Chapter 135 - 112: Mary Frank’s Heaven-Defying Trait

Chapter 135: Chapter 112: Mary Frank’s Heaven-Defying Trait

The night sky was illuminated by brilliant fireworks.

Catherine had to complete the succession ceremony’s procession. She rode in a floral float, accepting the gazes and blessings of her entire territory’s people, traveling from the main street all the way back to the highest seat of power, Blue Moon Castle.

At last, she sat on the lord’s throne in Blue Moon Castle and, in her capacity as Lord, declared the start of the blessed ball for the nobility.

Catherine finally changed out of the heavy ceremonial gown, laden with gold and jewels, and into a softer dress that better accentuated her feminine curves. At the ball, she took Lian’s hand and began the much-anticipated first dance with him.

Candlelight flickered. Within the magnificent, resplendent hall, a scene of flourishing prosperity unfolded.

Beneath the crystal chandeliers, the orchestra played a dance tune, its melody elegant and complex.

With the rise and fall of the conductor’s baton, strings and woodwinds wove together a magnificent movement, guiding the rhythm of the dance.

Beside a finely carved fireplace, flames leaped, casting a warm glow upon the nobles attending the ball.

The nobles, having been baptized by the "bloody party," were exceptionally well-behaved. They obediently watched Lian and Catherine finish the first dance and offered their applause.

Afterward, the other nobles joined the dance.

Young gentlemen in tuxedos with crisp bow ties had their scabbards swaying gently with their steps. The ladies, for their part, wore voluminous long gowns of silk and satin, their shawls as light as wings upon their shoulders, floating like Elves as they danced.

Smiles adorned their faces, and their eyes sparkled with joy. The unspoken understanding and elegance between them became the most beautiful sight of the ball.

On a long table in the corner were exquisite pastries and champagne. The icing on the cakes had a tempting sheen under the candlelight, and the soft clinking of glasses added a cheerful note to the ball. Waiters wove through the crowd, their movements just as practiced, smiling as they offered guests fine food and wine.

However, amid this harmonious atmosphere, it was impossible to hide the scheming and power plays revealed in the eyes of some nobles. They either conversed in low voices during breaks in the dancing or exchanged glances under the cover of their wine glasses. These subtle actions formed a vivid tableau amidst the interplay of light and shadow.

"I hear Lady Mary has arrived."

"Then what should we do?"

"We’ve all signed the Blood Covenant with the new Lord under the witness of the Grand Priest. We can’t go back on our oath; we’d face divine punishment."

"But we can’t withstand Lady Mary’s wrath either."

"Why don’t we just leave now, before she gets here?"

"Good idea."

Just as the nobles were planning to slip away, the din in the great hall suddenly went silent, as if a mute button had been pressed.

All eyes focused on the entrance.

A beautiful woman in a red gown entered the ballroom on the arm of a dark-haired man in a similarly colored suit.

The woman had long, curly, chestnut-brown hair and a face as exquisite as a sculpture. Her brow held a hint of extraordinary wildness, and her eyes were deep and sharp, like the brightest stars in the night sky—both imposing and captivating.

The man was gentle and refined, but a deep sorrow was knitted into his brow, making him look like a down-on-his-luck nobleman.

The pair’s appearance captured everyone’s attention.

Behind them were members of the Rose Knight Order, clad in armor.

Catherine squeezed Lian’s hand, nervously watching her never-before-met brother, Lorne, and her mortal enemy, Mary.

"Don’t be nervous. Relax."

Lian comforted her gently.

’What kind of big shot hadn’t he seen? An empress as outstanding as Catherine frequently appeared on his old hard drives, let alone a mere Mary.’

But he had to admit, seeing Bloody Mary in person, he was still taken aback by her presence.

In comparison, Catherine was a tender sprout just breaking through the soil, while Mary was already a thorny rose in full, menacing bloom.

Even so, Catherine, the tender sprout, could not show any fear.

She needed to use hatred to mask her apprehension.

Fear accomplishes nothing; it only becomes a weakness for others to exploit.

Catherine’s gaze cut through the crowd and locked onto Mary.

Mary watched Catherine with a playful, mocking expression, like a hunter observing her prey.

The nobles automatically parted to create a path, leaving no one between Mary and Catherine.

The background music had shifted from soothing to aggressive, as if to heighten the drama of two fated enemies meeting.

Mary, still on Lorne Jackson’s arm, slowly approached Catherine and Lian.

Lorne Jackson looked at the sister he had never met and tried his best to maintain a cold expression.

He didn’t want to be cold to his only remaining family. He longed to give his sister a big hug—it was a tradition of the Jackson Family that family came before all else.

Besides, if Catherine died, Lorne Jackson believed he wouldn’t live much longer either, just like Mary’s two previous husbands.

They were all stepping stones for her, to be ruthlessly discarded once they served their purpose.

Catherine, too, understood everything from the melancholy in Lorne Jackson’s eyes.

She knew his hand was forced.

In fact, her successful escape from Blue Moon Territory and her acquisition of their father’s seal were partly thanks to her brother Lorne Jackson’s help.

Though the siblings had never met, they cherished each other. It was a connection born of blood.

The three-way meeting of the Lord of Rose Territory, the Lord of Blue Moon Territory, and the Lord of Green Shade Territory was a historic moment worthy of being recorded in the annals of the South. The hierarchy among the three, based on the strength of their territories, should have been Mary, then Catherine, and finally Lian.