Aether strictly ordered that no Void-affiliated individuals were permitted to enter the Empire.
Even from the remaining four, the people were subjected to relentless scrutiny before being allowed to enter.
The only reason Aurelia managed to set foot inside the Empire was because the engagement carried Aria's official seal, and because Aria herself personally escorted her.
The engagement itself had been postponed countless times. Even so, Lia finally found herself within the Zephyra Empire after what felt like an eternity.
Seated in the front row, Lia watched as Aether, Aria, and Liora sat together. Aether wore a very happy expression, and Aria had a forced smile.
Lia's attention soon drifted to Liora, who sat rigidly upon her chair with an irritated, detached expression.
Lia leaned slightly toward Kaelen, lowering her voice as she spoke carefully,
"If I may ask… does your mother truly approve of this? She does not seem pleased at all."
