"Princess, you are so beautiful!"
Inside Elina’s room, a maid stood amazed by what she saw.
Elina sat in front of the dressing table, looking stunning.
She wore a beautiful blue collarless gown. Sparkling jewels decorated the long skirt, adding to her elegant and graceful appearance.
Her chest was slightly exposed, revealing her alluring cleavage.
Her white hair, usually tied in a bun or left long, was now styled in a charming braided bun.
A silver crown rested on her head, adorned with four crystals—blue, red, purple, and green.
"Thank you for your compliment, Maya. Your makeup is very good; that’s why I can look like this," Elina said humbly.
She was satisfied with her appearance. Although she was not conceited, she did appreciate beauty. After all, she was a woman.
"You are too humble, Princess." Maya giggled.
She then picked up the navy blue diamond necklace that had been prepared earlier.
"By the way, where did you get this necklace, Your Highness?" Maya asked curiously.
Elina glanced at the necklace through the mirror’s reflection and replied, "It was given to me directly by a representative of the Blue Moon Trading House."
"What?" Maya was stunned. "From a representative of the Blue Moon Trading House?"
The Blue Moon Trading House was the most successful and influential trading house in the empire.
It was no exaggeration to say they were the largest on the entire continent.
Receiving a gift like this necklace clearly meant they were supporting Elina in the battle for the throne, right?
Elina chuckled softly and clarified, "Don’t overthink it. It’s not what you imagine. They sent the necklace simply because I am Brother Nolan’s younger sister. Otherwise, there’s no way they would have done so."
She was not the type of person who took credit for something untrue.
The Blue Moon Trading House clearly had no interest in the throne battle.
Most likely, they wanted to avoid getting involved in politics—unlike Red Obsidian, which had now become the White Lotus Trading House.
So she was one hundred percent sure that the necklace was given only to save face for her brother.
"So that’s how it is..." Maya nodded slightly, as if she understood.
Then a smile appeared on her face as she placed the necklace around Elina’s neck.
"But come to think of it, His Highness Nolan is really amazing, isn’t he? He can be friends with one of the Blue Moon Trading House’s higher-ups. Judging from how Blue Moon sent you such a wonderful gift, their relationship with Prince Nolan must be quite close," Maya remarked admiringly.
"You’re right," Elina agreed. "My brother is... amazing."
She smiled slightly, as if she was very proud of him. While many people underestimated her brother, only she knew that it was just a façade he created.
If he wanted to, he could easily surpass Aldric, Cedric, and Adalen.
Maya giggled at Elina’s bluntness. As the two continued talking, footsteps sounded from outside the room, and the door slowly opened.
"Are you ready, Elina?"
Isabella appeared with Eliza beside her.
"Welcome, Lady," Maya greeted softly.
Isabella gave a small nod in response.
"I’m ready, Mother," Elina replied as she slowly stood up.
When she turned around, Isabella couldn’t help but be amazed.
"My daughter is so beautiful. I’m even jealous of you, my dear," Isabella teased.
Elina smiled slightly and stepped forward.
"You’re beautiful too, Mother," she praised sincerely.
Her words came straight from her heart. Her mother was extraordinarily beautiful.
She had a perfect oval face and long black hair tied in a half-up style with curtain bangs, highlighting her youthful and elegant aura.
Wearing a bright purple gown, her figure was so captivating that Elina couldn’t help but feel a little jealous.
Compared to her mother, Elina’s figure fell a few points short—mainly because her mother was voluptuous yet still slim.
That balance created a perfection that was difficult to describe in words.
And her beauty was unique. Her face carried a distinctive touch from the eastern region, something most beautiful women in the central continent did not have.
No wonder Father loves her so much. Even with simple makeup, she can outshine many beautiful women, she muttered with a small chuckle.
Even Clarisse, once considered the most beautiful woman in the Empire, was far inferior to her.
"Pfft! Your words are as sweet as honey, my dear." Isabella chuckled softly. "But I like your compliment. Thank you."
"Sister Elina! What about me? Am I beautiful?" Eliza called out excitedly.
She held both ends of her skirt and spun gracefully.
Today, Eliza wore an adorable white gown. Combined with her chubby face, she looked like a living doll.
"You are so beautiful," Elina praised, gently pinching her cheek.
"Hehehe..." Eliza giggled happily.
After chatting for a while, the three of them left the room and headed to the place where the ceremony was about to begin.
...
"You are so handsome, Your Highness!"
Inside the room, the two maids were in awe of Adalen standing before them.
He wore a gold robe with a golden cape draped over his right shoulder, embroidered with the image of a golden dragon.
His face looked perfect, as if carved by the gods—his jawline firm, his nose aquiline, and his eyebrows sharp like blades.
If not for Nolan’s brilliance in the palace square back then, Adalen would have remained the dream of every young woman in the Great Velmora Empire.
"Thank you for the compliment," Adalen replied in a casual yet humble tone.
The two maids exchanged glances and smiled before leaving the room, leaving Adalen alone.
He walked toward the window on the right and gazed at the palace courtyard in the distance.
From there, he could see noble families from all over the country who had already arrived and taken their seats.
"At this ceremony and tonight’s banquet, I will reap the most benefits," he muttered with a slight smile.
Two days ago, he had received a letter from his uncle, Daniel Everlain, stating that he and his two children—Adalen’s cousins—would be attending tonight’s banquet.
His grandfather, the Singularity of Light, would also be coming with them.
"I heard Grandfather grew stronger after taking a powerful blow from the Singularity of Chaos. This is clearly to my advantage."
The Singularities were incredibly powerful—figures who stood at the very pinnacle of this world.
So one could imagine how extraordinary his grandfather was, being able to grow even stronger, even if only slightly.
"Aldric, Cedric, Cassian, and Elina..." he whispered with a cold grin. "Prepare to accept the fact that I am the most worthy person to ascend the throne."
And it wasn’t just Adalen who thought that way. Aldric, Cedric, and Cassian also stood at the windows of their respective rooms, gazing at the palace square filled with guests.
"You will all be my stepping stones!"
They spoke those words almost simultaneously.