Chapter 170:
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 mber of the royal family in such an extravagant dress.
‘It’s fitting since starting today, Yulia will beco 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 so blush on that girl’s face when she arrives at the castle.’
Norma got onto the sa 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 al 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 sa 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 ti the empress returns, it will be all over.”
By that ti, 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 sha the daughter of Lonensian family.
Norma continued, “... Stop looking at 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 soone anyway, so why not marry the man who can give you power? If you bear the emperor a son, you will most likely beco the most important lady of this continent.”
“I... don’t want that! That won’t make 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 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 complinted Norma. “Haha, hello Duchess. You look beautiful as usual.”
“You flatter , my lady, but the actual beauty of tonight is my niece here, Yulia. She is gorgeous just like my sister.”
The noblewon quickly turned to Yulia and started to complint 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 beco the first wife.
Norma waited for the emperor with a wildly beating heart. For so 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 so 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 ca 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 asure.
This ant he had no choice but to pick soone 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 beco the first wife of the emperor.
‘That would make 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 ant 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 ti 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 beca wider while Yulia beca 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 sothing to tell you. Actually, I have a job for you.”
“... Yes, your highness.”
Yulia lowered her face. She seed like she had given up. Norma was having difficult ti controlling her smile.
This was it! The emperor would ask Yulia to dance...
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