Chapter 85

This was the perfect time to use the phrase “no time to breathe.” As the year-end and New Year’s parties approached, Liliana felt like there was a lack of oxygen in the air.

Moreover, she had to investigate the kingdom and the Gathis River, so she couldn’t have rested even if she had ten bodies.

When the year-end party finally arrived, Liliana wanted to lie down on her bed and sleep for a long time.

However, she couldn’t possibly do that, so she had no choice but to dress up and stand by the door where the royal family members entered the banquet hall.

The one thing that made her happy was that Helio gave her the dress for this party.

“Oh my, I’ve never seen a dress sparkle like this.”

“Isn’t it too elegant for me to wear?“

“Your Highness is also elegant!”

When Liliana asked in a voice lacking confidence, Sophia clenched both fists and spoke. She seemed apologetic for her lukewarm reaction at the Silver Deer Palace in Lucía earlier.

In fact, Liliana had already acquired a dress for this banquet. However, it wasn’t anything particularly special since she got it amid her busy schedule.

At one point, she told Helio that she had found a suitable dress, and he remembered that and provided her with a dress that left her utterly astonished.

The dress Helio gifted was a beautiful pale lavender, like the dawn sky.

Refined pleats fell from the shoulders to the chest and from there to the navel; it was embroidered with silver thread in such intricate detail that it was hard to believe it was made by human hands.

Moreover, the flowing hem of the dress was made up of several layers of thin fabric, each of which had delicate embroidery that was almost invisible, creating a fantastic shadow every time bright light shone on it.

As the door opened, the palace steward loudly announced Liliana’s entrance.

Liliana gracefully walked in, holding a fan painted by the empire’s best painter. The nobles all bowed their heads to greet her, but some looked shocked.

“After the carriage, now even the entrance follows the empress’s protocol.”

“Is this an attempt to keep the Gabriel Duchy in check, or simply the birth of a new power…?“

“Don’t you see? His Majesty has fallen deeply for the foreign woman. It’s probably nothing more significant than that.”

Liliana glanced around to gauge their expressions before sitting on the chair prepared beside the emperor’s throne.

Honestly, being at the center of gossip still made her heart flutter, but she tried to calm herself down and maintain a gentle smile.

Princess Lucía, who had entered earlier, turned slightly and winked at her. Grateful for her attempt to ease the tension, Liliana smiled warmly.

After a few formalities, Helio finally entered the banquet hall.

Liliana, rising from her seat as etiquette demanded, felt her heart flutter slightly when she saw Helio’s handkerchief was a matching shade of lavender. He must have coordinated it with her dress.

Standing before the throne, Helio spoke his usual words smoothly, thanking everyone for attending the banquet and wishing them all a good year-end.

When his concise speech ended, everyone raised their glasses for a toast.

Although everyone had expected Liliana to be the one to share the first dance with Helio, Beatty’s gaze was still intense and sharp. Helio, while turning, seemed to have noticed this as well.

“Stay by my side today.“

“That’s impossible.“

“Why is it impossible? If you leave me, that scary lady will come and cause trouble for either of us. Just stay by my side.“

“No way.“

“I’m scared.”

When Helio exaggerated his fear, Liliana couldn’t help but laugh. It wasn’t that he feared Beatty but that he was worried Liliana might get hurt.

The two smiling at each other while dancing left a deep impression on the nobles.

Even after the music ended, the two remained close, exchanging what seemed like either jokes or light-hearted conversation.

Eventually, only after Liliana repeatedly persuaded him did Helio finally surrender, raising both hands as if in defeat.

Beatty stood not too far from them.

She stood today with her head held even higher and her shoulders and chest boldly exposed; her magnificent necklace stood out.

The necklace was a beautiful piece of jewelry, crafted with a gemstone as red as the sunset and hints of gold.

Beatty had purposely tied her hair high but pretended to brush it aside. The sharp-eyed young ladies around her surely did not miss that.

“Oh my, Lady Beatty. What a beautiful necklace. Not only is the craftsmanship exquisite, but I’ve never seen a gem with such a radiant color before.“

“Indeed, it looks like it contains the sun itself.”

Beatty cleared her throat, flaunting her long, deer-like neck. The gemstone sparkled even more brilliantly as it caught the light pouring from the chandelier.

“It’s a gemstone that can only be mined in the high mountains of the north. Not something you can easily buy, even with money.“

“Oh my, of course. Who else but Lady Beatty could dare to possess such a gem?”

The number of noble ladies around Beatty had noticeably dwindled. They judged it too risky to stay openly close to Beatty while Liliana’s influence was growing.

However, at the mere gesture of the Gabriel Duke, young ladies from families on the verge of bankruptcy still had to flatter Beatty.

They did this by deliberately speaking louder when Liliana happened to pass by, pretending not to notice her.

Liliana paused her steps momentarily at the obvious remarks seemingly directed at her. Turning her head, she noticed the young lady who had spoken, doing everything she could not to meet her eyes.

How pitiful.

Liliana gently tapped her cheek with her fan and gave a faint smile. Her calm demeanor sharpened the look in Beatty’s eyes.

But Liliana paid no attention and continued greeting other nobles, including Lady Liston. Count Lackl was also invited today, so she met him after a long time.

“Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager, is entering!”

Finally, the Empress Dowager appeared in the banquet hall. Claiming the gatherings were too tiring, she always entered midway through.

She wore a simple gray dress, which suited her striking features, much like Helio’s.

As Helio approached and kissed her hand, it became evident to everyone that the rumors about their relationship being restored were true.

The nobles watched the Empress Dowager with feigned grace and elegance, and all their gazes were soon drawn to the short necklace adorning her neck.

The first to approach the Empress Dowager was Lady Liston, who spoke with barely concealed admiration after making a polite bow.

“Pardon my rudeness, Your Majesty, but I cannot take my eyes off the beautiful gem you are wearing.”

The Empress Dowager, rather than scolding Lady Liston, replied with a satisfied expression.

“Isn’t it exquisite? The gemstone is beautiful, but what moves me more is the thoughtfulness of my daughter-in-law, who sent someone to the Duchy of Laove to acquire it for me.”

The Empress Dowager turned her body subtly toward the people. Everyone in attendance noticed that she, who was usually so prickly, did not mind the attention she was receiving.

“Oh my goodness…”

The first exclamation came from a young lady standing right next to Beatty. She quickly covered her mouth in surprise, but Beatty glared at her with a murderous look.

Everyone sensed the air around Beatty, who was growing colder.

However, those who didn’t have to care about Beatty or had decided not to were openly admiring the necklace around the Empress Dowager’s neck.

“It’s impossible not to look. It’s so stunning.“

“Who knew there was such a beautiful gemstone mine in the Duchy of Laove? No wonder they don’t allow foreigners in. I would hide it, too!”

One after another, people added their comments.

The Empress Dowager’s necklace was crafted from a Light Spirit Stone, a gem that required little embellishment due to its inherent beauty.

Unlike most gems that needed light to shine, the Light Spirit Stone emitted a soft glow even in darkness.

The light spreading from the center of the gem resembled a miniature sun.

“It seems the necklace holding the sun is here, after all.”

A young lady muttered in a mocking tone from beneath her fan.

Beatty whipped her head around, trying to locate the owner of the voice, but with so many people hiding their faces behind fans, she couldn’t find them.

Lady Liston gently placed her fingers on her chin, smiling kindly.

“Are you referring to Princess Liliana, the Empress Consort?“

“Of course, who else but my daughter-in-law?“ replied the Empress Dowager as if it were the most natural thing.

Lady Liston nodded in agreement.

“Indeed. With such devotion from Her Highness, the Empress Consort, it’s easy to see why both Your Majesty and His Majesty cherish her so much.“

“Come to think of it, I heard you are the godmother of the Empress Consort,“ remarked the Empress Dowager.

“Yes, it is an honor for me and my family,“ Lady Liston replied.

As the Empress Dowager and Lady Liston continued their pleasant conversation about Liliana, the crowd naturally began glancing toward her. It would take some courage to join their conversation, and Liliana, fortunately, was standing alone.

As people exchanged hesitant glances, one couple finally mustered up the courage.

“We greet Her Highness, the Empress Consort. I am Chelsea from the House of Count Blia, and this is my husband, Count Blia.”

Though the Count Blia couple did not have the highest status, they were well-connected in business and known for setting trends. As such, their attire was exceptionally stylish.

Liliana beamed at them, applauding inwardly.

‘If these two misstep, the effect will be quite beneficial.’

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.