General Helius's brows were tightly furrowed as he stood among the ministers. The Emperor and Empress had already arrived, yet Zora was still nowhere to be seen.
That alone made his heart sink.
At such an important banquet—one meant to choose the Crown Prince's future consort—how could she dare to arrive late?
Icarus stood beside him, his expression uncertain. After hesitating for a moment, he said softly, "I don't know… perhaps she simply doesn't want to come?"
"Nonsense!" General Helius's face darkened at once. His voice was low but sharp with anger. "This is an imperial decree! Does she think she can come and go as she pleases? Does she think the Emperor's command is a joke?"
His chest rose and fell with suppressed fury.
Today, the Crown Prince would choose his consort. Whether Zora wished it or not, her presence was unavoidable. After all, she was once the Crown Prince's fiancée. No matter how distant that past now seemed, people would still use her as a point of comparison.
If she failed to appear—and the Emperor happened to ask about her—then the entire General's family would be dragged straight into an awkward and humiliating storm!
Just as General Helius's thoughts reached this point, a clear and leisurely voice rang out from nearby.
"General Helius, why haven't we seen Miss Zora today?"
The speaker was Henry.
From the moment those words fell, everyone nearby turned to look.
Henry had always been at odds with General Helius. Their positions at court were similar, their power matched, and their rivalry deep-rooted. Today, with such a perfect chance to stab General Helius in public, how could Henry possibly hold back?
A faint smile curved at the corner of Henry's lips. "Could it be that Miss Zora… chose not to come today?"
General Helius's expression sank instantly.
This Henry truly had the talent of picking wounds to stab!
Because both men held high positions in court, their exchange naturally drew the attention of those around them. Almost unconsciously, everyone began scanning the Royal Garden once more, searching for that familiar yet controversial figure.
But no matter how they looked—
Zora was nowhere to be seen.
For a time, whispers quietly spread.
Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly awkward, a strange hush suddenly fell over the Royal Garden.
It was as if an invisible hand had pressed down upon the lively chatter, sealing every voice in silence.
All eyes turned unconsciously toward the palace entrance.
Two figures were slowly approaching from a distance.
At the front was Prince Kael.
He was dressed in a light golden robe, his elegant and peerless features carrying a faint, lazy smile. The moonlight scattered over his face like silver frost, soft yet dazzling. Though he sat in a wheelchair, his back was straight, his posture calm and composed.
The noble aura carved into his very bones remained unshaken.
From the instant he appeared, he seemed to draw all light toward himself, making it impossible for anyone to look away.
Yet it was not only Prince Kael who commanded attention.
Beside him walked a woman in flowing white.
Her long robe outlined her graceful figure—slender waist, delicate shoulders, and elegant curves. Her strands of black hair were casually tied, neither elaborate nor plain, exuding a natural confidence and ease.
Her face was untouched by heavy powder, yet her features were breathtaking.
Brows curved like distant green mountains.
Skin as clear as fresh snow.
Eyes like glazed glass, bright and sharp as if they could see through the world.
Even standing beside the most beautiful man in the Imperial City, she showed not the slightest inferiority.
Instead, the two of them together formed a scene so striking it stole the breath from everyone who witnessed it.
A man beautiful beyond limits.
A woman stunning enough to topple cities.
For a moment, the garden forgot how to breathe.
Then—
"Zo… Zora??"
Someone finally whispered in disbelief.
That single murmur spread like wildfire.
"Isn't that the doctor from Origin Medical Hall?"
"Impossible… how could that be her?"
"But that face—those eyes—there's no mistake!"
In an instant, countless gazes locked onto Zora.
The Origin Medical Hall was now known throughout the Imperial City. Who had not heard of the miraculous Zora? Divine Doctor? Who had not spoken her name?
And now, that same legendary physician was standing right before them—
Not in a medical hall.
Not in plain clothes.
But walking side by side with Prince Kael… into the Imperial Banquet
Confusion. Shock. Disbelief.
All of it tangled together in the eyes of the crowd.
Luna stood frozen among the noble ladies.
When she saw that familiar yet transformed figure, hatred surged violently in her eyes like rising black flames.
It's her…
It's Zora!
If it were not for this woman, she would never have fallen into disgrace.
If it were not for this woman, her reputation would not have been ruined.
If it were not for this woman, the Crown Prince would never have treated her with such merciless cruelty!
And now—
This woman actually dared to appear at the Crown Prince's Imperial Banquet?!
On the other side, Philip's expression also changed.
His gaze locked onto Zora with clear surprise and undeniable shock.
He had never imagined he would see her here.
Not only had she come—
She had come in this way.
Ever since the day Zora rejected him in front of everyone at the Origin Medical Hall, Philip had never seen her again.
Yet, in his heart, he had never truly let her go.
Perhaps it had been too long since a woman dared to refuse him so thoroughly.
Perhaps it was because Zora was simply too dazzling.
Whatever the reason, her figure had haunted his thoughts again and again—appearing in his dreams, lingering in his mind, impossible to erase.
And today, when she appeared once more before his eyes—
More radiant than ever.
Dressed in pure white, her figure was slender and graceful. Her calm confidence, her elegant posture, and her peerless beauty made the former noble ladies who once caught his attention seem dull and colorless by comparison.
At this moment, in Philip's eyes—
There was only her.
The young ladies who had carefully dressed themselves to attract the Crown Prince's attention suddenly felt their hearts sink. All their delicate makeup and exquisite clothes instantly lost meaning the moment Zora appeared.
She had stolen all their light.
A voice filled with restrained displeasure whispered among the crowd:
"Today is His Royal Highness's Imperial Banquet… what is that Zora doing here?"
That question echoed in many hearts.
After all, her earlier rejection of Philip was already known to many. Did this mean she had changed her mind?
Before anyone else could speak, Luna suddenly stood up.
Her voice was sharp and deliberate, carrying a clear accusation as it rang through the garden:
"Zora! This is a royal night banquet. You are not an official lady—what right do you have to appear here?"
Her words were like a stone thrown into still water.
Instantly, countless gazes gathered onto Zora.
Even the Emperor and Empress at the front of the banquet turned their attention toward the disturbance.
Zora's lips slowly curved into a delicate, almost enchanting smile. It was calm—yet full of mockery.
"Sister…" Her voice was gentle, but cold to the bone. "Don't you recognize me anymore?"