THE CHOOSEN ONES

**LATER THAT DAY**

The afternoon sun hung heavy in the sky as I trained with the knights, their familiar faces a bittersweet reminder of a time long past. It felt as though I had stepped back into a memory, the clashing of swords and the rhythmic thud of boots against the training grounds echoing in my ears.

Yet, I couldn't afford to let my true skill show. The Knight Commander, who had once been my mentor in swordsmanship, would surely notice if I improved too drastically in a single day. Suspicion was the last thing I needed.

After a quick shower, I returned to my chambers, where Mika and Rina awaited me. Their presence was a comforting constant, though the sight of the pastel green gown laid out on my bed was anything but.

"Her Excellency chose this?" I asked, my voice tinged with skepticism as I eyed the gown. Mika nodded, her expression unreadable.

Rina stepped forward, her tone polite but firm. "Her Excellency has requested that you behave appropriately tonight. It is, after all, the first official banquet for your fiancé."

Fiancé. The word left a bitter taste in my mouth. I scoffed, setting the gown aside. "Mika, Rina, I won't be wearing this."

Mika's eyes widened in confusion. "But, My Lady, Her Excellency specifically—"

"I know," I interrupted, already moving toward my closet. "But if I know my mother, she's likely dressed Alancia in something similar. I won't be outshone tonight."

Rina's brow furrowed, her sharp mind piecing together the implications. "If you're correct, My Lady, then Her Excellency may be attempting to position Alancia as the more suitable choice."

I nodded, my lips curling into a sly smile. "Precisely. But I have other plans."

My fingers brushed against a gown tucked away in the depths of my closet, and my eyes lit up with mischief. "Hold on tight, Mika, Rina. You're about to have your work cut out for you."

The two exchanged uneasy glances but quickly sprang into action as I laid out my chosen attire.

Moments later, Laila and Aila entered, their confusion melting into determination as they grasped the situation. The four of them worked in perfect harmony, their hands a flurry of activity as they transformed me.

Fragrant oils were smoothed over my skin, my hair was styled into an intricate cascade of silver, and my makeup was applied with an artist's precision.

The gown they helped me into was a masterpiece—a deep crimson velvet that clung to my form like a second skin, accented with golden embroidery that shimmered like captured starlight. The sleeves flowed like liquid silk, and the skirts billowed with every step, edged in golden vines that seemed to come alive in the light.

When I finally stood before the mirror, I barely recognized myself. The reflection staring back was regal, powerful, and undeniably striking.

My emerald eyes glinted with a fire I hadn't felt in years, and my silver hair cascaded like a waterfall of moonlight. Even my figure, once boyish from years of training, had softened into something more curvaceous, a subtle gift from the mana that now flowed through me.

"My Lady," Laila murmured, her voice tinged with awe. "You've… changed."

I smirked, running a hand over the delicate fabric. "Let's just say I've grown into myself."

As I prepared to leave, my gaze fell on the sword resting by the window. It wasn't my long used sword. Slayer. The weapon that had once been mine, and I would have to get it from Ezekian again.

"Mika," I said, handing her my current sword. "Take this to the knights' quarters and have it sharpened. I'll need it soon."

She nodded, her expression serious, and hurried off. With a deep breath, I turned to face the door. "It's time to make my entrance."

---

The Wymhold mansion was a labyrinth of grandeur, each section a testament to the family's power and history.

My chambers were located on the third floor of the eastern wing, which offered a breathtaking view of the Imperial Palace. From there, I made my way to the northern wing, where the banquet hall awaited.

The journey was a familiar one, yet tonight it felt charged with anticipation. The corridors were lined with tapestries depicting the triumphs of my ancestors, their stern faces seeming to watch me as I passed. The air was thick with the scent of polished wood and the faint aroma of roses from the gardens below.

I descended the grand staircase, my gown trailing behind me like a river of crimson.

The northern wing was a marvel of architecture, its high ceilings adorned with frescoes of celestial beings and its walls lined with gilded mirrors that reflected the flickering light of countless candles. The sound of the banquet grew louder with each step, a symphony of laughter, music, and clinking glasses.

As I reached the second floor, I paused at the balcony overlooking the banquet hall. The sight below was nothing short of breathtaking.

The hall was a cathedral of opulence, its marble floors polished to a mirror sheen and its towering columns adorned with intricate gold filigree. Chandeliers of crystal hung like captured constellations, their light refracting in a thousand dazzling colors.

At the center of it all stood Ezekian and Alancia, a picture of perfection.

Alancia's gown was a vision of ethereal beauty, its pastel green fabric adorned with golden vines and silver blossoms. The bodice hugged her slender frame, the embroidery curling toward her collarbone like tendrils reaching for the sun.

The skirts billowed around her, a cascade of emerald and moss, their sheer fabric revealing the intricate design of a great tree stretching from hem to waist. Her silver hair flowed like moonlight, and her emerald eyes sparkled with an otherworldly charm.

Beside her, Ezekian cut a striking figure in his emerald-green tailcoat, the fabric embroidered with delicate golden filigree that swirled like arcane sigils. His black hair was neatly styled, and his golden eyes gleamed with a practiced charm that masked the cold calculation beneath.

A sapphire pendant hung at his throat, its eerie inner light hinting at hidden power. On his lapel, a silver brooch with a blue gem dangled with faint enchantment, signifying his high status.

They were a matched pair, their attire perfectly coordinated, and the guests around them seemed to orbit their presence like planets around a sun.

The sight stirred something in me—a flicker of pain, a memory of a younger, more naive version of myself who had once been hurt by this very scene. But that girl was gone. Tonight, I would play a different game.

My father's gaze found mine from across the hall, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of pride in his eyes. It was a rare sight, one that might have once filled me with joy. Now, it only steeled my resolve.

With a deep breath, I descended the grand staircase, the whispers of the guests rising like a wave as they turned to take me in. The crimson of my gown seemed to burn brighter against the sea of pastels, and the golden embroidery caught the light with every step. I was a storm in a garden of delicate flowers, and I relished the shock on their faces.

Ezekian's gaze locked onto mine, his polite smile faltering for the briefest of moments. Alancia's eyes widened, her composure slipping as she took in the sight of me. Even my mother, standing nearby, seemed momentarily stunned.

I smiled, a slow, deliberate curve of my lips, as I stepped into the heart of the banquet hall. Tonight, I would lay the foundation of my political debut. And I had just the plan to catch the biggest fish in the pond.

I have no time to be hurt over Ezekian and Alancia.