Evening. The sun had yet to set down; but the moon was already up there, waiting for its counterpart to hide away so that it can show its own lustre (not that it has light of its own).

Three months passed since the Selection.

Yet, the Royal palace was lively- livelier than it had been on the day of the selection. Because this time, not only the nobles of the Kingdom of Nemphis were coming in; envoys and representatives from all the royal families and major houses were coming in as well.

After all, it was the day of Coronation of the new Queen of Nemphis, also the new head of the Confederation- Evelyn Greatwoods, the third princess of the Royal family of Nemphis.

The palace was full with nobles from all over the Western Hemisphere of the continent; only the South of course, since the North comprised the Wilderness. The evening and after that, the night, was going to be exciting- much more than it was during the event three months ago. As there was no more that nail biting anticipation of ‘who’s going to win’, nor that nervousness of losing.

Today, or tonight to be precise, there would be only celebration. After all, those nerve wrecking moments would not exist anymore. Even those who joined the princess’s side before forgot all those and started everything anew. Although they would face some difficulties and losses in the long term, it was not anything major. Moreover, they could easily make up for it by ‘contributing’ some more to the Royal family and during the ‘time’ two years later.

But there were exceptions of course. First would be the Ironcross family, they would lose nothing whatsoever. They were the noblest of nobles, and they took loyalty quite seriously. Hence, they were sure- unless the third princess was a fool- she would not mess with them.

But the real exceptions were the Crimson Duke House and even more so- the Bradley Marquess House. The Crimson Duke House failed in their decades old plans and would have to face the rebound of joining the wrong side. And the Bradley house was a mere Marquess house which ‘unfortunately’ and ‘accidentally’ went hard against the new Queen and worse- the Lochtears.

Everyone has already heard how the core of the Silva house- the Marquess, the Marchioness and the first heir died terrible deaths. And the Royal family did not even bother to investigate the matter. Everyone was sure- it was the Lochtears. Those freaks gave the ‘traitors’ such terrible deaths that just remembering the descriptions of their dead body gave them nightmares that night.

The ‘armless’ Marquess was fine. Dan Silva whose Liver was lying near his dead body was a bit worse but somewhat fine nonetheless. But the Marchioness? It was said that the soldiers had to dig out earth there since it was impossible to separate 90% of her body from the ground. As for the rest 10%- it had to be ‘wiped’ off the carriage.

The Crimsons and Bradleys were sitting at one corner of the hall, not even daring to disturb the servants. Who knew? One of them might be a Lochtear in disguise.

On the other hand, the Rumins- the family that defected to the ‘winning’ side at the last moment- were the jolliest of all. Why wouldn’t they be? Not only they would be getting benefits until the end of the current Queen’s reign, the Marquess was promised something whose very thought made him drool and have a boner.

“Father!” Lily shouted in a whispering voice. “Go to the restrooms, now!”

The moustached man looked down and shook his head. “Relax, the ladies around take it as a compliment.”

“…”

‘Have some shame old man! I am your daughter!’ The young lady looked away with a red face.

The ones from the Academy were the most nonchalant. As long as the country was in good hands, they were fine. Evelyn was a competent leader, so they had peace of mind.

As for the Lochtears, they did not even attend, and nor was anyone a bit surprised. This was always the case, the only exception being coronation of the now Everking, Charles Greatwoods- the greatest monarch the Kingdom ever had.

The other party who was absent from the hall was none other than the Royal family- including Evelyn, the core of tonight’s party.

Evelyn, who was wearing a mesmerising emerald green dress along with wondrous jewellery crafted by the best jewellers of the Confederation, was walking to and fro in her Royal bedroom.

Mia was standing beside the bed, once looking left, then slowly to the right, and then to the left again- following the princess with her eyes.

The blonde’s heavy but slow breathing was the only thing that could be heard in the silent room.

“Calm down, Evelyn,” said Maria. “You are going to be crowned the Queen tonight.” Maria was sitting on the bed, alongside Adrian.

“I know. I am just nervous. I always thought of things I would do to win the selection and the things I ought to do after I become the queen.” She stopped, and looked at her cousin. “As for the stage in between, I never even imagined the scenario.”

Maria could only shake her head at her cousin’s statement. “Just relax, everything will be fine.”

“It’s not that easy.” She took a deep breath and released it all slowly.

“Darling.” Adrian’s soft voice entered her ears, causing her to scowl.

“Don’t call me darling anymore.” She turned to Adrian. “You betrayed me.”

The only answer she got in return was his silence and his nonchalant face.

She gulped. This… was scary.

“Ye… yes?”

Adrian opened his legs and patted his right thigh.

She gave Maria a look before approaching him and sitting down on his right thigh with her legs between his. Maria blushed and moved a bit to her side, separating herself from the ‘lovebirds.’

“Yes, young master.” Maria cheered. “Give her high- her Majesty some motivation.”

Adrian grabbed her waist with his right hand and slowly moved it up, until it was right on top of her right breast. Evelyn’s face flushed, and so did Maria’s.

He moved his mouth to her left ear.

“I toiled two years for this.” He whispered. “You better not ruin it. Or else…”