Reborn as the only princess of Cene Kingdom

Chapter 28: Eternal Vigil

### **Chapter: The Eternal Vigil**

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**A Kingdom in Mourning**

The Cene Empire was bathed in a somber tranquility, the atmosphere heavy with reverence and sorrow. Princess Stella Luna, now twenty-three, lay at the heart of the sacred grove, her body draped in an ethereal gown of moonlit silk. The gown, a delicate cascade of silver and white, shimmered softly under the gentle light of the sun, accentuating the princess's serene beauty. Flowers of every hue were strewn around her, their sweet fragrance mingling with the sacred incense that burned in honor of her slumber.

The sacred grove, a place of divine tranquility, had become a focal point for the entire empire. Tall, ancient trees formed a natural canopy overhead, their leaves whispering secrets to the wind. The ground was covered in a carpet of vibrant petals, creating a path for the countless visitors who came to pay their respects. The high tower, once a symbol of hope, now stood as a sentinel over the princess's resting place.

Representatives from every realm gathered to offer their prayers, their faces etched with a shared grief. Among them were the Grand Duchess Anne and her husband. Their arrival was marked by a somber procession, their carriage drawn by horses draped in black. As they approached the sacred grove, their expressions reflected the deep sadness they felt for the princess and the realm.

The Grand Duchess Anne, draped in a gown of mourning black, her normally graceful demeanor now marred by sorrow, walked alongside her husband. Her eyes, once bright with ambition and grace, were now clouded with tears. The Duchess's husband, a pillar of strength in their house, supported her as they made their way to the princess's side.

When they reached the sacred grove, Anne fell to her knees, her hands clasped in prayer. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she gazed at the motionless figure of Stella Luna. The Grand Duke, though a figure of composure, could not hide the anguish in his eyes. He placed a comforting hand on his wife's shoulder, their shared grief evident in their silence.

As the years had passed, the Cene Empire's sorrow had not diminished. The princess's condition remained unchanged, her body preserved in a state of perpetual beauty. The people of the kingdom had maintained their vigil, their hopes and prayers unwavering. Every day, the faithful gathered to offer their tributes, their voices raised in a collective plea for the princess's return.

The sacred grove had become a place of pilgrimage, its serene beauty a reflection of the reverence the people held for their beloved princess. The air was thick with the scent of fresh flowers and incense, creating an atmosphere of peace and reflection. Candles were lit in honor of Stella Luna, their flickering flames casting a warm glow over the grove.

Despite the passage of time, the search for Eliza, the dark sorceress who had inflicted such pain upon the Cene Empire, remained fruitless. The clues to her whereabouts had vanished as if she had melted into the shadows. The kingdom's resources had been stretched thin in the relentless pursuit, but she remained elusive, a ghost of darkness that continued to haunt their efforts.

The Duke Lunther, now a figure of both respect and sorrow, had ascended to the position of Grand Duke of the Southwest Kingdom of Lyria. His rise to power, while significant, was overshadowed by his personal grief. The weight of Stella Luna's absence had become a constant presence in his life, his once vibrant demeanor now a shadow of what it had been.

In Lyria, Lunther's new role was marked by a sense of duty and melancholy. The grandeur of his position did little to alleviate the pain that had settled deep within him. The halls of his residence, adorned with the opulence of his station, felt empty and hollow without the presence of the woman he had loved.

Each day was a battle between the demands of his role and the ache of his heart. The grand chambers and elaborate councils seemed to blur into insignificance as he grappled with the void left by Stella Luna. The once sharp and decisive leader now found himself lost in thoughts of what could have been.

Lunther's affection for Stella Luna had never faded. Though he had moved into a position of power and influence, his heart remained tethered to the princess's memory. He often found himself standing before a portrait of her, his gaze lingering on the image of the woman who had captured his heart. In these moments, he would whisper his unspoken words of love and regret, hoping against hope that somehow, she could hear him.

His interactions with the people of Lyria, though cordial and professional, lacked the warmth that had once defined him. The grand events and celebrations that marked his new role were overshadowed by a pervasive sadness. His heart was heavy with the knowledge that the woman he loved lay in eternal slumber, a casualty of forces beyond their control.

As the years continued to pass, the people of the Cene Empire held on to their hope. The sacred grove remained a beacon of their unwavering faith, and the vigil for Princess Stella Luna continued with the same intensity as when she first fell into her deep slumber.

The royal family, despite their personal grief, worked tirelessly to maintain the kingdom's stability and prosperity. The King and Queen, though deeply affected by their daughter's condition, remained resolute in their duties. Their love for Stella Luna drove them to continue their work with a fierce determination, their hearts never fully able to move past the pain.

The grand ceremony held in honor of Stella Luna, despite the years of waiting, was a testament to the enduring love and hope of the Cene Empire. It was a day marked by reverence and solemnity, where the beauty of the princess's resting place was celebrated amidst the shadows of sorrow.

The sacred grove, now adorned with additional symbols of divine grace, was the focal point of the ceremony. The intricate floral arrangements and the soft glow of candlelight created a serene and sacred atmosphere. The participants, from high dignitaries to humble citizens, gathered to pay their respects, their hearts unified in their hope for the princess's return.

As the Grand Duchess Anne and her husband stood amidst the gathered crowd, their grief was palpable. Their presence was a reminder of the far-reaching impact of the princess's plight. The grand ceremony, while a display of hope, also served as a stark reminder of the void left by Stella Luna's absence.

**The Unseen Future**

In the quiet moments of reflection, both in the sacred grove and within the halls of Lyria, the future seemed uncertain. The search for Eliza continued, though the dark sorceress remained elusive. Lunther's role as Grand Duke carried on, his heart heavy with the burden of his love and loss.

The Cene Empire, though marked by sorrow, remained a beacon of hope and resilience. The memory of Princess Stella Luna, with her grace and beauty, continued to inspire and guide the kingdom. As the years passed, the people held on to the hope that one day, the princess would awaken, bringing light to the realm and healing the wounds that had so deeply affected their lives.

In the quiet sanctuary of the sacred grove, the story of Princess Stella Luna remained a symbol of enduring love and the unbreakable bond between a kingdom and its cherished ruler. Her legacy, defined by both the beauty of her presence and the depth of the sorrow her absence had caused, would continue to shape the destiny of the Cene Empire for generations to come.