Page 152 of The Hunter's Empire

"To Miss Krogen."

"To the empire."

"To its future."

I raise my glass with a practiced smile. "Thank you all for being here tonight. Your support means more than you know, and I look forward to building the future of the Krogen Empire together."

The response earns polite applause before conversations slowly resume, but I notice the subtle shift almost immediately. The introductions become easier. People no longer approach me simply because protocol demands it. They begin asking questions about future expansion, investments, and shipping routes. They want to understand what kind of leader I intend to become.

Some speak with genuine curiosity. Others are measuring me, trying to determine whether the empire will remain as powerful beneath my leadership as it was beneath my dad's.

I answer every question with confidence, though my attention drifts across the ballroom every so often. Anton catches my eye from across the room and offers the slightest nod before returning to his conversation. It's a small gesture, but enough to steady me.

His presence only makes the other absences more noticeable. Mikkel, Margrethe, Leonora, Tobias, Nikolaj, and Katya should all be seated at the head table, yet every one of their chairs sits empty. No one comments on it outright, but the occasional glance in their direction tells me the guests have noticed just as much as I have.

"I heard Mikkel refused the invitation."

"He still doesn't recognize her authority."

"I thought he would've attended for appearances if nothing else."

The conversation dies the moment I approach, replaced by polite smiles and courteous greetings. I return them just as easily, pretending not to notice. Let them speculate. The empire is still standing, and tonight, that's all that matters.

Keith and Aurelia's absence, however, carries none of that bitterness. Somewhere on the other side of the world, they are probably watching glaciers drift past from the deck of an absurdly expensive expedition yacht while Aurelia convinces Keith to do something reckless in the name of adventure. The thought brings an unexpected smile to my face. After everything they endured, they deserve every moment of peace they can find.

The smile fades almost as quickly as it arrives, and before I can stop myself, my gaze drifts toward the estate's entrance.

Nothing.

I tell myself I wasn't looking for anyone in particular, but the lie doesn't survive more than a few seconds. I invited Nico nearly a week ago. The first message had been casual enough that he could decline without feeling obligated. The second had been harder to send.

I hope to see you there.

He never replied. Not to the invitation, not to the second message.

Somewhere over the past few weeks, he'd quietly become part of my routine, and I hate how noticeable his absence has become.

"You're smiling." Sebastian's voice pulls me back before my thoughts can wander any further.

I turn to find Sebastian beside me, impeccably dressed as always, a champagne glass in one hand. As another group of guests approaches, his free hand settles lightly against the small of my back. The gesture is subtle, familiar, and entirely expected. To everyone watching, we look exactly as we always have. The perfect engaged couple.

"What’s so amusing?" He asks quietly.

I meet his gaze for a moment before forcing the expression from my face. "Nothing."

His eyes linger on me as though he knows better, but he doesn't press the issue. The next wave of guests reaches us, and we slip effortlessly back into our roles, smiling for photographs and accepting congratulations as though nothing between us has changed.

Yet beneath the carefully practiced smiles and effortless conversation, an uncomfortable awareness lingers between us.

Neither of us acknowledges it. Neither of us needs to. Some truths have already been spoken without either person saying a single word.

Just as the master of ceremonies steps onto the stage, the lights throughout the ballroom begin to dim. At first, no one seems concerned. I glance toward Erin, expecting a reassuring nod, but instead find her staring at the projector screens with visible confusion. She didn't plan this.

A crackle echoes through the speakers as every screen flickers to life, replacing the Krogen crest with a national news broadcast.

The anchor smiles into the camera.

"Good evening. Tonight marks the official coronation of Zora Krogen as the new head of the Krogen Empire. As the world celebrates the beginning of a new chapter, we take a look back at the legacy of the man who built it all. Marcus Krogen."