Deviating from the original plot

Chapter thirty

A month passed in the capital as autumn's chill settled over the city. Victoria soon found herself spending more and more time with Celeste. The young noblewoman visited more often now, and she had started to notice a real change in Celeste's behaviour. She was still haughty at times, but she was more considerate. In fact, the two had forged a surprisingly genuine friendship, much to Damien's quiet dismay.

Evelyn, meanwhile, had weathered her own storm. Though the Crown Prince had persisted in sending letters in hopes of winning her, he finally relented—either conceding to her wishes or simply giving her the peace she demanded.

The rumours of them being together eventually subsided as people found more interesting things to bother about.

For a while, life in the capital was calm and uneventful. But the change of season signalled the approach of the Empire's Founding Festival.

"The weather's getting colder," her father remarked one evening as they shared dinner.

"It is," Victoria agreed with a nod.

"And the Founding Festival is just around the corner. The city will be glowing again—with streamers, lanterns, and music filling the streets."

"I'll be attending the festival this year," Victoria said casually.

Her father looked up, blinking in surprise. "You're going?"

"I am. Is that so strange?" she asked, tilting her head.

"You've never shown the slightest interest in going before," he said, squinting at her. "I gave up trying to convince you years ago. What changed?"

"I'm on a mission," Victoria said, her tone almost conspiratorial. "To bring two hearts together. And the festival's the perfect setting for it."

He shook his head, chuckling. "You're playing matchmaker now?"

"For Damien and Lady Evelyn," she said simply.

He raised both brows. "Damien? He has a woman he's interested in?"

"Not exactly. Lady Evelyn likes him, but he's too dense to realise it."

Her father laughed, leaning back in his chair. "That does sound like Damien. Always so serious, always trying to prove something. I can see him missing something like that." His expression softened. "But more than anything, I'm just glad you're finally going to enjoy the festival for the first time in years."

"You're being unusually sentimental," she teased.

"I get that way around the Founding Festival," he admitted with a fond smile. "It was around this time that I met your mother."

Victoria paused. "Oh..."

"She had come down from the north for the festival and the grand banquet," he began, his eyes distant with memory. "I saw her at a game stall—she was playing ring toss. I only wanted to try the game too, but somehow, I found myself caught up in a silent competition with her before I even realised it. She was so fiercely competitive... and hilarious. I was smitten on the spot," he said, chuckling fondly.

"You can imagine how thrilled I was when I saw her again at the Founding ball," he continued, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Turned out, she was a noble. I couldn't let that chance slip by."

Victoria smiled softly. Her father could be surprisingly sentimental sometimes, and it was always endearing.

"We exchanged letters after that," he went on. "And I visited the north during the holidays. Your grandparents were incredibly kind to me—especially after they learnt about my past. I don't think I've ever told you about that, have I?"