ATRIPBT 11

CHAPTER 11

A letter from the Duke of Avelant.

Even holding it in my hands felt strange. In my previous life, he hadn’t acknowledged me once—not even a formal greeting. His loyalty lay elsewhere.

So why now?

I reread the letter carefully.

“I have long been watching the affairs of the capital with growing concern.”
“Though I do not favor political meddling, it would be foolish to remain silent any longer.”
“If you are prepared to act, know that I will lend you my strength.”

A bold offer.

The North was a powerful region. Though distant from the capital, its influence could shake the empire. For a duke of Avelant’s standing to reach out to a princess like me, who had been shunned until now…

Something had changed.

I turned the letter over in my hand.

“He’s testing me.”

Ilia blinked. “Testing you?”

“He wants to see if I’m truly different this time. If I’m worth the risk.”

Myulin crossed her arms. “He wouldn’t offer help just because he dislikes the Second Princess. He must be watching the power struggle.”

Exactly.

In this game, perception was everything. The moment I refused Evgeni in public, I stopped being the fragile older sister and became… something else.

A threat.
Or a contender.

That evening, I sat at my desk and penned my reply:

“I thank Your Grace for your discerning eye and steady hand.”
“The capital is indeed chaotic, but clarity emerges when one steps beyond the noise.”
“I look forward to speaking more—formally, and soon.”

Short, polite, and ambiguous.

It was enough.

The next day.

A royal decree was issued:

“All princesses shall attend the Founders’ Banquet at the Imperial Temple.”

The Founders’ Banquet.

It was a grand, public event honoring the empire’s founding ancestors.

It also served as a stage.

A political performance.

Evgeni would surely be there—and this time, she’d be prepared.

Ilia wrung her hands.

“She’ll try something. She always does.”

“I know.”

“Should we decline…?”

“We can’t.”

Because this time, I had to stand in front of everyone.

I had to show them I was no longer the background character in Evgeni’s fairy tale.

Three days later.

The banquet hall was gilded and glittering, filled with nobles from every corner of the empire. Gold, silk, jewels—the empire’s vanity on full display.

Whispers followed me as I entered.

“Is that the First Princess…?”
“She looks… different than I remember.”

I was wearing a black and silver gown, simple but striking. My hair was tied up, revealing the full curve of my neck. No soft pastels. No ribbons or frills.

Evgeni had always played the innocent.

Let her.

I would not.

And there she was.

Evgeni, surrounded by nobles, dressed in pale rose and lace. Her smile brightened the room. She looked like the perfect imperial daughter.

When our eyes met, she paused for a split second.

Then smiled.

Sweetly.

Deceptively.

“Sister,” she called out.

“I saved you a seat beside me.”

And once again, every eye turned to us.