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The House Vandran had thrown a large banquet, inviting high-ranking nobles and influential families across the empire. It had been a while since the Marquess of the said house threw a banquet, and hence, many had accepted it to congratulate Dexter and Aries.

It was amazing, at least, for Aries, things were amusing. Just several days ago before the news about the emperor\'s search for a wife, Aries\'s name was involved in a controversy about being cursed.

But now, after everyone heard about Aries\'s disposition, everyone was sending her felicities. Even when she was late for her own banquet, joyful smiles, the great atmosphere, and the carefully selected words to get on her good side surrounded her.

In turn, Aries also kept her enchanting demure. Her lips, although slight, were cemented into a subtle smile. She had been exchanging flatteries with the guests while the orchestra was playing a lovely tune in the background.

Everyone and everything from guests to the chandelier of the House Vandran\'s great hall was elegant. Ladies donned the most beautiful dresses, illuminating the warm sparkle of the chandelier. Men were in their exquisite suits.

It was almost like it was a celebration before Aries\'s coronation. She hadn\'t even \'won\' yet, but everyone seemed to assume she already did. No one could blame the nobles, though. Although some of them were simply affiliated with the Vandrans due to mutual understanding in politics, it was undeniable Dexter\'s connections made him worthy to get in his good graces.

Just one banquet and many of them could build connections in the upper echelon, they could never in their lifetime. Not to mention, every single individual was useful in different fields. This was simply the Marquess\'s way to show off not just his wealth, but also his silent invitation to every guest to support his sister\'s journey towards the crown.

Or so… what they all assumed.

It was simply Dexter\'s way of protecting his sister since this game the emperor had thought of was vicious. Every candidate would fight for the emperor\'s affection, and if he favored one — Aries, to be particular — that one candidate would be the target of many things.

Marsella rested her arms against the railings from the second floor of the banquet hall. Holding a glass of wine, she looked over the joyous occasion. Her eyes instantly caught Aries on the side, surrounded by enthusiastic noble ladies.

"She\'s not bad in these things," she commented, smirking. Aries was wearing a blonde wig for tonight, and Marsella should admit it quite suit her. "Oh, nobles…"

Her brow arched as her gaze veered towards Dexter in the other corner. Noblemen surrounded the marquess, and just like Aries, he was very eloquent in accommodating his guests.

"He looks like he\'s about to cry," she muttered with a short laugh. "What an amusing pair."

Marsella sipped from the wineglass, enjoying the music dominating the air. She stayed on the second floor since she didn\'t plan on joining the festivity. It wasn\'t like they didn\'t know the outcome. The name of the empress was already carved and everything from the start was simply formalities.

"What a waste of everyone\'s time," she hissed, gulping the liquor down her throat. "But well, I must admit, his fixity of purpose is admirable. He does consider the history of this land with mindfulness — oh? Where is she going?"

Marsella raised her brows, following Aries\'s figure as she walked across the hall. She looked around and noticed Dexter had disappeared from the banquet hall.

"Am I the only one who wished for some forbidden love affair here?" she chortled, her smirk appeared twisted. "But well, that fantasy is only fun when you\'re the one watching and not the person involved in such a twisted affair."

**********

Aries left the banquet hall when she noticed Dexter was nowhere in sight. Hence, she excused herself, waltzing through the hallway, only to reach the private sitting room where she saw him enter.

Standing in front of the shut door, Aries drew a deep breath. She raised a hand and knocked mildly.

"It\'s me, brother," she announced softly, and waited for several seconds before adding, "I\'ll enter now."

Aries waited for more seconds before reaching for the doorknob and pushing it open. As soon as she did, she caught Dexter standing in front of the window. His one hand was behind him, and the other was on the front, holding a wineglass.

A shallow breath slipped past her lips, closing the door carefully behind her.

"The night is still young. You can\'t stay here for long." Her voice pierced the still air, stopping in the middle of the sitting room. "Is there something wrong, brother?"

Dexter turned on his heel and faced her squarely with a subtle smile dominating his face.

"Nothing\'s wrong. I simply want a moment of time alone since I am not fond of banquets," he explained, twirling the glass in his hand. "What about you? Did you leave the banquet because you\'re worried about me?"

Aries frowned, marching towards the divan. "I also need to breathe a little since the hypocrisy of the nobles is suffocating," she intoned while plopping her butt down the divan.

"You won\'t mind if I seek refuge here, will you?" she arched a brow, making him chuckle.

"Of course not." Dexter sauntered towards the armchair across from her, sitting leisurely with a hiss. "But you should make a good impression on them. Although everything is simply for formality, it\'s still good to have them on your back. The other candidates came from distinguished families across the continent. Therefore, we cannot know for sure what they were capable of."

"Well, even if I am the Marquess\'s sister, everyone will not easily forget that this would be my second marriage. No matter how well-connected I am, people will oppose it, obviously." She smiled, raising her foot to rest over the other. "In other words, I\'m the underdog and not a threat. The only reason I was invited was that the imperialist needed to appease my brother."

Dexter bent over, resting his arms on his spread thighs, the glass in the middle. "It\'s the imperial palace, Dani."

"I know." Aries kept her smile. "It\'s the place where my husband lives. I will be fine."

"I know you will be," he breathed out, lowering his eyes. "You will be, for sure."