At dusk, the Imperial Palace lit up all the magic lamps, and through the giant floor-to-ceiling windows, the crystal chandeliers swayed within the coronation ball.
Through the massive archway, one could see the white walls carved with murals, depicting the heroes and champions from the founding period of the Ense Empire.
So of them were in deep thought, so smiling, and others charging forward, weapons in hand.
A light rain fell over Tino City that night.
In the drizzling rain, nobles under lace umbrellas passed through the gateway symbolizing imperial history, walking into the depths of the palace.
Lord Rom, the practical head of Mayer Comrce Association, with giant's blood, was also among the invitees.
Wearing a monocle, he observed the nobles dressed in black suits from Mayer Comrce, handkerchiefs designed by Mayer's master embroiderer tucked in their breast pockets, with undisguised excitent in his eyes.
It was a symbol that Mayer Comrce had already penetrated the upper echelons of Ense.
And these top figures of the empire were now going to greet the new ruler of the empire.
"It's been a long ti since I ca here, and seeing it now, it's still overwhelming," Alice exclaid unconsciously as she looked at the distant Imperial Palace.
The majestic palace stood like a well-trained army, aligned in the moonlight, stately and straight on the high mountains, hidden beneath chilly greenery.
However, the palace had been used less and less in recent years.
Though a large number of maids remained to manage it, as the emperor fell into slumber, opportunities to hold events there dwindled.
Yes, the last ti it hosted nobles was during the engagent of Sister Wang and Louis.
Most of the high-level etings of the empire, thus, took place in the conference hall of the Foreign Affairs Bureau where Regent Queen Beatrice often worked.
Besides that, the one who used the palace facilities the most...was Olivia herself.
"Sister Wang is finally getting married, and the palace will be lively again tonight," she said, standing beside Alice under a lace blouse.
Alice glanced at her and adjusted her collar, playfully scolding, "The Emperor doesn't avoid using the palace, but as the Regent King, she has a lot of concerns, unlike you or ."
This was already an old topic.
Though major palace affairs had long been handed over to Regent Queen Beatrice, a regent is not the person sitting on the throne.
Hosting banquets in the palace without necessary reasons might give rise to malicious interpretations.
The Eldest Princess, not wanting to usurp power directly, simply set it aside except for foreign receptions and personal retreats.
"Actually, at that ti, if the Emperor didn't need it, you could have used it.
The Emperor had many concerns back then, but as the Second Princess, holding tea parties in the royal garden was unquestionably fine."
Alice donned a gown today.
Unlike her usual frantic self, today she appeared like a serene beauty.
Yet Olivia clearly knew it was all a façade, as her childhood friend had a wild soul.
Most tis, revealing her true nature was enough to scare people away.
"Why shouldn't I leave tonight?" Alice asked with a fake smile, "Do you think I'm as idle as you?"
"You certainly won't see Sister Wang tonight, do you really have the heart to leave alone in such a vast palace?
Alice, seizing Sister Wang's wedding, I've also refurbished my bedroom and prepared dishes made from legendary magical creatures tonight, are you sure you won't join?"
Alice solemnly replied, "Your will! In tis of emptiness, your dearest friend is always by your side."
"Get lost!"
"Alright, Olivia, I can roll out for you instantly if you wish, but whether tomorrow the rumors about the Second Princess forcing the Ashford family's youngest to roll on the ground like a dog will spread, I'm not certain."
The little swan hurriedly seized her: "Alice, I'm just saying it casually, just like when Louis gets mad and likes to curse 'TMD', it's only venting emotions! Anyway, tonight you must stay with , with Sister Wang married, so people may shift their gaze to ."
Alice, grasping the hint, her narrow eyes flashing with a fierce light, said, "So you're using as a shield, aren't you?"
Once again, let's emphasize, Alice Ashford, the only young lady of the Ashford Family, was previously a divine selection family known for their chaos.
For over a hundred years, the Ashford Family has been called the Emperor's mad dogs by many.
And one person was no less so, whether in the academy or the Tino Adventurer Guild, known as the "Red Mad Dog."
However, in the past year, her professional rank rose rapidly, surging up.
Originally, she planned to pull Louis to beco a titled adventurer in the Adventurer Association, but unexpectedly his strength grew too fast, and the association proactively offered a title, asking what title Louis wanted.
Thus, soone who relied on soft support quickly beca a titled adventurer with the title "Greedy Wolf."
Eventually, she thought the challenge for the title might be difficult, and considered pulling a certain foodie Second Princess as a backup.
Unexpectedly, the Second Princess was called to take over the position of White Tower Deputy Tower Master, seeing her plan about to fail, she had to go on with grit.
Yet a problem arose during the competition...
In the final match, she was ambushed by several contestants who made it into the finals in the wilderness.
In a rage, she wanted to perish together with them, but after the fight began, she realized how poor their skills were, how slow their speed, and how indecisive their tactics.
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