Reborn as the only princess of Cene Kingdom

Chapter 11: The Celebration of Blessing

The day of the grand celebration had arrived, and the Lyria Palace was abuzz with activity. Servants hurried through the halls, preparing every detail for the momentous occasion. As the representative of the Eight Realms and the Cene Kingdom, Princess Stella Luna knew she needed to be at her best.

Her lady-in-waiting, Lilia, was already hard at work, skillfully arranging Stella's long, curly hair into an elegant ponytail. As Lilia gently pinned back the strands, she added a few delicate touches, ensuring that every curl was perfectly in place. Light makeup accentuated Stella's striking emerald green eyes, and her gown—an exquisite creation that hugged her figure in all the right places—gleamed in the soft light of her chambers. The gown was a deep shade of emerald, matching her eyes, and adorned with golden accents that shimmered as she moved. A pair of delicate gold heels completed the ensemble.

Lilia stepped back to admire her work. "You look breathtaking, Your Highness," she said with a smile, her voice filled with pride.

Stella gazed at her reflection in the mirror, taking in the transformation. The girl from her previous life seemed a distant memory as she admired the regal figure before her. She turned to Lilia and returned the smile. "Thank you, Lilia. You always manage to make me feel like a true princess."

Just then, a knock echoed through the room. Lilia hurried to open the door, revealing Duke Luther standing in the doorway. He was dressed impeccably in a deep navy suit that accentuated his strong build. His eyes, usually so composed, softened as they met Stella's.

"I'm here to escort you, Princess," Luther said, his voice warm. His gaze swept over her, and he seemed momentarily captivated. "You are truly beautiful."

Stella's heart skipped a beat at his words. She could feel the heat rise to her cheeks as she struggled to maintain her composure. "Thank you, Duke Luther," she replied, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest.

She knew she needed to keep her emotions in check. The growing connection between them was becoming harder to ignore, and it was a dangerous path—one she wasn't sure she was ready to walk down. With a deep breath, she placed her hand in his, allowing him to lead her out of her chambers.

As they walked through the palace corridors, side by side, Stella could feel the weight of Lady Eliza's gaze from across the room. The saint's eyes were filled with jealousy as she watched Stella's hand rest in Duke Luther's. Stella returned her gaze with a cool, indifferent expression, refusing to acknowledge the tension.

In the grand ballroom, where the blessing ceremony would take place, nobles and dignitaries from across the Eight Realms had gathered. The room was a dazzling array of colors, jewels, and fine fabrics. The air buzzed with excitement, and every eye turned to Stella as she entered with Duke Luther by her side. She felt their admiration, the respectful nods, and the whispered compliments. However, it did not escape her notice that Lady Eliza received far less attention, her revealing gown drawing a few disapproving glances. The saint seemed to sense this as well, her face twisting with poorly concealed frustration.

The ceremony was about to begin when the large doors at the far end of the ballroom opened. A procession of priests entered, their robes flowing gracefully as they made their way to the center of the room. At the forefront was the new High Priest of Lyria, Eleazar. He was an imposing figure, tall and regal, with a shock of green hair that matched his piercing yellow eyes. His presence commanded attention, and Stella could feel the power radiating from him.

As Eleazar approached, Stella's head began to throb. A sharp pain pierced through her skull, intensifying with each step the High Priest took. She closed her eyes, trying to steady herself. The pain was unlike anything she had felt before, a deep, gnawing ache that seemed to resonate with something inside her.