The grand ballroom shimmered beneath thousands of candles embroidered across the ceiling like constellations.

Clodine, dazzling in a red veil and gown adorned with glittering diamonds, stood beside Ahazan, who wore a formal uniform of the same shade with effortless elegance. Together, they received the distinguished guests.

Though the celebratory banquet, originally scheduled for the previous evening, had been postponed by Ahazan’s order, the hall was still overflowing with dignitaries from every nation.

“We are honored to behold the illustrious Emperor and Empress.”

Seated side by side upon the raised platform, they accepted the nobles’ greetings. At last, after receiving the respects of Baron Wilbright and his household, Clodine rose, taking Ahazan’s hand.

Before countless eyes lifted in admiration, Ahazan bowed gracefully and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. In that brief moment when he lowered and raised his head, he met her gaze and offered a captivating smile.

In return, Clodine bent her knees slightly and gave him a gentle smile.

It was the signal: they would now separate to attend to the guests individually.

Ahazan stepped away to greet foreign envoys and the rulers of vassal states, and Clodine followed into the hall.

Among the noblewomen, some hesitated, uncertain whether to approach her. Others came forward with bright congratulations. Faces half familiar, half unknown drifted before her.

Then she noticed her half-sister, Cecilia Ramier, standing among a group.

They had only brushed past one another on the wedding day, exchanging no words. Unlike most sisters, theirs was a relationship abandoned from birth, closeness had never been an option.

After a brief hesitation, Clodine turned her gaze away naturally.

She passed the time exchanging polite greetings until Cecilia’s laughter rang loudly across the hall, drawing her attention again.

But this time, Cecilia was not the only one looking.

Cecilia, still smiling, was watching her as well. When someone whispered in Cecilia’s ear, she laughed again, light and careless.

Clodine narrowed her eyes to identify the whisperer.

It was Princess Nadia Hymera of the Kingdom of Rehart.

Though Rehart was far smaller than Rotermann, the two kingdoms shared a border and maintained frequent exchanges. Princess Nadia had often visited the Rotermann palace for holidays in the past.

Knowing Nadia’s frivolous and impulsive temperament well, Clodine suppressed a quiet sigh. Outwardly, however, she maintained perfect composure and approached Nadia and Cecilia.

As she neared, the women bowed with hands to their chests.

Clodine inclined herself slightly less in return.

“We greet the radiant star of Van Helsing, Her Majesty the Empress.”

Nadia stepped forward, her tone almost sing-song with delight.

Clodine lowered her eyes with a meaningful smile, then lifted them again, her expression smoothing into something cooler.

“You remain the same, Princess Hymera.”

“In what way?”

Nadia tilted her head innocently, her face all feigned sweetness.

Clodine smiled gently.

“What else but your youthful and exquisite intellect?”

Taking the remark at face value, Nadia’s pretty features brightened with pride.

“Cecilia, it seems I am invisible to you.”

Though her body still faced Nadia, Clodine’s eyes shifted to Cecilia.

Cecilia exchanged a subtle glance with Nadia before replying, her lips curving as if suppressing laughter.

“Impossible. How could one overlook such brilliance? My congratulations are terribly late. I congratulate you on your marriage, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you. Receiving your congratulations at last makes the marriage feel real.”

For sisters reunited after seven years, the conversation was curiously cold.

Clodine shrugged lightly and smiled.

“Now then, will you tell me what conversation amused you so much? Everyone offers greetings and then hurries away. It is rather dull.”

Indeed, many had done just that, warm in greeting, cautious in conversation. Perhaps they were still weighing Clodine’s uncertain standing within the imperial court.

“It was merely idle chatter among ourselves, Your Majesty.”

Nadia covered her mouth as she laughed, clearly unwilling to elaborate.

Cecilia glanced between them, an unreadable expression passing over her face before boldness replaced it.

“It is not a matter we cannot speak of.”

Nadia looked most startled by Cecilia’s sudden challenge. She grasped Cecilia’s arm and whispered urgently,

“Cecilia… what are you saying…?”

“There have been persistent rumors that the seeds of the Dantera root have dried up in the regions of Helman and Yusra.”

The Dantera root had long been famed as a cure-all and circulated actively in the markets. Rare and costly, harvested only briefly each year in specific regions, it was prized among the nobility.

In a hall filled with aristocrats, there was surely no one unfamiliar with its properties.

Cecilia’s steady gaze remained fixed on Clodine.

Clodine responded with a faint smile.

Unnoticed, a small crowd had begun to gather around the three women.

At Cecilia’s words, those gathered raised their fans to their lips and began whispering among themselves. Murmurs overlapped, swelling toward open commotion.

Before it could erupt, Clodine spoke.

“Is that a confirmed fact?”

“I heard the Imperial Palace has been buying it up indiscriminately… Even if it is only a rumor, would that not be a grave matter?”

There was intent in the way Cecilia said grave matter. And Clodine understood it at once.

‘So we were never meant to be family, Cecilia.’

A faint, bitter smile flickered across Clodine’s face before disappearing.

The Dantera root was known to cure many ailments, but it was especially famed, whispered about in private, as a remedy for female infertility. By raising the subject now, Cecilia was clearly attempting to turn the long-circulating rumors of Clodine’s barrenness into public truth before a crowd.

Clodine swept her gaze calmly across the restless nobles. Many wore expressions of concern, worried that the empire’s long, unbroken lineage, born solely from the Empress’s womb through generations, might be fractured by Clodine.

Even Clodine herself could not entirely dismiss their anxiety.

In the Kingdom of Rotermann, she had once sat at the highest seat as queen. Yet she had also been, in many ways, the lowest of women. Soon after her marriage to O’Neil, her monthly courses had stopped as if by a cruel spell. It had taken barely six months for the palace servants to spread the news throughout the court.

A queen unable to bear an heir.

Even without committing a crime, she had lived as though she were a sinner.

She remembered the open disdain of O’Neil’s mistresses. At the time, she had believed that because she could not fulfill her duty, enduring humiliation in silence was only proper.

‘But now… it is different.’

Clodine lifted her previously lowered gaze and met Cecilia’s eyes directly. Dragged here as a captive and forced into marriage, she had no intention of accepting the posture of a criminal.

‘Still… dignity must be preserved.’

To let such petty gossip reduce the imperial household to ridicule would be the act of fools.

The corner of Clodine’s lips curved beautifully upward.

“If what you say is true, then it seems the palace officials have resolved upon a truly important undertaking.”

Cecilia slowly raised her brows, surprised at Clodine’s easy agreement.

“The Dantera root has always been expensive and scarce. For commoners, it has long been beyond reach, an unattainable remedy even when desperately needed.”

Watching Cecilia’s expression tighten, Clodine smiled more brightly.

“It has been over a decade since voices first called for the state to purchase Dantera root with public funds and resell it to impoverished citizens at affordable prices.”

Cecilia, who had never shown the slightest interest in governance or national affairs, clearly knew nothing of it. Clodine, however, had always paid close attention to matters within and beyond the kingdom, and thus required no fabrication to navigate the situation with elegance.

“If the officials have begun taking action, it seems they have finally grasped the seriousness of the matter. Is that not something to be glad for, for the sake of the people?”

Around them, nobles nodded in agreement, whether out of a desire to maintain decorum or to align themselves with public sentiment.

Only Cecilia continued to glare, unblinking. Yet beside her, Nadia’s deeply flushed face betrayed the baseness of their original intent.

“I did not realize you were so knowledgeable about state affairs, to know news that even I, as Empress, have yet to hear.”

“As members of high society, it is only proper that we concern ourselves with such matters.”

Clodine found the remark almost amusing. Cecilia had always sneered that politics was for those whose lives were dull and insignificant.

A soft laugh slipped from between Clodine’s lips.

“I shall investigate the matter thoroughly. If there is anything I can do to assist, I will not spare the effort.”

There was unmistakable warning in the way she emphasized thoroughly.

At last, Cecilia’s composure cracked; she bit her lower lip, her brows drawn tight.

Clodine might have pressed further, she was curious what reckless words Cecilia might spill if provoked, but she had no chance.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing here?”

The elegant voice came from behind.

Clodine did not need to turn to know who it was.

Anna von Lernando.

Ahazan’s younger sister.