Meanwhile, at the banquet reserved for the elder generation, Emperor Jelka stepped into the center of the hall.

"Everyone," he began, "the purpose of gathering you here today goes beyond the well-known reasons. There is also someone I wish to introduce."

As Jelka spoke, the hall fell into profound silence. Even the empire’s most powerful families stood attentively, not daring to interrupt.

The emperor scanned the assembled ministers, then spoke with quiet emotion:

"Come to think of it, I’ve sat upon this throne for over twenty years."

"Through these decades, honored ministers—some walked beside me from the start, others departed midway. Through every rise and fall, these family crests remain the most familiar."

"In the blink of an eye, I’ve gone from that clueless young upstart to an old man with weary bones."

Jelka delivered this with a half-joking tone. The nobles below responded with knowing smiles.

"I cannot say how many more decades I shall walk beside you. But to prepare for the unforeseen, the imperial family must name an heir."

Seizing this moment to ease tensions between two houses, Jelka announced the empire’s most momentous news.

He was an unusual emperor: though he fathered an heir early, he kept her secluded deep within the palace, never presenting her publicly—until now.

Yet as he said, age was catching up. Time would inevitably claim him. Delaying the heir’s reveal any longer would stir unrest among the nobles.

As he finished, the inner hall doors swung open. Several palace maids gently guided a blue-haired girl forward.

Her gown shimmered with exquisite jewels; atop her head rested the laurel crown of the imperial heir.

Her steps were graceful, yet her presence silenced the entire hall.

A sweet smile graced her lips, but no one held her gaze beyond a fleeting second. All quickly averted their eyes, fearing offense.

"Allow me to introduce this young woman to you, pillars of the empire—this is my daughter, Charlotte."

"She is eighteen. Her abilities are modest, merely on par with a notable figure. I trust you will all look after Charlotte."

Jelka turned to his daughter with a warm smile.

"Charlotte, this is a gathering for elders. You’ve made your appearance—now go enjoy yourself in the next room."

This hall held shrewd elders; the next room awaited her future allies.

Charlotte gave a slight bow, then followed the maids toward the adjacent chamber.

Jelka remained, accepting congratulations from the ministers.

...

"Did someone come by here earlier?"

Teresa returned and sat beside Loko.

Strangely, after Giovanni’s previous misconduct, Loko felt not discomfort but a quiet sense of reassurance with Teresa so close.

Though Teresa was her superior, in this setting, she was truly Loko’s only protector.

Loko nodded.

"Earlier… two people. No—three."

Meeting Teresa’s steady gaze, Loko hurriedly recounted everything.

"...As for the Florence family, I’ll address them later," Teresa murmured, her brow furrowed.

Her concern wasn’t about Eve, but the mysterious blue-haired girl who had appeared—and vanished.

Those attending this banquet were mostly scions of Rickrode’s prominent families. The chance of Loko not recognizing someone was slim.

"As for the girl you mentioned—"

Just then, the banquet hall doors swung open.

Loko’s eyes widened. There she was—the girl she’d chatted with moments ago, now standing at the entrance in an exquisitely lavish gown.

*She really meant it… we’d meet again soon?*

Teresa followed her gaze. The moment she spotted the laurel crown, understanding dawned.

She immediately pulled Loko to her feet and stood respectfully still.

No matter the York Family’s influence, etiquette demanded deference before royalty.

Especially since Teresa was merely the family’s heir.

If even she stood thus, the others naturally fell silent.

The hall’s chatter faded into a silence where a pin drop would be heard.

Charlotte stepped into the center of the crowd.

"Good day, everyone. As you see, I am Charlotte, crown princess of the Empire of Saint Velia."

"Please look after me in the future~"

With this debut, Charlotte left a lasting impression on all present. But Loko’s mind reeled.

*What? The girl who watched me eat… even fed me… is the empire’s crown princess?*

Loko stiffly turned toward Teresa.

She hadn’t noticed Teresa’s hand—still holding hers, now gripping tighter with tension.

"Mistress… It seems… it’s her," Loko whispered.

Teresa’s eyes widened in disbelief.

She trusted Loko, yet this encounter left her utterly astonished.

*Should I not have brought her here?*

In mere moments unsupervised, Loko had already faced three troubles.

After Charlotte’s introduction, young nobles swarmed around her, vying for favor with the future empress.

None was more eager than Haya.

Very few knew of the crown princess’s appearance. Drake hadn’t even told Teresa—only Haya was informed.

Thus, only Haya had prepared.

Yet for the perpetually mysterious princess, Haya’s "preparation" was simply dressing modestly—to avoid overshadowing her.

"Mistress, shouldn’t we greet Her Highness?" Loko asked nervously.

Teresa shot her a sharp glance.

Go now? The crown princess had clearly noticed Loko—her interest was unmistakable.

If she asked for Loko… would she hand her over?

Forget making an appearance—Teresa now wished she could bundle Loko into a sack and send her straight home.

She’d only meant to broaden Loko’s horizons and show the world her protection.

But an untouchable figure had appeared.

Loko shrank back, about to nod.

But fate intervened—the mountain came to her.

While exchanging pleasantries with nobles, Charlotte’s gaze swept the hall. She spotted the intriguing girl, still seated exactly where she’d been.

Their eyes met.

Teresa watched Loko freeze. Then she saw it—Charlotte walking straight toward them.