That evening, the air in the Thomas manor dining room was alive with the warmth of a crackling fire and happy conversations.
Daphne sat between her two brothers, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't experienced in years.
The table was laden with a feast of roasted chicken, fresh vegetables, and warm bread, but the real nourishment came from the presence of her family.
Her father, Lord Thomas, raised a glass of wine. "To our Daphne, home at last," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "And to her successful training. Your grandparents said you were more than a student, but a prodigy."
Daphne smiled, a genuine, relaxed expression her family hadn't seen in a long time. "They were wonderful teachers, Father. I learned so much from them."
Finn, ever the curious one, leaned in. "So, are you really a warrior now? Like, can you beat Kael in a fight?"
Kael, standing silently by the wall, gave a small, almost imperceptible shake of his head at Daphne.
It was a private signal, a silent reminder that she must maintain the mystery of her new skills.
Daphne's smile didn't falter. "Let's just say that Kael is an excellent sparring partner. I've learned how to hold my own."
She gave a graceful shrug. "But my grandmother taught me that a sharp wit can be as effective as a sharp sword."
"Aidan," she said, turning to her older brother, her voice soft. "How is Emma? I was hoping to see her tonight."
Aidan's grin was full of warmth. "She's good, Daph. She went to visit her family, but she'll be back soon."
Daphne's heart sank a little. It was a reminder of the ball that was happening just after her coming-of-age ceremony.
This was the last thing she wanted to think about.
In her last life, it was the event that had sealed her fate. It was where the Emperor had first seen her and become determined to claim her as his own.
She had only two weeks.
Lady Elizabeth noticed the subtle shift in her daughter's expression. "Daphne, my dear, what's wrong? You look so serious all of a sudden."
Daphne quickly composed herself.
"Nothing is wrong, Mother," she said, her voice firm and clear. "I was just thinking about how much I've missed you all."
Her mother smiled, a familiar look of motherly impatience on her face. "Speaking of your ceremony, darling, we have so much to do. Your coming-of-age ball is just a week away! I've already sent your design to the dressmaker, a stunning silver-blue silk with pearl embroidery. We need to go for your final fitting this week."
Aidan and Finn, who had been teasing each other, turned to their mother, a look of intrigue on their faces. "Are you getting a new dress too, Mother?" Aidan asked.
"Of course, dear," Lady Elizabeth replied, her eyes twinkling. "But what I'm truly excited about is your friend, Lianna. She arrived to the Capital some days ago. She's been asking about you constantly."
At the mention of her name, a genuine smile spread across Daphne's face. Lianna. Her dearest childhood friend, her confidante.
She hadn't seen her in three years, but they had exchanged letters throughout her time in Edistone.
Lianna was a true friend, a brilliant mind, and a trusted ally. In her past life, Lianna had been one of the few who stood by her, a beacon of loyalty in a world of deceit.
"Lianna is also back?" Daphne asked, her voice filled with excitement. Lianna had left town to attend her elder sister's wedding.
"She is," her mother confirmed. "She wants to go with you for your dress fitting tomorrow. I told her you would be busy resting, but she insisted. I believe she wants to catch up before all the festivities begin."
"That's wonderful," Daphne said, her heart swelling with affection and vulnerability.
She was home, and the love in their eyes was a warmth she had craved.
She was going to see her best friend, and she knew that with Lianna by her side, things would be different this time.
After dinner, Daphne excused herself and went to her room.
Kael was already there at the door waiting for her. "My Lady," he said, bowing his head respectfully.
"Kael," she said, her voice dropping to a low whisper.
She looked at him, and for the first time, he saw a glimmer of the shrewd, calculating woman beneath the poised noblewoman.
"There is an opportunity. Something that will make us a great deal of money. I need you to find a man named Lord Corvinus and invest everything you can in his steel mills. He will be looking for investors for his new project."
Kael's brow furrowed in confusion. "My Lady? Steel mills?" he asked, completely taken aback. "I have no knowledge of such things. And isn't Lord Corvinus known for being a very difficult man to deal with?"
"He is," Daphne said, a faint smile touching her lips. "Which is why he will need a trustworthy and discreet partner."
She leaned closer. "Just trust me on this, Kael. This will bring us more than enough resources to deal with whatever is to come. This is a very good thing."
Kael, completely bewildered but with an unwavering faith in his lady, simply nodded.
He couldn't possibly understand the full scope of her plan, but he trusted her. If she said a dusty old steel mill was a good investment, then he would make it so.
"As you wish, My Lady," he said, bowing his head. "I will handle it."
With a final glance, Daphne turned back to the window, watching the lights of Eldoria flicker in the distance.
The game had begun, and she had just made her first move.
She knew Lord Corvinus's steel mills would be the foundation of a vast fortune, a fortune that would give her the power she needed to change her destiny and the destiny of those she loved.
This time, she would not be a pawn in the Emperor's game. She would be the queen.
...
The next morning, the sun streamed through Daphne's window, casting a golden glow across her room.
She was already awake, a familiar sense of anticipation humming within her. It had been years since she felt this way.
Elara was helping her get dressed, her movements practiced and efficient.
She fastened the buttons on a simple but elegant day dress of soft green linen, then meticulously checked that not a single hair was out of place.
"The city seems so much brighter with you in it, my lady," Elara murmured, a warm smile on her face.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and Kael's voice came through. "My Lady, Lady Lianna has arrived and is waiting in the drawing room."
Daphne's head snapped up, her heart fluttering. "Oh, she's here!" A wide smile broke across her face. "Elara, can you finish my hair later? I don't want to keep her waiting."
"As you wish, my lady," Elara said, her eyes twinkling as she hurried to grab Daphne's shoes. "She's been quite impatient."
Daphne practically flew down the grand staircase in excitement.
She found Lianna standing by the large bay windows in the drawing room, her back to the door.
Her fiery red curls cascaded down her back, and her vibrant yellow gown seemed to capture the sunlight itself.
"Lianna!" Daphne cried, her voice filled with emotion.
Lianna turned, her green eyes widening as she saw her friend. "Daphne!" she cried, rushing forward. "Oh, thank God you're back! I was starting to think you'd been lost to those grumpy old mountains forever."
Daphne laughed. She met Lianna in a tight embrace.
The scent of Lianna's perfume, a mix of lavender and rose, was a nostalgic comfort. "It's so good to see you, Lianna. Your letters were a lifeline."
Lianna pulled back, holding Daphne at arm's length, her eyes sweeping over her friend's face. "The rumors didn't do you justice," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper of awe. "You're a vision, Daph. They won't know what hit them at the ball."
A faint smile touched Daphne's lips. "I'm just the same person, Lianna."
"Don't be ridiculous," Lianna scoffed.
"You're a angel. But don't worry, your secret is safe with me." She winked. "Now, come on, we have a dress fitting to get to. I want to see this 'masterpiece' your mother told me about."
Daphne's smile deepened. She had missed this, Lianna's straightforwardness, her unwavering support.
With her best friend by her side, the looming ceremony and the fateful encounter with the Emperor didn't seem quite so terrifying.
She would face it, not alone, but with a true ally.
As they headed for the main doors, Daphne stopped by the entry table and picked up her wide-brimmed hat with the delicate lace veil.
She placed it on her head, the fabric falling gracefully over her face.
Lianna stopped in her tracks, her brow furrowed in confusion. "A hat? But why, Daphne? It's so beautiful outside."
"It's simply a new preference," she replied, "I've grown to appreciate a little mystery."
As they walked out the door, Daphne turned to Kael, who had silently appeared behind them.
"Kael, I need you to go to the market later today. I want to buy a few things, some small gifts for the staff and my brothers."
He nodded. "Of course, My Lady. Shall I have a carriage prepared?"
"No, I think a simple stroll would do me good," she replied, her gaze lingering on the bustling streets beyond the manor gates.
She wasn't just going to the dressmaker's shop; she was reclaiming her life, one step at a time.
With Lianna's arm linked with hers, Daphne stepped out into the bright morning, ready to face whatever came next.