Talia took the man’s hand.
As though he had been waiting for it, he slipped an arm around her waist and skillfully guided her across the floor.
Even Talia, who detested physical contact with others, could not help admiring his exceptional skill.
Count Serian moved flawlessly in time with the music and possessed the remarkable talent of making his partner shine.
Talia had always loved dancing.
Yet never before had her movements felt as graceful as they did now.
And apparently she was not the only one who felt that way.
As the count spun her effortlessly around the floor, Talia glanced beyond his shoulder.
Hundreds of eyes moved in unison, following her every motion.
No one could tear their gaze away from the imperial bastard they had always looked down upon.
A triumphant feeling swelled inside her.
Even before, whenever she appeared at official events, people would secretly watch her every move while pretending not to.
But that had only been an expression of contempt and vigilance.
Tonight was different.
They were looking at her the same way they looked at her mother.
She could feel fear and fascination tangling around her body like intertwined threads.
For a fleeting moment, she felt as though she had become Senevier herself.
The most dangerous, powerful, and beautiful being in the world.
But the sweetness of victory lasted only an instant.
Suddenly, the music stopped.
The true stars of the banquet had arrived.
“His Highness Gareth Roem Gwirta, the Empire’s glorious Crown Prince, and Her Highness Aila Roem Gwirta, the Empire’s First Imperial Princess, have arrived!”
Along with the chamberlain’s booming announcement, the two royals passed through the entrance of the banquet hall with majestic steps and descended the marble staircase.
In that instant, Talia was pushed entirely out of everyone’s attention.
Count Serian smiled bitterly and guided her toward the terrace where food and wine had been prepared.
“A pity to have such an enjoyable moment interrupted.”
The count spoke lightly, clearly trying to ease her hardened expression, but not a single word properly entered her ears.
Talia stared at Aila in her pure white dress with blazing eyes.
It was as though the woman had completely forgotten the humiliation she had suffered before everyone only weeks ago.
Seeing her standing elegantly beside her brother with that lovely smiling face made rage boil in Talia’s stomach.
Obsessively, Talia studied every inch of them—their dark black hair, emerald eyes, and faces carved as flawlessly as ivory statues.
They overflowed with the dignity and nobility befitting true royalty.
It was something neither Senevier nor Talia herself could ever possess, no matter how desperately they struggled.
Senevier was a serpent who had dragged the young emperor—once praised as a holy sovereign—into the mire of filthy adultery.
And she herself was merely filth born from that serpent’s womb.
Even if Senevier bore the Emperor dozens more sons, that truth would never change.
Quietly glaring at her half-siblings surrounded by fervent admiration, Talia turned toward a nearby table of wine glasses.
Then she noticed several people, who had been gazing at the Crown Prince and Princess with envy, glancing toward her while exchanging subtle looks with one another.
Every nerve in her body tightened sharply.
She wanted to gouge out every last one of their eyes.
Don’t compare me to them.
Suppressing the urge to scream those words aloud, she desperately maintained an indifferent expression when the man beside her whispered thoughtlessly into her ear,
“It seems Their Highnesses intend to ignore your presence. What will you do? Shall you approach them first and offer your greetings?”
She shot him a poisonous glare.
The corners of his lips lifted with amusement.
“Isn’t that why you came here in the first place?”
Talia bit down on her lip.
He was right.
She had come to ruin her siblings’ evening.
To create a hideous discord within the celebration where all the world gathered to congratulate them.
And Senevier likely desired the same thing.
At last steeling herself, Talia tightened her grip around the wine glass and turned toward her half-siblings.
Then she strode confidently through the crowd.
At that moment, Varkas Laedgo Siorcan appeared at the entrance of the banquet hall.
Talia stopped moving entirely.
Her heart slammed violently against her ribs as though she had been ambushed without warning.