The capital's main square was filled with people celebrating the empire's founding anniversary. They had gathered not only from the empire but also from neighboring kingdoms.
The most important nobles gathered in the Imperial Palace, and those who couldn't enter stood in a line on the road between the main square and the palace. Everyone, from nobles living in the capital to high-ranking officials, was dressed in their finest clothes.
All the empire's inhabitants watched the proceedings with eyes sparkling with excitement. Even from afar, the golden palace looked truly magnificent.
The celebration of the empire's founding anniversary was a rare event that wouldn't be repeated for decades.
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Empire!"
It was a very happy day.
The banquet hall was already full of guests. Everything was decorated extremely lavishly and pompously.
Nobles joked and talked. All the cream of high society had gathered at this evening event: the latest rumors and gossip flew between them like hotcakes.
As always, the royal family was the main topic of conversation among the aristocracy.
Most of these rumors were related to alarming news about the Crown Princess's return. Would she appear today?
Perhaps, in the last centuries, there had been no more hated member of the imperial family than her.
"...I don't even know. It's been six months since the Crown Princess was sent to the southern border. Do you think the Emperor has already recalled her?" concern sounded in the nobleman's voice.
"I'm curious about that too. I hope not. We've all waited so long for this day. I wouldn't want it to be ruined..."
Discussion of the Crown Princess of the Ruwens Empire was a rather delicate topic. Even the Emperor didn't cause as much excitement among anyone. That's why the nobles didn't raise their voices, but spoke almost in whispers. As if this topic was forbidden.
"Come on, gentlemen! Her Highness is thousands of miles away from here. How could she possibly return so soon?"
After one of the nobles gave a reasonable argument, the others hastened to agree with him.
"You're right, Sir Louis!"
Indeed. Even if the Emperor had actually summoned the Crown Princess, she definitely wouldn't have had time to return by this day.
The journey from the southern border to the capital usually took no less than a month. So the nobles could have a good time without any worries.
After that, the anxiety among those present dissipated, and the guests continued to enjoy themselves as if nothing had happened. For a while, the atmosphere in the hall was quite peaceful. Until...
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
"The Sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor, the Moon of the Empire, Her Majesty the Empress, and Her Highness the Second Princess are entering!" a servant shouted.
Everyone turned their attention to the entrance doors. The assembled nobles hastened to bow their heads. The ruling family strode down the red carpet proudly and confidently. When the Emperor reached his throne, he turned to the dignitaries and said:
"Raise your heads."
The Emperor waved his hand majestically, settling onto the throne. Obeying the command, the people stood up.
This man had ruled the Ruwens Empire for over thirty years. Despite his advanced age, golden hair still showed through his gray. And his clear blue eyes shone just as brightly.
The Empress next to him was dressed even more ornately than usual. Her neck, fingers, and all visible parts of her body were covered in expensive jewelry. And the woman herself smiled a dazzling white smile.
But most of the attention, undoubtedly, was attracted by the Second Princess of the Ruwens Empire.
Her golden hair was styled in an elegant hairdo. The clothes she wore were meant for the most important days: embroidered lion heads, the symbol of the imperial family, on her left shoulder, and embroidered roses on her right. With every movement, they sparkled dazzlingly due to the precious gems covering them. The girl shone like the scorching sun, catching many glances.
These three spoke and looked god-like. The perfect ruling family of monarchs. As if there shouldn't be anyone extra among them...
At that moment, the Emperor turned, addressing the nobility.
"Today, the Imperial Family celebrates a momentous day. The founding anniversary of the empire is an important event that we are pleased to celebrate together with you. Furthermore, on this auspicious day, I would also like to take the opportunity to make an announcement..."
The spouses exchanged strange glances with each other. It seemed that there was some secret between them, known only to the two of them.
In their attempts to get rid of the eldest daughter, who had become worse than a nightmare for them, the imperial couple had tried everything. Hired assassins, accidents, poisonings, and much more. Kaena had managed to avoid all these traps. Moreover, the girl didn't even show any sign that she knew about them.
This only angered them more. "Doesn't she take us seriously at all?!"
At least, that was the case until recently. Now, this wretch didn't have a single chance to avoid her fate. If the Crown Princess did return to the empire, it would only be in pieces. The Emperor and Empress had devised a cunning plan.
Ruwens had been in conflict with the neighboring empire for many decades. And this ultimately led to an uprising on the border between the Ruwens Empire and Tersia. The Emperor felt uneasy, so he ordered the Crown Princess to go and solve the problem herself.
However, this was precisely where the catch lay.
The Emperor deliberately sent with the Crown Princess an army totaling only a thousand soldiers, counting on predetermined losses. He decided to make such a sacrifice — to get rid of the biggest thorn in their side.
As soon as Kaena de Ronan died, order would finally reign in the country. Then the Emperor would launch full-scale actions against that empire and this time send his second daughter to the battlefield. He was sure that Jerica would easily win. Having defended the empire's borders, the girl would return a heroine and finally secure the title of Crown Princess for herself.
It was a perfect plan, seemingly with no chance of failure.
Only Jerica, who was completely unaware of her parents' grand plans, grew worried. She felt that something bad was going to happen today.
"Due to circumstances, the Crown Princess, fulfilling her duty to defend the motherland, tragically..."
Bam!
Suddenly, a loud crash came from the entrance.
"Ah! Wh-what is this...?"
The nobility instantly became agitated. Everyone turned towards the sound and froze.
Someone screamed. But mostly, dead silence reigned in the hall.
The kind of silence that only happens at funerals. But now, at the banquet in the Imperial Palace, each of these people was afraid to make an unnecessary move.
In the impenetrable silence of the banquet hall, a whistle was heard. It grew louder with each second.
swish
A certain figure passed through the crowd of the ballroom. Finally, it stopped in front of the imperial throne, and the insolent sounds ceased.
That smile. Her very appearance instilled a chilling terror in the Emperor and Empress. The latter dug her fingers into the armrests of the throne.
"I greet His Majesty the Emperor."