Chapter 199 Epilogue One: The Imperial Gala.
Chapter 199 Epilogue One: The Imperial Gala.
Epilogue One: The Imperial Gala.
Life settled into something gentle again.
After Aunt Vy and Carolyn returned to Damon, LuAnn got herself an apartment near Sterling Tech while Ileana moved back into the townhouse with Whitney and Rebecca. The familiar walls welcoming her like old friends. That first night back, the three of them gathered around the kitchen island with cartons of stir-fry, half-filled wine glasses, and music humming softly in the background.
“Welcome home again,”
Whitney declared, raising her glass with a grin.
“To all of us!”
Rebecca laughed, topping off her drink.
“Tonight… it’s just the three of us.”
It had been a long time since it felt this simple. So much had changed, yet the night mirrored the very first evening they’d shared in the townhouse—eating until they were full, sneaking late-night snacks, gossiping shamelessly, and letting friendship fill every quiet corner.
“Guys,”
Whitney said suddenly, lowering her voice dramatically,
“I think Jonny’s going to propose. I just don’t know when. Y’all have to help me investigate.”
Rebecca’s voice floated in from the kitchen as she emerged with another tray of snacks.
“Absolutely not! He would never forgive us.”
Ileana giggled.
“Don’t you want to be surprised?”
Whitney narrowed her eyes, feigning offense.
“Traitors.”
Their laughter spilled through the room, warm and unrestrained, as the night stretched on in blissful sisterhood.
Before Ileana realized it, the year was drawing to a close and St. Merry’s Day loomed just ahead. The months had passed in a blur of milestones and quiet victories.
She finished her first year at Oxford with the highest honors, and when her second year began, she was asked to host tutoring sessions for incoming students. Remy’s Techware was officially rolled out to hospitals and clinics across Peoria and the neighboring kingdoms, earning widespread praise from the medical board. His technology allowed practitioners to precisely identify ailments and tailor treatments with unprecedented accuracy. With Ileana’s help, Remy also began pioneering nanotechnology research—a breakthrough that earned him Innovator of the Year.
Whitney, Jonathan, and Rebecca thrived as well, diving headfirst into ambitious projects by their second year. Jonathan surprised Whitney with a proposal on her birthday right before the second year began.
The Thornes’ trials were scheduled for the coming year.
As for Wyatt, justice had already caught up with him. Due to the severity of his crimes, Peoria reinstated the death penalty, and he was sentenced accordingly. Rumor had it that he spent his days alone in his cell, endlessly rereading the journal Ileana had given him.
Everything she had fought for—everything she had been reborn for—had finally come to pass.
That evening, as Ileana secured her mask in place, she paused before the mirror. The gala’s theme this year was ‘Rebirth’, a choice that felt almost painfully fitting. Remy had let her choose their attire, and she’d selected the phoenix—a symbol of rising from ashes, of becoming something stronger.
The woman reflected back at her was nearly twenty now—fierce, resilient, deeply loved. The weight of her previous life no longer clung to her; it felt distant, like a dream remembered at dawn.
“You look beautiful,”
Remy murmured as he stepped up behind her.
She smiled brightly.
“You don’t look so bad yourself, Mr. Sinclair.”
He offered his arm with a playful grin.
“Well then, shall we—future Mrs. Sinclair?”
Laughing, Ileana looped her arm through his as they made their way to the gala.
This year, both of them were nominated.
“Good thing we aren’t in the same category,”
Remy joked as they entered the Imperial Ballroom.
Ileana smirked.
“Afraid of a little competition?”
“Against you?”
he said lightly.
“Oh yeah.”
They laughed together as they joined their family and friends.
Weeks after the arrests of the Thornes and Wyatt, the public was finally informed by the new medical board chairman, Dr. Evan Glace, of Ileana’s creation of Panoxten—a vaccine developed to counter a deadly poison. The announcement earned her another nomination, this time in the newly established Young Adult category.
As the evening unfolded, Ileana felt certain her cheeks would ache permanently from smiling. Guest after guest congratulated her—not only for the vaccine, but for her strength, her resilience, and her perseverance through the truths surrounding the Thornes.
Seeking a moment of quiet, she slipped out onto the terrace and gazed up at the moon, large and luminous.
“I hope you’re watching, Grandpa,”
she whispered, a soft smile curling on her lips.
“I’m sure he is,”
Remy said gently as he joined her.
“You know,”
he added with a smirk,
“last time you snuck off like this, I had to announce our engagement just to stop myself from killing your brother.”
Ileana burst into laughter, memories flashing through her mind—Rachel’s schemes, Jason and Mason always at her side.
“Oh yes,”
she said.
“Any regrets?”
Remy pulled her closer.
“Best impulsive decision I’ve ever made.”
They shared a kiss beneath the moonlight—until Cornilious cleared his throat loudly.
“Oh gods, you two,”
he muttered.
Remy scowled.
“What is it, pain in the ass?”
“Relax. You can work on little Sinclairs later. They’re about to announce the winners.”
Remy’s face reddened,
“I really do hate him,”
Remy muttered as Cornilious walked away.
Ileana laughed softly, rubbing his back.
“I know. Come on honey.”
After the Duke and Duchess concluded their address, they announced the first winner of the night.
“Remington Sinclair!”
The ballroom erupted as Remy made his way to the stage, surprise flickering across his face as he accepted his award. After his heartfelt speech, the Duchess returned to the podium.
“And now,”
she said, smiling as she opened the envelope,
“for our first-ever Young Adult category… I am delighted to announce this year’s winner: Ileana Green.”
The room fell silent for a heartbeat—then exploded with applause.
Ileana rose, grace steadying her steps as she crossed the stage, her eyes locking with Remy’s as he cheered. Whitney held up her tablet from the table.
“See, Aunt Vy! I told you!”
As Ileana reached the podium, she took in the sea of faces, then the table filled with those she loved most.
“Wow,”
she breathed.
“This is…”
She took a deep breath.
“First, thank you to the Duke and Duchess for this incredible honor. It means more than I can say.”
She continued, dedicating the award to Lorina Kely and her family, her voice breaking as she spoke of hope and healing. Tears glistened across the ballroom.
She thanked her friends, her fiancé, the people of Peoria—and finally, her grandfather.
“Thank you for teaching me how to love, how to grow, and how to heal,”
she whispered.
“Please… keep watching me.”
The applause was thunderous as she returned to her seat.
Later, the Duchess announced the youth winner—thirteen-year-old Christopher Strauss, whose food truck fed underprivileged children for free.
As Ileana clapped, Jonathan leaned over.
“So… what now?”
Marcus grinned.
“Anyone want to smoke? I’ve got herbs left from our trip this past summer to Damon.”
There was a pause.
Rebecca shrugged.
“What the hell. Why not? Let’s grab pizza too—this food didn’t fill me up.”
Laughter rippled through the table.
The night ended exactly as it should have—full of joy, love, and the quiet certainty that Ileana had finally, truly won.