The SSS-rank Guide Doesn't Need Saving novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75: Lady Aisha Has Arrived!

The Grand Imperial Hall was packed by the time the sun reached its highest point.

Rows of nobles sat in their finest clothes, fans fluttering, whispers passing from ear to ear. Servants moved along the edges of the hall, refilling wine glasses and offering trays of small pastries, though few people seemed interested in eating.

"Did you hear? Prince Soren just got accepted into the Silver Fangs faction," a middle-aged noblewoman said, leaning toward her companion. "He’s the first to join from the royal family in three generations."

"I heard that too. Quite an achievement for someone his age."

"Still, isn’t it strange that they’re holding an annulment ceremony on the same day as everything else? You’d think they’d want to keep the mood celebratory."

Nearby, two young lords exchanged glances.

"My father said the consort wants everyone gathered for something bigger than just the annulment," one of them murmured.

"Bigger how?"

"He wouldn’t say. Just order to tell my daughters to dress well and pay attention."

A group of ladies fanned themselves a few rows back, their voices low but excited.

"You don’t think this is about a new consort candidate, do you?"

"Why else would half the empire’s eligible ladies be sitting here today? Look around. My cousin wasn’t even invited to the last royal ball, and she’s here now."

"If that’s true, then the Novalis girl being tossed aside might actually work out for some of us."

"Careful what you say. The Novalis family is right over there."

They all quietened at once, eyes darting toward the front rows.

At the head of the hall, on a raised platform lined with gold trim, sat the Emperor and Consort Gabriel. The seat beside the Emperor, where the Empress should have been, was unexpectedly empty.

Whispers about that empty seat had been circulating for weeks now. Some said the Empress had fallen seriously ill. Others said something darker was at play, that her position was no longer as secure as it once was, and that the woman sitting a few feet closer to the Emperor than protocol usually allowed might have something to do with it.

Emperor Nikulaus Valerius sat with his hands folded over the armrest of his throne, watching the crowd settle into their seats. He was an imposing man even seated, broad-shouldered, his dark hair streaked with silver at the temples.

"There are more people who have come to attend the ceremony," he said, his voice low, meant only for the woman beside him. "Do you have any idea, my consort?"

Consort Gabriel’s pressed her lips tightly.

She understood exactly what he meant. His hidden words made her heart pound against her chest. There were more people today than what was normally seen in the past. With such extravagance and a crowd gathering around just for her son’s annulment ceremony, the Emperor was doubting the purpose of today’s ceremony.

The Emperor wanted the crown prince as his successor, and he never missed a chance to make her understand it. Even now, he was being suspicious of her purpose for calling an annulment ceremony for their son.

She hated it. She hated the man beside her, whom she loved and wished could only belong to herself. But as much as she loved him, Consort Gabriel loved the throne more and wanted it for her son.

Yet even she still has to be extremely careful around the emperor. It was all for the sake of the throne and her son.

"Only Lady Aisha is missing. The rest of the Novalis family arrived nearly half an hour ago." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

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