“Do you have something to say?” Emperor Dominar’s voice cuts through the air.

It was aimed at Althea.

Almost instantly, the gala goes dead quiet.

Hundreds watch her like a cornered animal. Whispers form an air pressure that clogged her ears—as she was put in a spot. Singled out. Drola hisses her name, urging her to apologize. Marquess Darius was pale. This was her first time seeing him that scared.

Her siblings took a few steps away, refusing to be grouped up with her. Even her husband followed—cowards.

Unity is easier said than done, especially when it involves the pariah.

Everyone was watching her—a noble woman who overstepped her boundaries. Young, unable to mask what should only be kept in the heart. Untested in the pages of loyalty. Some whispered that she was done. Some pitied her for being naïve. But right now, Althea didn’t care.

She was faced with a choice.

Normally, she threaded softly around a decision. Undecided for longer than needed to be.

But she now felt decisive. Bolder.

Perhaps seeing Rex fighting for what he believes in ignited a young-blooded passion inside her.

One who craved risks and honor.

For all the pokes and curses she threw at Davina, she was honorable.

She won’t stab Davina in the back and aspire only to surpass her fairly.

It has been that way for a hundred years, and would continue to be that way until she surpassed Davina.

Seeing the dishonor around disgusts her. She didn’t want Empress Morgana to be punished. That’d only demean the empire. But she also didn’t want Rex to be robbed of what he deserved after putting everything on the line.

Not to mention, Princess Davina’s absence showed that she was also not siding with these fools.

Somewhere out there, she was also doing what she thinks best.

Like her, it was time to make a stand.

Althea released a weary sigh, her gaze lifting to meet the emperor’s directly.

’Very well, Davina. I’ll trust your gut. If nothing else, I know your honor far exceeds my own.’

Like a rabbit, Althea leaped twenty-five meters and landed gracefully on the top of the dome. Gasps rip through the air. Servants stumbled. Royal knights drew their weapons fiercely. Some from the House of Seawyn shouted at her.

Drola gripped her dress in shock and panic. Beside her, Marquess Darius sweated in fear and shock.

The emperor watches in silence.

He was displeased, but he didn’t let it get to his beautiful face.

Althea straightened her back and stood dominantly on the dome. Her baby-blue hair flutters with power. Like all others, she was also wearing the silver bracelet that stopped her from using her life energy, but that only made her stunt even bolder.

Sunlight shadowed her features, turning her into a symbol.

Blood pumps through her veins as she scans the crowd of powerful nobles.

“I am Althea of Seawyn, though I won’t be after this,” She eyed her family, knowing full well that they were going to cut her off after this. Some laughed. Some mocked. But she did not stop. She has to keep going. “I am one of the valiant nobles who bolstered Her Majesty’s ranks in her… sacred mission.”

There was ridicule in her tone.

One that sparks frowns.

“And I stand before you all for the sake of the honor of our magnificent empire.” She declared powerfully, and then paused. Her eyes made sure everyone was listening. “Our empire came from the ancestors who battled through the dark age. From heroes with a pure heart. True nobility that shone with honor.

“But today, I see lesser nobles who celebrate at the wronged. Lesser nobles who let time erode their valiant spirit. Cowardly villains who conspired to trample on a knight who made sure the sacred mission was done. A knight who risked his life to save many of you.

“Marquess Darius of Seawyn. Marquess Raka of Lorntyr. And others under them.”

Althea let the truth be heard.

Most of these nobles only knew the version where Empress Morgana is the hero of the story.

She’s not.

Rex was the hero of the story, while she was the one who made the last leap. Crucial. But not a hero.

“Girl, sit down!” Someone shouted.

“Like Hell,” Liliana, eldest daughter of Castillon, replied with restrained anger. “Listened to her!”

Duke Lorcan pulled on her arm, glaring at her with a savage, twisted expression.

But Liliana retaliated, forcing her arm free.

A hot breath was pushed out of his nose like a raging bull. Had it not been for the silver bracelet, there’s no way Liliana could pull her arm away—like this. He was furious. He wanted to slap her daughter. Yet Althea’s voice continued.

“Knight Rex has fought tooth and nail to keep the empire safe, and I demand justice on his behalf!” Her voice thundered. But at this moment, the royal knights already encircled her. One lunged, stretching his arms to tackle her down.

Althea burst with strength.

The sound of bending steel echoed as her knee smashed against the royal knight’s chin.

Two more royal knights charged.

She threw her body sideways, avoiding the strikes aimed for her head and legs as they whistled through empty air. Then, at a surprising angle, she twisted her body in an acrobatic marvel, while still mid-air, and used the momentum to knock the royal knights back a step.

Both stumbled from the slippery dome and fell.

Rosa barged into the building and quickly ascended the staircase.

Sweat traced a cold path down her temple as she rushed. She stepped into the fabled Milky Garden, the open air hitting her like a wall. Her steps faltered. She expected to see a celebration. Yet the silence that greeted her was as thick as ink.

A coiled tension she could taste on her tongue.

And at the center of it stood Lady Justice.

“Althea…?” Rosa stared at the young woman standing dominantly on the dome.

Then, as if noticing her relief, Althea turned towards her and nodded.

’Rex only told his plan to me,’ Rosa thought inside. Her brows furrowed together, surprised to see that Althea seemed to know what she was doing. Nobody should know about what she was doing. ’Or does she really know?’

Her trance was broken when her ears picked up the sound of rushed footsteps.

It was another royal knight rushing like she was.

He rushed past her, and for a moment, Rosa saw the scroll in his hand.

Something is happening, and he came to report it to the emperor from the looks of it.

Rosa also followed him from behind. She, too, has news for the emperor.

“If Her Majesty is really the hero, tell us what happened at the Tomb of Heroes!” Althea stared and even smirked at the emperor. She was already on the ground, pinned and restrained by two royal knights. But it doesn’t matter now.

Time is already bought.

And there was also a change among the nobles.

Everyone saw Althea match three royal knights. No one had predicted that level of skill, that extremely fierce competence. She was the future arrived earlier, a disruption to the established order. The older, founding nobles despised her, but among the youth, a silent, electric shift was taking place.

One could see it in their eyes.

“Tell us exactly what happened there, Your Majesty,” She sneered in contempt. “And you better have concrete proof that Knight Rex attacked Her Majesty.”

Silence.

Questioning what was claimed is the same as a direct challenge to the emperor.

Althea crossed the line that can never be taken back.

But then again, she already made her decision even before jumping onto the dome.

“Marquess Darius,” Emperor Dominar’s voice boomed, forcing the pale marquess to look up, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to escape this social suicide. “Do you claim her as an offspring of your house? Answer me.”

Hearing this, Marquess Darius’ eyes widened.

He was given a way out.

“No, Your Majesty,” He shook her head and cast a cold glance at Althea. “In fact, she was about to be exiled after the gala. My heart is too soft, and I allowed her to come as a part of the family one last time. I take full responsibility for the inconvenience.”

“Nonsense,” Emperor Dominar waved his hand. “It’s illogical for you to take responsibility for the action of a desperate woman.” He turned to look at Althea. “She will be solely responsible for her actions. Knights, let her accompany our prisoners.”

As the knights were about to bring Althea away, a captain behind Emperor Dominar approached.

He whispered something.

Emperor Dominar looked back at him with an evident frown. His gaze seemingly asking whether he hadn’t heard it wrong. The knight captain gestured at Rosa and another royal knight who seemed to be slightly panting from how his shoulders rose and dropped.

Somebody has concentrated an attack on the royal bubble’s Obelisk of Life.

Most nobles were gathered here for this celebration.

Defenses across sectors are weaker only for today, and someone take that opportunity.

It was a coupe.

Only the nobles knew about this summoning. Others who aren’t part of nobility were under very strict supervision to make sure they didn’t share this information anywhere. This can only mean there was someone among the nobles who betrayed him.

Betrayed the empire.

Other than that, Princess Davina was also knocking on the royal bubble’s border.

Her forces are fifty-thousand strong. More than the border legions could handle.

’Princess Davina…?’ Rosa caught the name from a distance.

For Princess Davina to go against the royal family openly like this, even leaving her own territory to attack the royal bubble, is outright reckless. Emperor Dominar could wipe her forces clean now that she is within his territory.

However, Princess Davina is not stupid. Rosa knew that.

She’s one of the most, if not the most, outstanding figures among the younger generations.

Many aspired to reach her level, so she is aware of the risks of doing this.

’She trusted Lord Rex this much that she’ll risk her own life and fifty-thousand more?’ Rosa stared at the dome below that held Rex, stunned by the depth of Princess Davina’s faith. Her thoughts narrowed to a single, desperate focus. ’Rex, show us a miracle.’

She turned, her hands tightening into fists as she stared at Emperor Dominar’s back.

A boundless power lies within that body. ’I really don’t know how you’ll win over the emperor.’

Due to the emergency, some of the nobles were called to arms.

Mostly, the Marquesses were sent out to confront Princess Davina’s forces. A few others were sent to reinforce the Obelisk of Life with their men. It was a distraction. Emperor Dominar knew that something was forming in the shadows.

Nobody would be stupid enough to tamper with a Citadel-class Obelisk of Life.

It must be a distraction.

Rosa knew that it wouldn’t be that easy to distract the emperor using that ruse, and she was glad Princess Davina was there to supplement the chaos. She can now only hope that Emperor Dominar didn’t know to what end these distractions served.

Naturally, Emperor Dominar stayed behind.

The gala continues, even though a few among them are missing.

Music. Political banter. A friendly duel between houses to arouse competition. Offering ritual to the land for keeping them save for thousands of years was led directly by the emperor. And then a fealty process to show loyalty and devotion to the royal family, featuring Emperor Dominar, the Crown Prince, and a few other offspring.

No Empress Morgana in sight.

Every second passing prompted two hefmartbeats from Rosa. Every minute was stressful. Every hour is torturous. Due to the troubles, the entertainment was stretched. Good. That was what Rosa was aiming for.

She kept glancing at the emperor, fearing that she might be caught up in the plan. She was never this restless.

Even her husband whispered his concern.

Considering how she kept wiping away sweat, it was easy to know that something was wrong with her.

But she steered clear of the emperor and acted perfectly whenever she stood before him.

It went somewhat smoothly.

And finally, the night came.