(Alpha Star System- Gaia)
(Eron City- Private Estate)
Sophie sat down patiently while two maids carefully adjusted her hair into a neat single braid that fell down her left shoulder.
One of the maids made a humming noise under her breath as she reached into her pocket for a make-up kit.
Sophie closed her eyes as the brush lightly touched her skin and applied a thinyer of makeup.
Nothing too excessive… just enough to entuate her beauty.
"Thank youdies," Sophie warmly spoke.
"It is our pleasure young miss," the older of the two maids replied with a small smile.
Sophie truly looked beautiful.
She wore a long ck evening gown that fell down to her ankles. Golden threads were interwoven into the dark fabric creating a brilliant contrast of colours.
Fourrge holes had been cut out of the back of the dress to allow her de-like appendages to be on full disy.
Sophie did not intend to hide her hybrid nature with cloaking devices or illusions.
She did not wear any jewellery except for the star-shaped pendant that hung around her neck.
Somehow theck of expensive items adorning her body only seemed to bring out her natural beauty.
Sharp angr facial features, hypnotic golden eyes and a nose that slightly tilted to the left.
Sophie nced at her reflection in the mirror and almost didn''t recognise herself. She looked like a total knockout!
The hybrid girl bared her fangs and had to stifle herughter as her reflection suddenly appeared far more menacing.
Today was the day.
The banquet had already begun and ording to the constant updates being sent to hermunicator by Butler Gerald…
It was all proceeding ording to n.
If anything, more nobles had arrived than Sophie had initially anticipated.
Not all would be friendly of course but the fact that they even showed up only helped to improve her image.
She was the rightful heir to House Peterlor.
The only offspring of her father… her father who was now… stop it… STOP IT!
Sophie took in a deep breath and pushed back the rising tide of sadness in her heart that threatened to dampen her mood.
Not tonight… she could not break down tonight…
Sophie gently exhaled and then a cold expression shed across her face. This was the mask that she needed to wear at the banquet.
Cold, powerful, and authoritarian.
She nced at her wristmunicator and saw a message appear in her inbox. It was time for her to make a grand entrance.
Butler Gerald: [Two hours have passed… are you ready?]
Sophie: [Be there soon. Inform the servants to make preparations for my arrival]
The hybrid girl slowly got up from her chair and nodded at the two maidservants before walking out of the room.
The banquet hall was a ten-minute walk away from her dressing room so it gave Sophie some time to review her n.
First, she would speak to her father''s allies then certain neutral noble houses to get a feel for their positions and finally…
She would speak to the troublemakers.
To ignore them would be a sign of disrespect and weakness.
Sophie was not thrilled to be forced to invite people who did not want a hybrid to be a high noble but…
There was nothing she could do.
The unwritten rules of high society were not something that she could break. At least not until she amassed more power.<novelnext></novelnext>
Tap… tap… tap…
Sophie footsteps echoed through the corridor as she passed paintings of her ancestors whose eyes seemed to follow her as she walked by.
This estate belonged to her grandfather. It had not been used since her father took over as head of House Peterlor.
It was an ancient mansion.
Still in good shape thanks to the repair crews that Sophie had employed to tidy up the estate but even then one could feel the history of this building.
The corridor widened slightly to reveal a set ofrge wooden doors. Pictures of birds had been carved into their wooden surface.
A elderly servant wearing a luxurious white uniform stood at attention next to the doors and immediately bowed his head as Sophie approached.
"Wee young miss," the servant politely whispered.
Sophie nodded at him and then waited. The servant approached the doors and slowly pulled them open.
Despite his frail physique, he was surprisingly strong and the doors easily slid open even though they weighed over three hundred pounds.
Beyond the door was arge hall where ck obsidian pirs rose up from the ground and the floor was made from a silvery grey material that shone with a magnificent luster.
Over two hundred nobles were milling around inside the hall and Sophie could hearughter, small conversations, and hushed whispers.
This was it. Showtime.
Sophie stepped through the gap and her eyes narrowed as a burst of light fell on her body. She stood with confidence and grace.
Every movement of her body disyed dignity and poise.
"Introducing the future duchess of House Peterlor… Lady Sophie!" a loud shout came from Butler Gerald who announced Sophie''s entrance.
Immediately every single person in the room focused on her. If Sophie was bothered by their gazes, then she did not show it.
She slowly walked down a set of stairs towards the floor of the banquet hall with one hand on the railing.
Her golden eyes narrowed and a pressure formed around her body. The cold expression on her face did not crack for a second.
She was a forbidden rose.
Beautiful but with thorns that would make one bleed if they got too close.
Sophie''s feet touched the hard ground with a light thump. She straightened up her back and towered over most people in the room.
She was over seven feet tall so her imposing figure made several nobles subconsciously take a few steps back.
Butler Gerald approached his mistress and handed over a small ss of wine. The liquid inside the ss bubbled ever so slightly.
Sophie raised up the beverage to her lips and took a small sip. A sweet taste flooded her mouth and the cold liquid helped to calm down her nerves.
Now it was time to set the mood for the rest of the evening.
Despite not using a microphone, her voice was able to be heard throughout the hall as Sophie circted qi into the meridians in her throat.
"On the behalf of House Peterlor," Sophie confidently spoke.
"I wee you all to the feast tonight. I know that many of you have traveled a long way to reach the Alpha Star System and for that I am grateful."
"This a night for celebration and mourning. My father is missing so it is with a heavy heart that I as his sessor will be temporarily taking up his position."
"I would like to propose a toast…"
Sophie raised up her wine ss and many nobles in the room followed her lead.
She didn''t say anything about those who didn''t, but her eyes swept in their direction with casual indifference.
"To the future of House Peterlor," Sophie dered with a firm conviction in her tone.
Leona''s father took the lead in replying to her deration and soon a resounding set of roars filled the banquet hall.
"To House Peterlor!"
"To House Peterlor!"
"To House Peterlor!"