RETURN OF THE FEMALE KNIGHT

85. Knew It Would Happen

Ophelia greeted Lalisa with a gracious expression when she entered the room.

"You have arrived."

When Lalisa bowed to her, she recalled the conflict between Jungkook and Ophelia. Beneath the facade of virtue, there was poison in the Empress' smile.

But Lalisa was also formidable. She answered with a broad smile on her face.

"Thank you again for accepting my invitation."

"You're welcome. All the ambassadors from all over the world are here, and one should support the crown princess, don't you think?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

In truth, Ophelia would not easily tolerate a meeting between the ambassadors and Lalisa without her there. If Ophelia hadn't been invited, it was likely she would have prevented the party from happening. She didn't reveal it outwardly, however, and Lalisa was grateful that Ophelia did not know her intentions. Smiling and talking with the Empress at a party was something Lalisa would have never considered in her past life. She had been reluctant to engage in these artificial pleasantries before, and so she found her current position ironic.

Lalisa suddenly wondered if the smile on her face was as natural as Empress Ophelia's. Even if she didn't have the Empress' skill, perhaps in time she would learn to wear a poisoned smile to trick her opponent. It didn't really match her personality, however...

Still, she would try to do it better than anyone else, if it meant protecting her family and Jungkook.

With her own smile that she practiced in the mirror dozens of times, Lalisa approached a group of ambassadors, holding her head tall.

"Thank you all for coming to my party. Please enjoy yourself before you return home."

The ambassadors eagerly replied at the same time.

"Thank you for your invitation!"

"I'll eat and drink as much as I can today. Ha ha ha."

The sound of laughing and talking filled the room. Lalisa looked at them with a satisfied expression, then clapped lightly as a signal.

Dancers emerged in synchronization to the center of the stage, all dressed in airy, chiffon costumes to perform traditional dances of the Ruford Empire.

"A group of famous dancers from the Ruford Empire will perform for us today. I hope you will enjoy their performances."

It was more common to have dancers at a large imperial ball rather than a small party like this. The Ruford Empire's dances were famous for its splendor and beauty, but it was rumored they were rarely performed.

Delegates from each country watched in fascination as the dancers move in ways they had never seen before. Their rich costumes fluttered in the air, giving the appearance of goddesses descending from heaven.

"Oooh—"

A sound of admiration came from the ambassadors. Ophelia looked on with an interested expression, as if she hadn't expected the dancers.

"You are quite meticulous. It hadn't been that long since you've sent out the invitations, and yet you've already prepared a variety of things to see in such a short time."

"I thought of how I could promote the status of the Ruford Empire to the ambassadors. I'm very happy to hear that you have a good impression, Your Majesty."

Ophelia's eyes flashed in response to Lalisa's answer, but Lalisa did not notice. Ophelia naturally continued.

"Still, a beautiful dance does not symbolize the empire. It may have been around for generations, but what truly represents the empire is—"