Evelyn's expression darkened, she hadn't expected Tanya to publicly humiliate her in front of everyone. Alexander let out a low, deep laugh, like a melodious horn, that drifted close to Tanya's ear.

Evelyn glanced back for a moment, "How could my sister want to punish me so severely just because I spoke the truth?" Tears filled her eyes, giving Tanya a bad feeling.

Sure enough, a voice behind her, neither loud nor soft, belonged to Grand Duke Quentin. "What happened?"

Evelyn immediately turned to face him, deliberately wiping her purple-gold-trimmed sleeve across her face. "Grand Duke, I’m not sure what’s going on. I just saw my sister getting close to the Alexander guard and thought of the rumors from the harem, so I kindly reminded her."

"But I didn’t know my sister despised me so much that she’d want to punish me harshly!" Evelyn's innocent, lovely face and her aggrieved tone gave the impression that Tanya was forcing her into a corner.

Grand Duke Quentin's gaze turned indifferent as it fell on Tanya, his eyes dark like spilled ink, revealing no emotion. "So, you’re the Alexander guard they speak of?" His eyes flicked to the side where Alexander stood.

Alexander's dark eyes sank, the coldness in his demeanor unchanged. He slightly lowered his head, "Indeed, I am."

"You have quite the nerve to engage in an affair with the consort of Heliam!" Grand Duke Quentin's voice rose sharply, his brows furrowed tightly, glaring at Alexander for an answer.

Evelyn was taken aback by his words, her mouth curling into a mocking smile, an ambiguous expression gracing her tear-streaked face.

Alexander remained calm, his thin lips curling in a nonchalant manner. "As a guard of the imperial forest army, I can die or be injured, but I cannot disgrace the palace."

Grand Duke Quentin raised an eyebrow. "You claim that I am disgracing you?"

Alexander remained noncommittal. "That is what Grand Duke Quentin implies, I have said nothing further."

His words provoked a ripple of laughter among the surrounding consorts.

Grand Duke Quentin’s face darkened, the moonlight casting a more dignified glow on her crown, the cold reflection cutting sharply across Alexander's smooth chin. "Do you know who you are speaking to?"

"Grand Duke Quentin, a member of the former imperial family, assisted in establishing this dynasty, had close relationships with various figures from past dynasties, hence bestowed the title of Grand Duke. The monarchs of several countries must give you some face," Alexander said, his voice even and indifferent, raising his chin proudly, his icy gaze sending chills.

"Since you know, why do you dare to openly provoke me?" Grand Duke Quentin's expression showed curiosity, her tone softening slightly.

After pondering, Alexander was about to choose his words carefully when a woman's voice interrupted from the side.

"Because you are just a woman."

Everyone turned to look at her. She had cascading hair flowing with the night breeze, delicate features, porcelain skin, a petite and charming figure, and her eyes were like the delicate plum blossoms of late winter, hiding a deadly cold beneath her soft expression.

Grand Duke Quentin’s gaze shifted over her, her tone revealing no trace of emotion. "It’s you?"

She simply said, "It's me, Mabel." The woman raised her chin defiantly, a smirk playing on her lips. "I thought it was someone important, but it’s just Grand Duke Quentin."

Mabel chuckled. "What? Don’t tell me you all think she came here to see you?"

Mabel gracefully turned, her silver robe swaying gently, making her seem like an ethereal fairy ready to take flight. "The esteemed Grand Duke Quentin is here only because she was expelled from Nebula Tower’s discussions for being forbidden to participate."

Everyone shifted their gaze back to Grand Duke Quentin, whose face turned the color of liver, gritting her teeth at Mabel. "What do you mean by that?"

"You didn’t refute it, so it seems I guessed correctly." Mabel's beautiful eyes sparkled like stars, holding a cunning smile.

Grand Duke Quentin's expression hardened. "Someone, throw this madwoman out!"

Tanya found Mabel's demeanor quite intriguing. Her thoughts racing, she quickly stepped forward and bowed, "Grand Duke, wait! Miss Mabel seems to be acquainted with you. She might have important matters to discuss."

As soon as she spoke, cold sweat trickled down Tanya’s forehead.

"You foolish woman." Alexander’s cool voice came from behind, tinged with mockery.

Grand Duke Quentin was infuriated. "This matter does not concern you. If you continue to defend that woman, I will throw you out as well!"

"Hahaha." Mabel laughed delicately, meeting Tanya's gaze with gratitude before turning to Grand Duke Quentin. "Quentin, you think too highly of yourself. This is Heliam's territory, and Vivienne is his favored consort. How dare you threaten to expel her? Who gave you that authority?"

Quentin's expression darkened, choosing not to pursue Tanya's issue further, her tone icy as if she wanted to slay Mabel. "What are you really here for?"

Mabel's silver attire floated under the moonlight, her dark hair cascading loosely down her back as she took a few steps toward Tanya, her slender fingers lifting her delicate chin, her eyes sparkling with some bright light. "Truly a stunning beauty."

Grand Duke Quentin was furious. "Mabel!"

Only then did Mabel withdraw her hand, her voice as clear and bright as a oriole, "I am Mabel. After years of divination, my current readings indicate that at the Nebula Tower conference in the coming years, a woman of great stature will appear."

She paused for a moment, her gaze shifting to Tanya, "I wonder who it could be."

Mabel’s words startled everyone present. The concubines who could attend were favored by emperors from various nations, many of whom were capable individuals, and their ambitions surely extended beyond the immediate moment.

"Is what you say true?" As soon as Mabel finished speaking, someone stepped forward.

"Mabel's divinations have never been wrong," she said casually, her tone taking on an ethereal quality.

"Don’t listen to her deceptive words!" Grand Duke Quentin's eyes turned cold, shocking the gathered crowd.

Mabel merely bowed slightly, gazing at the man before her with an inscrutable smile. The tension heightened among the onlookers, and one person voiced their apprehension, "Why should we believe you?"

Mabel smirked lightly, "Whether you believe it or not is your business, not mine."

Seemingly dissatisfied with the current state, she raised her voice a notch, adding fuel to the fire, "But Quentin, I remember twenty years ago I divined for you, stating that you would never find a man who would devote himself to you. How is it now? Was my prediction accurate?"

Grand Duke Quentin's expression shifted, his eyes dark like the deepest ink, evoking fear, "Thank you, Miss Mabel, for your concern. I am doing quite well."

But he fell silent.

"I heard that Grand Duke Quentin has been involved with many men over these twenty years, yet none have ended well for her. Could it be that Mabel's divination was indeed correct, and Grand Duke Quentin is truly alone?"

Mabel's words emboldened the concubines present, allowing them to express their opinions in front of Grand Duke Quentin.

Tanya looked at Mabel with curiosity, sensing that this woman was far from simple, her true intentions definitely more complex than she let on.

Noticing Tanya's gaze, Mabel turned slightly, offering a smile that illuminated her porcelain-like skin, making her appear very pleasant.

"You few must not wish to live," Grand Duke Quentin glared angrily, playing right into Mabel's hands. "Someone, arrest that woman who just spoke, and give her two hundred lashes!"

The woman’s eyes flickered with panic as she tried to break free, but Heliam and the others disrupted the execution.

"Your Majesty!" A light voice echoed as everyone bent their knees to pay respects to the emerging emperors.

"No need for courtesy." Heliam stepped forward, helping Tanya up with a tender smile.

Mabel raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with clarity. She tilted her chin and called out to Heliam, "Heliam, how did your discussions go? Who will the second Nebula Tower be built for?"

Tanya's gaze sharpened, immediately drawn to the glint of mischief in Mabel’s eyes.

Although Heliam did not recognize the silver-clad woman, he still managed a rare, good-natured smile, "Everyone, listen closely."

His raised voice drew the attention of the crowd. "The second Nebula Tower will be built in my harem, and I shall name it ‘Astra Tower.’ Construction begins tomorrow."

The crowd was taken aback, exchanging puzzled glances, while Heliam wore a smile that resembled the bright stars in the night sky.

"What? Another tower is being built?" This was the first reaction from the concubines present, confused about the significance of Heliam’s announcement.

Mabel, however, seemed unsurprised, her smile deepening as she tilted her chin, "Fate really plays tricks."

Grand Duke Quentin's expression darkened further, her gaze narrowing on Tanya, "Heliam, what is the meaning of this? How can such an important meeting be so informal that a mere young girl is deemed suitable for the second Nebula Tower?"

Her tone was laced with sharpness, clearly displeased.

Heliam smiled nonchalantly, though the disdain in his eyes was well-hidden, "This was a decision made collectively by the leaders of several nations. Are you questioning their judgment, Grand Duke?"

Quentin was left speechless, and a clear female voice rang out.

"Evelyn here wishes to congratulate my sister." Evelyn bowed gracefully, her eyes glimmering without a trace of jealousy. The night breeze tousled her purple sash, and in the moonlight, her long, curled eyelashes resembled butterfly wings ready to take flight.