As we came closer, I could hear the sea of noise beneath me more closely. I couldn’t make out any individual words, or any other details, but it washed over me with the force of thousands of people. Even if it wasn’t loud yet, I knew I’d be much closer to everything soon.

I took a deep breath, and turned to the mirror I’d just conjured up. Usually, I avoided looking at my reflection. It wasn’t really dysphoria or anything — my body and appearance felt right and familiar. But there was always an edge to it, a dissociation between what I on some level expected. It had faded as I’d gotten used to this life, but never entirely left. I still thought for a fraction of a second that my hair was the wrong color, expected to see brown instead of blond.

Maybe it just goes to show that I haven’t really worked out my identity yet.

But I pushed that thought aside and focused. The blond hair looked especially pale and ethereal right now, with the white stones woven into it. The white robe matched my gray eyes pretty well, it too decked out with white pearls, white gemstones, and silver thread. The hint of makeup emphasized the sharp contours of my face and my piercing eyes, but in a good way.

I dissolved the mirror and turned around. The airship carrying us to our triumphant return was pretty big, and I could see most members of my entourage in the main hold, along with a number of guards. I’d been in the servants’ hands for the past two hours, so a few people had moved.

One of them was Tia Yarani. I’d practically felt her gaze on me while I’d appraised myself. As I met her eyes now, she smiled a little, then glanced away. The tenseness of her posture betrayed her, though.

I remembered how we’d met, shortly before our departure. I’d just come back and might not have given her enough attention. Later, I heard she’d simply approached the guards around my temporary residence, and they let her through since they were aware of what had happened in the military camp.

Well, I’d welcomed her and expressed my pleasure to see her accept my offer before Tenira had swooped in. Judging by the quality of the clothes she wore now and her manners, my friend had ‘taken her in hand’ pretty well. I wished I knew how their conversation had gone, but it probably didn’t matter.

A thud and slight shake of the airship indicated we’d touched down. I sighed and straightened up, walking over to the hatch. Some of my guards went out first, all of them turned out in shiny parade armor.

When I stepped out, I braced myself for the difference in the light and noise levels, but it wasn’t too bad. Glancing around, I could see we stood just before the outer city gates, with a cordon of soldiers and a dark screen of qi keeping onlookers out. A few people were bringing over the chariot right now.

I walked up to it and hopped on. It looked a lot like the one they’d used for our send-off, except there were no spirit beasts pulling it this time. Qi-powered, it seemed. There was probably a reason for the difference, but I didn’t care enough to ask at the moment.

Over the next two minutes, the people around me arranged themselves into formation for the procession. My entourage followed just after me, with Tenira at a place of honor at the front. Most of them rode spirit beasts. My contingent of guards surrounded us, the majority of them grouped up ahead and behind. Further away, other airships had landed, and soldiers were marching forward to take their place behind us. A few elites led the way, but I was almost at the head of the whole thing.

Behind my group, a large chariot was pulled up and General Wei and a few other commanders boarded it. They were the last ones to get into position, as the next moment the black screen started to dissolve.

I took a deep breath and gripped the edge of the chariot as it started rolling. The cold wind on my cheeks cut off quickly as we moved underneath the gate. It was dark for a few meters, before I emerged into the city proper. A round of cheers started, and I blinked against the sudden light of qi flares or fireworks.

There’d been a celebration in Blue Valley City, but this was miles above that. The capital had several million inhabitants, not counting the surrounding area, and it felt like every one of them had come out to watch the parade. Huge crowds lined the wide parade street. They looked out of windows or from balconies, or gathered in side streets. The air was filled with cultivators or small vehicles. They even formed walls above the rooftops of the city.

The last time, there’d been curiosity, and they’d cheered their soldiers on. But this, here and now, was a celebration. We’d defeated the largest raid in most people’s memory, defended the Empire. I felt the difference, could see it in the expressions of the people and the volume of their cheers. There’ll be a huge party in the city tonight. Or more than one.

I released my grip on the chariot’s walls and started to wave to the people. Their cheers redoubled, making me glad for the space between us and the protective talisman Aston had given me. Without it, the noise and flashing lights might have hurt my enhanced eyes and ears.

Yeah, I won’t be able to sneak out into the city without a disguise now. I wouldn’t be surprised if lots of portraits and pictures of me started turning up.

I knew I should stay cynical, that this could easily go to one’s head. But for a moment, I basked in the crowd’s adoration. This was my triumph. I let their cheers wash over me, the feelings of respect, pride, and approval. That mindset didn’t last long, though, and I found myself considering how public opinion was shaped and how much this development would help me. Probably not that much, unless I was in acute need of the public’s support.

My smile was genuine, though. I had won a major victory, and the accomplishment felt good.

The street was pretty long, crossing most of the city’s older section. The parade would end at what locals apparently called the flower palace. Not the real Imperial Palace, but another one in the city itself. Rather than a compound housing much of the Imperial government, this was more of a townhouse for the monarch. I hadn’t been there yet.

Of course, the parade didn’t move quickly, so it took a while. By the time we neared the place in front of the palace, my nerves had all faded, replaced by a bit of annoyance. The people cheering for us on the sidelines passed by in a seemingly never-ending blur, a mass of humans and qi. I hid a sigh as I finally caught side of the spires rising over the rooftops before me.

There was a big parade ground in front of the palace. That one looked a bit like a neo-classical building from the nineteenth century, with columns and arches and facades done in a stone that resembled marble, a little too intricate and polished, but without many statues. There was a garden wrapping around it, with great fields of flowers. Their smell helped cover that of so many humans crowded together.

The soldiers started to assemble on the parade ground. My chariot pulled ahead, into an aisle they formed, and up almost to the steps leading up to the palace. A stage had been set up there, reaching all the way to its doors. And on the stage, a number of people waited. My eyes were drawn to the throne, and the woman in it.

I couldn’t help but feel better once I saw Mother. She looked well. Her outfit resembled mine, although it was done in blue and silver. Her presence was a little stronger than before, although that might just be how she’d adjusted her veil. But the smile on her face hadn’t changed.

I hadn’t seen her for … has it only been a little over a month? I frowned, mentally looking at the calendar. I must have lost track of the days. I’d figure it out later.

Once everyone had moved in and taken their position, I disembarked from the carriage. I knew the protocol. Behind me, Wei and a few others stepped down as well, but they kept a respectful distance.

The crowd quieted as I stepped up onto the stage. Alaster stood a few meters beside the throne, and he welcomed me with a grin. I had to make an effort not to return it. Instead, I focused on Mother. As soon as I was close enough to the throne, I knelt and bowed my head.

She stood up and stepped forward, until I could only see the hem of her robe. “Rejoice, people of the Empire, for your defenders are victorious,” she declared. “Barbarian hordes sought to assault us and plunder our land, but now they lie dead, their foul deeds stopped and punished by the Empire’s heroes.”

I hadn’t known exactly what she was going to say, there were a few traditional options. But this didn’t surprise me. I managed not to tense as Mother took another step closer, laying a hand on my head.

“Leri Inaris, my favored daughter. You have proven yourself the Imperial Princess in more than name, a true heir. Your valiant defense of our people will never be forgotten. Let all our enemies tremble in fear, and all our allies rejoice, for a new phoenix is rising.”

Everyone cheered, the officials and clan members on the stage as well as the people watching. I waited until I felt a new weight on my head, as Mother laid a crown of flowers on it. Then she stepped away.

I rose and bowed to her, then turned and bowed to the spectators. I wouldn’t be talking during this little ceremony, as tradition dictated. Something about not boasting and showing humility even in victory. Not that I minded.

Mother stepped forward until she stood before me, but she left our personal space untouched, and started speaking.

I found it hard to focus on her speech. A part of me wondered whether the only time she would show me physical affection would be for ceremonial purposes. The larger and more mature part was trying to take in everything, and deal with so many qi presences, so many people staring at me, and stay calm. Mother’s speech was flowery and exaggerated what had happened, but not as badly as I might have thought. Luckily, it didn’t take long.

After that, Wei and a few other commanders came onto the stage and were honored as well, though not as deeply. They all received flower crowns, which I put on their heads while they knelt.

With that, the ceremony was pretty much over. The soldiers started to disperse and mingle into the open party beginning in the city. Someone had put up huge tables with food and drink, probably in more than one location. However, my retinue and I followed Mother and the others into the palace. There’d be a party. I was glad to leave the stage.

On the inside, the palace appeared in the same style, with fluted columns, paintings hanging on the walls and gilded stuff. Before we could go into the huge ballroom, Mother opened a side door into a smaller room and waved me to follow.

In the end, only she, Al, me, Tenira, and a few others ended up there. The room looked like a sitting room, with padded chairs and divans, and more paintings. I barely had the time to take stock of everything before my brother charged me. I returned his hug, breathing in his scent, and felt myself relax a little.

Mother simply smiled at me, a hint of pride in her expression. “You did well, Inaris.”

I couldn’t help but feel proud at her praise. “Thank you. Congratulations on your breakthrough.”

While she turned to greet Tenira, Al demanded me attention, welcoming me back with a little more words.

“I’m glad to see you again, too, Al,” I finally said. “Let’s catch up after the party, okay?”

I really was glad to see him, but I could sense Mother already moving towards the door. So I hurried to catch up to her.

“I have news,” I said. “Things we should probably talk about in private.”

She paused and turned back. After a moment, she nodded, probably seeing the seriousness in my expression. “Of course.”

With a bit of prompting and a stern word from Mother to Al, the others filed out and left us alone. I had to stop myself from playing with my sleeves. I could have waited with the news, but Mother was probably busy after her absence and who knew when I’d get to see her in private again. It could impact our relationship with the Zarian Dominion after this war, so she should know about it as soon as possible. Besides, I’d been waiting to see her face when she heard about Carston.

“So, Inaris,” Mother said. “What is it? I am glad to see you again, and I know we need to discuss this campaign, but we should show our faces at the party soon.”

I shook my head. “It’s not about that. I have other news. About the Zarian and Carston.”

She frowned as soon as she heard the name, but didn’t interrupt. So I recounted my dream. I tried to be detailed, since I didn’t know which elements might be important and something she really should know.

While I was talking, her expression hardened. It didn’t show any emotion, but her eyes burned. After I was finished, she turned around, staring at the wall, so I couldn’t see her face. For a moment, we stood there in silence. Straining my ears, I could hear her take a few deep breaths.

Finally, she turned around again. “Thank you for telling me. I’ll need to act on that information.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What does it mean? What do you think it is he told them?”

“I can’t be sure about anything. But knowing Carston is alive …” Her expression wavered for a bit. “Well, I sort of expected it, but it’s still a bit of a shock.” She shook her head. “We’ll need to see what we can do. I can’t leave him there.”

I opened my mouth, then closed it. I didn’t know if she wanted to do it because of personal feelings, or because she wanted to know what he’d said and make sure he didn’t spill any other secrets. Or even kill him. It probably wouldn’t be smart to ask.

Mother turned around again. “I hope you enjoy the party.” With that, she left the room.

I sighed, staring at the door. I wanted to ask more questions, but she’d cut that off. Well, maybe the next time I got her alone. I needed to talk about the spy that I suspected had revealed my location, too.

Well, she’d probably come to the same conclusion already.