Previously
Helio reflects on his growing attachment to Liliana, comparing her to a pet, while his assistant Terenz notes the Emperor's unusual behavior. The Empress Dowager visits Helio to offer a sincere apology for her past neglect, a change of heart prompted by a private meeting with Liliana.
A strange silence hung between Helio and the Empress Dowager.
Helio was thinking of Liliana.
The petite woman’s influence over the two figures was far from small. Helio sat back, crossed his legs, and slowly closed his eyes before opening them again.
Despite Helio’s cold words, the Empress Dowager’s expression remained calm. Even if the apology had been offered partly to unburden her own mind, one who admits a wrong and confronts the truth finds far greater peace than those who do not.
She felt the guilt weighing on her shoulders begin to lift slightly, yet sorrow lingered that Helio had no intention of accepting her amends.
Helio studied the complex expression on her face and rose from his seat. He turned straight toward his desk, presenting an unyielding back as if to end the conversation.
It was just as the Empress Dowager turned to leave.
The Empress Dowager stopped in her tracks and stared at Helio.
She had believed herself beyond forgiveness, fully expecting him to cast her out in fury. Yet despite his sharp words, Helio was offering her a chance.
It was as though he had been waiting for this apology for a very long time.
As though he had waited far too long.
The Empress Dowager quietly stepped out of the office. Her departure from the imperial palace was no different than usual, conducted with her customary elegance.
Yet the moment she climbed into her carriage, the tears she had held back the entire time began to fall in silence.
She had not realized that Helio had been waiting for her apology, or that he would grant her a way to return the moment she offered it.
Watching his hate-filled gaze, she had believed there was no hope left of expecting anything from him.
She recalled Helio’s childhood. He had been a bright, gifted boy who sought her attention by composing verse, showing off his swordplay, presenting her with songbirds, and gifting her his finest hunting spoils… a boy who had shone with grand ambitions.
Yet at some point, that boy stopped writing verse, took up the sword only to slaughter men, lost all care for small creatures, and abandoned his love of the hunt.
Even so, he had still been waiting for a sincere apology from his mother.
❈❈❈
Liliana enjoyed a stretch of peaceful days.
Helio had actually begun accepting the meals sent by the Empress Dowager.
He did not thank her or offer words of gratitude, but at the very least, he no longer ignored the food or sent it back as he had in the past.
Nor did Helio barge into the Emerald Palace claiming he would stay the night, which brought her immense relief.
One morning, Liliana woke, stretched comfortably, and drew a deep breath. Before long, a maid entered carrying basin water.
The maid spoke with eager excitement.
Something unusual was clearly afoot.
Liliana felt a surge of unease rather than excitement.
Was Helio coming? An Emperor’s visit to a palace was normally a joyful occasion, so that might have explained it.
Yet the maid’s words were entirely unexpected.
Liliana froze for a second, then immediately nodded.
A dress form was brought into the bedchamber draped in a breathtaking gown. Elegant and deep purple, the bodice was embroidered with silver thread and encrusted with brilliant jewels.
The skirt cascaded in graceful, shimmering folds, lending it an even more radiant splendor. Paired with it, the black lace gloves looked utterly captivating.
Liliana murmured, her face pale. For one, the garment looked exorbitantly expensive. Selling it could likely buy an ordinary estate.
Furthermore, Liliana had always dressed modestly; she had never worn a gown of such grandeur. A discarded princess was hardly in any position to do so.
The maid cut in firmly, holding out a white envelope.
It bore a red wax seal, simple yet refined.
Liliana carefully examined the letter.
Inside was a single card.
The dress carried profound weight. Liliana felt faint, but now that she had read the note, returning it was out of the question. To do so would be seen as spurning the Empress Dowager’s intentions.
Sophia beamed, clearly delighted to see Liliana favored by the Empress Dowager. Liliana could only offer her a faint smile in return.
The other maid firmly cut Sophia off. Both Sophia and Liliana looked at her in surprise.
She could have simply suggested a better alternative, so her flat refusal came as a shock.
Noticing their astonished expressions, the maid explained:
It seemed to be one of the empire’s unspoken rules. Sophia, who had already held the sapphire earrings against Liliana, set them down with a disappointed look and picked out diamond studs instead, which complemented the dress far better.
Liliana offered a reassuring smile, and Sophia’s mood quickly brightened as she smiled and nodded.
On the day of the Foundation Day celebration, the question foremost on everyone’s mind was
By imperial custom, the first dance naturally belonged to the Empress.
Yet the seat of Empress remained vacant, with only the Empress Dowager present. Even so, nearly everyone assumed the future empress had already been decided, and murmurs filled the hall.
Helio’s assistant, Terenz, had been repeating this incessantly for days leading up to the celebration.
Though the empress’s seat was still empty, Princess Gabriel hailed from a prominent ducal house, and great care had to be taken not to slight their pride.
Terenz’s concern was plain in his voice.
The rest of the court took it for granted that events would unfold according to expectation.
Yet Terenz suspected things would not go as smoothly. Until now, Helio had not offered a single response to his warnings.
Dressed in an impeccable uniform, Helio swept into the banquet hall, brushing right past Terenz. A storm of thunderous applause greeted him as a herald bellowed:
Everyone had been waiting for Helio to appear, which was why the clapping erupted even before the herald could make his announcement.
Helio smiled charmingly as he mounted the dais.
Even at such a simple greeting, another burst of enthusiastic applause swept through the hall. Next, Helio was expected to approach his partner and offer his hand to lead the opening dance before the court.
All eyes turned to Bestie, and she too believed the honor of the first dance would be hers. She stood slightly ahead of the crowd, smiling with practiced grace.
Helio descended the dais, smiling toward Bestie. Thinking her expectations were fulfilled, Bestie took a step forward.
Yet Helio merely inclined his head to Bestie in greeting and continued right past her.
Helio’s tone was remarkably warm, as if teasing a small child. The person he addressed was none other than Liliana.
Unlike Bestie, Liliana had firmly believed she would not be his partner for the first dance—or rather, that she should not be—and had stayed near the very back of the hall.
Given her short stature and the fan concealing her face, she had never expected anyone to notice her, yet Helio had spotted her instantly.
Fluster washed over Liliana’s face, as if she could scarcely believe he was calling to her.
Yet the nobles parted around her like cracked, parched earth, leaving Helio and Liliana standing face-to-face.
Helio spoke her name clearly, extending his hand. A wave of hushed whispers and speculation rippled through the gathering.
To some, this unexpected development seemed utterly romantic, but to Liliana, it felt like a scene from a thriller. Her pink eyes began to tremble uncontrollably.
In that moment, Liliana had only one choice: reach out and take Helio’s hand.
She stepped forward in silence, the quiet click of her heels cutting through the hushed hall until she reached Helio, who brushed a kiss against the back of her hand with a faint smile.
“Queen Liliana, will you share the first dance with me?”
Helio spoke with utmost courtesy, a side of him Liliana had never seen before.
He had always treated her like a child, making this formal gallantry all the more startling.
Liliana’s heart raced in more ways than one.
She was struck by how handsome Helio looked, yet the entire hall was watching—including Bestie, whose gaze was sharp with malice.
If looks could kill, Bestie’s glare would have struck Liliana dead on the spot, so glaring was the fury burning in her eyes.
Yet refusing Helio’s hand was impossible.
No woman in this palace could refuse a dance with the Emperor. Composing her face, Liliana replied.