"Arthur, are you ready?"

Evangeline’s voice came from the other side of the door just as that strange chill ran down Arthur’s spine. He shook it off and walked to the door.

He opened it.

Evangeline stood in front of him.

She wore a gown the same magenta shade as her hair. The dress hugged her figure at the waist, the neckline dipping just enough to be called revealing without losing elegance, and a slit along one side showed a glimpse of her leg when she moved. With her hair styled in loose waves and light makeup highlighting her violet eyes and lips, she looked ravishing—drop-dead gorgeous.

Arthur’s gaze unconsciously travelled from bust to waist.

’Yeah... the gods definitely blessed her in more than one way,’ he thought.

Evangeline, meanwhile, was openly looking him over.

Arthur wore a fitted black three-piece suit: jacket, vest, and trousers all tailored to his frame, with a dark red tie that matched the faint glow of his eyes. His hair was combed back neatly, revealing sharp features and those striking red eyes that gave him a dangerous charm.

He looked handsome in every sense.

"Got to say," Evangeline remarked, smirking, "you really are good looking. You just have a little attitude problem. If you fix that, you could make any lady fall for you—except me, of course. I’m just built different."

Arthur smiled.

"Right back at you, Princess."

They both burst into quiet laughter.

"Princess, is everything ready?"

A voice came from behind them.

They turned. Aiden was walking toward them.

He wore a white three-piece suit that contrasted with his white hair and gray eyes, the clean lines of the outfit making him look even taller and sharper. With his handsome face and calm expression, he looked like he had stepped out of a painting.

Arthur and Evangeline both whistled at the same time.

"I wouldn’t be surprised if you already have several lovers," Arthur said.

"Shut up," Aiden snapped, his ears turning slightly red as Evangeline burst into loud laughter.

Without warning, Evangeline grabbed Arthur’s hand with one hand and Aiden’s with the other.

In high spirits, she grinned. "It feels like I can do anything. I could even make my own harem of drop-dead gorgeous males."

Arthur and Aiden both stared at her in silence.

"Is she always like this?" Arthur asked.

Aiden sighed.

"More often than you can count."

Hand in hand with both of them, Evangeline started walking down the corridor toward the banquet hall, dragging the two most troublesome men in the palace along with her.

---------

Meanwhile.

Inside the royal palace of the Ashford Empire, the main hall was already filled with guests.

Crystal chandeliers bathed the marble floor and gilded pillars in warm light. Servants moved smoothly between groups, offering drinks and trays of delicacies, bowing and disappearing before they could get in anyone’s way.

Nobles and dignitaries clustered in small circles, exchanging polite smiles and calculated words. Some were busy forming new alliances, others trying to strengthen old ones. Diplomats from foreign countries worked hard to curry favor, hoping to secure more resources and advantageous agreements. Wealthy businessmen spoke quietly about investments, eyeing territories and projects they considered promising.

Then, suddenly, the noise softened and slowly died.

The queen of the Ashford Empire, Eliana Cael Ashford, entered the hall.

Beside her walked a young woman who looked around nineteen or twenty.

She was stunning—silver hair that fell smoothly down her back, and violet eyes that mirrored the queen’s. Her features were delicate yet sharp, like a sculpture given life. She wore a blue dress that was slightly revealing at the shoulders and neckline, the fabric flowing gracefully around her as she moved. Her beauty seemed to defy mortal bounds; once people looked at her, it was hard to look away.

She was the First Princess of the Ashford Empire, Jasmine Cael Ashford.

Servants and guests immediately stepped aside, making way for the queen and the first princess as they walked to the front of the hall.

Eliana turned to face the gathered crowd, a gentle smile on her lips.

"Thank you all for taking the time to attend this occasion," she said, her voice carrying clearly through the hall. "Tonight, we gather to celebrate the achievement of my youngest child, Evangeline Cael Ashford. As her mother and as your queen, I am proud of the resolve and growth she has shown in these past months."

Murmurs of agreement and polite applause followed.

Eliana lifted her hand slightly, and the hall quieted again.

"Tonight, we also welcome very special guests," she continued. "A dear friend of mine, whom I value more than words can express, and her daughter—a rising star whose name is known across the world."

She paused for a heartbeat, letting the anticipation build.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Eliana said, her smile widening, "please welcome the Imperius family."

The moment Eliana mentioned the Imperius name, the entire hall stirred.

Every guest’s eyes lit up. For nobles, merchants, and diplomats alike, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. If they managed to form a connection with the Imperius family—or secure even a minor business deal—they would be set for life. With that backing, anyone who thought of messing with them would have to think twice.

Then the doors opened.

Sylvia and Jessica entered.

Sylvia walked at the front, golden hair flowing down her back in soft waves, catching the chandelier light like threads of sunlight. Her red eyes were calm and composed. She wore a floor-length deep crimson gown, fitted at the waist with a high, elegant neckline and long sleeves that ended in subtle golden cuffs. Golden embroidery traced the hem and bodice in the shape of phoenix wings, adding a regal brilliance without showing much skin.

Beside her, Jessica moved with relaxed confidence. Her black hair framed her face and fell straight to her shoulders, and her dark eyes were clear and sharp. She wore a dark navy off-shoulder dress, the neckline straight and modest, the bodice fitted and the skirt ending just below her knees with a gentle flare. A thin silver belt highlighted her waist, and matching heels completed the look, giving her a refined yet modern elegance.

Together, they looked so poised and beautiful that it felt like goddesses had descended into the hall.

For a few seconds, everyone simply stared.

Then, snapping out of their daze, the guests began to clap, the sound swelling as Sylvia and Jessica walked forward with unhurried, graceful steps.

Several nobles, merchants, and diplomats tried to edge closer, smiles ready, hands almost raised to greet them.

Before they could, two maids stepped in front of Sylvia and Jessica.

Their faces were expressionless, eyes cold and warning. Without saying a word, they blocked the path, making it clear: keep your distance... or face the consequences.

The over-eager guests froze in place. They didn’t dare move forward, so they tried instead to speak from where they stood, raising their voices slightly, hoping to catch the Imperius women’s attention.

Eliana watched all this with a small, amused smile.

She leaned a little toward Jasmine.

"Daughter, look carefully," she said softly. "These are the people you will have to surpass one day."

A cunning smile appeared on Jasmine’s lips.

"I’m always watching, Mother," she replied. "Don’t worry. The day will come when the strongest family in the world will be the Ashford royal family."

Eliana’s eyes shone with pride.

"I expect nothing less from you."

—

Up on a balcony, away from the crowd, Yuna stood with one hand resting on the railing.

She now wore a sleek, dark red dress, the fabric clinging to her curves without being overly flashy. The neckline formed a sharp V that showed a tasteful amount of cleavage, and a single slit along one side revealed her long leg when she shifted her weight. Thin straps crossed over her bare back, and a pair of simple earrings completed the dangerous, seductive look.

But her mind was far from the fashion and glitter below.

There had to be a reason Arthur hadn’t told her about the Imperius family. His eyes always held a pain he tried to bury behind that careless grin and cocky attitude, like a wound that never quite healed.

Yuna hoped she was wrong.

But if she was right...

Her gaze settled on Jessica and Sylvia in the crowd.

"It doesn’t matter which family stands in the way," she murmured, voice low. "If they so much as touch a single hair on Arthur’s head..."

Her eyes turned icy.

"I’ll erase them myself."

As if sensing her intent, Jessica’s head tilted, and her eyes rose to meet Yuna’s across the hall.

Yuna gave her a smug, challenging smile.

Jessica clicked her tongue and looked away, but the tension lingered between them like a thin blade.

—

The applause gradually faded.

Eliana stepped forward once more.

"Now," she said, her voice carrying through the hall, "let me call the star of this evening."

She let the silence stretch for a heartbeat.

"My youngest daughter, Evangeline Cael Ashford, has achieved something remarkable. She defeated the Vampire Queen, claimed her territory for our empire, and secured the resources that came with it. I am pleased to announce that we have discovered vast quantities of adamantium—the strongest known metal—as well as several rare elixirs developed only by vampires."

Excited murmurs spread through the crowd.

"I am also pleased to announce that soon, the Ashford Empire will open these resources for trade," Eliana continued.

Faces lit up—merchants imagining profits, nobles seeing new leverage, diplomats calculating new bargains.

"And now," Eliana said, lifting her hand, "please welcome... Evangeline Cael Ashford."

The grand doors opened.

Three figures walked into the hall.

At the center was Evangeline, magenta hair and violet eyes shining under the chandeliers, her presence filling the room. At her right was Aiden Nexaris, dressed in his white suit, white hair and gray eyes giving him the look of a noble spearhead of the empire.

The two of them were already famed as the brightest talents of their generation.

But at Evangeline’s left walked an unfamiliar man.

His jet-black hair was darker than midnight, and his red eyes glowed faintly, as if warning everyone not to come too close. His presence was cold and sharp, setting off quiet alarms in the instincts of everyone present.

One thought flashed through many minds.

’It’s a vampire.’

The soldiers stationed along the walls reacted instantly. Weapons were raised, mana gathered at their tips, all of them aiming directly at the trio.

Yet Evangeline, Aiden, and Arthur remained motionless, the corners of their lips curling in matching smiles.

"Now this is unexpected," Evangeline said lightly. "Is this how they treat their princess?"

"It seems they don’t value you at all," Arthur added calmly.

"You didn’t have to say it out loud, even if it’s the truth," Aiden muttered.

Evangeline’s mouth twitched hard as she wanted to retort but held back.

Around the hall, three women were struck speechless.

Sylvia, Jessica, and Yuna stared at the dark-haired man beside Evangeline.

Of all the people they thought they might see at this banquet, he was the last they expected.

And Arthur, focused on the soldiers and the tension in the hall, still hadn’t noticed any of the three at all.