Chapter 274: Respect
Natalie~
Elder Yvonne’s gaze lingered on me with a strange softness that made my stomach churn. Her braided hair fell like an dark waterfall over her shoulders, the silver-embroidered symbols on her dress shifting with each breath she took. I watched her lips part, waiting for the answer I craved so badly.
But all she said was, "Forgive me, Princess, but... we cannot tell you yet what else this test proves."
My brows knitted together. "Why not? You just tricked me into healing a dying man and resurrect two corpses in front of an entire room of strangers. Don’t I at least deserve to know why?"
She lowered her head again. "All I can say is... now that everyone here is convinced that you are the Celestial Princess, a mandatory five-day celebration and ritual must take place."
Five days.
I sucked in a breath, Jasmine pacing anxiously within me. "Five days? Here we go again Mara..." Memories from my past life trickled back – golden lights, chanting voices, me kneeling in front of elders, a sharp blade pressed to my palm as I vowed to protect the realm. But that was two millennia ago. Traditions evolved. Species merged. Power shifted. I didn’t know what to expect this time around.
Before I could open my mouth to press Yvonne for more details, the king raised his hand in a sharp, commanding gesture that sliced the room into silence. His golden robes shimmered as he rose from his throne, the thick golden crown perched on his head catching the chandeliers’ light.
"That is enough, Elder Yvonne," he said, his deep voice echoing across the throne room walls. His eyes, as pale and fierce as a wolf’s under the moon, turned to me. "Princess Natalie. Everyone gathered here must understand what these next five days entail."
I swallowed, feeling the room shrink around me as all eyes bore into my skin. My heart pounded against my ribs so hard I was sure it would burst out and flop onto the marble floor.
"The five days," the king continued, his gaze sweeping across the gathered crowd with regal intensity, "will be divided into three main sections. The first: the royal wedding."