PAK PAK PAK..

The sound of footsteps echoed throughout that corridor.

All three of them walked across that cold floor with grace. The star of that day was the woman standing in front of Olivia and Celine.

"Congratulations... My Lady..."

Every maid standing in line bowed quietly. Ophilia smiled as usual.

Her elegance and beauty radiated from every side, leaving anyone who saw her completely stunned. Even the guards who had been mid-conversation immediately fell silent.

The female lead really does have a different kind of aura...

Olivia thought with a smile.

As they walked, the maids standing along both sides of the corridor bowed toward them. Not for Olivia and Celine, but for Ophilia. Who was the main star of that day.

Before they entered that large hall door,

Duke Herold was already standing upright at the entrance, his face wearing the most perfect smile Olivia had ever seen. Too perfect for her to tell whether it was real or fake. As Ophilia drew near, the Duke extended his arm with a gentleness that felt entirely rehearsed.

"Ready.." Duke Herold said quietly but still audible at Olivia’s ear.

Olivia, standing only a few steps behind, could see the tension in Duke Herold’s shoulders.

Even as that man acted the part of a proud father, the cold aura radiating from him made Olivia’s skin crawl.

She lowered her head, making sure her straight black hair covered the expression on her face as she quietly analysed the Duke’s performance.

Tch!!

The sound of that large hall door opening slowly. Light from inside fell across the entrance, forming the silhouettes of two figures standing at the threshold.

"....Distinguished guests."

The voice of the head guard echoed throughout the hall.

"Duke Herold Aethelgard... accompanied by the daughter of House Aethelgard, Lady Ophilia Aethelgard... has arrived."

For a moment, the entire hall went quiet. Every pair of eyes turned at once. Not just toward one person... but toward the two figures stepping in together. Olivia who was behind them felt almost swallowed by the main display in front of her.

But I have to admit... Ophilia really is gorgeous...

She thought. Every noble present seemed genuinely stunned by Ophilia’s breathtaking appearance. Especially among those her age.

But without Olivia knowing, it wasn’t only Ophilia they were looking at. Olivia and Celine walking behind her were being watched too.

Until the sound of whispers could be heard.

"No idea where they found them... but all three of them are beautiful..." that voice reached Olivia’s ear. She only smiled proudly to herself. Then,

Duke Herold stepped forward first. Calm. Firm. As if every step he took already had ownership over that room. Beside him, Ophilia. Elegant in her shimmering purple gown under the chandelier light, her steps soft... but too controlled for someone who was supposed to be "celebrating" her important day.

Behind them.... two steps back were Olivia and Celine. Olivia’s eyes never left the two of them.

"...this is not just a ceremony," she whispered quietly.

Duke Herold didn’t turn. But the smile on his face stayed exactly the same. The smile of a perfect father. Too perfect... to be real.

Ophilia stepped forward without hesitation. As if unaware of every pair of eyes assessing her. Or perhaps... she had stopped feeling it a long time ago.

And at that moment... Olivia felt the thread on her wrist tremble once more.

Stronger.

Sharper.

As if giving a warning... that the man beside Ophilia... was not simply a father walking his daughter to a ceremony.

That hall was still filled with the voices and whispers of the nobles. But for Olivia... all those sounds slowly faded.

Her steps paused for a moment behind Ophilia. Not because she wanted to. But because something... caught her attention. At the far end of the hall. A grand high chair. And on it sat a man who hadn’t moved even slightly.

None other than

That’s the Emperor!!....

Olivia whispered quietly in her mind. She made no sound. Gave no signal. But his presence... was enough to make the entire hall feel small.

Olivia didn’t dare lift her eyes. As if she knew something might happen if she did. But without meaning to her eyes briefly met the Emperor’s.

Olivia startled slightly.

Cold.....

That was the word that came to her mind after their eyes met. That coldness wasn’t just in his gaze but as if a blade of ice was slowly touching the back of Olivia’s neck. She suddenly felt a fluttering in her chest. As if nervous in the middle of that crowd. But she tried not to let it show. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Then Ophilia and Duke Herold stopped in front of everyone. Calmly, Olivia and Celine walked up those steps.

All four of them bowed respectfully to the Emperor who was already seated in that grand chair.

"Your Majesty..."

the three of them said politely. The Emperor nodded and gestured for them to stand. Then Ophilia signalled to Olivia and Celine to stay there, beside her. So they stepped slightly to the side to give the two of them room to speak.

"Distinguished guests."

"It is an honour for House Aethelgard to receive your presence on this important evening."

"Tonight is not merely a ceremony... but a sign that the next generation is ready to step into greater responsibility."

He paused for a moment, everyone fell silent listening to Duke Herold’s speech.

"As a father... I only hope that my daughter, Ophilia Aethelgard, will continue to carry this family name with honour and wisdom."

"And of course... her every step will always remain under this family’s protection."

Olivia went quiet... but her eyes were sharp watching Duke Herold.

That sentence carries a hidden meaning...

Olivia whispered in her heart. She was wary, but her face stayed calm. Then her eyes fell toward Ophilia who was standing beside Duke Herold.

She only smiled softly looking at the nobles below. But Olivia knew... that smile felt forced.

For a moment the two of them whispered. Olivia who was curious wondered what Duke Herold had said to Ophilia that caused her hand to tremble faintly. Then Ophilia began to speak... briefly but meaningfully.

"Thank you to everyone who came tonight."

"I... will do my best to carry out my responsibilities as a member of House Aethelgard."

A brief pause.

"And I hope... tonight becomes a good beginning for all of our futures."

She said with great calm and softness. Then,

The sound of thunderous applause filled that room for several minutes. Olivia and Celine smiled and clapped along. Olivia sneaked a glance toward the Emperor. His face showed almost no reaction... difficult to read.

Whether he was angry, afraid or happy. No reaction... only his face that looked perfectly natural. Then all three of them stepped down toward the crowd.

Olivia, very aware of herself, stood far from the main focus, which allowed her to see everything more clearly.

She observed Duke Herold’s false smile and the Emperor’s unreadable natural expression. Suddenly the thread on her wrist pulsed hard with a frequency so sharp her skin felt like it was stinging.

"This is no longer a small warning.... this is a sign that someone in this hall is waiting for their moment..."