Hearing Celitia's account, Marianne's expression gradually became more serious.

She gave some instructions to the attendants behind her, having them guard the various entrances and exits.

"The ball will continue. Anyone wanting to leave early must be inspected before they can go. We can't let a single suspicious person escape."

After giving her orders, Marianne adjusted her expression, a trace of heartache showing in her eyes as she said gently to Celitia, "In any case, it's good that you're safe."

Celitia remembered another key figure and couldn't help asking: "What about Charlotte?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen her for quite a while either." It was Sophia who answered. "After you left, she seemed dazed and went somewhere unknown."

Marianne looked thoughtful: "Then have them search for Charlotte too. As soon as they find her, bring her here immediately."

Seeing that neither of them knew where Charlotte had gone, an ominous premonition arose in Celitia's heart.

Bren had already disappeared under her hands. Charlotte couldn't have also...

"Alright, forget about those troublesome matters," Marianne said gently. "Right now, you just need to enjoy the remaining time."

Sophia nodded in agreement.

When it came to Celitia's matters, Mother was always unusually concerned.

This thought flashed through Sophia's mind.

Of course, this was a good thing.

If not for this, Mother wouldn't be so supportive of what was between her and Celitia.

Thinking of this, Sophia couldn't help but tug at Celitia's hand, feeling quite embarrassed:

"Lily, that thing you said you wanted to bring over..."

Celitia suddenly realized—after talking so much, she had almost forgotten the purpose of coming here.

The girl beside her had flushed cheeks and was looking at her with anticipation.

Celitia took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and opened her palm, showing Marianne the black swan brooch in her hand.

"This is the brooch, isn't it, Your Majesty Marianne."

Marianne's smile became even more gentle: "You found this, Celitia."

Celitia's cheeks gradually reddened.

How could this count as finding it? Clearly, at the start of the game, she had already obtained the key item through Sophia, the cheat code.

That was Sophia's second confession to her, witnessed by everyone.

And now she had finally made up her mind to respond to her feelings.

"Yes." Celitia nodded firmly.

Looking at their tightly clasped hands, satisfaction showed in Marianne's eyes.

"Turn off that large light outside," she instructed the attendants behind her. "I want to announce the final decision to everyone present."

Even though she had mentally prepared herself, Celitia still nervously swallowed.

Sophia's face was also very red, her chest rising and falling nervously. Her grip on Celitia's hand tightened slightly, becoming more determined than before.

She smiled gently at Celitia and led her to the railing, standing beside Marianne.

The melodious music played again, the huge crystal chandelier in the center of the hall was turned off, and the noisy voices gradually quieted down.

Countless gazes in the ballroom focused on Marianne on the high platform, and the two girls beside her.

"Please be quiet for a moment."

Marianne leaned against the railing, extending her body outward. "The little game we held has reached its final result."

"Everyone, please look—"

Marianne raised both hands high, holding a black swan brooch in each—one left, one right.

In front of everyone, Marianne fitted the two brooches together, left and right.

Two black swans were symmetrically arranged, both inlaid with similar iridescent cat's eye stones, sparkling brilliantly under the lights.

Their heads touched, necks gracefully curved, forming a perfect heart shape.

Sighs came from below the stage:

"The game is over, how regrettable."

"Damn, I thought if I could find the brooch, I could turn my life around and become the princess's husband."

"What a joke, how could the princess's spouse be a woman? This is truly unprecedented..."

"Speaking of which, was it that girl who danced the first dance with Princess Sophia who ultimately found the brooch?"

"Though it's a bit surprising, looking carefully, they do make quite a good match."

The crowd discussed among themselves, saying all sorts of things.

Some envied, some were jealous, some surprised, some blessed.

"Benita, look quickly!"

Shanie's voice rang out shrilly, completely stunned.

Shanie and Benita had just returned from outside. Neither had found the brooch nor Celitia, and were feeling quite dejected.

As soon as they walked in, they suddenly heard Marianne's public announcement.

Seeing the two brooches raised in her hands, Shanie pointed at Marianne on the platform, her hand trembling.

"That is—that is—!!"

"Shanie," Benita quickly pressed down Shanie's hand, "don't point at Her Majesty the Queen like that. It's too rude."

Following Shanie's gaze upward, Benita noticed Celitia standing beside Sophia.

"Ah, they found Lily! That's wonderful!"

Benita was very pleased. "I knew it—Lily always has good judgment and wouldn't just randomly play at disappearing!"

"I'm not talking about that!" Shanie frantically grabbed her own head. "The brooch, look at that brooch!!"

Only then did Benita react, her eyes widening: "Wait, wait... did Lily find the brooch? So they're announcing the results now??"

"Yes!" Shanie nodded vigorously. "And I finally remembered!"

"What?" Benita asked.

At this moment, in front of everyone, Marianne pulled over Sophia and Celitia and personally pinned the brooches on them.

Celitia's brooch was pinned on the left, Sophia's on the right.

Standing side by side, the black swan brooches on their chests sparkled brilliantly, as if calling out to each other with outstretched necks.

Shanie's words finally burst out: "I remembered—Lily was clearly wearing this brooch when she left home to attend the ball!"

"What?!" Benita's eyes widened.

With Shanie's reminder, Benita also vaguely remembered that when Celitia had taken off her cloak and gone up to dance, she was wearing this brooch on her chest.

It was just that Celitia had been so radiant at the time that the brooch was completely overshadowed by her grace and beauty, serving only as a small decoration that no one noticed.

The two exchanged glances, then turned their gazes to the platform above, their expressions extremely resentful.

So they had worried, panicked, and rushed around for nothing?

Hey, was this your way of flirting with each other?

So all the people participating in the little game were just part of their play??