The room was filled with a palpable sense of shock, everyone''s eyes wide and jaws dropped.


    For most present, it was their first encounter with Princess Ste. Even in the most cordial of rtionships, the notion of handing over a royal family''s crown, a symbol of regal authority and heritage, was unheard of.


    Mari''s cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson, flustered and waving her hands in protest, not even daring to touch it.


    "Your Highness, this is far too precious."


    Thaddeus stepped forward, his voice gentle yet firm in refusal, "We appreciate


    your kindness, Mari is deeply honored. But please."


    "Hmph! Who I choose to bestow my gifts upon is none of your concern!"


    Ste, with her delicate and proud features, shot him a look of defiance. "Besides,


    this is my royal prerogative. Who dares to object?!"


    Thaddeus was at a loss for words.


    He wondered if he was indeed aging.


    Every word he spoke seemed to invite annoyance.


    "What''s with the princess act? The Middle Ages have been over for how many centuries now and it''s not like she''s some medieval duchess bestowing favors," Aviana muttered under her breath, her sarcasm skills fully activated.


    "Aviana, please,"


    Debby gently took her arm, her eyes soft and smiling, "King and Queen have only Princess Ste as their daughter. Naturally, she''s been raised with all the love and indulgence in the world. A bit of spoiling is to be expected. But Princess Ste is truly kind-hearted and pure. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have be friends with me, nor would she..."


    Debby''s meaningful nce drifted back,nding on Bet, who stood tall and resolute behind the crowd, his gaze fixed on Mari.


    Yet, his intense gaze never left Ste, his eyes swirling with concern.


    Ste pouted, her demeanor defiant yet endearing, "A gift once given, to take back would be disgraceful, tarnishing the royal dignity!"


    Camille and Nydia could hardly contain theirughter, while Evadne helplessly massaged her forehead.


    This princess, giving away crown at their first meeting. If they were to be closer, would she end up gifting the entire pce?


    Mari always favored simplicity and elegance. Even on her wedding day, she wore only a pure white veil adorned with intricate rose patterns, abor of love from Nydia, who had spent a whole month embroidering it as her wedding gift to Mari.


    Ste solemnly lifted the crown, cing it gently upon Mari''s head as if crowning her, the dazzling diamondsplementing the moonlit purity of her veil, making Mari shine with a beauty as radiant as sunlight on snow.


    Mari''s lips trembled slightly, barely able to speak.


    "You''re trying to say thank you, right? I get it,"


    Ste grasped Mari''s hand, her voice choked with emotion, "I''ve heard of your story back in Helgen. I know the journey to this day wasn''t easy, that you''ve faced many hardships to find this happiness. But it''s this kind of happiness that''s truly precious, worth cherishing for a lifetime, isn''t it?"


    Her eyes brimmed with tears, "Being born a princess, everything was handed to me. But witnessing your love story made me, for the first time in my life, understand what envy feels like."


    Overwhelmed by her emotions, Ste''s gaze involuntarily drifted towards where Bet had been standing.


    But now, that spot was empty.


    The bit of hope she had held in her heart scattered, leaving her feeling lost and disheartened.


    She had finally found her happiness, and she couldn''t bear the thought of it slipping through her fingers, filled with regrets.


    Mari, apanied by her brother, rode off towards the church in a carriage.


    The other rtives followed in luxurious limousines, forming a grand procession.


    Evadne chose to share a ride with Ste, sitting side by side in the back.


    "Princess, after Mari''s wedding, you should take the crown back," Evadne spoke with the authority and seriousness of an elder sister.


    Ste, usually willful and rebellious, found herself unable to act out in Evadne''s presence, turning into a meekmb as if Evadne was her own kin.


    It was a ssic case of meeting one''s match.


    "Why should I?" Ste protested weakly.


    "You know the reason," Evadne''s eyes held a gentle reprimand, "I fear your parents would disapprove of you giving away a family heirloom as a wedding gift, potentially causing a diplomatic stir. You''re the princess, ustomed to having your way without considering the consequences. But have you thought about the impact of your actions on others? Your whims could have serious repercussions, is that fair?"


    Ste''s mood turned to one of dejection and guilt, "I had selfish motives."


    Evadne''s tender gaze pierced through Ste''s defenses, "You know I treat Mari as my own sister. You went all out, hoping to win my favor and then have me matchmake you with Bet, right?"


    Ste''s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, stammering, "Y-you knew it? Was I too maniptive? I''m so sorry."


    Evadne''s heart melted at the princess''s plight,forting her, "Don''t be so hard on yourself. I didn''t say that. Besides, there''s nothing wrong with trying to get closer to the one you love, as long as it doesn''t cause harm. As long as you don''t hurt innocent people in pursuit of what you want, it''s okay."


    Ste sniffled, her voice tinged with grievance, "I like Bet. I really like him. I''d even give up being a princess to be with him. My aunt married amoner, and Bet''s family is well-off, he can take care of me."


    Evadne was speechless.


    Indeed, their wealth might even rival that of the Helgen royal family.


    But to be so blunt about it! To an outsider, it might seem like she was after his fortune!


    "Please, help me."


    With a sudden burst of emotion, Ste threw herself into Evadne''s arms, her soft, tear-stained face nuzzling against her chest in a gesture of utter dependence and desperation. "After all, we''ve shared a bed like sisters, and you''re Bet''s favorite sibling. With you speaking up for me, Bet''ll surely treat me the way he used to.


    He''s be so distant now. I can''t stand it, not one bit."


    As she spoke, her sobs grew louder, her tears painting a picture of pure heartbreak.


    "Ste, don''t cry, please." Evadne tried to soothe her, her own heart heavy with empathy.


    What on earth had Bet said that night to bring such a proud princess down to her knees, drowning in misery?


    "Am I that terrible?" Ste''s cries grew even more despondent.


    "Absolutely not! Don''t ever think that. If anything, Bet should be counting his blessings for having you. How could he make a girl cry like this?" Evadne said as she wrapped her arms tighter around Ste.


    What Evadne couldn''t bear most was seeing a girl belittle herself, abandoning her dignity for love, riddled with self-doubt and ensnared in the torment of guilt and pain. Because she too had lost herself in such a maze of despair for three long years, every day a battle with sorrow.


    Meanwhile


    In the car trailing behind them, Bet and Aaron were riding together. Bet''s gaze was fixed unwaveringly on the vehicle ahead, his long eyshes quivering, eyes filled with a longing.


    "Bet, why are your eyes so red? Didn''t sleep well?" Aaron leaned in close to his sharply defined face, inspecting him with concern, then gasped in shock, "Bet, have you been crying? Moved by Mari''s wedding, are you?"


    "Mhm."


    Bet briefly closed his reddened eyes, quickly shifting his gaze out the window,


    "I wish them evesting happiness."