Chapter 5 - The Blood Diamond Ball
The Blood Diamond Ball was the most exclusive event of the aristocratic season, marking Sophia’s first official debut to high society as the King’s fiancée. The palace ballroom was dripping in crimson roses and candlelight.
Sophia descended the grand staircase wearing a breathtaking midnight-blue gown woven with actual stardust diamonds. Beside her, Alexander looked every bit the conqueror, his hand resting securely on the small of her back.
Lady Elara wasted no time. As soon as Alexander was pulled away by the Prime Minister, Elara struck, cornering Sophia with a group of elite noblewomen.
“Lady Sophia,” Elara said loudly, drawing the attention of the surrounding lords and ladies. She switched seamlessly to fluent, ancient French—a language exclusively used by the oldest royal bloodlines to discuss high-level diplomacy. “Tell us, does a commoner find the weight of royal expectations crushing, or are you simply ignorant of the traditions you are insulting?”
The noblewomen snickered behind their fans. Elara expected Sophia to stutter, to blush, to crumble under the linguistic trap.
Instead, Sophia’s eyes turned to ice. Years of Victoria’s ruthless, abusive etiquette training kicked in. Sophia stood tall, looking down her nose at Elara, and replied in flawless, ancient Latin—a language even older and far more authoritative than Elara’s French.
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“A true queen does not seek validation from the court’s jesters,” Sophia replied smoothly, her voice echoing perfectly in the sudden quiet of the hall. “She merely tolerates their noise until it bores her.”
The color drained from Elara’s face. The surrounding aristocrats gasped, thoroughly humiliated but deeply impressed. When Alexander returned, he found his bride standing victorious amidst a circle of stunned nobles, and a proud, dark smirk crossed the King's face.
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