Yulia, who looked deathly pale, was forced into the carriage. She was dolled up by the Lonensian maids for hours. She looked perfect in her luxurious green dress. It was made of expensive silk that even the Duchess wouldn’t normally wear. Yulia looked like a member of the royal family in such an extravagant dress.

‘It’s fitting since starting today, Yulia will become a royalty.’

Norma didn’t like how pale her niece looked. Yulia hadn’t been eating much for the past few days and she had lost weight. Norma thought Yulia looked more fragile and beautiful this way, but she was also starting to look like a patient on a death bed.

‘I will have to get the maids put some blush on that girl’s face when she arrives at the castle.’

Norma got onto the same carriage to make sure Yulia didn’t try anything stupid. She said to Yulia, “You look so pale that you look like you will faint. Many ladies skip a meal before an important event, but not like you, who skipped eating for the past four days.”

Yulia replied sharply. “It’s not too late, Aunty. You can stop this plan right now.”

Her voice was calm and serious. She has been saying the same thing to her aunt for the past few days.

“Please stop.”

“Please give up your unreasonable greed.”

However, Norma wouldn’t hear of it.

“Things are already in motion and even you can’t stop this now. By the time the empress returns, it will be all over.”

By that time, Yulia would be the first wife. Once the dance happened, the marriage had to take place soon after. Even the emperor or the empress couldn’t disrespect and shame the daughter of Lonensian family.

Norma continued, “… Stop looking at me like that, Yuli. I am doing this for you. As the first wife of the emperor, you will be the second most important woman in the kingdom. I am doing everything so I can give you the greatest honor. As a woman, you need to marry someone anyway, so why not marry the man who can give you power? If you bear the emperor a son, you will most likely become the most important lady of this continent.”

“I… don’t want that! That won’t make me happy! You are doing this because you want this for yourself, aunt!”

Norma shook her head. “You are still so young. I can’t believe how immature you are. In a few years, you will realize your aunty was right. You will thank me later.”

***

The moon looked huge in the night sky. It was finally the last day of the celebration and the most important ball of the week.

The royal family hadn’t arrived yet, and so the center of attention was the Lonensian family. They were the most powerful family in Cransia, and everyone knew what was planned for tonight.

One of the noble ladies complimented Norma. “Haha, hello Duchess. You look beautiful as usual.”

“You flatter me, my lady, but the actual beauty of tonight is my niece here, Yulia. She is gorgeous just like my sister.”

The noblewomen quickly turned to Yulia and started to compliment her. She talked about her dress and her beauty. Yulia stood rigid while Norma looked satisfied.

The rumor about Yulia being the emperor’s first dance partner had spread everywhere. It was Norma who started it. With the first dance, Yulia would become the first wife.

Norma waited for the emperor with a wildly beating heart. For some reason, the emperor was late.

“Where is Emperor Lucretius?”

“Did the royal assistant announce that he will be late for tonight’s ball?”

“Was there some sort of an accident?”

Just then, the trumpet sounded loudly, announcing the entrance of a royalty.

As soon as it ended, the servant announced from outside the main entrance.

“His highness the emperor has arrived!”

Everyone stared at the door as it opened. Lucretius’ golden hair shined against the chandelier light. He slowly walked past the guests who bowed deeply.

The emperor.

The ruler of this kingdom.

After he walked by, people looked at each other knowingly.

‘So he really came alone by himself.’

‘Do you think he will really dance the first dance with the Lonensian girl?’

‘We better get on her good side then.’

Duchess Lonensia was, of course, the happiest person in the room. Roberto, who was standing behind his mother, smiled in satisfaction as well. As expected, the emperor arrived alone and didn’t even bring any of his stepsisters with him as a temporary measure.

This meant he had no choice but to pick someone as his partner for the night from this room.

‘Then it has to be Yulia.’

Norma felt confident. Lucretius had indirectly indicated that he would go along with her plan. Norma’s worry was that the emperor might have changed his mind and bring another woman with him to this ball, but he didn’t.

All that was left was for him to dance with Yulia.

Norma grabbed Yulia’s wrist and walked towards him. As she walked, people moved aside to create a clear path for her.

Norma felt excited. Finally, this would happen. It hadn’t been easy, but it was all worth it.

After the dance, Norma would officially adopt Yulia as her daughter. Then, Yulia des Lonensia would become the first wife of the emperor.

‘That would make me Duchess Lonensia, the mother of the first wife, and possibly the grandmother to the heir to the throne and the future king…’

The life she was meant to live!

She was so close! She felt impatient as she pulled her niece and placed her in front of the emperor.

“Greetings to your highness the emperor from Duchess Lonensia.”

“Long time no see.”

“Yes, your highness.”

She smiled gently. When Lucretius looked at Yulia, Norma’s smile widened.

Lucretius said to Yulia as if disappointed, “You don’t look well.”

The maids tried their best with makeup, but even the best foundation and blush couldn’t make Yulia look healthy. She hadn’t been sleeping or eating well for the past few days.

Norma was annoyed. She couldn’t believe how stupid Yulia had been behaving. Perhaps Yulia’s older sister would’ve been more obedient, except that Yulia’s sister was weak. She wouldn’t have survived the castle life.

Norma’s only hope was Yulia. She explained to the emperor, “She must have been very nervous for tonight.”

Lucretius nodded. “It makes sense. The empress also wants you to take this huge responsibility.”

Norma’s smile became wider while Yulia became paler.

“Y, your highness…”

Yulia’s voice trembled in distress, but Norma didn’t care. She wanted this to happen right away.

“Your highness, the first dance…”

When Norma gently insisted, the emperor interrupted her.

“Yes, Yulia. I do have something to tell you. Actually, I have a job for you.”

“… Yes, your highness.”

Yulia lowered her face. She seemed like she had given up. Norma was having difficult time controlling her smile.

This was it! The emperor would ask Yulia to dance…