*One hour earlier…*
The palace's grand banquet hall glittered with chandeliers, golden silk, and floating mana lanterns shaped like phoenix feathers.
Foreign dignitaries from three nations attended.
Nobles from every province filled the hall.
Famous merchants and high-ranking generals stood in elegant rows.
It was the queen's birthday.
And for the first time in years, the hall was full—more full than the king or queen had ever seen.
Even the queen herself seemed surprised.
"So many came this year…" she murmured, adjusting her golden tiara.
But the truth soon became clear.
They didn't come because of *her*.
They came because—
The Wynfall twins were famous beyond Vornis now.
Their music had crossed borders.
Their albums sold in foreign capitals.
Their rap had become a trend among young nobles.
Commoners worshipped them.
Aristocrats admired them.
Foreign princes had become their fans.
Everyone—*everyone*—wanted to see Aster and Astra perform **live**.
And that was why the hall was full tonight.
Not for the queen.
For the twins.
***
But the twins were not there.
Not sitting at the royal table.
Not waiting on the stage.
Not even in the palace.
A foreign duke approached the king with a strained smile.
"Your Majesty, where are the Snowflakes? We traveled across the border to see them perform."
Another dignitary joined in:
"My daughters begged me to bring them today. They claim the Snowflakes are a treasure of this generation!"
A third leaned in with a sigh.
"Our delegation expected a performance… is it not happening?"
And then a noblewoman whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear:
"Don't tell me the royal family can't even bring its own children to the event…"
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Where are they?"
"Did the queen forbid them?"
"Are they even here?"
"I heard they live away from the palace…"
"Isn't that strange for royals?"
The queen's smile twitched.
The king's eyebrows knitted.
He glanced toward his queen.
"This is becoming a problem…"
The queen's lips curled.
"Calm the guests," she whispered. "Do not say anything unnecessary."
The king hesitated. "But if they ask—"
"Do NOT ruin the mood," she snapped quietly. "If you tell them the twins refused my invitation, we will be humiliated in front of foreign nations."
The king clenched his jaw.
More nobles approached him with complaints.
"Your Majesty, this is unexpected."
"Surely the prince and princess must appear?"
"They are the pride of the kingdom, are they not?"
The pressure grew with every passing minute.
The queen's eyes narrowed.
She leaned toward the king again.
"Send someone to fetch them."
The king frowned.
"Arlienne's birthday is today. They may be—"
"I do not care if they are dancing on rooftops," the queen said coldly. "This palace is filling with disappointed guests. Fix it."
The king looked across the hall.
So many nobles.
So many foreign dignitaries.
All murmuring impatiently.
The queen whispered again:
"If we lose face tonight… it will stain our reputation for years."
The king sighed heavily.
Then raised his hand.
A messenger approached.
"Your Majesty?"
"Send soldiers and palace officials," the king ordered. "Retrieve the twins. Bring them here—"
His voice lowered.
"—even if force is required."
The messenger's eyes widened.
"Y-Yes, Your Majesty."
The queen's smile sharpened.
But she added one final instruction under her breath:
"Make it look gentle. We don't want blood. Only obedience."
Within minutes, a squad of soldiers and several palace officials left the palace, heading toward Snowflake Mansion.
***
**Back to the present.**
Guests at Snowflake Mansion froze as the armored soldiers stepped into the lantern-lit garden.
Arlienne pulled Aster and Astra behind her slightly, her heart pounding.
Astra's hand tightened around Aster's sleeve.
Liora Arcwell moved protectively toward Arlienne's side.
The lead soldier bowed stiffly.
"Prince Aster Wynfall. Princess Astra Wynfall."
Aster's expression was cold but steady.
"Why are soldiers at my mother's birthday party?"
The soldier took a breath—
the moment just before delivering the king's order.
A moment that would change everything.
A moment the entire garden held its breath for.
Guests fell silent.
The lanterns flickered.
Even the mana in the air seemed to shiver.
The palace official stepped forward.
He opened his mouth—