Episode 194
“So, you want to know why Lucius is avoiding you, even though he keeps coming to the palace?”
“…Yes.”
Elonia had confessed everything to Artius, Philemon, and Sarah.
She was mortified.
She hadn’t wanted them to know about her romantic woes, her ineptitude in matters of the heart.
‘They’ll think I’m pathetic…’
But her three guardians, exchanging glances, smiled knowingly. Elonia, suspecting they were mocking her, glared at Artius, the easiest target.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Just because.”
It was clearly a knowing smile, a smile that suggested they knew something she didn’t. Elonia, annoyed by Artius’s smugness, demanded,
“Tell me!”
“You’ll find out eventually, Elonia.”
“…Sarah!”
Sarah was her only hope now.
“Hehe, sorry.”
But even Sarah, her trusted confidante, just smiled, refusing to answer.
“How could you do this to me…?”
Elonia felt betrayed. Philemon chuckled and stroked Elonia’s hair.
“Don’t worry. You’ll be happy soon.”
“…?”
“All your worries will disappear in a month. Now let’s go to sleep, my dear.”
Elonia still didn’t understand.
Her three guardians, treating her like a child, continued to evade her questions.
“Stop treating me like a child and tell me!”
“Later, later.”
“Just go to sleep for now.”
“Shall I sing you a lullaby?”
Elonia, wrapped tightly in her blankets, couldn’t even protest. Exhausted, she blinked sleepily, like a baby after a meal.
All her worries would disappear in a month?
‘In a month… it’s my birthday.’
What was going to happen on her birthday that would erase her biggest worry?
Elonia, unable to find an answer, drifted off to sleep.
A month passed, filled with unanswered questions and unanswered calls from Lucius, and then, Elonia’s birthday arrived.
“Your Highness, happy birthday!”
“And congratulations on your appointment as Crown Princess.”
Today was Elonia’s seventeenth birthday and her inauguration as Crown Princess.
She woke up to Vivian and Sarah’s greetings and endured their sniffling throughout the preparations for the ceremony and banquet.
“You’ve grown so much…”
“Lady Sarah, there’s still the coming-of-age ceremony and the coronation. It’s too early to cry.”
“That’s right, Sarah. It’s a happy day. We should be smiling.”
“Mother!”
Philemon, who had entered the room unnoticed, chimed in.
Elonia saw her, dressed in a cream-colored gown. Philemon had also worn formal attire when the Heilan delegation arrived, but today’s outfit, though simpler, was more elegant and refined, befitting the occasion.
Philemon, her cheeks flushed, touched her face self-consciously and asked,
“Does it look alright?”
“Yes, you look beautiful.”
Elonia replied instantly. Philemon, her face beaming, stroked Elonia’s hair.
“But you’re the star of the show today.”
“Hehe.”
Elonia leaned against Philemon, enjoying her mother’s warmth and affection.
It still felt unreal.
‘I’m becoming the Crown Princess.’
She was one step closer to the throne. She let her mother and maids fuss over her, their hands deftly styling her hair and applying makeup.
After a refreshing bath and a few snacks, she finally put on the ceremonial uniform.
A white jacket with intricate gold embroidery and jewels, its long tails mimicking the flowing lines of a dress. A purple velvet cloak, identical to Artius’s but smaller, draped over her shoulders. The embroidered oak leaves on the cloak shimmered as she moved.
She wore tight white pants and black boots, her rapier, specially crafted for her inauguration, its hilt bearing the Imperial seal, buckled to her waist.
“You’re ready, Your Highness.”
She lifted her head, her hair, scented with fragrant oils, cascading down her back, flowing over the cloak.
She looked every bit the Crown Princess.
Elonia, staring at her reflection in the mirror, felt a strange sense of detachment. But this was her new reality. She turned to Philemon and her maids and smiled.
“Thank you, everyone.”
“Go on, now.”
“See you at the ceremony!”
They waved, their faces beaming.
“Yes, see you later!”
Elonia nodded, her own smile bright and confident.
Trembling.
“…Your Highness?”
Trembling uncontrollably.
“…Your Highness.”
Elonia, despite her earlier confidence, was now shaking like a leaf in a snowstorm as she arrived at the Main Palace.
Ethan and Ricardo, exchanging concerned glances, placed their hands firmly on her shoulders.
“Gasp!”
Elonia, startled, looked up at them.
“W-what? Why?”
“Stop trembling unless you’re planning to cast an earthquake spell on the palace.”
“You’re the main character today. Be confident.”
“W-was I trembling?”
Elonia looked down at her hands. They were shaking uncontrollably.
“Ah…”
She felt a wave of embarrassment. She hoped she wouldn’t make a fool of herself during the ceremony.
Her shoulders felt heavy, the weight of responsibility pressing down on her. She imagined tripping over her cloak, her words getting tangled… all the embarrassing scenarios that could unfold due to her nervousness.
Ethan chuckled and reassured her.
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. You’ll do fine.”
“But I don’t want to look foolish.”
The nobles were gathered inside. And that meant Cielun Luneus, Lucius, was also there.
She had already made a fool of herself in front of him. She didn’t want to do it again.
“It would be embarrassing for the Crown Princess to make such mistakes.”
Elonia’s words were laced with a hint of self-deprecating humor, but Ricardo, his expression serious, said,
“Everyone makes mistakes.”
“Huh?”
“You’re worried about tripping over your cloak or stuttering, aren’t you?”
“It’s okay to make mistakes. Just be confident. You’re the future Crown Princess. Confidence is a virtue for a ruler.”
“Ethan, Rica…”
Elonia looked at her two knights, her heart filled with gratitude.
Some said she no longer needed bodyguards, now that she was a Sword Master. But she still needed them. Who else would protect her from her own anxieties?
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Just as Elonia smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners,
“Your Highness, it’s time.”
A guard announced. Elonia steeled her resolve.
Today was the day her worries would disappear. The thought gave her courage.
“Open the doors.”
She commanded, her voice clear and steady.
The guards opened the large doors and announced, their voices echoing through the Great Hall,
“Her Highness, Elonia Ainar Ravanta!”
Elonia walked into the light, her steps firm and confident.
The nobles, filling the Great Hall, knelt as she passed. She walked past unfamiliar faces, familiar faces, until she reached the raised platform where Artius and Philemon sat on their thrones.
“Elonia Ainar Ravanta, First Princess of Ravanta, greets His and Her Majesty.”
“Approach.”
Elonia slowly ascended the sixteen steps, then knelt before the Emperor and Empress.
Artius and Philemon stood up and received long objects from their attendants.
Artius, his head crowned, placed a sword on Elonia’s shoulder and asked,
“Princess Elonia, are you prepared to dedicate your life to Ravanta?”
“I am.”
Philemon, also crowned, placed a golden scepter, adorned with jewels, on Elonia’s other shoulder and asked,
“Princess Elonia, are you prepared to bring happiness to all the people of Ravanta?”
“…”
Elonia hesitated for a moment, and Artius and Philemon exchanged worried glances. Was she too nervous to speak?
“Elonia.”
Artius called out her name softly.
But Elonia wasn’t speechless from nerves. She was choosing her words carefully.
‘I can’t promise to make everyone happy.’
Some found happiness in a single piece of bread, while others, despite possessing unimaginable wealth, remained unhappy. Some found happiness in their families, while others found only sorrow.
Happiness was subjective.
She couldn’t make everyone happy. But—
“I will strive to create a nation where everyone can look forward to tomorrow.”
Elonia lifted her head, her voice firm and resolute.
Artius and Philemon looked slightly surprised, then smiled, their faces beaming with pride and joy.
They raised their orbs and declared,
“By the power vested in us, the Emperor and Empress of Ravanta, we hereby appoint Elonia Ainar Ravanta, First Princess of Ravanta, as the Crown Princess, the small glory who will uphold this Empire.”
Elonia bowed her head deeply. Artius and Philemon set down their orbs and picked up a smaller crown, specially made for Elonia. They gently placed it on her head.
Elonia’s birthday was in autumn, the season of harvest.
And in that autumn, she became the Crown Princess.
After the ceremony, Elonia’s birthday banquet began. Duchess Asta was the first to approach her.
“Your Highness, Crown Princess.”
“Aunt Rosalyne!”
“Congratulations on your birthday and your appointment. Seeing you grow from a little baby into a fine Crown Princess… it fills my heart with joy.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Aunt Rosalyne.”
Elonia smiled brightly. Duchess Asta sighed and glanced at her two sons, who were lurking in a corner of the ballroom, clearly avoiding the crowd.
“I wish those two were half as responsible as you. Or if you had inherited Llewellyn’s carefree nature…”
“Why?”
“They refuse to get married. They say they’ll choose their successors from the collateral branches. I’m going to die from their antics.”
“Ahaha…”
Fortunately, Duchess Asta didn’t know about Elonia’s disastrous first proposal. If she had, she would have sighed and fretted just like she did over her sons, unable to scold Elonia.
But Elonia couldn’t afford to sulk during her first banquet as Crown Princess. Numerous nobles were eager to speak with her.
“Happy birthday, Your Highness.”
“It seems like just yesterday you enrolled at the academy, and now you’re the Crown Princess. Time flies.”
Elonia smiled politely, her expression carefully neutral.
But the person she was looking for was nowhere to be seen. Time flew by, and it was almost midnight.
The nobles, their inhibitions lowered by alcohol, were starting to lose their composure. The families with sons Elonia’s age began their silent game of chicken.
‘I’ll let you go first.’
‘Are you crazy? You go first.’
They would normally be clamoring for her attention, but the combined glares of Artius, Philemon, and the three Asta “guard dogs” were too intimidating.
Elonia, meanwhile, was discreetly searching for someone.
‘Where is he?’
Just then, she heard a familiar name.
“Young Master Luneus, are you leaving already?”
Elonia’s head snapped towards the voice.
A young man with silver hair, his face pale with fatigue, was preparing to leave. He was surrounded by young noblewomen.
“Yes, I’m a bit tired.”
“That’s a shame. I wanted to talk more.”
“I’ll send you an invitation to a tea party. Please come.”
“I will.”
Elonia’s heart ached at his casual response, his willingness to interact with others. Just as he reached the exit,
‘No!’
Her instincts screamed. If she let him go now, she might never see him again.
Elonia, her heart pounding, rushed towards him, ignoring the other nobles’ stares, grabbed his wrist, and shouted,
“Wait! I need to talk to you!”