There sat Emperor Urzha Von Regalia and Empress Neyla upon their massive golden thrones.
Her father looked as imposing and invincible as ever, his sharp, predatory eyes scanning the crowded room for any sign of weakness, while her mother exuded a serene, terrifyingly elegant aura.
To their immediate left sat Crown Prince Reynard, their only son and heir. He was a mere seven years old.
However, that youthful fact was not at all apparent from his remarkably cold facial expression and dominant royal aura. Together, they were the epitome of a perfect, invincible imperial family—the absolute rulers who governed the vast Regalia Empire across the entire continent.
Then, Lilia's eyes drifted toward the lower section of the VIP banquet tables.
Sitting completely alone, surrounded by a radiating aura of cold dread that caused nearby nobles to keep their distance, was Grand Wizard Hendrix—the supreme magical authority of the Empire.
He wore deep crimson robes embroidered with dense, black, mana-infused silver threads that pulsed slightly in the light. Unlike the other nobles who relentlessly gorged themselves on rich food, Hendrix simply swirled a silver goblet of dark wine. His pale, angular face was completely devoid of emotion, but his eyes—pitch black, piercing, and entirely lifeless—were fixed unblinkingly on the imperial throne.
When Hendrix noticed Lilia looking in his direction, he slowly lifted his goblet toward her in a mock, highly disrespectful salute. A chilling, knowing smile crept onto his thin lips.
Lilia shivered violently, quickly averting her gaze as a cold sweat broke out along her spine.
"Sister... Grand Wizard Hendrix. He truly gives me the creeps. I can't even smile while looking at him," Lilia said to Maria, her face pale.
Maria's casual smile vanished for a fraction of a second, replaced by a flash of cold severity.
She leaned closer to Lilia, her voice dropping to a barely audible whisper against the loud music.
"Keep your distance from him tonight, Lilia. In fact, right after your official toast, I want you to immediately slip away to your private chambers. Don't loiter in the courtyard for any reason."
"Why?" Lilia whispered back, her heart skipping a beat as a heavy sense of dread settled in her stomach.
Before Maria could answer, Emperor Urzha stood up slowly from his massive golden throne. The entire Grand Hall instantly fell into a dead silence.
The musicians stopped playing mid-note, and thousands of high nobles bowed their heads in perfect unison.
"My people," the Emperor's booming voice echoed through the vast hall, carrying the natural authority of a man who had personally conquered the Empire.
"Eighteen years ago, the heavens bestowed upon this great empire our youngest star, Lilia. Tonight, we celebrate not only her coming of age but also the enduring prosperity of the Regalia lineage. May the sacred bond between the golden throne and the glory of the empire remain unbroken!"
Cheered by his powerful words, the assembly of nobles enthusiastically raised their glasses, shouting their praises into the high rafters.
But the moment the Emperor sat back down, he leaned heavily toward Princess Yoana and Maria at the foot of the podium. Lilia, standing right next to them, heard every single whispered word.
"Yoana, Maria," the Emperor murmured in a deep, somber voice that sent chills through the siblings.
"The elite soldier I dispatched to monitor the grand wizard's tower hasn't reported back. I hope nothing happens tonight, but if the darkest reports are true... Maria, please take Lilia into deep hiding immediately. Yoana and Commander Vior will protect Neyla and young Reynard here, while I will personally take Hendrix down myself."
Yoana's expression hardened into granite. "Father, do you truly think Hendrix will actually try to make a move? Tonight? In front of this entire aristocracy?"
"A hungry wolf cares absolutely nothing as long as he gets what he wants, Yoana," Emperor Urzha replied coldly, his eyes never leaving Hendrix's table. "Hendrix has been tightening his grip on the western and eastern military factions for months."
Grim faces were showing in Emperor's face while he was speaking. "He knows I'm preparing to split his military command again by appointing Vior as the new head of the southern division after General Aurelius passed away."
He looked at Hendrix, who stood alone in the corner, before continuing again. "If he intends to strike the Royal Family, he must do so before the season ends. And right now is the perfect moment for that, as all the key figures are in here gathered under one roof."
"The Palace Guard is fully mobilized and briefed, Father," Maria reported quietly, her hand resting near her concealed blade. "Three hundred elite, heavily armored knights are stationed right outside these doors. We are also already using the anti-magic field across the entire area near this building. If the Faction of Magicians makes a single wrong move, we'll execute them where they stand."
Lilia felt the blood completely drain from her face. A coup? Here? Now?
She had read extensively about bloody civil wars in her history books—about ambitious ministers trying to violently overthrow the rightful crown.
But to think that the safe, luxurious world she grew up in was currently sitting on top of a ticking magical bomb... She looked around the majestic hall.
The nobles were still laughing, drinking heavily, and dancing, completely oblivious to the terrifying fact that they were standing directly on a volatile brazier waiting to be lit.
"Lilia," Empress Neyla spoke softly, her slender hand gently stroking Lilia's hair with a mother's rare tenderness. "Go on, sweetie. It's finally time for your official birthday toast. Show them the absolute grace of a true Regalia princess."
Lilia swallowed the heavy lump forming in her dry throat. She took a slow, deliberate step forward, holding a golden chalice filled with sweet, shimmering nectar.
Her hands trembled slightly under the immense pressure, but she forced her posture to remain perfectly upright and regal.
She was a Regalia. She couldn't, and wouldn't, show weakness to the vultures below.
She walked gracefully to the very edge of the elevated dais, overlooking the silent, expectant crowd.
"Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight," Lilia began, her clear voice projecting masterfully across the silent hall. "I'm deeply honored to—"
Before she could finish her sentence, the massive glass windows surrounding the entire room suddenly shattered inward with a deafening roar.