“All right, are you ready? It’s time to depart.”
Sista glanced at the faintly brightening sky outside.
Su Ling nodded, replying softly, “Yes, Your Highness. I’m ready.”
The period of shame had finally passed, and Su Ling let out a silent sigh of relief.
She had to pull herself together for the tasks ahead.
Sista didn’t speak, simply rising to indicate she would walk on her own. The two of them left the bedroom together, passed through a long corridor, and arrived outside the Castle.
Not long after, a magnificent Earth Dragon Cart waited at the Castle gates. Sista Anderson held onto her retainer’s hand, walking out of the Castle together and boarding the cart.
The Earth Dragon Cart moved slowly, passing through the violet-hued streets, traveling a considerable distance before finally stopping in front of a grand mansion.
It was well-known that this was the venue for today’s gathering.
Inside the Grand Hall, many people had already assembled, dressed in splendid formal attire, engaged in conversation and exchanging greetings.
Su Ling followed behind Sista Anderson, looking around nervously. She had never attended such a banquet before, so her heart brimmed with curiosity and unease.
However, Sista Anderson seemed perfectly at ease with this kind of social occasion, bringing Su Ling with her to a group of Blood Clan nobles and beginning to converse with them.
Su Ling stood obediently to the side, listening to their conversation. Gradually, she began to relax.
At that moment, a familiar voice rang out beside her ear: “Sista, you’re here!”
Su Ling turned her head to see Princess Lian Erjiao approaching them with a smile.
Beside her was a handsome young man, dressed in gorgeous formal wear, his features sharply defined.
He had a head of chestnut curls, and his eyes were a bright, clear red. By the Blood Clan’s aesthetic standards, his looks were especially popular among women.
“Lian Erjiao.” Sista greeted Lian Erjiao with a nod, then turned her gaze to the young man. “This is…”
“Let me introduce you,” Lian Erjiao said, leading the young man to stand before Sista Anderson, “this is Lord Brook, the eldest son of Duke Roryan.”
“Honored to meet you, noble Princess.”
Brook bowed gracefully and pressed a kiss to the back of Sista Anderson’s hand.
“I have long heard of Princess Sista’s beauty. Seeing you tonight, you are truly like a goddess descended. May I have the honor of dancing with you tonight?”
Dance together?
Su Ling glanced at Sista Anderson. As expected, Sista’s expression was somewhat off.
Inviting a Princess to dance was nothing unusual—Blood Clan nobles often took the opportunity to build or strengthen ties with the Royal Family, and such relationships could have positive effects on their political standing, economic interests, and more.
But sometimes, this invitation could also imply something else.
For example, romantic intentions.
Brook’s red eyes stared intently at Sista Anderson, exuding an invisible sense of pressure, as if not permitting any refusal.
Sista Anderson did not shrink back, but instead met Brook’s gaze directly.
“To be able to dance with you, Lord Brook, would be my honor. But I am not feeling well today, so I’m afraid I cannot accept your invitation.”
The one who reacted most was not Brook, but Lian Erjiao standing just behind.
“My dear sister, Lord Brook invited you so warmly. No matter how shy you are, you shouldn’t refuse so coldly, right?” Lian Erjiao’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Lord Brook, please don’t mind. My sister has always been reserved since childhood. She was just being shy; she would never reject you.”
“Ah… Is that so.”
Brook’s outstretched hand hung awkwardly in the air. He looked a bit embarrassed, glancing between Lian Erjiao’s smiling face and Sista’s calm demeanor.
“My apologies, then. I was too abrupt just now,” he bowed again. “If you truly are unwell, please do rest well.”
“I should be thanking you, Lord Brook.”
Sista Anderson shot Lian Erjiao a subtle, sharp glance.
As long as she remained in the Capital, Lian Erjiao would not let her go.
Though Sista Anderson held no right to inherit the throne, Lian Erjiao had always been watching her closely.
For Lian Erjiao, the best way to eliminate a potential threat was to marry her off, so she would never be able to challenge her position.
When King Steyat abdicated and Lian Erjiao smoothly became Queen, the very first thing she would do was marry Sista Anderson off to the Blood Clan as their consort.
In this way, not only would she solidify the Royal Family’s standing, but also thoroughly erase the vexing “sister” from her path.
And Brook, as the eldest son of Duke Roryan, was undoubtedly the perfect candidate.
Sista Anderson, of course, would never allow such a thing to happen.
Brook’s gaze flickered between Sista Anderson and Lian Erjiao, finally settling into a polite, undisturbed smile: “If that’s the case, I was presumptuous. I hope next time I’ll have the chance to dance with you, Lady Sista.”
With that, he slowly retreated into the crowd.
The gathering continued. Servants quietly placed all manner of dishes on the long table, and the melodious sound of Hand Harp and grand piano rose and fell, weaving together like flowing water within the Grand Hall.
The nobles mingled in Sword Dance and conversation, their movements elegant, their skirts swirling as they turned. Some glasses held red wine, while others were filled with fresh blood.
The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, delicious food, and a faint scent of blood—a strange, indescribable sensation.
Suddenly, a discordant clang rang out. The main doors were thrust open, and a soldier in silver armor strode in hurriedly from the side entrance.
His arrival was like a sudden blast of cold wind, shattering the warm atmosphere of the banquet.
Heavy boots echoed with somber, forceful steps.
The soldier headed straight for Lian Erjiao. Urgency was written on his face, and all the Blood Clan nobles paused, turning curious and inquiring gazes upon him.
Princess Lian Erjiao’s expression darkened for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure and signaled for the guard to come closer, exchanging a few quiet words.
After a moment, Lian Erjiao’s brows furrowed even deeper, clearly disturbed by what she’d just heard.
After a brief silence, Princess Lian Erjiao turned slowly to face the crowd, moving to the center of the Grand Hall. Her voice was low, but strained with suppressed anxiety.
“Everyone, I regret to disrupt your enjoyment, but just now, a rather unpleasant piece of news has arrived from the Northern Region.”
Though this was not the sort of message to be announced at a ball, Lian Erjiao knew that even if it were delayed, the nobles present would soon find out regardless.
“Just now, word arrived from the Northern Region,” Princess Lian Erjiao’s voice was clear and grave, spreading to every corner of the hall. “Lord Jian Lian, that valiant nobleman, was ambushed and killed by those calling themselves the Rebels while traveling outside his territory. His lands have now been seized by the Rebels.”
With those words, the Grand Hall instantly erupted.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.