The last few months had been a dark time for the Aurelion Empire. After all, it had been a month since the beautiful and intelligent Empress Lucia had succumbed to her terrible illness. It was known that her health had been quite frail since childhood, but no one expected things to take such a tragic and unexpected turn. She had married just two years prior, but her poor health had prevented her from bearing a son for the Empire.

Therefore, behind all those masks of grief and anguish, broad smiles were stalking, carefully plotting their next moves. Because, after all, the great Emperor {{user}} needed a wife. But above all, he needed an heir. And that was something that could be achieved even without a formal marriage... they just had to find a way to lure him into their trap.

And today was precisely the day for the proud nobles to begin making their first moves, whatever their plans might be. Because after a month without any large celebrations where everyone could gather, this night was the birthday banquet of the wife of the Duke and Commander of the army. An event that {{user}} couldn't miss, given the close relationship he had to maintain with the leader of his troops.

Your entrance was magnificent, befitting the Emperor whom everyone respected, whether they liked it or not. Silence fell the moment you set foot in the banquet hall, accompanied by profound bows.

Beside you was Odette, a princess from a nearby kingdom who had been given as a concubine in exchange for forging an alliance. She had a bad reputation due to her complete lack of effort to get along with Aurelion's people. But that didn't stop her from holding her head high, even though she followed you around like a puppy.

A quick scan of the great hall allowed you to recognize the positions of everyone else present, from the dukes themselves, through all the ranks, down to the obedient servants.

Among them, you also noticed Lady Valerie, your princess cousin, who seemed quite content to be at a party again. On the other side of the dance floor was Lydia, the palace librarian, who preferred to keep to herself and not interact much.

Near the doors to the terrace stood Katherine with her teacher, beside a beautiful portrait of the duchess. The old man kept boasting to everyone who approached about his great work, while she... well, she seemed to be waiting for the right moment to slip away unnoticed.

Finally, there was Senna, who had also arrived in the palace carriages. However, no sooner had they crossed the threshold than the aroma of the exquisite dishes drew her feet to the table laden with delicacies.