“Good! Good!” Heliam was the first to regain his composure, looking at Tanya with renewed appreciation. Tanya finished the last note and gracefully spun around, finally meeting Alexander's cold gaze, which held a depth of feeling that swept over her like a tide.

Standing to the side, King Aureliu's eyes glowed with intense greed, in his sight, Vivienne was as beautiful as an otherworldly fairy. How could such an extraordinary woman exist in this world?

Tanya smiled lightly, “Vivienne is just being foolish.” Heliam’s eyes reflected astonishment. “I’ve always known Vivienne’s dancing was beautiful, but I didn’t expect her singing to be so melodious.” He looked at Tanya with a hint of affection, provoking a deepening gaze from Alexander behind her.

Just then, Evelyn interjected, “Sister knows she is being foolish?” Her delicate brows sparkled with jealousy. “I’ve heard that Vivienne doesn’t enjoy poetry. Did you write those lyrics yourself?”

Evelyn's words caused a ripple of disdain among the guests but successfully cast suspicion on Tanya as the lyricist. Grand Duke Quentin, meanwhile, remained silent but watched Tanya with a more inquisitive eye.

“Evelyn, stop your nonsense.” Heliam's expression turned cold, his voice dropping a few degrees.

Evelyn bent slightly, “I’m not fabricating anything. It’s well-known in the harem that Sister doesn’t like poetry. It’s quite laughable, Sister thinks she’s being humble, but it’s become a scandal.”

Heliam's temples throbbed with anger, ready to reprimand her, but Grand Duke Quentin stopped him. “Let her continue.” His tone was indifferent, leaving no one to guess his thoughts.

“If those lyrics aren’t Sister’s, shouldn’t she give everyone a reasonable explanation? If not, it implies that Sister Vivienne is mocking the kings gathered at this banquet!” Evelyn emphasized the last few words to embarrass Tanya.

Tanya furrowed her brows slightly, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings beneath her eyes. She wore a detached smile. “Sister is being too harsh.”

She deliberately slowed her speech. “Vivienne doesn’t usually enjoy poetry, but let’s not forget that His Majesty greatly appreciates it.”

With a teasing smile, her voice rang clear and strong, “If Sister can disguise herself in blue for His Majesty, surely she can learn poetry and song for him as well.” She referred to the incident of competing in blue attire with Francois.

“Are you perhaps looking down on Sister, or do you think His Majesty is too mighty to warrant my effort?”

With these light-hearted words, the blame shifted back to Evelyn, altering even Grand Duke Quentin's impression of her.

Evelyn's face paled. “Sister is slandering Evelyn!”

“Enough!” A cold voice rang out. Heliam’s face was ice-cold as he directed a chilling look at Evelyn. “You’ve humiliated Vivienne repeatedly, do you want to be locked up for a few more days?”

Evelyn trembled at his words, immediately falling silent, but this provoked King Aureliu's discontent. “Heliam, what do you mean by this? My Southland’s Evelyn marrying you was not meant to be treated this way.”

He seemed still angry about Heliam’s previous refusal to let Tanya go to him, his words tinged with frost. “If you treat Evelyn like this today, will you also treat me from Southland the same way in the future?”

King Aureliu’s unreasonable behavior made Tanya frown in displeasure. She stepped forward, “King Aureliu, Evelyn has indeed offended me multiple times. If it weren't for her coming from Southland, she would have been dismissed long ago for her offenses.”

Tanya's eyes turned icy. “King Aureliu, His Majesty has tolerated this out of regard for your past friendship.”

Her words were pointed and powerful, the verbal clash between the two monarchs could have severe repercussions. If Evelyn were to act as a buffer, Heliam would likely regard her more favorably afterward.

But Evelyn clearly didn’t want to be scolded. She stepped forward, tears welling in her eyes. “Sister, what do you mean by this? If we go by your words, I must have committed an unforgivable crime. How can you publicly disgrace me in front of the people of Southland?”

Evelyn looked around with pleading eyes, her voice soft and gentle, evoking sympathy.

King Aureliu’s gaze darkened. “Since Heliam treats my people this way, I see no reason to give you any more face.”

A cold smile crept onto his lips. “Evelyn, come to my side.”

Evelyn shivered, casting a hopeful glance at Heliam. He remained silent, and after a moment of hesitation, Evelyn gritted her teeth and walked to stand behind King Aureliu.

“Heliam, do you have anything else to say?” King Aureliu's eyes glinted with coldness, as he pressed for Heliam to back down, intending to bring up his proposal for Vivienne to be his consort once more.

Heliam remained composed, his brows furrowing in shadow. The candlelight highlighted his tall figure, and his dark robe swayed gently with the breeze. He suddenly curved his lips into a cruel smile, lifting his head to meet King Aureliu’s gaze.

“I oppress your Southland, so what?”

At this statement, everyone was stunned into silence.

Heliam’s expression was indifferent, his gaze shifting to King Aureliu. Standing on the high platform, he appeared distinguished, the golden-edged black dragon robe enhancing the depth of his eyes.

Heliam's response took King Aureliu by surprise. The latter gritted his teeth, forcing the words out through clenched jaws. “You said this.”

“Evelyn, let’s go,” King Aureliu shouted, instantly freezing the atmosphere to a chilling silence.

Evelyn stiffened, she hadn’t expected things to turn out this way. “King Aureliu…”

“What? Are you reluctant to leave a Heliam behind?” King Aureliu’s anger flared, impatience evident in his brows.

“Why all this noise?” Grand Duke Quentin interjected, his voice raised from before. “As emperors, acting like children over trivial matters is ridiculous!”

His gaze fell on King Aureliu.

“Come back and sit down. We need to talk, so stop this childish behavior in front of everyone.”

Her words held weight, causing King Aureliu to show a flicker of hesitation, quickly suppressed.

“Then I’ll give the Grand Duke some face.”

Everyone took their seats, the atmosphere awkwardly silent.

“Have the concubines leave, they’re just an eyesore in Nebula Tower.”

Grand Duke Quentin’s tone was increasingly indifferent, his gaze sweeping over Tanya.

Tanya bowed and did not linger.

The women gradually exited, and Evelyn felt reluctant. As she stepped out, she locked eyes with Tanya’s exquisite, almond-shaped eyes.

“Just wait and see.”

Evelyn said this through clenched teeth, while Tanya sighed helplessly.

“Why can’t you understand?” Tanya pondered, and turned to collide with Alexander.

In the candlelight of Nebula Tower, his silver armor gleamed with a faint golden glow, causing Tanya to momentarily daze. When she came to, Alexander playfully tapped her on the head.

“When did you come out?” Tanya raised an eyebrow at him.

A teasing smile flickered in his eyes, clearly mocking her.

“You’ve gotten bold, confessing to Heliam in front of so many.”

He squinted at her, looking predictably handsome.

Tanya lifted her chin, pride in her eyes. “Of course.”

Their conversation halted as Evelyn approached with another woman.

“I thought it was someone important, turns out it’s just the guard, Alexander. What? Still having secret meetings with Sister Vivienne?”

Tanya felt a twinge of annoyance at her sarcastic tone but remained patient. “Evelyn, be careful with your words, rumors in the harem can lead to dire consequences.”

Evelyn’s beautiful eyes widened, completely unlike her earlier submissive demeanor before Heliam. “I wouldn’t dare, with you so powerful, why would I spread rumors?”

The woman beside her stepped forward. “Is this the Vivienne you mentioned in your letter?”

Tanya glanced at her: a Southlander, with lovely hair styled back in several low braids, deep-set eyes, and a prominent nose.

“Who else could it be? Always showing off in the harem, flaunting her talents,” Evelyn sneered, jealousy unmasked.

“Sister has never shown off,” Tanya replied, her tone icy. “Evelyn, I’ve been curious—why do you keep causing trouble for me? Like a lobster, clawing at me.”

Evelyn’s expression changed as a few concubines passed by, she immediately altered her face, threatening to cry.

Tanya waved her hand dismissively. “Enough, enough! I’ve seen too many dramas, don’t you get tired of changing your expression? You might pull a muscle.”

Feeling good, Tanya teased her with a hint of mockery.

“What if I do bully you? Moreover, if you keep creating such messes, don’t blame me for dealing with you harshly!”