The day of the debutante ball had arrived.
The morning routine was not much different from usual. Rosana suggested that the young lady take a nap to prepare for the evening, but Astrid insisted on a light sparring session instead.
From the afternoon, after lunch, maids busily dressed Astrid up. Thanks to their effort, she was ready even earlier than the time Lady de Vasquez had arranged for the carriage to arrive.
Her usually unruly, curly hair had been tamed and now shone smoothly, and the amethyst necklace around her neck and the amethyst pendant on her dress matched like a set, glowing with a mysterious violet light.
“At this level, you may not be the prettiest lady, but you’ll draw a fair bit of attention,” Rosana said in a teasing voice, though her evaluation was objectively fair as she adjusted the hem of the dress.
“I didn’t think it’d take this long. I should’ve slept more this morning like you said.”
“Told you so.”
As they waited by the front gate, the carriage arrived right on time, just as the countess had said. The imperial crest was engraved on the carriage door.
“You’ll draw attention not because of your looks, but because of this carriage.”
“Right?”
“Your partner’s probably already inside, huh?”
“Hope he’s handsome.”
Astrid waved goodbye to Rosana and the butler, then headed toward the carriage. The coachman stepped down and opened the door, assisting Astrid as she climbed in.
She sat down, adjusted her dress, then looked across the seat.
The carriage was empty.
The carriage leisurely rolled toward the palace. As they approached the road leading to the main gate, Astrid saw a long line of carriages waiting.
“Looks like it’s going to take a while.”
But instead of joining the line, Astrid’s carriage turned sharply to the right. She was momentarily confused, but the carriage continued along the palace wall and stopped at the east gate, the closest entrance to the inner palace.
Waiting there was Lady de Vasquez, elegantly dressed in a rich brown gown, along with a few palace maids.
As soon as Astrid stepped down, the countess carefully inspected her appearance.
“Good. Not bad at all. Follow me.”
Without understanding the situation, Astrid followed her. It reminded her somewhat of their first meeting.
They entered the inner palace through a side door, passed through a corridor, and exited on the other side — a shortcut connecting the inner and main palaces.
As soon as they entered the main palace through the side door, Astrid could hear soft music and the murmurs of an excited crowd.
She was led to a corridor connected to the second floor of the grand hall. Thick curtains blocked her view, but the festive atmosphere seeped through.
Lady de Vasquez seated her in a chair prepared nearby.
“Wait here. His Majesty will summon you when the time comes.”
“We’re not entering through the front?”
The countess gave a strained smile and rubbed her neck. Her face was full of fatigue.
“It seems His Majesty intends to treasure you greatly.”
Without another word, she left the way she came. As soon as she was out of sight, Astrid leapt from her seat and peeked through the curtains.
The lower floor of the hall was wide open and filled with people. Many young or teenage girls in white dresses, like Astrid, were scattered throughout. They must also be debutantes.
At the far end of the hall stood ornate chairs on a raised platform — still empty.
People gathered in small groups, chatting quietly. But with so many people present, the entire hall buzzed with noise.
Then a piercing trumpet blast echoed through the room. The crowd fell silent like a receding tide.
“Her Majesty Leonore, the sole and rightful Empress of the Isteia–Lorance Empire, protected by the grace of the Supreme God, Queen of Kraxus, Duchess of Albaced and Bergonia, Marchioness of Armela, and ruler of the Five Seas, enters!”
The main doors of the hall opened, and the Empress walked in. A deep purple gown of great dignity flowed around her body, and a crown adorned with rare jewels radiated light from her head.
Astrid instinctively held her breath, overwhelmed by the sheer presence the Empress exuded even from afar.
“His Grace Archduke Osser, His Highness Prince Marcos, His Highness Prince Cornelio, and Her Highness Princess Adelita enter!”
Following just behind the Empress was a middle-aged man draped in a cape of the same purple hue over his black outfit.
Three others followed him — each wearing differently colored garments, but all accessorized with a touch of purple.
They walked down the long red carpet that stretched across the center of the hall and ascended the platform.
The Archduke escorted the Empress to the grandest throne, and the princes and princess sat on slightly lower chairs beside her.
The Empress slowly scanned the hall from her high seat, then signaled to an attendant waiting below.
The debutante presentation had begun.
“Daughter of House de Robeldeaux, Lara Triana!”
“Daughter of House del Gado, Ingrid Narcissa!”
The attendant read from a long scroll.
As each name was announced along with their noble house, the young lady and her family stepped forward to greet the Empress.
Astrid watched through the curtain for only the first five families, then sat back down, bored.
There were just too many people.
She even began to feel sorry for the poor attendant constantly announcing names.
“That guy’s voice will be gone by tomorrow.”
It was likely that Astrid would be the very last one. She closed her eyes for a moment. The fatigue from that morning’s sparring session weighed on her eyelids.
“How wonderful it is that once again this year, we can meet the daughters of Isteia in peace.”
Astrid’s eyes shot open at the familiar voice echoing through the curtain. It was the Empress.
She wasn’t shouting like the attendant had, yet her voice carried with authority across the entire hall.
“The daughters of Lorance were excellent, but I must say — perhaps because it’s been two years — the young ladies of Isteia shine even more brightly. And not just because I hail from here.”
A soft laughter spread throughout the audience at her lighthearted remark. Once she finished her speech, the Empress would signal the start of the ball by ordering music to begin.
“Just as you have introduced your precious daughters to me, I also have someone I’d like to introduce to you.”
Astrid snapped fully awake. She wiped her mouth out of habit with her sleeve — thankfully, no makeup had smudged.
“Sasha.”
At the Empress’s call, the heavy curtains on the second floor swept open with a whoosh.
Blinded by the sudden flood of light, Astrid squinted, then stepped onto the staircase, grasping the railing.
Worried that unfamiliar heels might trip her up, she walked down very slowly. With each step, she could feel the hundreds of eyes focused on her.
“Astrid of House del Fontó pays her respects to the sun of the Empire.”
As she had practiced dozens of times with Lady de Vasquez at home, Astrid stood in front of the platform, lifted the hem of her dress, and deeply curtsied.
When she slightly raised her head, the Empress was watching her with narrowed eyes and a gentle smile.
“I’m sure there’s not a soul here unfamiliar with Lord del Fontó — one of the founding heroes of our Empire. I let him roam free to the sea, knowing his spirit, but recently he entrusted his daughter to me. Sasha, turn around.”
The audience murmured quietly.
Astrid turned around as commanded, now facing the crowd.
She wasn’t easily intimidated, but standing in front of so many people like this for the first time — seeing all those eyes filled with curiosity, suspicion, envy, and shock — was unnerving.
“She’s only recently arrived in the capital and is still adjusting. I ask that you all give her your support.”
As the Empress finished speaking, Astrid lifted her skirt again and bowed gracefully to the audience. Hesitant clapping broke out, then grew into a wave of applause.
“Well then, it’s time for our young ladies to enjoy the evening.”
The Empress made a sweeping gesture. At that signal, the orchestra began playing softly. Girls in white dresses began stepping into the hall, each escorted by a father or older brother.
Astrid moved to the edge of the hall so as not to get in the way.
Thanks to the Empress’s personal introduction, she had made quite the impression — but she still had no partner.
“Miss Astrid.”
Just then, a soft voice came from behind. Astrid turned around to see who it was.
