CHAPTER 499: THE HERMIT WITCH APPEARS AGAIN

Dark-tanned skin paired with silver hair, those were clearly features of a member of the Drizari clan. With such striking features, it would be impossible to blend into a crowd.

Zoltana Bari.

What was she doing here?

That was the question lingering in Abrielle’s mind. Zoltana didn’t look like she was trying to blend in at all. Abrielle spotted the hermit witch dressed as a noblewoman among the guests, her eyes scanning the room until they found Evelyn and Elias.

Her companions from Draconia were here as well, dressed for the occasion. Yet somehow, no one else seemed to recognise Zoltana. Not Evelyn, not Giselle, not Jubilee even though they had all worked with the maid before.

Evelyn was deep in conversation with Elias, while Axel stood near the other ladies, his sharp eyes sweeping the hall.

Abrielle lost all interest in the dance once Zoltana appeared.

"The slave trade operation where Rebecca’s brother acquired your mother was raided twenty years ago. It was during one of those raids that he met her. There are no existing records of them," Silvanius said, drawing her attention back to him.

"That’s unfortunate," she replied, her blue eyes meeting his.

"I will still try to uncover the truth. It is the last thing I will do for Bethany," he swore.

The music ended, and they parted. Abrielle curtseyed to the king as a round of polite applause rose from the onlookers.

"It was an honour," she said, before leaving the dance floor with grace under the watchful eyes of the crowd. The next dance began, and others moved in to take their places.

Aurelius approached her as soon as she stepped away, wearing the kind of polite smile reserved for formal occasions. "You look exhausted, my dear. A drink will help," he suggested. Abrielle masked it well, but Aurelius could read her like an open book.

"Just a bit overwhelmed. A drink might help," she agreed.

Aurelius signalled a server, took two glasses from the tray, and handed one to her.

"Cheers to a new life. Happy birthday, Abrielle," he said, raising his cup.

"Thank you," she murmured, clinking her glass against his before taking a sip. She could feel several gazes on her some curious, some assessing, others openly calculating.

No one dared approach her, though. She was Aurelius’s sister, and the crown prince of Heliosa carried a dangerous reputation. He wasn’t the queen’s son, but the child of the late crown princess, and he held his position with a ruthless grip.

Seraphina, the current queen, was on the dance floor with Silvanius. Her children stood nearby, smiling politely and mingling easily with dignitaries and nobles.

"They seem to have a good relationship with the noble class," Abrielle noted, watching her half-siblings navigate the room with ease. Her eyes, however, kept straying to Zoltana, who remained on the edges, not mingling much.

She still couldn’t understand why she seemed to be the only one who recognised her.

Aurelius’s gaze shifted toward Theodore Ceaphyr, Seraphina’s eldest son and Aurelius’s self-proclaimed rival. Aurelius himself didn’t see Theodore as much of a threat.

"He’s a social butterfly, just like his mother. That’s how she managed to end up in Silvanius’s bed," Aurelius said with a trace of disdain His gaze hardened. Theodore was getting too cosy with the ministers.

Theodore noticed their attention, gave the noble he was speaking with a polite nod, and made his way over. At his cue, the other two followed, all wearing carefully pleasant expressions.

This was all for show to present a picture of a harmonious royal family. In truth, Abrielle was an obstacle. While details about Cedric were tightly controlled, everyone knew that if Aurelius had the infamous war general’s support, his influence would grow and if Cedric ever became king of Draconia, it would be far worse for them.

"Seems the wolves are approaching," Aurelius murmured.

Amusement flickered in Abrielle’s eyes. The tension between Aurelius and his half-siblings wasn’t as severe as the Von Drakkar family’s feuds, but there was no warmth between them. The dislike was mutual, if politely disguised.

Theodore, with fiery ginger hair and his mother’s eyes just like his other siblings, was the first to speak. "It’s an honour to finally meet you, Abrielle. We haven’t been formally introduced, I am Theodore."

Seraphina had three children: Theodore, Lyra, and Aric, the youngest at seventeen. All were younger than Abrielle.

"It is an honour indeed. I’ve heard a great deal about you from Aurelius. Especially the brave Princess Lyra. I’m glad to finally make your acquaintance," Abrielle replied, her smile only half-warm.

Aurelius’s lips twitched. When had he ever said great things about Seraphina’s little brats? Just seeing them soured his mood.

"You flatter us. I doubt Aurelius can ever say anything positive about us," Lyra said, a subtle sneer hidden beneath her polite tone.

Aurelius chuckled, making no attempt to deny it. "I’m glad you know there’s not much worth praising. Though I do recall mentioning the exceptional princess who was eager to claim Abrielle’s husband."

Lyra’s laugh was tight. "It’s wrong to bully your younger siblings."

"Am I bullying you?" Aurelius asked with a raised brow.

They couldn’t stand each other, and it showed, though they kept the charade alive for the sake of appearances.

"It is indeed an honour," Aric finally said. Quieter than his siblings, he stepped forward and placed a courteous kiss on Abrielle’s hand.

She returned the smile, though she felt a little suffocated by their presence.

"A pleasure, truly. But if you don’t mind, crowds overwhelm her," Aurelius interjected smoothly, guiding her away.

The others didn’t protest.

"You don’t like them much," Abrielle observed once they were clear.

"I can tolerate only a few people," Aurelius replied. "You should rest and save the last dance for me."

Abrielle nodded, intending to speak with her companions from Draconia, but her attention snagged on something else.

Zoltana—or someone who looked exactly like her—was slipping out of the ballroom. Her gaze met Evelyn’s before she vanished, a silent signal. Evelyn stiffened, reading the message instantly.

"Excuse me," she whispered to Elias.

He grabbed her arm, and their eyes locked. Elias finally caught the urgency in her eyes, gave a faint nod, and followed her out.

They exited through a side door the same way Abrielle had gone. But when they stepped into the corridor, there was no sign of the princess.

Where had she gone?