The students gathered around, quickly surrounding Celitia front, back, left, and right.

Listening to their chatter, Sophia's face grew longer and longer.

What was this about? This was her Lily!

She had dressed her up magnificently just to show her off a little—who gave them permission to have ideas about her?!

"All of you get away! Don't block the path here!!"

Sophia stood in front of Celitia, protecting her behind herself, and lost her temper at the nearby people.

Seeing the princess angry, the students scattered in chaos, clearing the path ahead.

Even so, they still followed behind, unwilling to leave.

Now Sophia was starting to regret it a little.

Indeed, as long as it was a dazzling gem, no matter how long it was sealed away, once the dust was wiped clean, it would attract countless admiring gazes.

Maybe she shouldn't have dressed her up, shouldn't have let her appear before the public in such an image.

Then, would the real Celitia have remained a secret belonging only to herself?

It would have been better to go back to the early days of school, when she was feared and avoided by everyone...

The more Sophia thought about it, the more dejected she became.

Noticing the low pressure around Sophia, Celitia couldn't help but ask: "What's wrong, Sophia?"

"Ah? There's nothing wrong at all!!"

Sophia was startled and hurriedly waved her hands in denial.

Celitia didn't speak, her misty purple eyes quietly staring at Sophia, as if seriously exploring her inner thoughts.

Sophia slowly lowered her head, finally unable to withstand Celitia's gaze, and spoke pitifully:

"I was just thinking that now that Lily has become so popular, maybe you won't need me anymore..."

Celitia's eyes flickered slightly, somewhat surprised by what Sophia had said.

More precisely, she was surprised that Sophia would frankly express her worries.

Celitia knew that even as a princess, Sophia always lacked security.

In order to gain others' recognition, to be needed by others, she worked desperately hard, never knowing if her efforts had any effect.

Proud as Sophia was, she never spoke of these things.

Now, that she would actually admit her inner unease meant that for Sophia, Celitia had become someone irreplaceable.

Celitia pondered for a moment.

"Sophia, I've never cared about being popular, nor do I need others to like me. Their attitudes have nothing to do with me."

At this point, Celitia's voice paused slightly.

She clearly felt that after she said this, Sophia became even more dejected.

Sophia was probably wondering if she was also within the scope of these "others."

Celitia sighed inwardly.

Fine...

Maybe sometimes, she should speak a little truth.

"But, for me," Celitia softened her expression, her voice gentle, "perhaps I only hope that you won't misunderstand me."

When Celitia would chase everyone away and hide alone to lick her wounds, there was always one person who ignored all her resistance and insisted on staying by her side.

Gradually, she had gotten used to it.

Once you're used to something, it's hard to let go.

Right.

Not too far, not too close.

Just staying within sight was enough to satisfy Celitia.

With her words, Sophia's eyes suddenly brightened.

This meant that for Celitia, she was special, right?

Just this simple sentence was enough to make Sophia's mood float up and fly toward the sky.

Sophia reached out, grasped that slender hand, feeling her cool palm, and smiled brilliantly at Celitia.

"I won't misunderstand you, because I know what kind of noble heart you possess. So, you're not allowed to always try to push me away anymore, understand?"

The last words were spoken as a command, seeming arrogant but containing complete sincerity.

Celitia was stunned. Even though she was used to fully armoring herself, at this moment her heart couldn't help but soften slightly.

"As you command," her voice was slightly hoarse, "my princess."

The smile the girl showed her was more dazzling than winter sunlight.

So much so that this heart that had long died seemed to take root again, extending tender new shoots.

Under the sunshine, all things flourished.

Suddenly there was commotion from behind, and the crowd squeezed behind Sophia and Celitia made way, clearing a path for the newcomer.

Marianne passed through the crowd, slowly walking to the two girls' side. Her gaze fell on their overlapping palms, and a relieved smile appeared at the corners of her lips.

"Sophia, Celitia, seeing that you're still so close puts my mind at ease."

Celitia was slightly astonished.

After all, Marianne was the only person present who had recognized the dressed-up version of herself at first glance.

As if sensing her surprise, Marianne's smile deepened.

"Of course I wouldn't mistake you. From the day I first met you, I knew that how you are now is how you should truly be."

Marianne seemed more confident than Celitia herself.

"Come, ascend to this ceremony held for you."

With that, Marianne led the way, bringing Celitia and Sophia into the auditorium.

The surging crowd around them watched and whispered among themselves.

"Her Majesty the Queen is still so stunningly beautiful today."

"Of course, but Princess Sophia's presence is no less than Her Majesty Marianne's."

"I never expected Celitia walking beside them to be just as impressive."

"Speaking of which, don't you think Celitia and Her Majesty Marianne look somewhat similar?"

The surrounding discussion didn't reach Celitia's ears. She turned to look and saw Margaret sitting in the front row, looking dejected.

Sensing her gaze, Margaret suddenly looked up at Celitia, her eyes immediately reddening.

As the loser, Margaret hadn't wanted to attend this award ceremony at all.

But her father, Duke Augustus, wouldn't allow her to lose face and be seen as a defeated dog running away, forcing her to attend the ceremony.

Margaret had no choice but to come, making her mood even worse.

From her expression, Margaret looked as if she wanted to tear Celitia apart.

Celitia didn't particularly care. Her gaze fell on the middle-aged man beside Margaret.

Margaret's father, Duke Augustus Brienne.

The Principality of Mist was located northwest of the Kingdom of Lansca and didn't border the Kingdom of York.

Even when the two countries were in conflict and Augustus had sent troops to participate, he had never personally been on the battlefield.

This was the first time Celitia had seen Duke Augustus in person.

Augustus also noticed Celitia's gaze and looked back at her.

Even knowing that Celitia had played his daughter for a fool, Augustus showed no anger, even nodding at her amiably.

Celitia slightly narrowed her eyes, her gaze becoming increasingly sharp.