When I woke up the next day, I could already hear preparations underway outside. The engagement ceremony was to be held on thewn outside the castle.


    Max said many people would be there, including his ambitious uncle, Duke Babur. He figured that if his uncle found out I was the one he was engaged to, he mightunch a coup on the spot.


    I asked him if he wasn''t afraid of a real coup. He said it didn''t matter if he was; the thrill was part of the fun.


    Sure enough, a servant knocked on my door and said, "Ms. ire, please don''t go out just yet. Duke Babur is outside, demanding to confirm if the bride-to-be is Lily."


    "Didn''t Lily tell him she had returned to her country?"


    "No. Lily has been detained over there. She''s likely unable to move," the servant said with a triumphant look that reminded me of Richard.


    It must have been him who had secured Lily.


    Just then, the servant brought Helen before me. “The master said this is his first gift to you."


    Seeing Helen safe and unharmed, I was so happy I wanted to jump up and hug her.


    But the servant held me back. "First, let''s get you into your beautiful engagement gown."


    Helen, also overjoyed, helped hold the gown out for me. "ire, after all this time, this day has finallye, hasn''t it? I''m so happy for you and Mr. Hilton."


    After handing me the dress, she couldn''t help but turn away to wipe her tears.


    "I finally understand what it feels like to see the light at the end of the tunnel. You two can finally get married. You''re going to be even happier from now on." Helen couldn''t resist pulling me into a hug.


    I hugged her back and patted her gently,forting her. "Thank you for always being by my side."


    She had never hurt me. She had been mypanion, my protector, my caregiver. The only exception was when she asked me to leave, fearing my presence


    threatened Max''s life.


    "ire, let''s try this."


    After the servant finished styling my hair, Helen took an exquisite box from her small case and ced it reverently in my hands opened it slowly Seeing her mysterious and proud expression, she asked the moment I lifted the lid, "Is it


    beautiful?"


    I nodded. It was a crown made entirely of light blue gems, with a main stone of about ten carats that radiated a tranquil beauty.


    She ced the crown on my head. “Later, screens all over the continent will show videos of your engagement to the master. If you want him to see it, he definitely will."


    "But Richard won''t being to my engagement, will he?" My voice was soft, barely


    a whisper, unintentionally revealing the sadness of my choice.


    But Helen heard me. She ced her hands on my shoulders and leaned in close to my ear.


    "Richard sent this crown over this morning."


    I covered my mouth, ovee with a feeling I couldn''t name—excitement, joy, or both.


    Richard knew I was getting engaged, and he had sent me a gift.


    "This crown... Richard-no, I should call him the Emperor of Bravend now. He said this was our mother''s favorite crown. Don''t be upset th?t he couldn''t ce it on your head himself."


    I looked at my reflection in the mirror. With the light blue diamond crown and the


    matching mermaid gown, I felt like the happiest person in the world.


    A person who had climbed over the heads and lives of many to stand here.


    "Are you lost in your thoughts again?


    The Emperor of Bravend also


    said not to me yourself Be you The responsibility of a nation should never have been yours alone? He will bear it."


    I nodded.


    "You have to be happy today."


    Just as she said that, a servant came in to report, "Duke Babur has left. The master


    will be here shortly."