Chapter 427: A Special Condition

"How close am I to Brother Nolan?" Elina was surprised by the question.

She gazed steadily into Margaretta’s eyes and replied, "Like siblings usually are. Why do you ask?"

From the moment she first saw her, Elina had felt an uneasy premonition about Margaretta.

But as the daughter of Duke Ashvale, she couldn’t speak carelessly.

"It’s nothing," Margaretta said with a casual shake of her head. "I’m just a little jealous of how close you are to your brother. I have a brother too, but our relationship... isn’t very good."

She took a glass of wine from a servant carrying a tray of ten glasses on his shoulder.

As she sipped, sweet, bitter, and slightly sour notes mingled on her tongue.

Her face remained expressionless, but a hint of sadness lingered beneath it.

Elina’s expression softened. Naturally, she had heard about the tension between Margaretta and Allen.

Their relationship was complicated. As an illegitimate daughter, Margaretta had entered the Ashvale family and unsettled Allen’s life.

Rumor even had it that Allen’s position as heir was threatened, since Duke Ashvale seemed to favor Margaretta over him.

Though only a rumor, it spread quickly and was widely discussed.

After all, news like that was rare, so people couldn’t stop talking about it.

Elina herself had no friendship with Allen.

Moreover, Allen had once tried to embarrass Nolan in front of everyone at their father’s birthday party.

She had no sympathy for his situation.

"It’s okay. Sibling relationships are complicated—especially when money and power are involved. You and Allen weren’t together as children, so it’s natural that you’re not very close. But I’m sure you can still build a good relationship with him," Elina said softly.

Well, Margaretta was indeed her enemy in the struggle for the throne, since she and the Ashvale family supported Cedric.

But that didn’t mean Elina would avoid her or despise her outright—after all, they had never clashed directly.

Margaretta paused at her words, then offered a small, appreciative smile.

"You are very kind, Princess Elina."

Elina simply smiled in response. She was kind, yes, but if anyone harmed those closest to her—especially her brother—she could become ruthlessly cruel.

She was certain that if Margaretta ever saw that side of her, she would immediately regret her words.

The two continued chatting for a few more minutes until Margaretta finally turned and walked back to the group of young nobles about four meters away.

Rafine, who had been silent until then, leaned toward Elina and said, "I’m sure she didn’t come just to greet you. There’s probably a motive behind it. Be careful."

Elina raised her wine glass and took a sip.

"I understand. Thank you for the warning."

As the night wore on, the party showed no signs of slowing. If anything, it grew louder and more crowded.

Dancing was an essential part of a party like this.

For that reason, the center of the hall had been cleared as a dance floor for any guests who wished to join.

Just like at the Emperor’s previous birthday party, the rule was that ten couples danced at the same time, so the other guests could take their turns.

"For those who wish to dance, please step forward," Roswell announced loudly.

The older and younger couples exchanged glances with their partners, then stepped into the center of the hall.

"Do you want to dance?" Rafine asked.

"Me?" Elina chuckled, shaking her head. "No, I don’t want to. I’m not comfortable holding hands with a man. How about you?"

"I’m not joining either. I feel disgusted holding hands with a man," Rafine replied, her expression twisting with discomfort and disdain.

Elina blinked, then teased, "Disgusted? Then why did you accept my brother’s invitation to dance at the last party?"

Rafine froze. Her indifferent expression instantly flushed red, like an apple.

"Nolan... is an exception," she murmured, averting her gaze.

She couldn’t admit that Nolan was the only special man in her heart. If she did, Elina would surely tease her.

Elina giggled, unable to resist Rafine’s adorable reaction.

Of course, she already knew Rafine liked her brother.

Still, she felt a twinge of sympathy. Her brother had promised not to pursue any romantic relationships before she ascended the throne.

Besides, he was a lazy, anti-romantic person by nature.

Even so, she wouldn’t tell Rafine, afraid it might hurt her feelings.

The two walked toward the far end of the hall, enjoying the sight of couples dancing in the center.

But choosing not to dance didn’t mean the young nobles would simply leave them alone.

Young lords, from families of Marquis to Viscount, hurried over, eagerly offering themselves.

"Princess Elina, would you dance with me?"

"No! Princess, dance with me! I’m much more handsome than him!"

"Damn it! The princess wants me!"

"Young Lady Rafine, may I have this dance?"

"Young Lady Rafine, you should dance with me—I’m excellent at it!"

They jostled each other, eyes burning with desire as they vied for Elina and Rafine’s attention.

Without a doubt, Elina and Rafine were the two most beautiful and striking women at the party.

Both radiated an extraordinary charm that made the young men eager to win them over.

Elina, in particular, had the icy beauty of a proud, untouchable queen.

Many of the young nobles had been blind to her beauty until now—Elina outshone Rafine, even by a noticeable degree.

In the distance, Leonard, surrounded by young ladies from baronial families, longed to approach Elina and ask her to dance.

Thanks to the help he had given her earlier, he was certain she wouldn’t refuse.

But when he saw how many admirers she had, he swallowed his desire with a resigned sigh.

’This is really difficult. It seems there’s no destiny between me and her,’

he muttered, a wry smile on his face.

"I’m sorry, I can’t dance with you," Elina said firmly. "I have a special condition—I can’t touch men outside my family. You’ll have to find another partner."

Rafine froze, never expecting Elina to use such a clever tactic to refuse them.

"I have it too. Please, go," Rafine added without hesitation.

The young nobles felt as if their hearts had been sliced by a knife.

With both refusing, the young nobles reluctantly sought other partners.

Once the situation settled, Rafine glanced at Elina with a teasing smile.

"Since when did you have that condition? Why didn’t I know?"

"Just recently. It flared up when they approached me," Elina replied.

The two shared a look and couldn’t help but laugh.

Suddenly, the hall fell silent. Startled, Elina and Rafine instinctively turned toward the center.

There, the emperor stepped onto the stage, accompanied by Isabella.

"Mother?" Elina’s voice trembled with surprise.