The palace ballroom blazed with lights and elegant guests.
All attendees were from the Empire's highest circles: top nobles, high-ranking generals, and select representatives from favored aristocratic houses.
When Elena entered the grand hall flanked by Caelir and Talieran, she drew nearly every gaze in the room.
Curious, scrutinizing, envious, jealous... all kinds of looks converged on her.
Sacred Female Elena, Duchess of Noel, was now a household name throughout the Empire.
The buzz from her street rescue video hadn't died down, and her relationships with three distinctly different "husbands" provided endless gossip material.
Her Majesty personally brought Elena to her side, making brief introductions to several key ministers and foreign envoys. Her manner was warm ye
