The prince arrived alongside his father and the rest of the entourage, exhausted. All he wanted was peace, a moment of rest. Their fierce struggle had added yet another territory to the empire. That was the way of things. As he was greeted by the palace servants in the corridors, he nodded in return, as custom dictated. Entering his royal chambers, he decided to unwind. Everything was set for him, and after a refreshing bath, he dressed casually. Later, there would be a grand parade to celebrate their victory. He allowed himself a brief nap.
Carolyna, meanwhile, knew that public transport would be practically nonexistent that day, which meant she'd have to walk home.
"Six more blocks to go. Great. Not too bad." She had a steely determination. At the same time, the grand emperor commanded that Prince Darius be summoned. Marlion was anxious; his son needed to learn punctuality!
That morning, the capital was buzzing with excitement. The emperor's celebration would take place that day—a grand event that mobilized the entire elite of the Valksinian Empire. The signs of preparation were visible everywhere: imperial banners adorned buildings, and red carpets were rolled out along the route the royal entourage would take. Nobles from all corners of the empire arrived in luxurious carriages and spacecraft, eager to attend the most anticipated social event of the year.
As Carolyna went about her work routine, she couldn't avoid crossing paths with the festival preparations. Walking through the bustling streets of the capital, she observed the frenzy with a mix of fascination and disdain. It was impossible to ignore the sparkle of jewels, the elegant attire, and the air of superiority exuded by the guests, all impatient to flaunt their status before the emperor and his court.
"It seems the whole empire is here today," Carolyna muttered to herself as she quickened her pace, careful not to be late. The day's work was essential, and she couldn't afford to miss out on her pay, even if the luxury around her briefly distracted her.
She found herself mulling over the grandiosity of the event. The imperial feast wasn't just a celebration; it was also an opportunity for political alliances, arranged marriages, and, of course, intrigues that could alter the fates of many within the empire. For Carolyna and her mother, however, the feast was just a distant spectacle. The real concerns of her life, like providing for her family and covering her father's costly treatment, felt even more trivial compared to the extravagance on display.
When she arrived at the house where she would be working, the feast was also the talk among the staff and servants.
"I heard Prince Darius will make an important announcement during the celebration," one of the maids said as she adjusted a table.
"They say he's finally going to choose a bride," another added, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Carolyna couldn't help but overhear. Prince Darius's name seemed to pop up in every conversation, as if he were the center of the universe. She knew very little about him beyond the constant rumors: a young prince, handsome and powerful, heir to a colossal empire. But to Carolyna, he was just another noble, someone far removed from her world.
Later, at the end of her shift, Carolyna walked back home, yet the echoes of the celebration seemed to follow her. Luxurious spacecraft crisscrossed the skies, and the music of the palace festivities could already be heard in the distance. The imperial palace shone like a beacon, contrasting sharply with the simplicity of the poorer neighborhoods.
At home, Rayna awaited her with a simple bowl of soup, but Carolyna felt a restlessness she couldn't quite explain. Maybe it was the festive atmosphere that had overtaken the city, or perhaps it was knowing that, on this night, the futures of many would be sealed—while hers remained tethered to the struggles of her daily life.
"Is everything alright, my dear?" Rayna asked, noticing her daughter's silence as they ate.
"Yes, Mom," Carolyna replied, trying to push aside her thoughts of the emperor's feast and the conversations about Prince Darius. "Just another tiring day."
Deep down, she knew that tonight would be special for many. But to her, the emperor's feast was only a distant echo of a world she would never be part of—or at least, that was what she believed at that moment.