The venue for the banquet had been decided before either party arrived.

Bader and his group arrived a bit earlier, mingling with people from their Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federation’s.

They were old hands at these high-society events, each one wearing their usual practiced, superficial smiles.

"When on earth are the people from the Federation getting here?" Anna was already getting impatient. After dealing with someone, she moved to the side and asked Beau in a low voice.

Beau knew Anna’s little quirks.

She was proud and competitive, and now that she had been outshone by Zoe Pierce, she was more than a little unhappy.

Even her outfit today was the result of a great deal of fuss and consulting many people.

A deep, starry-sky blue gown made her look noble and reserved. Her aristocratic etiquette was ingrained in her very bones; she stood with her back ramrod straight, like a proud swan.

"What if Zoe Pierce is prettier than you?" Beau teased her.

After all, everyone had seen what Zoe Pierce looked like. She was stunning enough without a trace of makeup, so who knew how she would dress up for tonight? In any case, she wouldn’t look bad at an event like this.

Anna fought back the urge to make an unladylike expression. ’It’s not like I think I’m the most beautiful woman in the world.’

Still, she shot him a glance. "Other people are allowed to think she’s pretty. You’re not."

Beau loved this side of her. He lifted a lock of her long, golden hair. "Don’t worry. In my eyes, you’re the most beautiful."

No one else could compare.

"Anna, why do you think the Prince is so heartless? How could he bear to make a little couple live apart?" Beau sighed softly. "We’ve been separated for a whole month."

"Should I be a little bolder and come find you tonight?"

Anna couldn’t help but glare at him. "You just behave yourself."

Beau couldn’t help but sigh again. ’I’ve been behaving well enough as it is.’

Because of this Omega from the Federation who had appeared out of nowhere, Anna had completely sacrificed her time with him. This time, he even had to get through his sensitive period all by himself. He’d never suffered such an injustice before.

When had he not spent it with Anna?

They were already engaged, but now they were living like they were single.

Anna noticed his expression and her tone softened slightly. "Beau, you know how hard I worked to get this spot. Just bear with it a little longer. It’s just for this month."

Before Beau could reply, he saw Renato approaching. "The Federation people are here. You two, stop being so lovey-dovey."

Anna grunted in acknowledgment and followed Renato. Beau could only shrug and follow along as well.

The Imperial Squad was finally all together.

Beau had no interest in his own squad mates; his gaze went straight to the entrance of the banquet hall.

Sure enough, he saw the Federal Squad, who had just walked in.

With just one look, Beau knew his words had been prophetic.

Anna, who had dressed up so carefully today, had lost.

He subconsciously glanced at Anna and, as expected, saw her lips pressed tightly together.

Just as he was about to offer some words of comfort, he saw Anna’s gaze shift to him in the next instant.

Seeing that Beau’s eyes weren’t on anyone else, Anna’s brief moment of unease vanished. ’He knows what’s good for him.’

’My own Omega’s thoughts are just too easy to guess.’ Beau wanted to laugh just looking at Anna’s face.

He leaned in and said, "If you had worn a red dress today, you would’ve won."

Her dress today was the same style as that Zoe Pierce’s—both were going for a cool, aloof vibe. But when Anna wore this kind of dress, her arrogance became more pronounced. Meanwhile, the other girl clearly had a naturally cool temperament, exuding an innate indifference.

The comparison instantly revealed who came out on top.

If Anna had worn a red dress today—fiery and proud—she would have been dazzling.

He said this with a smile, his eyes drifting toward the Third Prince, where they paused.

’Our captain, on the other hand, happens to like this type of Omega.’

Sure enough, Bader’s gaze lingered on Zoe Pierce for a few extra moments. He held a champagne flute in his hand, swirling it gently. "Truly hard to imagine."

Renato also found it hard to imagine. Such a beautiful Omega, yet she was actually interested in Body Techniques.

*

From the moment she stepped out the door, Zoe Pierce became increasingly aware of just how beautiful she looked tonight.

Everyone she passed praised her without exception.

Upon arriving at the banquet hall, even the normally stern Director Quinn couldn’t help but stare for a few extra seconds.

Mr. Jacobs was the most direct, praising everyone in the group.

It couldn’t be helped. The five of them seemed to exist on a different plane from everyone else. Four Alphas in dark formal wear stood behind the Omega, while Zoe Pierce herself was a vision of silver light.

His simple description was that she was so fair she seemed to glow, and her face was even more exquisite.

To put it even more simply, she was beautiful—so beautiful you couldn’t help but look again and again.

For the first time, he actually thought Samuel King’s idea wasn’t bad.

The media representatives around them had already begun maneuvering their mechanical eyes to take photos from every angle.

As they walked from the courtyard and fully entered the main hall, Zoe Pierce and her team immediately noticed a group of people their age standing inside.

They were dressed in white-gold formal wear, with tasseled epaulets on their shoulders.

Blond hair and blue eyes.

The absolute picture of Imperials.

Back on the starship, Zoe Pierce had already seen photos of them. They looked exactly the same as they had in the pictures.

The only difference was that in person, they seemed more approachable than they did in the photos.

The group had already picked up glasses of wine and were strolling toward them.

The two squads were undoubtedly the focus of everyone’s attention. An attentive waiter had already appeared by their side with a tray of drinks.

Miles Sherman took a glass and handed it to Zoe Pierce. He then changed his position from behind her to stand at the very front.

"I’ve heard so much about you." Bader smiled and raised his glass to Miles Sherman. "You’re Miles Sherman, correct? The captain of the Federal Squad."

Miles Sherman replied calmly, "Your Highness, the Third Prince."

Even though they had never met, it was clear that neither side was to be trifled with.

With just this brief contact, they could both sense the aura of the other.

Bader looked at Miles Sherman with some surprise, then smiled. "Your abilities are as formidable as the rumors say."

’My spiritual power... it really can’t be used.’

Even if it was just for an instant, it was enough to prove that as a fellow S-Class Alpha, Miles Sherman’s ability could suppress their spiritual power.

Miles Sherman merely said nonchalantly, "You flatter me."

Bader’s gaze shifted to Zoe Pierce. Now that he was closer, he could better appreciate the Omega’s beauty—her sparkling, limpid eyes and her slender waist that one could encircle with a single hand.

His eyes crinkled with a smile. "This must be Zoe Pierce."

"You look beautiful tonight," the elegant and handsome Prince praised softly.

Zoe Pierce could feel the man to her left staring at her with a gaze so hot it could almost set her on fire.

’Why is he staring at me? If he’s going to stare, he should be staring at the person in front of us who’s complimenting me.’

She raised her glass, gathered her skirt, and gave a graceful curtsy. "You flatter me, Your Highness. It is your own elegance that is truly remarkable."

Beau, who had been standing aside bored, now looked at Erin Xavier with great interest, his gaze shifting between him and Zoe Pierce.

’These two... is their relationship like mine and Anna’s?’

’Why does this Erin Xavier guy have such an interesting expression on his face while the Prince is complimenting Zoe Pierce?’

’It’s like... he’s jealous.’

He shook off his earlier boredom and began to observe them all discreetly.

’I’m probably the only one who cares about this stuff.’

’Is it only romantics who pay attention to these things?’ His gaze swept over the others, and he noticed that the one called Chase Shaw had glanced at the Omega in the middle a few too many times.

’This is getting even more interesting.’