Rhea was draped in one of Dana’s masterpieces. A gown in ice blue with lace snowflakes inlaid in a swirling pattern up her skirt up to her bosom where they clung to her bodice. Her father came in a dark blue suit donned with silver accents and an ice-blue tie with the same snowflake pattern. They joined the procession of nobles at the base of the castle’s crimson-carpeted steps. They were let in ahead of several as they were an Ipheion not simple of it and soon after what felt like more than an hour wait they stood before the grand thrones of the Empress and her king.

Rhea lowered her gaze and bent her knee in a bow before the royal family before raising her head as the Empress spoke.

“At last we see the legendary lady of Ipheion, I have heard much of you Rhea Ipheion.”

As Rhea raised her eyes to view the Empress, ALICE’s voice chimed in her head anticipating what she might wonder.

[NAME: AURELIA AMARYLLIS

TITLE: EMPRESS

ABILITY: ENHANCED STRENGTH & DEXTERITY

STRENGTH: 100/100]

Rhea had yet to see another like the Baron with a maxed-out ability strength. The Empress wasn’t just beautiful with her crimson hair and fire-burst eyes, she was powerful.

“I thank, Your Majesty, for such a compliment.”

The Empress waved her fan, “Nonsense, your reputation proceeds you. The creator of the Flower Path, an entrepreneur as well future Baroness. I anticipate great things from you, Lady Ipheion.”

The nobles of the Capital were not much different from those in the Fern and Ipheion lands. If anything the nobles from her home territory had a more relaxed elegance rather than the stiff greetings and nonchalant glances.

There were still noblemen’s eyes that lingered a little too long on certain areas of her person, but Rhea had grown to expect it even if she never got used to it.

“Lecherous pigs,” Favian whispered in her ear, and she playfully swatted him with her fan.

“Any one of them could lead to a new business opportunity. We must simply grin and bare it.”

Favian let out a little exaggerated sigh, “I’ll take the pigs, you take care of the doves.”

Rhea shook her head and made her way across the hall to where she saw Dana’s head of light blonde curls bowed slightly in whispering conversations with the noble ladies.

“Rhea! You’ve at last joined us.” Thus followed a ray of introductions to the ladies of the season each with an array of reactions to the tales from the Flower Path.

Gongs were heard as the Crown Prince and Lady Althea Iris were announced. As the crowd parted, Rhea bent her knee and lowered her eyes as the couple passed. After lifting them she couldn’t help but think that the one-day empress was shining brightly that night. She glimmered like a golden jewel at the center of the hall, her hand upon her fiance’s arm, her tightly spun curls ornately piled on top of her head except for a couple that framed her dark features.

‘It’s no wonder she’s the main character in the tale.’

When the ball commenced with the two honoraries having the first dance. Rhea was quick to disappear in the crowd, not wishing for a repeat of her dances from her debut ball.

Her gaze alighted upon some ruby curtains that fluttered slightly and as her shoulders brushed their tassels she let out a long sigh of relief as the cool night air came to greet her.

The stone balcony was just the place to rest and collect her thoughts.

[THE TALE’S DRAMA SHOULD COMMENCE SOON.]

‘Yes,’ Rhea looked up at the full moon above her, ‘It would be best to stay out of the limelight.’

[THE BRILLIANT LIGHTS OF THE CAPITAL ARE NOT ENTICING?]

Rhea shook her head, ‘Give me the gossiping ladies, the secret romances, and the bustle of the Flower Path any day these royal surroundings are not for me.’