The previous regent had been Sercis, who also served as military commander and Templar Knight Commander, wielding consolidated power.

After Sercis's death, the regent position remained vacant for a month, then Queen Flora ordered that Sercis's sister, current Foreign Minister Ileana, take over.

Perhaps she valued Ileana's abilities, or perhaps it was to silence public criticism...

Celitia thought that she had perhaps never truly understood the hearts of either Flora or Ileana.

When she heard about the arrival of the York Kingdom delegation, Celitia had a premonition that Ileana might have come.

"None of us expected the Kingdom of York to send such an important figure to lead the delegation. It seems they really value this treaty."

Sophia continued, "Lady Ileana is very gentle and amiable. It's hard to imagine she could rise to such a high position—she must be a very capable person..."

Sophia's words contained hidden admiration.

While Celitia drifted into a daze, her thoughts floating back to the distant past.

But no matter how much she thought about it, it had nothing to do with her current self.

With her current identity, there was no way she could reunite with Ileana.

Moreover, given Ileana's usual personality, perhaps she didn't care about her departure.

Whether she was dead or alive was irrelevant to Ileana.

After all, she had always been like this all these years, hadn't she?

"Lily? Lily?"

Sophia called her several times before awakening Celitia from her dazed state.

"What's wrong? You don't seem to be in good spirits. Have you been staying up late studying for exams recently?"

Celitia steadied herself and shook her head at Sophia.

"No," she shrugged as if nothing was wrong, "at most I was just shocked by the news of failing the exam."

"Really? Anyway, there's still a chance for a makeup exam, so don't worry about such a small mistake."

Sophia coughed lightly and reached into her pocket.

"Speaking of which, I almost forgot about the really important matter..."

Sophia pulled out a small black box from her pocket, took Celitia's hand, and solemnly placed the small box in her palm.

"What is this?" Celitia asked.

This box was small and delicate, wrapped in pure black velvet with beautiful white ribbon tied on top, looking understated yet elegant.

Sophia looked around again, confirming no one was nearby, before saying to Celitia: "Open it and see."

So mysterious... just to give her a gift?

Celitia opened the box in confusion.

Inside lay a gorgeous, exquisite brooch crafted in the shape of a swan—a black swan elegantly curving its neck like half a heart.

At the black swan's chest was embedded a cat's eye gemstone shimmering with iridescent light, clearly quite valuable.

"This is a gift brought by the York delegation, supposedly the work of a dwarven master."

Sophia said excitedly.

"Look, the craftsmanship is indeed very exquisite, and this iridescent cat's eye stone isn't easy to obtain."

Celitia examined it carefully for a few moments, then closed the black velvet box in front of Sophia.

"Since this is a precious gift from the delegation, I cannot accept it."

Sophia forcibly grasped her hands, firmly enclosing the box within her palms, not giving Celitia a chance to refuse.

"The gifts the delegation gave me are naturally mine to dispose of. This brooch is my apology for breaking our promise last time and neglecting you these past few days."

Sophia's strength was much greater than Celitia's. Celitia struggled to shake her hands free, but her fingers were pressed even tighter.

"I can't accept this..." she tried to insist.

"Why not?" Sophia showed a hurt expression, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes, "Is it because you're still angry with me and won't forgive me?"

Celitia was startled: "That's not what I meant..."

"Really?" Sophia said pitifully, "Then you must accept it, otherwise I'll definitely be very sad..."

Seeing Sophia even resort to acting pitiful, Celitia was extremely helpless and could only accept the jewelry box.

"Why are you giving me this?"

"I told you it's an apology."

Sophia, having achieved great success, had triumph and joy written all over her face, "Besides, I think only you are worthy of this brooch."

"Only I am worthy?" Celitia murmured.

Sophia nodded vigorously: "Yes!"

Hearing Sophia's answer, Celitia's gaze became increasingly complex and unreadable.

Black swans had always symbolized hope, courage, and unwavering love.

And this was a heart-shaped black swan brooch.

Did Sophia really understand what this brooch represented?

She had so casually given it to her as an apology gift.

At this moment, looking at the smile on the girl's face, Celitia felt she couldn't quite understand what she was thinking.

If it was just an apology, this gift seemed far too precious.

If she wanted to express her feelings, what Sophia said was too light and casual.

Celitia didn't know if she was overthinking again.

With countless complex, indistinguishable feelings settling in her chest, Celitia silently gripped the box in her hand.

"Alright," she finally spoke, "then I'll accept it."

Having almost shamelessly convinced Celitia, Sophia's smile became even more radiant.

"Next rest day, the birthday ball will begin. I hope you can wear this brooch and attend mother's birthday ball."

Celitia's lips trembled uncontrollably: "Must I go?"

This ball was being grandly held specifically to find Sophia a suitable engagement partner.

If she attended, she would only be hiding in a dark corner, silently watching her under the lights dancing gracefully in the ballroom with the other half she was about to find.

This... would be too painful.

From the bottom of her heart, Celitia didn't want to see this scene.

"Don't you want to go?" Sophia's expression looked very hurt, "For this ball, I've been preparing meticulously for a long time..."

Celitia remained silent for a long time.

This was the result of her many days of effort.

And the blessing she hoped to receive.

The emotions surging in her chest were screaming refusal, but reason told her that she absolutely had to attend this ball no matter what.

It felt as if she was slowly sinking.

But she couldn't struggle or break free.

She could only hopelessly wait for the day of complete submersion to arrive.

Finally, Celitia slowly nodded, making her voice return to calm:

"Of course I'll go. This is Her Majesty Queen Marianne's birthday ball, and also the result of your many days of effort. I cannot be absent."

"Great, then you absolutely must come."

Sophia curved her lips very lightly, her smile containing several indescribable, elusive flavors.

"I will be... very much looking forward to it."