Reborn as the only princess of Cene Kingdom

Chapter 10: Tensions at Dawn

The morning sun cast its first golden rays across the Lyria Palace, illuminating its opulent halls with a soft, warm glow. Stella Luna, having woken early with a sense of anticipation, made her way to the dining hall for breakfast. The air was crisp, and the scent of freshly baked bread and brewed coffee wafted through the palace corridors. As she approached the grand dining hall, she could already hear the murmur of voices and the clinking of cutlery.

Upon entering the dining hall, Stella saw that Grand Duke Gideon and Grand Duchess Anne were already seated at the table. Their son, Duke Luther, was present as well, though Stella noted that they were waiting for her. She offered a polite apology for her tardiness, though both the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess assured her it was of no consequence.

Duke Luther's gaze lingered on her as she greeted everyone with her usual grace. He seemed contemplative, his eyes holding an unreadable expression. Next to him sat Lady Eliza, the renowned saint of the West, who had played a crucial role in the recent war. She was adorned in an elegant gown that marked her as someone of great significance.

As the breakfast proceeded, the conversation turned to lighter, yet intriguing topics. The Grand Duchess began discussing the matter of Duke Luther's future, particularly the challenge of finding a suitable match for him. It was clear that the search for a potential duchess was a matter of great importance to the Grand Duchess.

Lady Eliza, with a calm and measured tone, began recounting her role in the war. "The battle was fierce," she said, her voice steady. "The Duke's strategy was impeccable, and my role as a saint allowed me to provide the necessary spiritual support and guidance. Together, we achieved what many thought impossible."

Her recounting was impressive, but Stella noticed a shift in the Grand Duchess's demeanor. A look of annoyance flitted across her face as she questioned the specifics of Lady Eliza's contributions. Stella could sense the underlying tension but chose to remain silent, preferring to observe rather than intervene.

Suddenly, a servant entered the dining hall, and the atmosphere shifted once again. The Grand Duchess explained that the new High Priest of Lyria, a position held by Stella's brother Leif, would soon be performing a significant blessing within the palace and at the sacred tree. Lady Eliza, being a key figure in this ceremony, would also be involved.

Stella's interest was piqued. "So, there will be a grand celebration?" she asked.

"Yes, indeed," the Grand Duchess confirmed. "The blessing will be a momentous occasion. You will be representing the Cene Kingdom in this ceremony."

With the details of the upcoming events laid out, the breakfast concluded, and Stella prepared to attend to her duties. As she rose to leave, Lady Eliza approached her with a determined expression.

"Princess Stella," Lady Eliza began, her voice low but firm, "may I have a word?"

Stella nodded, signaling that she was willing to listen. "Of course, Lady Eliza. What can I do for you?"

"I am aware," Lady Eliza said, her eyes narrowing slightly, "that the Grand Duchess favors you. However, I must prove myself worthy of becoming the next Duchess. I have feelings for Duke Luther and intend to win his favor. I ask that you stay out of my way."

Stella's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you implying that you wish to compete with me for Duke Luther's attention?" she asked, her tone calm but with an edge of irritation.

"I am simply stating," Lady Eliza replied, "that my goal is to earn the Duke's affection and that you should not interfere with my efforts."

A surge of frustration rose within Stella. "Lady Eliza, you are speaking to the Princess of the Eight Realms. I have no intention of engaging in such competition. I am here to fulfill my duties, not to play a part in personal rivalries. If you need reminding, I am the representative of my kingdom and expect a certain level of respect."

Lady Eliza's eyes widened, her composure faltering. "You don't understand..." she began, but her voice trembled as tears welled up in her eyes.

Before Stella could respond further, Duke Luther arrived at the scene, his expression concerned as he took in the sight of Lady Eliza crying. "What's the matter?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.

Lady Eliza's tears flowed freely now, and she turned to Duke Luther with a pitiful look. "The Princess has been unkind to me," she sobbed, casting a sideways glance at Stella.

Stella felt a pang of frustration. "I did nothing of the sort," she said defensively. "Lady Eliza started this confrontation. I merely defended my position."

Duke Luther's gaze shifted between Stella and Lady Eliza. "Is this true, Lady Eliza?" he asked, his tone soft but firm.

Lady Eliza nodded, her sobs intensifying. "The Princess was harsh and dismissive."

The room's attention was now squarely on the unfolding drama. Stella felt a knot form in her stomach as she realized the public nature of the confrontation was working against her. She tried to remain composed, but her frustration was palpable.

As the tension in the room mounted, Lady Eliza suddenly collapsed. The sight of her crumpling to the floor sent a wave of panic through the gathering. Duke Luther's face turned ashen as he knelt beside her, cradling her head with a worried expression.

"Someone fetch a physician!" Duke Luther called out urgently, his voice trembling with anxiety.

Stella watched, her heart sinking as the scene unfolded. She felt a mixture of helplessness and irritation, knowing that Lady Eliza's display was likely a calculated maneuver, but powerless to intervene effectively at the moment. The Duke's concern for Lady Eliza was evident, and Stella could not ignore the pang of jealousy and sorrow that accompanied it.

As the room buzzed with activity, with servants and attendants rushing to assist, Stella stepped back from the immediate chaos. She knew that this incident, however contrived, would have repercussions. Her position and reputation were at stake, and the situation needed to be handled delicately.

She observed as the physician arrived and began attending to Lady Eliza. Duke Luther remained by her side, his face etched with worry. The Grand Duchess, too, was visibly disturbed, though she attempted to maintain her composure.

Once Lady Eliza was attended to and her condition stabilized, the immediate crisis seemed to pass. Duke Luther, still looking troubled, rose and approached Stella. The room had settled into a tense silence, with all eyes on the two of them.

"Princess Stella," Duke Luther began, his voice low, "I want to apologize for the distress this situation has caused. Lady Eliza's actions were unexpected and inappropriate."

Stella took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. "Thank you, Duke Luther. I am aware that the situation was not ideal. I hope Lady Eliza recovers swiftly."

Duke Luther nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Indeed. I appreciate your understanding. If there is anything you need, please let me know."

Stella managed a polite smile, though her mind was racing with thoughts about the implications of the morning's events. The delicate balance of court politics and personal rivalries had been exposed, and she needed to navigate the fallout carefully.

As the day continued, Stella immersed herself in her duties, trying to put the morning's incident behind her. The upcoming blessing ceremony and the involvement of Lady Eliza remained at the forefront of her mind. She knew that her role as the representative of the Cene Kingdom carried significant responsibilities, and she was determined to fulfill them with dignity and grace.

In the quiet moments of reflection, Stella found herself contemplating the broader implications of the morning's events. The dynamics of power, influence, and personal relationships within the court were more complex than she had previously realized. As she prepared for the ceremonial duties ahead, she resolved to approach them with both professionalism and a measured sense of empathy.

The grand celebration loomed on the horizon, and with it came the promise of new challenges and opportunities. Stella was ready to face them, armed with the lessons learned from the morning's tumultuous events. As the sun set over the Lyria Palace, she felt a renewed sense of purpose, determined to navigate the intricacies of her role with resilience and poise.