Chapter 21: Secret Struggles, Amidst Clamor and Turmoil
"Sorry, Miss Loka, the Duke has ordered us not to let you leave."
A group of timid maids and servants mustered their courage to block Loka’s path as she approached the door, trembling as they tried to stop her from moving forward.
"Do you really want to stop me?"
"Please understand us. Though we committed unforgivable acts against you before... Please, we beg you, have mercy and spare our lives!"
The people here had, to varying degrees, mocked or mistreated me when I was unwelcome.
These opportunistic lackeys, emboldened by the beautiful woman’s orders, had turned their malice toward me.
Looking at the overconfident servants staunchly guarding the mansion’s gate, they didn’t know what had transpired between me and the Duke, but the Duke had issued a strict order to threaten them.
Did this man think he could use other people’s lives to threaten me?
Did I look like some kind, compassionate person who cared about insignificant others?
"If you wake up, flee and fight for your lives."
As if! I, Loka, held grudges!
With a wave of my hand, all the servants fell unconscious in an instant.
The unobstructed gate slowly opened, and a carriage bearing the Oak Family’s emblem waited quietly nearby.
"Welcome, Miss Robin, or should I call you Miss Loka?"
"Watch your mouth, Lubi. Don’t ask what you shouldn’t."
The merchant knew better than to probe the enigmatic figure and quietly took on the role of coachman.
As the bell tolled, the daytime festivities were about to begin.
Meanwhile, in the palace, the brightly lit hall was filled with prominent nobles from across the land.
Gentlemen and ladies, holding wine glasses, gathered around tables in animated discussion.
The lavish banquet setup and piles of treasured gifts stood in wait.
To receive an invitation from the Kelake Royal Family and be present here was a mark of high status among the upper nobility.
The gathering of such esteemed figures was proof of the Kelake Royal Family’s social standing, even if they were only here due to the Emperor’s influence.
Suddenly, the lively crowd parted, making way for a clear path to the grand door.
As the door, adorned with bright golden patterns, slowly opened, the chatter ceased, leaving only awe.
"Look, those are the princes and princesses of the Kelake Royal Family. So young, yet so radiant."
"That golden-haired child at the back, that’s the sixth princess, isn’t it? I don’t recall her, but she still exudes such elegance and nobility."
Those were the princes and princesses of the Kelake Royal Family, walking slowly into the hall under everyone’s gaze.
For the direct descendants of the royal family, such events were merely routine.
Naturally, they drew attention, rightfully enjoyed their privileges, and even the youngest among them were surrounded by gasps and murmurs, admired by all.
Yiwen Kelake quietly followed her nominal siblings, wearing a delicate lavender dress adorned with floral patterns.
An amethyst was embedded at the chest of her dress, appearing understated yet adding a touch of elegance and nobility.
When the princes and princesses stopped at their designated places, Yiwen continued past the crowd toward the towering figure at the forefront, happily opening her arms.
"Father!"
Yiwen excitedly threw herself into Miles Kelake’s embrace, like an ordinary daughter playfully clinging to her father.
He froze for a moment before breaking into a warm smile, lifting her high.
"Yiwen, my dear daughter, how do you feel today?"
"Super happy! Are all these people here to celebrate my birthday?"
Hearing Yiwen’s excited response, Emperor Miles took her hand and led her to the center of the crowd.
He plucked a golden star from the top of the gift pile and placed it in her hands.
This was a tradition at the royal family’s birthday banquets for the princes and princesses.
Their father, the supreme Emperor, would bestow the Morning Star emblem upon them, symbolizing the Austin Empire’s blessings.
"Yiwen, in the name of the Kelake Royal Family, on this, your twelfth birthday, I grant you the blessing of the Morning Star. May glory be upon you, my child."
The formulaic words, a scripted ritual every prince and princess was accustomed to, still sent the lively crowd into a frenzy of cheers.
With a wave of the Emperor’s hand, the banquet reached its peak atmosphere.
"Looks like you’re stealing the show today, Yiwen."
A malicious chuckle interrupted Yiwen’s leisurely dessert time.
The first prince approached, holding a glass of juice resembling red wine, a fake smile on his face and eyes full of disdain and provocation.
"Don’t think that just because you’ve caught Father’s eye, you’re on our level. You’re just a lucky nobody who survived, not worth mentioning."
The lofty prince, raised with notions of nobility and authority, saw Yiwen as lacking a powerful maternal clan or the support of other influential nobles.
To him, she posed no competition or threat.
But lately, this little flea who’d appeared out of nowhere had repeatedly caught the Emperor’s attention, making him increasingly irritated and eager to vent his frustration.
"I suggest you abandon those ambitions and stay in your corner like an insignificant blade of grass. Maybe then I’ll let you off."
Yiwen gave him a cold glance, intending to leave this irritating place—or rather, this place with an irritating, punchable jerk.
But the First Prince roughly grabbed her shoulder.
In the next moment, a fork plunged shallowly into the back of his hand.
"Ah, damn it! You little—"
"Shh, do you want the name Kelake to be shamed at a royal banquet?"
Yiwen stared icily at the furious First Prince, her grip on the fork unrelenting.
The chilling aura she exuded made him tremble involuntarily.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, he shoved her away.
"You! I won’t stoop to your level."
Watching him flee, clutching his hand and clumsily bumping into a few chatting ladies, Yiwen disdainfully tossed aside the now-dirty fork.
What a pathetic waste.
Annoyed by the disruptive fool, Yiwen lost interest in the noisy banquet.
She slipped away from the crowd and quietly made her way to the back garden of the palace.
But by the pond, another familiar figure appeared.
"Hello, my dear royal sister. What are you doing here?"
A gentle maiden, combing her light purple hair in the water, slowly stood and gave Yiwen, who was visibly wary, a faint smile, as if there were some intimate bond between them.
That was the third princess of the Austin Empire, the daughter of a foreign princess, Yileta Kelake.