'Wow, that is so beautiful.'
The moment I stepped through the doors, my eyes were drawn to the massive chandelier hanging from the center of the hall. It was so large it felt as if it had its own gravity. Decorated with hundreds of candles and countless magic lamps, the banquet hall was brighter and more splendid than the brightest day.
There was a saying in the capital: "If you get lost, just look for the light of the Imperial Palace; that’s West." Seeing it now, I could believe it. This wasn't just lighting; it was a blatant display of Imperial wealth and power.
I walked in silence, my arm linked with Askin’s. Tall windows lined the walls, and the raindrops on the glass reflected the magical light like thousands of tiny, shimmering stars.
As we moved, I heard a collective gasp from the guests already in the room. They looked at me, then at Askin, then at our linked arms.
'Oh my God, did the Altsbeit Villainess and her Ice Prince actually arrive together?'
Everyone had heard the attendant announce our titles at the door, but seeing us together was a different matter entirely. Charlize Altsbeit had returned, and she had done the impossible.
"When did she come back?"
"Didn't you hear? She’s been back for weeks!"
"Ha ha, the capital is so large, I suppose there are still some who haven't heard. But look at her..."
"She’s... she’s actually beautiful."
I could feel the weight of their stares. Even though I was supposed to be the "bad girl" of the Empire, my return was causing a stir of a different kind today. My off-white dress, designed by Rona, made me feel as if I were glowing. It was an inaccessible kind of beauty—the kind that makes people step back out of pure instinct.
I suppressed a laugh as I walked, holding Askin’s arm a little tighter. 'Yes, look at me! I seduced the man and I’m here! Pray for my survival, because I plan to make this year count!'
Most of the men in the room were staring with their mouths open, unable to look away from the "Off-white Queen." But not all the looks were pleasant. I caught a glimpse of a middle-aged man biting his lip and avoiding my gaze, his expression full of a deep, suppressed resentment.
If this were the old Charlize, I’d probably have hit him in the back of the head with my fan. But today was a good day, and I had a partner to consider. I looked away.
As we passed the first wave of guests, the orchestra was revealed. I stared at them, fascinated. It was all live music—no radios or speakers here. The violins and cellos sounded incredible in the high-ceilinged hall.
One of the younger violinists caught my eye. I couldn't resist. I gave him a small, playful smile.
*Screech! Geek! Beep!*
The poor man was so startled his hand slipped, and he made a sharp, jarring noise on the strings. The sudden discord drew even more attention to us.
'Oh, no...' I thought, seeing the musician point at me in confusion.
The crowd in the center of the hall turned as one to find the source of the interruption.
"...Oh my God."
"What is that dress made of?"
"When did she get back? My sister didn't tell me!"
"First I need to get my sister out of here. His wounds haven't even healed from the last time she was angry...!"
"Is that a blue diamond? I never thought I’d see those two together. The sun won't rise from the west tomorrow..."
Admiration, envy, and fear pricked at me from all sides. I realized then that the old Charlize must have lived her entire life under this kind of scrutiny. She’d spent her time committing reckless acts of depravity in rooms full of people just like this.
I felt a strange kind of respect for her. To be that much of a master of chaos required a certain level of dedication.
'Did Loxdian really expect me to "play harder" in an environment like this?' I wondered. 'He really must hate his sister.'
I grit my teeth and moved deeper into the room. Askin looked down at me, his expression unreadable.
'...You're already tired,' he seemed to think.
Unlike me, Askin didn't enjoy the attention. He’d spent years refusing Charlize’s requests for him to be her partner, largely because he didn't want to be part of her public "spectacle."
As an expert swordsman, he felt the gaze of the crowd even more intensely than I did. He sensed the desire, the jealousy, and the shock. But more than that, he felt a vibration in his arm.
It was subtle—so subtle he wouldn't have noticed it if he weren't focused. But his partner was shaking.
'Is she... trembling?'
The "Party Queen" who lived for glamour and corruption was shuddering at an Imperial banquet? It didn't make sense. Unless...
'...Is she sick?'
The crowd stayed back, no one brave enough to be the first to approach the "Corrupt Queen." They watched like jackals, waiting for a victim—or for her to explode.
Askin leaned in, his voice low. "Are you alright? Is something wrong?"
I looked up at him, surprised.
"I’ve spent a lot of time watching Aria for signs of illness," he said, his expression softening for just a second. "I think I can recognize it now. Tell me if you’re in pain."
I blinked. He was looking at me with a face I’d never seen before—serious, focused, and... concerned.
"If you're sick, we should leave," he continued.
"I... why do you care if I get sick?" I asked, a bit confused by his sudden change in tone.
"I don't like jokes, Charlize. I’m asking you one last time. Are you sick?"
"No," I whispered.
"If you are, I will take care of you. You saved my sister, and I will show you that same respect. Just tell me."
I took a deep breath, coming to my senses. The old Charlize was gone; I didn't need to be afraid of the crowd. "...I’m not sick. Truly. I just..."
Askin was about to say something else when the silence of the banquet hall was suddenly shattered by a new arrival.