In Celitia's view, this finger cut barely qualified as a wound.

Whether during adventures or on battlefields, Celitia had suffered injuries far more severe than this cut. She had long since grown accustomed to them.

Perhaps because she had been so powerful in the past, Celitia always paid little attention to her own body.

In her mind, there were often matters more important than herself.

This time was no exception.

When she had made that swift, decisive cut, it was as if she weren't cutting her own finger, but rather some random scrap of cloth she had picked up.

From Celitia's expression, Sophia once again sensed her indifference.

It was the same last time, and it was the same now. Celitia never seemed to place much importance on herself.

It felt as if something lightly pricked the tip of Sophia's heart, causing a slight ache.

Sophia tightened her grip slightly, holding that delicate hand firmly in her palm.

"Could you... take a little better care of yourself?"

Celitia raised her eyes in surprise, looking at Sophia's concerned expression, feeling she was making too much of a minor issue.

However, the words of rebuttal that came to her lips were ultimately swallowed back.

"I understand," she replied, still with a hint of dismissive perfunctoriness.

Seeing that indifference, Sophia felt utterly helpless.

She had experienced the girl's stubbornness many times before.

If left unattended, knowing Celitia's usual attitude, she probably wouldn't even bother treating the wound.

After thinking for a moment, Sophia raised her hand and untied the azure ribbon from her braid.

Even though it was just a decorative ribbon, it was made of real silk, soft and light, clearly valuable at a glance.

Sophia held the ribbon in one hand and caught Celitia's finger with the other, intending to wrap the ribbon around her wound.

"Wait, Sophia!" Celitia immediately began to struggle, trying to pull her hand away. "This will stain your ribbon."

"It's just a hair ribbon. Do you really think it's more important than you?"

After pretending to glare angrily at Celitia, Sophia softened her voice slightly. "Besides, your blood isn't dirty."

Celitia was momentarily stunned.

It was as if a sudden gentle breeze had come, very softly brushing across the empty, desolate wilderness of her heart.

Taking advantage of Celitia's distraction, Sophia quickly wrapped the ribbon around her wound several times, binding it securely, and finally tied an elaborate butterfly knot at the nail.

"..."

Celitia raised her index finger, staring at the large butterfly knot at the fingertip, her face showing a conflicted expression, as if she wanted to criticize sharply but had to hold back.

"Hmm, what a beautiful butterfly knot!" Sophia praised her own handiwork, showing a satisfied smile, and emphasized to Celitia, "Don't untie it. That's an order!"

Celitia disdainfully pursed her lips, but looking at Sophia's serious expression, she finally acquiesced:

"As you command, my Princess."

Sophia usually disliked when Celitia addressed her formally as "Princess," but this time, hearing Celitia's response, her heart felt a different kind of emotion.

Her eyes brightened as she waved the recovered speech at Celitia:

"I'm going now! Look forward to my performance a little!"

The girl turned away, her braid loosened without the ribbon, her golden hair flying, losing some formality but gaining confidence and vigor.

Sophia had never been comfortable in such settings.

She knew well that as the kingdom's heir and future queen, she should have a silver tongue, capable of captivating all her subjects.

But Sophia couldn't do it. The more she understood her inability, the more pressure she felt, even pushing herself to the brink of collapse.

For this one time, however, Sophia thought that perhaps if she tried a little harder—just a bit more effort—she could live up to everyone's expectations.

And be worthy of her expectations.

Celitia returned to the front of the auditorium, finding a secluded corner to sit in.

Around her naturally formed an aloof aura that separated her from the world.

Occasionally people were attracted by her beauty and tried to approach and strike up a conversation, but one sweep of those misty, cold eyes was enough to make them swallow their words and retreat awkwardly.

Only two people were undeterred by Celitia's aura, squeezing in on either side of her.

On the left was Shanie, who grabbed Celitia's arm and wouldn't let go:

"Wow, Lily, I finally found you. Why are you hiding here by yourself?"

On the right was Benita, whom she had just met, her black eyes fixed on Celitia, gleaming with peculiar interest: "She calls you 'Lily'? Is that your nickname?"

"..."

Could you be a bit quieter?

And Miss Benita, I don't know you well. Please don't act familiar and try to strike up a conversation.

"Oh?" Shanie's attention was immediately drawn to Benita. "I think I've seen you before..."

Shanie was truly a natural socializer and quickly began chatting with Benita. The two huddled together, whispering.

By the time Celitia had the mind to listen to what was being said on stage, Dean Colton's rambling speech was already coming to an end.

"Next," Colton cleared his throat, "Princess Sophia will speak on behalf of all new students."

Amidst thunderous applause, Sophia somewhat nervously took the stage, her eyes instinctively scanning the audience.

Sophia's gaze first fell on Queen Marianne, who was closest. After receiving her mother's gentle encouragement, she continued searching sideways until finally, in a corner, she met another pair of eyes and saw her nod gently.

A bright smile spreading across her lips, Sophia concentrated all her attention on her upcoming speech.

Celitia's gaze, meanwhile, swept across the people in the front rows.

Even without seeing their expressions, from their reactions, Celitia could guess some of their thoughts.

Margaret leaned forward, unconsciously stretching her neck, staring at Sophia in utter disbelief.

Charlotte's hands were clenched into fists, her head lowered, obviously still immersed in low spirits.

Meilenn stared at Sophia, seemingly attentive, but her back was very tense, her mind clearly preoccupied with something else.

Only Marianne was completely relaxed, continuously gazing at Sophia on stage with encouragement.

The attitudes and movements of others were even less concealed, completely transparent.

As her eyes slowly swept over the various expressions of the audience, a very faint cold smile appeared on Celitia's lips.

Indeed, the waters at this Samuel National Academy were deeper than she had imagined.

"...I hope that from this academy onward, we can break through our preconceptions of each other, advance hand in hand, and work together for the prosperity of our nation..."

On stage, Sophia's voice continued, strong and powerful, speaking of her vision for the future.

Celitia slightly lowered her brows, her expression softening a bit.

Very naive.

But she... didn't dislike it.