The Duke Theobald took the letter from the assistant's hand, his large fingers curling around the heavy envelope stamped with the imperial seal. The paper creaked as he broke the seal, a sound like an alarm bell echoing in Reina's ears, who sat tensely on a chair near the desk.
He opened the letter slowly, his dark eyes following the words written in an elegant, slightly slanted official script, as if the writer deliberately tried to imbue it with grandeur and authority. As he read, Reina could not contain her curiosity; she leaned slightly in her seat, pretending to be absorbed in the pages of her book, yet her wide eyes kept stealing glances at the paper in her father's hands.
With every word, her heart beat faster until she managed to catch a few clear sentences:
"Greetings, Duke Theobald Vershi,
I have recently heard that Lady Baroness Elena has joined your palace.
You are truly a great man for accepting and bearing the responsibility of the honored Duchess Revilina's sister...
We will hold a dance at the Imperial Palace, and I hope you, the little princess, Lady Elena, and her sons will all attend as one family..."
Reina's eyes fluttered in agitation at the words "one family." A strange heat swept through her chest, a suppressed anger nearly erupting. How dare they put her on the same scale as her aunt and her sons? How dare they refer to her as just part of a contrived family portrait?
The Duke closed the paper slowly and rested it on the desk, his fingers tapping lightly over it as his face frowned in thought. Reina noticed that her father did not look comfortable, yet he masked his feelings behind a veneer of silence and dignity.
She leaned closer, her eyes shining:
"Papa... what does it say?"
He turned to her, his gaze for a moment tender, yet weighed with thought. He smiled calmly, patting her small hand:
"Let's just say the Emperor has decided to invite us all... to a ball at the palace."
Her eyes widened further, as if she couldn't comprehend:
"All of us…? Even…"
Her father cut her off gently, as if he knew what she was about to say:
"Yes, Reina, even your aunt and her children."
The Duke Theobald picked up his pen again, the sound of the nib scratching on the paper like lines being drawn on the wall of fate. He wrote his words succinctly, choosing phrases that left no room for debate, then sealed it with his personal stamp and handed it back to his assistant. As the letter was extended, it felt heavier than mere paper, as if it carried an entire destiny on its back.
"Tomorrow will come… and we shall see what the Imperial Palace has in store for us," Theobald murmured to himself, his eyes glinting with cautious shadows.
The day passed slowly, long, until night drew its curtain over the palace corridors. The lights gradually faded, leaving dark corners where whispers and doubts hid. Meanwhile, Elena busied herself with her sons, arranging the remaining belongings in the rooms assigned to them. The rooms were still somewhat chaotic, yet her eyes held a strange sparkle, a mixture of ambition and fear. She placed a hand over her chest, as if trying to calm a racing pulse whose cause she had yet to understand.
Reina returned to her room after hours of relentless thought. She sat on her bed, curtains half-drawn, night sending silver threads of light through the window. The room had become a silent battlefield of thoughts; her mind torn between fear of the future and memories of the past—the image of corpses in the courtyard, her tears, her aunt's harshness, and the flash of that mysterious white light.
"Tomorrow… will be a decisive day," she thought, hugging her pillow tightly, praying to find answers to the questions that haunted her.
The next morning, the palace was filled with a different atmosphere.
While Duke Theobald sat in his office, busy arranging some papers and letters, a light knock sounded at the door. The sound was soft but carried intent, causing Theobald's thick eyebrows to draw together in deep thought.
"Come in," he said steadily, his deep voice seeming to command the entire room.
The door opened slowly, and Elena stepped inside. Her steps were soft, her face composed, yet in her eyes there was worry that did not escape the Duke's notice. She had accepted his invitation the previous evening, but this morning brought something else—a moment of confrontation.
"Good morning, Duke… how are you?" she said, her voice deliberately gentle, as if weaving a web of words around him.
Theobald raised his head, looking at her with a steady gaze, then gestured to the chair before his desk. "I am well. Sit, Elena."
She sat quietly, maintaining her delicate smile, yet the atmosphere in the office had become heavier than ever. Theobald observed her with the eye of a man who knew well how to weigh people, and how to place each person within their limits.
"Elena…" he said firmly, his tone cutting through the silence like a sword. "Since you will be staying here for a long time, there are rules you need to know."
She straightened her back and sat more upright, her heart beating quickly, yet she hid the trembling of her fingers on her lap.
"First… I thank you for your kindness, but I do not need a woman to care for my daughter. Reina has those who look after her and all she needs. Your presence here is not to fill a void that does not exist."
Her eyes flickered for a moment, but she remained composed.
"I want you to live here comfortably, raise your children, and focus solely on them. This palace has its own system, and any overstepping will not be tolerated."
His words were like a wall, impenetrable. Clear, sharp, free of courtesy. Elena felt a weight on her chest; it was not merely a warning but a precise drawing of boundaries.
She smiled lightly, a hollow smile hiding what was inside:
"I understand, Duke. I will comply with your instructions."
Yet deep within, a fire raged. It was not easy for her—to be pushed aside this way, to have boundaries drawn in a place she intended to plant her influence.
As for Theobald, he returned his gaze to the papers on his desk, though his mind wandered. He had never trusted her, and would not allow her to get any closer to Reina than necessary.
---
Elena realized, as she closed the Duke's office door behind her, that her conversation with him was merely the start of a long battle. She smiled faintly at the passing servants, but inside she was boiling. A ball at the Imperial Palace? What an opportunity… amid the dancing and lights, I could pull the strings as I wish, without anyone noticing. Her steps in the corridor were steady, but her mind was busy with numerous plans, changing with every reconsideration.
__
Upstairs, the governess was helping Reina get ready. The room was filled with open boxes, colorful ribbons, and vibrant fabrics carefully chosen. The governess held up a silky purple dress that shimmered under the light, with tiny buttons and delicate threads on the sleeves. She spoke gently as she approached:
"Miss, try it on… it will suit you."
Reina put on the dress, standing before the mirror, her fingers lightly brushing the smooth fabric. The dress was indeed beautiful, befitting the Duke's daughter, yet her eyes saw only a blurred reflection. She was not thinking of her appearance but of what awaited her later.
The ball… why do I feel it will be different from everything before? Why is my heart uneasy?
She sat on the edge of the bed while the governess applied the finishing touches to her hair. Through the window, the palace courtyard was visible, servants moving flowers, grand carriages preparing to depart. Their sounds mixed with the clatter of hooves and wheels. The whole atmosphere suggested that this day was no ordinary one.
Elsewhere in the palace, Elena watched with eyes like a hawk. She saw her sons bickering lightly in the corridor and called them firmly, whispering mysteriously:
"Remember… we are not here just for fun. There is work to be done."
In his office, Theobald sat quietly, reviewing letters and making notes. Though his eyes remained on the papers, they carried a clear caution. The ball… perhaps the Emperor has plans. I must be prepared.
Thus, as the palace buzzed with preparations, unseen threads were being woven; Elena with her schemes, Reina with her confusion, and the Duke with his silent vigilance.
---
Once Reina finished dressing and styling her hair, she sat for a moment in front of the mirror, calmly examining her reflection. Yet her eyes were not focused on her beauty, but on organizing the thoughts that had kept her awake last night. She felt that her mind had finally settled on a clear path—or at least she wanted to convince herself of that.
Her father's words lingered: white light… purification magic.
It made sense. Last night, when she quietly sneaked into the palace library, she had brought with her an old book on "purification magic." She couldn't read all its heavy pages, but what she did read was enough to confirm her suspicions. Yes… the symptoms she felt: calm, relief, mental clarity, as if a heavy burden was lifted off her chest—all clear signs.
So the second prince… is the one who possesses this magic.
Yet another question gnawed at her mind: how?
Purification magic is extremely rare, almost extinct, and no one in the imperial family is known to have it. How did it suddenly appear in the second prince's hands?!
She shook her head, forcing herself to ignore this puzzle for now. What mattered was that she had the answer.
She wrote her decision in her secret notebook in clear handwriting:
"I must make the second prince heal me."
She paused, flipping to the previous page filled with thoughts and sketches, then added a new line:
"How do I make the second prince an ally… to save me?"
She held her chin with delicate fingers, thinking aloud as usual:
"What if I tell him everything?…"
She paused, then raised an eyebrow:
"No… that's foolish; he might think I'm crazy."
She let out a long sigh, staring at her ornate ceiling.
"He will make me a purification stone?… But wait… he doesn't make stones, the power comes from his own body… yes, that's right…"
Her mind began to work rapidly, as if solving a complex puzzle.
"Then… another option… form a deal with him? Or… simply befriend him?"
She hesitated while writing on a small sheet a childlike chart:
Deal alliance:
Advantage: more formal, may be accepted.
Disadvantage: might not be able to give him anything in return.
Friendship:
Advantage: no need to give anything.
Disadvantage: he may think I'm begging or showing weakness.
She held her head in her hands for a moment, then wrote in bold beneath the last line:
"The best option… start with friendship. If it fails… offer a deal."
She closed the notebook slowly, pressing her palms on it as if hiding a great secret within. Her heart raced unusually fast, not just from the ball, but from the decision she had made for herself.
Since last night… there is no escape. I will meet him, and I will find the way. But… do I have the courage?
...
"Upon Arrival"
As soon as the doors of the Imperial Hall opened, whispers ceased, and breaths were held for a moment. The steps of the Vershi family made a distinct impact, different from any delegation that had entered before.
Duke Theobald Vershi walked with dignity, broad-shouldered, calm in expression but brimming with strength and pride. His finely embroidered suit with golden threads made him look like a statue from another era, while the sword at his side was a silent reminder of a long history of wars and glory.
Beside him, Karina walked with measured steps despite her young age. She seemed aware that all eyes were on her. Her simple purple dress, adorned with sparkles, gave her a presence beyond her years, while her gaze carried a mixture of childhood and rare resilience. She was not only the Duke's daughter; she was the heir of an ancient bloodline, blending West and East, with a history of pride and tragedy.
Behind them, Elena and her children followed hesitantly. Elena struggled to show a soft smile, yet she could not hide her tension in the face of the grandeur that filled the hall. Her children appeared awed by the ornate ceilings, as if entering a world they had never belonged to.
---
At that moment, Karina recalled what her father had told her about her late grandfather.
Forty-five years ago, her grandfather, the former Duke Vershi, was one of the fiercest players in the rebellions against European empires. He had allied with several duchies and sought to overthrow the old Emperor's throne. But the end came at the hands of the current Emperor's brother, a cunning man who seized power with more guile than swords.
Despite defeat, the Duke grandfather was unbroken. He traveled east, where he met the girl who changed his life: Osana, the daughter of the Japanese Emperor's nephew.
It was a nearly impossible marriage. Her father refused, unwilling to marry his daughter to a man marked as a rebel. But love defied tradition. In the end, heart triumphed over politics. The Duke married her and returned to Europe, where Grandmother Osana became a symbol of a bridge between two cultures.
Since then, the Vershi family had two faces:
A dry, European one, soaked in blood and history.
A gentle, Eastern one, carrying wisdom and serenity.
"That is why we are not just a European family… but a blend of East and West. And that is what makes us strong."
Words her father often repeated, echoing in Karina's mind as she entered the hall.
---
On the throne, the Emperor sat with dignity, smiling broadly as he welcomed them. His smile carried outward warmth, but to Karina, it was merely a mask hiding much.
Her eyes quickly scanned the rows… noting the most obvious absence: Prince Damian, the one whose presence in her mind had become an increasingly heavy mystery.
Meanwhile, the scene beside the throne sparked tension:
Consort Anna, mother of the third prince Albert, stood with a neutral face and cold smile, as if playing a silent game.
Consort Rosa, mother of the first prince Jake, had a glint of challenge in her eyes, visible to all.
Her sons, Albert and Jake, stood like mischievous cats before a dish of milk, competing for attention, speaking louder than necessary, laughing brazenly, as if the hall were their private playground.
Karina looked at them coldly, trying to hide her concern. Deep down, she knew this ball was not just a dance at the palace… but the start of something much larger.
Once the adults were seated in their ornate chairs and the nobles dispersed around tables exchanging conversation, the children were left standing at the front of the hall. The scene seemed like a hidden test: who would draw attention first?
The line included: Prince Jake with his arrogant features, Prince Albert with his bright smile hiding much, and beside them, Karina, while behind her stood Sienna and San, seemingly trying to shield themselves in her shadow, shy to face the many eyes watching them.
Karina cast them a quick look of disdain, especially at Sienna and San, who seemed submissive. Inside her, there was only disgust. But she soon noticed a strange movement: Prince Albert's hand extended toward her, the broad smile never leaving his lips.
"Princess… may I be your friend?" he said in a soft, affected tone.
Karina's heart froze for a moment, as if time had returned her to that dark moment. She remembered this prince well; when he became Emperor in the future… the same hand now reaching toward her had once been poised to strike her neck with a sword. Blood boiled in her veins, fury ignited in her heart, yet she restrained herself painfully.
With a small, forced smile, she gently nudged Sienna forward.
"Sienna loves friendships… come on, you'll get along well."
She spoke as if laying a trap with a gentle smile, while inside her was only disdain: "Snakes make friends."
She left them all behind, walking with steady steps, as if she did not want to taint herself with their presence.
---
At that moment, the Emperor stepped forward with measured steps, accompanied by Duke Theobald, followed by Elena, who did not miss the chance to appear near the throne. The music paused for a moment, and all eyes turned toward the throne as the Emperor raised his hand to deliver his speech.
"We salute the noble Vershi family… and welcome the new individuals who have joined it. We wish them a bright and prosperous future among us."
The words rang out in a resonant voice, echoing through the hall. Elena smiled broadly, her heart nearly soaring with joy. To have her name and her children mentioned in an official speech by the Emperor himself… a golden opportunity she had never dreamed of. Deep inside, she began weaving bigger ambitions: "Perhaps I can place my children among the heirs… if I play my cards right."
As for Theobald, he remained calm as usual. His expression unchanged, as if he heard nothing of importance. He knew perfectly well the Emperor's style in speeches: embellished chatter, filled with words of praise that did not necessarily carry real weight. Yet he showed no objection, merely nodded lightly, building an inner wall of silence.
---
As for Reina, her eyes could not stop roaming the crowded hall, anxiously searching for that face missing among the princes. Her small steps grew more tense whenever she glimpsed faces irrelevant to her. There was no trace of the second prince.
She hesitated for a moment, then quietly slipped into one of the side corridors outside the hall, where the lights were dim and calm enveloped the space. Her breaths quickened, and inside her stirred the fear that someone might discover her escaping the ball, or that she might lose her way within the grand corridors of the Imperial Palace.
She pressed her small heart, muttering in muffled anger:
"Damn it!! Where did that boy disappear to?!"
But as soon as she spoke the word, she froze, biting her lip hard. It was inappropriate to speak so loudly, and worse, the echo of her voice resonated through the empty corridor… clearly, she heard quiet steps approaching from behind.
Time paused for a moment. Her fingers trembled, her heart raced wildly.
"Whom is the princess searching for?"
The voice was calm, deep, strangely familiar. She turned quickly, eyes wide with astonishment… locking directly into cold gray eyes, reflecting the moonlight, and shiny blond hair glimmering under the torchlight along the walls.
Her breath trembled. It was him… the second prince.