Chapter 328 - 287: Flame-haired Princess and Iron Rose: An Encounter of Destiny

Chapter 328: Chapter 287: Flame-haired Princess and Iron Rose: An Encounter of Destiny

Belina’s gaze, however, paused for a moment on a certain corner of the hall. A flicker of light flashed in the depths of her dark red eyes before she withdrew it, too quick for anyone to notice.

She suddenly raised her voice, her arm swinging down like a sharp sword.

"Now! Let this banquet officially begin!"

She raised the heavy crystal glass presented by a server, filled to the brim with wine as red as blood, high above her head.

The firelight danced and flowed across the translucent crystal, illuminating her cold, hard jawline and dark red eyes.

"To the Empire! To Harvia! To all the warriors who have shed their blood—drink!"

"To the Empire! To Harvia! To the warriors!"

"Drink—!"

Deafening cheers and the crisp clinking of glasses instantly erupted, drowning the stone hall.

The rich aroma of wine, the savory scent of roasting meat, the smoke of burning pine resin, and the faint, unwashable tang of blood clinging to the nobles—all were ignited, vaporized, and blended by the roaring clamor, finally transforming into an atmosphere of tumultuous fervor.

Surrounded by countless raised glasses and fervent gazes, Belina Benest’s figure was like the eye of a storm, majestic and unshakable.

However, as time passed, the center of this storm quietly shifted at a moment no one noticed.

The Princess’s vassals—young, exceptional Knights—mingled with the guests, engaging targets they had long since singled out. While keeping the atmosphere at a fever pitch, they also kept anyone attempting to get close to their sovereign occupied.

And Belina herself vanished from her spot without a sound.

When she reappeared, it was in a corner far from the center of power.

The light here was soft, and the cloying scents of expensive perfume and sweet pastries filled the air—it was the gathering place of the noble ladies.

Belina’s arrival was, without a doubt, like a lion king clad in cold Steel Armor stepping into the territory of lazy cats.

The air, which a second before had been filled with the gentle waving of feathered fans and soft, delicate laughter, instantly froze.

The rustling of silk ceased abruptly. Skirts adorned with pearls and lace trembled, and color drained from meticulously painted faces, leaving only the pale white of terror.

They instinctively retreated and cowered, wanting to hide behind one another, yet fearful that the slightest movement would draw the scrutiny of that sharp gaze.

The newcomer’s oppressive presence choked them, forcing them to breathe with painstaking care.

If not for the etiquette ingrained in their very bones that preserved a final shred of decorum, fear would have long since driven them to flee this suffocating corner.

But amidst this frozen tableau, a single flame had not been extinguished. In fact, it burned even brighter.

Reya Xavier stood there.

She did not retreat, nor did she lower her head. Her emerald eyes, like a forest lake at the first thaw, were clear and calm, fearlessly meeting Belina’s gaze that seemed capable of penetrating one’s very soul.

She was exceptionally beautiful today.

Her flame-like hair was not loose and flowing as it usually was, but was exquisitely coiled up and secured with a silver filigree hairnet studded with small Sunstones, revealing her smooth neck and elegant collarbones.

She wore a long gown that faded from deep gold to fiery red, like molten gold from a setting sun flowing into a newly kindled bonfire. The expensive silk flowed with a subtle luster with her slightest movements. The dress was embroidered in a deeper gold thread with the Golden Maple Leaf sigil of the Xavier family, intricate and elegant.

And the small, brilliant Sun Saint Emblem hanging at her breast was like the finishing touch, adding a sliver of faith’s purity to her soft yet fiery disposition.

Deep within Belina’s dark red eyes, a scrutinizing light silently shifted.

Her gaze swept over Reya’s straight back and calm face, finally settling on those unblinking emerald eyes. The corners of her lips curved into a subtle, almost imperceptible arc.

"You are Lord Yed’s daughter, Reya Xavier?"

Reya gracefully lifted her skirt and curtsied. Her movements were fluid and perfect, her torch-like chignon unmoving in the dim light.

"I am. Welcome, Princess Belina."

This calm and proper display made the imperceptible curve on Belina’s lips deepen slightly. Her dark red eyes remained sharp, but now held a hint of probing interest.

"I heard that Lord Yed was attacked and fell into a coma, only waking recently."

"And that during the entire war to suppress the rebellion, you were the one in charge of all the county’s logistics, and were also responsible for some circulation of intelligence?"

These words were like a stone tossed into a still pond, instantly sending even greater ripples through the frozen air among the noble ladies.

Beneath their meticulously painted makeup, their astonishment could no longer be concealed. Handkerchiefs adorned with lace covered their parted lips—they had never imagined that the young, beautiful, and amiable Reya Xavier, who even seemed a bit sweet and naive, had silently shouldered such an arduous and central responsibility while war raged and men were at their wits’ end!

’In charge of the entire county’s logistics? That meant deciding the rations, medicine, and winter clothing for thousands upon thousands of Soldiers and refugees!’

’Circulating intelligence? That meant touching the most hidden nerves at the very heart of power!’

Even if it was just "a part," it was enough to be deeply shocking.

Countless gazes, intertwined with disbelief and complex scrutiny, instantly focused on Reya.

However, Reya, now at the center of the storm, remained as serene as still water. Her emerald eyes were clear and open, meeting Belina’s scrutinizing gaze and the astonished stares from all around.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Her voice was clear, with just the right touch of modesty, neither taking credit nor showing fear.

"I did indeed handle related work for a time, but frankly, it was mostly thanks to the Soldiers who fought with their lives on the line, the wholehearted cooperation of my colleagues at the Noble Merchant Association, and... the selfless help of many comrades that I was barely able to keep the situation from collapsing."

"Every stable supply delivery to the rear was stained with the blood and sweat of the front lines."

Belina nodded slightly, her cold, hard jawline like a sculpture in the firelight.

"No need for such modesty, Reya."

"No one can push everything forward by themselves. Acknowledging the help of others is a sign of respect for the truth, and also a sign of Power."

She took half a step forward, closing the distance to Reya.

It was a distance teetering on the edge of impropriety, and the height difference between the two gave her advance an oppressive feel.

The Third Princess’s dark red eyes locked firmly onto Reya’s jade-green ones, the admiration on her face completely undisguised.

"So, how about coming to work for me?"

Silence.

Absolute silence spread like frost, making even the distant clamor from the heart of the banquet seem as if it were from another world.

The ladies in the corner held their breath completely, their wide eyes filled with nothing but pure shock.

’Princess Belina... the Third Princess of the Empire, Belina Benest, famed for her iron fist and ambition... was actually making such a direct offer? At the most important post-war banquet in Havia County? To the daughter of a member of the local Noble Merchant Association, to a girl as young as Reya Xavier?’

’This... this was just too crazy—!’

’But... how will she answer?’

Facing the stares of all the women and Belina’s subtly oppressive invitation, Reya pursed her lips, then slightly shook her head.

"I am sorry, Your Highness. I have no intention of participating in the Rite of King Selection."

Reya’s refusal cut through the frozen silence like an ice blade on glass, provoking a wave of suppressed gasps.

The ladies clutched their handkerchiefs to their lips, their wide eyes filled with nothing but sheer absurdity. ’She actually refused?’

’To refuse a Princess known for her dominance, to refuse a nearly public recruitment on the eve of the Rite of King Selection?’

’Does she have any idea what she’s done?’

’If it had been any Knight in the banquet hall hungry for military glory, faced with such an offer, they would have slammed a knee to the ground long ago, their roars of loyalty loud enough to bring down the ceiling!’

’Why would she refuse!?’