Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 196

The banquet had finally arrived, gathering representatives from every kingdom as they made their entrance. Mila entered with Ambrose by her side, while Aiken arrived with Ai, as Addis was at home caring for their second child. Kayla came alone, with Aegle unable to travel, and Vasu, too, had come solo, determined to keep Shanna out of the Mireraweth emperor's sight. As everyone took their seats, Mila surveyed the room, noting a mix of familiar faces. Leroy sat upon the throne, exuding authority. Shortly after, Camila made her entrance, now crowned empress, and took her place beside him. Mila could sense a concentration of mana stones being activated outside the Mireraweth Palace.

"I want to thank you all for coming today," Leroy announced. "This banquet is a personal gesture as I assume the title of emperor. My empress and I hope you all enjoy this evening." With a signal, music began to play, and Mila, unable to shake her unease, stood to take in her surroundings. She noticed Camila's gaze, sharp and challenging, as if asserting her superiority.

"Do you notice anything unusual?" Ambrose asked, observing Mila's restless eyes. She nodded slightly, her senses attuned to the unnatural flow of mana, which felt as though it was being siphoned away.

"Nothing specific, but the mana here is potent, almost as if it's being drained from us," Mila replied, the realization dawning on her. "They're trying to weaken us while they can. We need to warn our allies outside." Mila's voice carried urgency, and she hoped Ambrose would understand the need to mobilize their forces around the palace.

"Empress Mila, may I have the pleasure of this dance?" Leroy's sudden appearance startled her, his eyes gleaming with intent. Ambrose was about to intervene, but Mila gently placed her hand on his arm, stopping him.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Mila responded with a composed smile. "I didn't bring a gift, so perhaps this dance can serve as one." She took Leroy's hand, sending a silent signal to Ambrose. As they moved to the dance floor, Mila could feel Camila's searing gaze upon her. "Your Highness, should you not be dancing with your empress?" Mila suggested, her voice light but laced with subtle provocation. She intended to distract Leroy, to make him lose focus on whatever scheme he had set in motion with the mana hunters.

"I am dancing with my empress." Leroy's words sent a shiver down Mila's spine. The way he claimed her with such certainty was unsettling, especially since she couldn't fathom why he would go to such lengths for her. She could never return his feelings, and it frightened her that he didn't seem to understand that.

"I am not your empress. I am already married to another man." Mila spoke firmly, hoping to make it clear that there could never be anything between them.

"You've always rejected me," Leroy replied, his voice laced with frustration. "Now I am emperor, and yet you still turn me away. Is it because you never truly loved me, or do you simply think you are unworthy of the empress's crown?" His gaze bore into hers, searching for a hint of doubt, but all he found was unwavering resolve.

"I already love another man with all my heart," Mila answered, her voice steady and sincere. She wanted him to understand that her heart belonged elsewhere and that no title or power could change that.

"You will love me," Leroy insisted, his tone growing darker, "once I've claimed all the power in the world." His eyes gleamed with a dangerous determination as if he believed he could force her affection by sheer will.

"What do you mean?" Mila asked, a sense of dread washing over her. "Even if you had all the power in the world, I still wouldn't love you. Love doesn't work that way, Leroy. Lana loved you far more than you ever knew." She felt compelled to speak up for Lana, who had once loved this man deeply.

"She's dead," Leroy replied coldly. "There's no point in talking about her now." As the music came to a close, Mila pulled her hand from his grasp, the weight of his indifference to Lana's memory making her heart ache.