Chapter 67: The Mysterious Gift
Chapter 67: The Mysterious Gift
The warm applause following Princess Aurelia’s birthday ceremony gradually faded.
Royal servants moved gracefully throughout the grand ballroom, serving slices of the magnificent birthday cake to every noble guest. Soft conversations soon resumed as the nobles enjoyed the delicately crafted dessert while exchanging compliments regarding the celebration.
The atmosphere remained relaxed.
Crystal chandeliers bathed the hall in warm golden light, while elegant music continued to drift quietly through the palace.
Andras accepted a slice of cake from a passing servant before calmly tasting it.
"...Not bad."
The rich sweetness lingered pleasantly on his tongue.
Nearby, Seraphina smiled faintly.
Before long, another Imperial herald stepped forward.
His clear voice echoed throughout the magnificent ballroom.
"Your Excellencies... honored guests..."
"Luncheon has been prepared."
"We kindly invite everyone to proceed to the Royal Dining Hall."
A gentle murmur spread among the assembled nobles.
One after another, the guests followed the palace attendants through spacious marble corridors toward another wing of the Imperial Palace.
After several minutes...
The enormous doors of the Royal Dining Hall opened.
The room was every bit as magnificent as the ballroom.
Long rows of polished oak tables stretched across the hall, each covered with pristine white cloth embroidered with the Imperial crest. Crystal goblets, silver cutlery, and fine porcelain had already been arranged with flawless precision.
Dozens of servants stood patiently beside the tables, ready to serve every guest.
The aroma of freshly prepared dishes filled the air.
Roasted magical beast meat.
Freshly baked bread.
Exotic fruits gathered from distant provinces.
Rare seafood.
Delicate pastries.
And countless other delicacies prepared by the finest chefs in the Empire.
House Darkmoor and House Valebright naturally took seats at the same table.
Evelyne sat beside Duchess Elara while Duke Hadrian occupied the seat opposite them.
Seris, Seraphina, and Andras sat together nearby.
Moments later, servants began serving the meal.
Crystal goblets were filled with expensive wine, while plate after plate of exquisite cuisine was placed before the nobles.
The luncheon officially began.
Conversations soon filled the dining hall.
Political discussions.
Casual greetings.
Business negotiations.
Friendly laughter.
It was exactly the sort of atmosphere expected among the Empire’s highest nobility.
Andras calmly lifted his wine glass and took a small sip before placing it back upon the table.
His gaze drifted toward Seris.
Then a playful smile appeared on his face.
"Oh..."
He looked at her as though he had only just noticed she was sitting there.
"Sister."
"I almost forgot you were attending the banquet."
Seris looked at him blankly.
"...What?"
Andras rested his chin upon one hand.
"You didn’t dance during the waltz."
"Did no one invite you?"
He paused before pointing toward himself with exaggerated confidence.
"If no one did..."
"You could have simply asked your wonderful younger brother."
"I might have agreed."
For a brief moment...
Silence filled their side of the table.
Then Seris rolled her eyes.
"Many people invited me."
"I simply wasn’t in the mood to dance."
She looked directly at him before adding with perfect composure,
"And as for dancing with you..."
"I’m afraid I’ll politely decline."
Andras placed a hand over his chest as though struck by an invisible attack.
"I don’t think my heart will ever recover."
A quiet laugh escaped Seraphina.
Even Duke Hadrian chuckled.
Duchess Elara covered her smile behind her teacup.
Evelyne simply shook her head with helpless amusement.
"You brought that upon yourself."
"I know..."
Andras sighed dramatically.
"My own sister is truly heartless."
This time...
Even Seris couldn’t suppress a small laugh.
The atmosphere around both families became noticeably warmer.
After the laughter subsided, the conversation naturally shifted toward the Imperial Academy.
Andras looked toward Seris.
"So..."
"How is the Academy?"
Seris answered while cutting another piece of roasted meat.
"It’s been the same as always."
"The instructors remain demanding."
"The examinations become more difficult every year."
She glanced toward him.
"You are going to join Academy this year ..."
"You should prepare yourself."
Seraphina nodded in agreement.
"The practical examinations are especially troublesome."
"They’re designed to push students beyond their limits."
The conversation gradually shifted from examinations to academy life.
They discussed the professors, swordsmanship classes, magical research, student rankings, and the various competitions held throughout the academic year.
Time passed quickly.
Before anyone realized it...
The luncheon had come to an end.
The nobles gradually rose from their seats.
One after another, they exchanged farewells before leaving the Imperial Palace.
Outside...
The afternoon sun bathed the palace grounds in warm golden light.
House Darkmoor and House Valebright stopped before their respective carriages.
"It was a pleasure seeing you again."
Duke Hadrian smiled.
"As always."
Evelyne inclined her head gracefully.
"I look forward to meeting again."
Seraphina turned toward Andras.
"I’ll see you again soon."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I’ll hold you to that."
After exchanging their farewells, the two families departed in different directions.
The carriage of House Darkmoor soon disappeared into the streets of Valtharis.
The night passed peacefully.
The following morning...
The mansion stirred to life once more.
After breakfast, Seris prepared to return to the Ambrose Academy.
She stood before the entrance carrying only a single travel bag.
"I’ll visit again when my studies permit."
Evelyne smiled warmly.
"Take care of yourself."
"I will."
Seris then looked toward Andras.
"...Goodbye, Brother."
"Goodbye."
After boarding her carriage, she departed for the Academy.
Not long afterward...
House Darkmoor’s own convoy assembled before the mansion.
Knights mounted their horses.
Carriages were loaded with supplies.
Lyra and the remaining servants completed the final preparations.
Evelyne stepped into the main carriage.
Andras followed shortly afterward.
With the crack of the coachman’s reins...
The convoy began its journey back toward Darkmoor Duchy.
Aurelia’s POV:
The Imperial Palace had grown quiet.
The celebrations had ended.
The nobles had all returned to their respective territories.
Late into the night, Princess Aurelia finally retired to her chambers.
The next morning...
Soft sunlight filtered through the silk curtains.
A gentle knock sounded upon the door.
"Your Highness."
Aurelia slowly opened her eyes.
"You may enter."
Her personal maid stepped inside before bowing respectfully.
"Good morning, Your Highness."
After helping Aurelia prepare for the day, the maid asked,
"Would you like to inspect the birthday gifts you received yesterday?"
Aurelia thought for a moment.
"If they’re treasures or expensive valuables..."
"Send them to the Imperial Treasury."
"If they’re useful or unique..."
"Keep them here for now."
The maid bowed.
"As you wish."
She turned to leave.
Then...
Aurelia suddenly remembered someone.
The calm young man with violet eyes.
The only person her talent had failed to judge.
Andras Darkmoor.
For reasons she couldn’t explain...
His gift remained vivid in her memory.
"Wait."
The maid stopped immediately.
"Bring me the gift that arrived wrapped in dark blue paper."
"The one from House Darkmoor."
The maid nodded.
"At once, Your Highness."
A few moments later...
She returned carrying the carefully wrapped package.
Aurelia accepted it with both hands.
For a brief moment...
She simply looked at it.
A faint curiosity appeared in her sapphire-blue eyes.
Then...
She slowly untied the ribbon.
The wrapping fell away.
Inside was...