"And also… the least you must do is dance with three young men."
Karina gasped sharply, as if the words had struck her like lightning, and said in a mix of shock and panic:
"W-… What?! Three?! Nooo! That's impossible! I won't do it!"
…
After what felt like a million attempts—or so it seemed to Karina—of persuasion, arguments, and empty promises, she finally gave in. She agreed… but only in front of them. Behind their backs, she knew very well she wouldn't keep that promise.
A few days passed until the day of the ball finally arrived.
Karina prepared meticulously; she wore her soft pink dress, selected her accessories with careful precision, then put on the white gloves that covered her hands up to her wrists, paired with elegant low heels that enhanced her delicacy without tiring her.
She went to her father's office to bid him farewell. She lightly knocked, entered, and walked with poise before bowing slightly to present herself, showing her taste and elegance as befitted a Vershi daughter.
Theobald looked up at her, and the moment he saw her, a warm, bright smile appeared on his face.
"My daughter looks beautiful… as always."
He approached and kissed her forehead tenderly.
"Do not forget the teacher's instructions, and if anyone bothers you, tell me immediately."
Rina nodded enthusiastically, and Theobald smiled, his voice softer:
"Be safe, my dear… my little heir."
She bid him farewell, and on her way out, she met her grandmother and said goodbye to her as well before heading toward the carriage. She climbed in and waited… for San and Sina.
Unfortunately, she had to endure the ride with them.
The siblings arrived shortly; Sina wore an elegant blue dress, her eyes filled with their usual coldness, and San in his formal suit, his gaze quietly disdainful.
They sat opposite Rina, and the carriage began to move.
Silence prevailed inside, and the road seemed long toward the eastern borders. Rina stole a glance at them; San was almost asleep, and Sina was absorbed in a book in her hands.
Rina opened her small bag, took out a delicate pen and her notebook, and began jotting down the preparations and thoughts of her day. About ten minutes passed before the driver spoke in a voice loud enough for everyone:
"We've arrived at the border. It will take approximately fifteen minutes to reach the Marquis' palace, ladies and gentleman."
Rina and Sina heard him, but San… remained captive to his sleep.
Rina tried to peek from behind the curtain; they were now in front of the eastern fortified gates. The moment the guards spotted the Vershi emblem on the carriage, the gates opened quietly and respectfully.
Soon, the carriage stopped in front of a long row of luxurious carriages near the Marquis' palace. The guard opened the door, and the three disembarked together. They walked slowly along the red carpet leading to the gate, where they found the Marquis' son and daughter welcoming the guests.
"Welcome, Princess Vershi, and welcome, Mr. and Miss Bional. We are honored by your presence at today's ball."
They bowed; San and Sina gave full bows, while Rina simply placed her hand over her heart and lowered her head slightly—her posture still elegant and noble.
"Thank you for your kind invitation. I'm pleased to be among you at this beautiful gathering."
Rina spoke with a refined smile, while San and Sina merely offered artificial smiles.
"Please, follow me," said the Marquis' daughter kindly.
The three entered, and Rina paused for a moment.
A crowd of teenagers, and some younger, murmurs, laughter, scattered groups. Girls whispering about dance partners, boys choosing in advance, groups joking and laughing, others lost in gossip. Decorations filled the place, tables arranged with care to suit their ages and the calm ambiance, servants in every corner, soft music flowing from the musicians, evoking a strange comfort in the heart.
Rina stepped forward, smiling with shy excitement, looking around for someone she knew. Damian caught her gaze, laughing and talking with a noble's son. She hesitated to interrupt, stepped forward further… only for some of the crowd to turn toward her.
"Oh! It's Princess Vershi! Isn't she the one who was ill?"
"Yes, I heard her head was injured!"
"How are you, Your Highness?"
"Isn't she the one who performed the Buried Pride piece?"
"She's the star performer!"
---
"Thank you, everyone… I'm well and in good health," Rina said calmly, feeling the weight of their stares more than their words. Hardly had she finished when another crowd approached, and suddenly a girl's excited voice almost leapt out:
"Isn't your uncle Lord Yuri Vershi?! Wow! When will he return?!"
Rina froze for a moment, her eyes wide in shock. She barely processed the question before voices erupted from all sides:
"Handsome, tall, strong, and kind… what a wonderful man!"
"It was read in the Yuri Vershi magazine that he's in the country, but in another region!"
Rina gasped unconsciously, staring at them in clear astonishment.
"My uncle… has a news magazine?!"
She wasn't unaware of people's admiration for her uncle; she knew his features leaned more toward Asian than European, and his mixed blood stirred debate among nobles… but she never imagined the obsession reaching this level.
"Wait, you all! He's engaged, be quiet!"
Rina said quickly, trying to keep her tone low so it wouldn't be overheard, but one of the girls bent down and whispered mischievously to her friend:
"And what's wrong with that? He can have mistresses… I think it's possible."
In a moment, her friend hissed sharply and angrily:
"Shut up! They are against such things, they don't take mistresses. If I hear you, you fool…!"
Karina stood in the middle, silently shocked, as if watching a strange world she had never realized was so closely observing her family.
With calm, confident steps, Damian moved toward the crowd. As soon as everyone noticed him, they instinctively stepped back, clearing the path respectfully.
"Oh, Damian! How are you!"
Rina stepped forward with genuine relief, smiling.
"I'm well. Karina… thank God you're safe. I heard you were hurt."
She nodded gently, exchanging a quiet, warm smile free of pretense.
All eyes were on them—their natural closeness, the harmony that needed no explanation.
Sina, however, stood at a distance, casting sharp, jealous glances at Karina. She moved among some princesses, smiling politely while hiding her inner anger, trying to weave connections with the noble girls.
San seemed lost, moving slightly then stopping, as if the place rejected him.
Rina spoke quietly to Damian, then took a deep breath:
"Look… foolish San is standing alone. I'll go move him and come back."
Damian nodded, his calm eyes watching her as she headed toward her cousin.
"Hey! Fool! Why are you standing alone?!"
She said, giving him a gentle push:
"There are plenty of boys your age here, they'll like you! Only cowards hide! Come on!"
She insisted, pushing him again, but he shouted annoyedly, his face red:
"Step away, you…!"
He pushed her hand harshly. Rina pulled back quickly, her smile gone. She turned toward the gate… and in that moment, time stopped.
Vicky Flax.
And Richard Flax… her half-brother.
Karina's eyes widened, filling with tears before she excused herself. She ran with all her longing and threw herself into Vicky's arms with force.
Vicky hugged her immediately, laughing joyfully:
"Karina!! I missed you!!"
Then pulled back slightly to look at her face, and seeing her tears, gasped:
"You fool! Why are you crying?! Should I return you to father?"
"Shut up!"
Rina said, laughing and crying at the same time:
"I missed you…"
The past slipped into her memory; that night when she heard of her friend's death, the pain, the emptiness, and the fear. She remembered how Victoria was always hurt by her stepmother, the Countess. She looked at Vicky's hands… unscathed, without wounds.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
From afar, Damian watched the scene, smiling quietly, then sat on a chair and resumed talking with the others.
Calmly and deliberately, Rina walked with her friend through the vast halls, where the scent of flowers mingled with the faint music and the guests' chatter. The fan in her hands was tightly closed, as if trying to trap her flowing thoughts. Light reflected in her eyes as she said with enthusiastic tone:
"I'm glad I convinced my father to come… and I must stand out at this ball. I want him to be proud of me."
Vicky said this quietly, but behind her words was a hidden determination, the desire of a child still seeking her father's recognition. Karina looked at her, her gaze filled with genuine curiosity:
"Then why did he refuse to let you go in the first place?"
Vicky sighed and raised her fan to cover half her face, as if hiding from an unpleasant memory: "Ah… all because of my stepmother… that annoying woman."
Rina immediately understood and anger flashed in her eyes as she whispered softly: "Does she… still hurt you?"
Vicky nodded slowly, then exhaled shortly: "No… not now. My father's mistress defends me these days… not because she likes me, but because she's trying to win him over. Honestly, I don't know what he sees in her… his face is ugly."
Karina couldn't help but laugh at the last remark, drawing some glances toward them. Then, more composed, she said: "It doesn't matter. What matters is that she's good to you now. And you must also pursue your future… your dream."
Victoria's expression softened, as if the words touched something deep inside: "I really don't know how I'll convince my father to let me study veterinary science… he's still tired and stubborn."
Rina stopped walking, turned to her, and firmly placed her hand on Vicky's shoulder: "Don't worry. I'll help you… I promise."
Victoria's smile widened, and she threw herself into Rina's embrace, holding on to safety: "My best friend… and the kindest!"
They laughed together, lightly and genuinely, a brief respite from an unforgiving world.
Sina, meanwhile, watched from afar, occasionally throwing glances at Karina before returning to talk with the Duke of Brelimon's daughter… Beatrice Brelimon.
Beatrice was surrounded by a crowd of girls, questions and admiration flying around her. Her beauty was undeniable, aristocratic, a lingering aura of a woman who once sat on an empire's throne.
Yes, she was an empress in the past.
Rina saw it all and remembered. Beatrice was arrogant, true, but smart enough to marry the third prince in the past. That marriage was no coincidence; the Duke of Brelimon's alliance with the crown prince of that era was clear as day. And yet, the third prince didn't hate her… he truly loved her.
Until Sina entered.
Somehow, the prince took her as a concubine, and over time, began neglecting Beatrice cruelly, as if she had become the shadow of a woman who once was everything. And no one knew… except Karina.
Karina alone knew the truth, having endured the darkness of black magic and lived among its captives. She saw how Sina secretly destroyed Beatrice with forbidden spells. Malicious sorcery, slowly transforming the human into a semi-monster, the body distorting and the soul corroding, until… inevitable death.
That's what Sina did to that girl.
And when Beatrice fell, Sina sat on the throne instead, as if waiting only for the right moment. The Brelimon family tried to fight back, to reclaim at least half of their rights, but all efforts vanished before the third prince's strong grip and irresistible influence.
And thus… everything ended.
Or so it seemed to everyone.
Victoria and Karina sat at a table surrounded by a group of noble girls, similar in age, their laughter mingling with excited whispers and endless talks of dancing, alliances, and who would be the most prominent partner that night.
One girl, a proud smile on her lips, said: "Ah… my first partner tonight is Marquis Polius' son… the host of this ball."
She didn't hide her excitement, but deliberately showed it. Another eagerly added: "How wonderful! And Miss Leonora?"
Marquis Polius' daughter, Leonora herself, smiled gently and said softly: "As for me… I'll dance with young Mr. Brelimon."
Gasps of admiration erupted immediately, and the girls exchanged looks of suppressed envy. He was the second son of Duke Brelimon, Beatrice's half-brother… just his name was enough to ignite hearts.
Before the whispers could settle, a confident voice came from the other side of the table, the daughter of Duke Triens: "And I… will dance with the first prince."
It was like a lightning strike. Another group of girls gasped in awe, while the Duke Triens' daughter locked sharp glances with her seated sister, a silent struggle needing no words.
One noblewoman, curiosity sparkling in her eyes, asked: "And Miss Beatrice?… And also Miss Karina?"
Karina was lost, submerged in old memories, images of the throne, magic, and collapse… until her name was heard, and she twitched slightly, as if suddenly pulled back to reality. She hadn't considered it at all.
Beatrice quickly decided: "Oh… I'll dance with the third prince."
Admiration murmurs rose again, excitement in their eyes. "What a fitting pair!" one said, then all eyes turned to Karina, awaiting her response.
Karina stammered: "Ah… I… I… it's…"
Words stopped in her throat, tension creeping across her face. She let out a soft, nervous laugh, and Vicky smiled mischievously, nudging Rina sharply on her side: "You fool! Say something!"
Rina hurried to save the situation, saying quickly while tapping her fingers: "Oh, it's a secret… a surprise, a surprise!"
The girls finally calmed down, before one said proudly: "As for me, my dance will be with the second prince, as promised."
Small shrieks rose, whispers comparing the second and third prince's handsomeness, and who surpassed the first.
Rina raised her eyebrows, her expression changing suddenly. Her eyes searched the hall for Damian, and she whispered to Vicky softly enough for a few girls to hear: "You jealous… stop, the prince isn't a traitor like you."
Rina snapped, turning to her: "Shut up!!!"
Vicky burst out laughing, rising from her chair, and slowly, deliberately started "running away." "Where are you running, lost in your dreams?!"
They laughed, running through the crowd, eyes shining with childish mischief, both laughing heedless of noble etiquette.
They ran down the corridors, laughter, chaos, unmeasured steps… until Rina began slowing, wanting to stop, but—
Vicky collided with someone.
She stepped back quickly, her face turning red with embarrassment. She didn't even raise her eyes, immediately bowing apologetically. A calm, gentle voice spoke: "It's alright, Miss Flax."
It was… the Marquis Polius' son, the host himself.
Karina stepped forward two steps, laughing victoriously, then straightened and whispered: "Come on, be happy… Mr. Polius is kind-hearted."
Vicky looked at her shyly and nervously, wanting to tell her to be quiet, but couldn't get a single word out.
The boy smiled politely: "Thank you, Princess, for your kindness… I hope you enjoy the ball."
Then he quietly withdrew to his place.
As soon as he moved away, Karina burst out laughing: "You blushed!!!"
While they began teasingly arguing, a powerful tune suddenly played, gathering the dancers in the center. The crowd approached to watch the famous musician invited especially for this ball. Awe spread, and Karina and Vicky's laughter softened as they stepped forward, captivated by the scene.
The song ended, applause rising.
Marquis' daughter stepped to the center and said loudly: "On behalf of the Polius family… I admired Princess Karina's performance at the previous music awards. Will you honor us with a piece tonight?"
Karina smiled nervously, Vicky jumped beside her and whispered excitedly: "Go! Play the song 'Calm Heart,' and I'll sing it!"
Rina, thrilled, nodded with composed assurance hiding her trembling heart. They stepped toward the stage hesitantly. Rina sat before the grand piano, her fingers recalling the melody from memory, while Vicky stood beside her, trying to control her nerves.
Karina thought: If I perform well, everyone will be impressed… my father will be pleased. If I fail… if anyone hears my mistake… my father will be angry.
Silence fell.
A single moment… before the music started.
Karina began to play.
Her fingers flowed over the piano keys with remarkable calm, as if she alone knew the path without hesitation. Her smile was gentle and reassuring, the music soft and warm, like a delicate evening breeze flowing through the hall. With the first note, the noise faded, and attentive silence prevailed.
Then… Vicky's voice rose.
Calm, transparent, resonating through the columns and high corners of the hall. Despite the tension constricting her chest, her voice remained steady, sincere, carrying an emotion that made hearts lean without resistance. The singing blended with the music beautifully, as if the melody was born for this very moment.
The music continued, steady and confident, until it ended quietly.
For a brief second… silence.
Then the hall erupted in applause.
Voices echoed through the grand hall, admiration clear, eyes amazed, countless whispers. Damian smiled at Karina, a long look of silent appreciation. Meanwhile, the crowd gathered around Vicky, praising her voice, her delicacy, her beautiful performance.
Rina seized the opportunity, stepping toward Damian calmly. "What do you think of the performance?"
He placed his hand on her shoulder without hesitation and said simply: "Wonderful."
One word… but enough.
The next music began, the dance music, and the partners stepped forward. Rina and Vicky