided to claim for himself.
The music shifted, a graceful, flowing melody announcing the start of a new waltz.
A sea of eager young ladies, their expressions a mix of practiced grace and quiet desperation, began to cast hopeful glances toward the dais where Prince Alaric sat.
"Have you ever seen anyone so handsome?" a woman sighed, fanning herself dramatically. "He's even more breathtaking up close."
"My father has already sent three proposals," another girl bragged, flipping her long, dark hair. "He says my wit and family connections will surely win him over."
A third friend, her expression one of determined ambition, scoffed. "My mother told me to get his attention by any means necessary. By hook or by crook. She said our family's future depends on it."
Another young lady at the edge of the group, a cynical expression on her face, shook her head. "You're all just wasting your time. The General has no time for romance. He's married to the battlefield. Everyone knows that."
Lady Victoria, striking in a gown of dark sapphire, did not wait. Confident in her father's powerful position as the Minister of Justice, and her own beauty, she strode directly toward the General's seat.
She had watched with distaste as other girls threw themselves at him.
She was different; she was her father's daughter, a woman of consequence. She was not a common flower to be plucked from the crowd.
She curtsied low, a flawless, elegant dip that was the envy of the court. "My Prince," she began, her voice a low, enchanting purr. "Would you grant me the honor of this dance?"
Alaric, who had been speaking to the Emperor, turned his gaze upon her. His silver eyes were cool and detached, betraying none of the admiration she so confidently expected.
He saw her for exactly what she was: an ambitious noblewoman who had no kindness in her.
He gave her a polite but firm smile. "My apologies, Lady Victoria. But I am not dancing tonight."
The answer, delivered without a moment's hesitation, hung in the air like a slap.
Victoria's perfect composure faltered for a fraction of a second. She had expected to be the exception, to be the one woman he would not refuse.
The public rejection was a humiliation she had not anticipated.
"But... your highness," she stammered, her voice thin with surprise. "It would be an honor to..."
Alaric held up a hand, ending her plea. "I am truly sorry to disappoint you," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Victoria slowly straightened, her face burning with shame.
The court, ever-observant, had noticed the exchange, and a fresh wave of whispers rippled through the hall.
She turned and retreated, her head held high, but the graceful walk was now a furious march.
She had been publicly scorned by the Empire's second most powerful man but she was not going to give up!
The music swelled, and the first waltz began, filling the dance floor with motion and color.
Finn, his heart pounding with determination, approached Lianna.
"Lady Lianna," he said, bowing politely. "Would you grant me the honor of this dance?"
Lianna's eyes widened in surprise, a bright, genuine smile spreading across her face. "Lord Finn," she replied, her voice filled with warmth. "I would be delighted."
He took her hand, and together they stepped onto the dance floor, moving as if they were the only two people in the entire world.
Finn was no expert dancer, but with Lianna in his arms, every step felt perfect.
Their conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and budding affection that was a world away from the formalities of the court.
Meanwhile, a small crowd had begun to gather around Daphne. Her elegance and mystery had made her the most sought-after woman at the ball.
A succession of young nobles approached her, hoping to be the first to uncover the identity of the veiled lady.
But each time, Aidan, ever the protective older brother, would step forward. His cold gaze was enough to send every suitor scurrying away.
Finally, with the dance floor less crowded, Aidan turned to Daphne. "May I have this dance, my lady?" he asked, a teasing smile in his eyes.
Daphne laughed softly. "You drove all the others away, Aidan. It seems I have no other choice."
She took his hand, and they joined the dance.
As they swayed to the rhythm of the song, Daphne's movements were graceful and elegant, her poise absolute.
All eyes were on her. She was not just a woman in a dress; she was a spectacle, an enigma moving with confidence that captured the entire room's attention.
"They are watching you," Aidan whispered, his voice dropping. "The Emperor and the Prince"
Daphne's heart fluttered. "I know," she murmured back.
"Be careful," Aidan warned, his tone serious. "Prince Alaric is a good man, but he is a powerful man. And the Emperor..." He let the sentence hang in the air.
Shortly after, the dance came to an end.
The music softened, and the dancers scattered, leaving the floor open once more.
Just as Daphne and Aidan moved toward their family, a guard approached.
"His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, requests your presence, My Lady," he announced, his voice carrying through the quieted hall.