Chapter 3: The Appearance of the Forgotten Princess
Emperor Arthur slowly entered the grand banquet hall, his hand gently holding that of Empress Sophia.
Arthur D. Velarent, the sixth emperor since the founding of the kingdom, was lauded as the sovereign who had successfully defended the realm during the decade of the Great Beast Uprising, when feral monsters relentlessly assaulted the land.
Moreover, as a Sword Saint of the eighth rank, Emperor Arthur stood among the most formidable individuals in the kingdom, earning the unwavering loyalty of the royal knights.
Empress Sophia had once been Arthur's childhood companion. Though he had chosen another as his First Empress in the early years after his ascension, fate shifted when an incident involving the "First Princess" led to the deposition of Empress Liliane. Sophia reclaimed her rightful place at Arthur's side.
When Sophia returned with Prince Caesar—now a strong and striking young man—everyone was left in shock. His presence was undeniable proof of her bond with the emperor.
Though their love story had endured tribulations, it was nevertheless celebrated as true and steadfast, particularly since Crown Prince Caesar grew to be a youth of exceptional brilliance, widely recognized as the perfect heir.
The nobles gathered in the grand hall bowed respectfully to the emperor and empress.
As the ceremonial music began, Arthur and Sophia took their seats—precisely the moment for Princess Milim, the star of the evening, to make her entrance.
"Her Highness Princess Milim and His Highness Crown Prince Caesar!"
At the herald's cry, the great doors of the hall swung open. Princess Milim appeared, radiant in a gown of golden hues, her delicate features made more resplendent by sweet, refined makeup. At her side was her brother, Crown Prince Caesar, who guided her forward with confident steps, while all eyes of the nobility turned to behold them.
"It is Princess Milim—how truly beautiful she is."
"The bloodline of House Velarent rarely produces one lacking in fine appearance. Even 'that other princess' was beautiful, though she lacked the golden hair and eyes…"
"Hush! Why speak of 'her' now? Besides, was she not long dead?"
The hushed whispers echoed from shadowed corners but did little to disturb the attention fixed upon Milim and Caesar.
"Caesar… there are so many people…" Milim murmured nervously to her brother.
"I cannot even recall the faces of those on the list you showed me before this."
Prior to the banquet, in hopes of easing her nerves, Caesar had provided Milim with a list of prospective candidates to observe as potential suitors. Though reluctant, she had forced herself to study it.
"Do not worry. You are the one who shall choose among them," Caesar reassured her, placing a glass of fruit wine into her hand.
"I must attend to some matters with the Grand Duke. Stay here for a while."
"Yes…"
Milim offered him a faint smile, though her hands gripped the glass tightly in quiet unease.
The moment Caesar left her side, young noble ladies immediately flocked around Milim, each eager to introduce themselves with overwhelming enthusiasm.
"They are so… fervent. How exhausting…" Milim thought to herself, weary already of their attentions.
Meanwhile, Caesar made his way across the hall, his gaze sweeping until it fell upon the figure he sought—the Grand Duke Lukas von Premirer.
Lukas von Premirer, the sole Grand Duke of the realm, was a man of formidable strength and influence. At only twenty-nine years of age, he had already attained the rank of sixth-level swordsman and achieved countless feats of valor, his noble lineage further bolstering his power.
Caesar and Lukas shared many commonalities, and through this bond, they had become close friends, supporting one another in overseeing the affairs of the kingdom on behalf of the emperor.
"Lukas, you always manage to find the finest hiding places at tedious gatherings such as these," Caesar remarked with a wry smile.
Swirling the wine in his glass, Lukas returned the smile and drank without answering the prince's jest. Such banter was not uncommon between them.
"But tell me truthfully—have you never once considered becoming Milim's husband? Of all men, I would prefer my brother-in-law to be you, Grand Duke."
"I have no such interest."
Lukas smiled faintly, shaking his head in dismissal.
"Milim is adorable, yes, but she is not the kind of woman who stirs my heart."
An endearing yet troublesome young lady had never been to Lukas's taste. Rather than a delicate doll, he desired a crimson rose—radiant, fierce, and alluring.
Alas, among the noble daughters of this kingdom, all seemed much the same—innocent, shallow, lacking spirit. Thus, Lukas had yet to find the woman who could claim the place as his wife.
"You prefer mature and captivating women, then?" Caesar chuckled, nodding in agreement.
"Indeed, perhaps Milim would not suit you after all. Forget that I mentioned it."
"Spare me this time, Your Highness," Lukas replied, amused.
The two exchanged knowing smiles, their glasses touching lightly before they drifted apart once more.
The banquet flowed gracefully onward—until the sudden thunder of the great doors echoed through the hall.
A figure entered, her black hair like velvet streaming with the wind, her fair skin luminous beneath the scarlet brilliance of her gown, cut daringly to reveal both elegance and allure.
Her eyes, as dark as obsidian, shone with an icy, unfathomable depth. She advanced with effortless grace, and though no word was spoken, the nobles instinctively stepped aside, parting to grant her an unbroken path.
That cold, piercing gaze swept across the hall, leaving a chill upon all it touched.
"Wh-what… who is she?"
Among the circle of noble maidens, Milim herself stood frozen. When those dark eyes brushed over her, a shiver coursed down her spine, as though ice crept from her feet upward to seize her very core.
"So frightening…"
Milim bit her lip, retreating a step in fear.
The strange young woman stopped before Emperor Arthur and Empress Sophia. Her beautiful face curved into a faint smile—yet it carried a sharp edge of mockery and arrogance that could not be ignored.
"Princess Emilia D. Velarent, on the occasion of her eighteenth birthday, comes to pay respects to His Majesty the Emperor and Empress Sophia!"
Emilia D. Velarent.
After vanishing for thirteen long years, that name once again echoed within the grand hall.
The princess who had been forgotten—cast aside for lacking the power of Light—had returned!