Living Up to Your Expectations - Chapter 35

All eyes in the venue were already fixed on the small lights dancing in the air. The movements of the spirits.

People’s gazes followed the floating particles of light and, as if guided by their flow, turned toward me.

His Majesty the King was giving some instructions to his attendants, unable to conceal his astonishment.

His eyes were those of a ruler sharply assessing the situation, yet they also held a certain delight.

“Lady Winchester. My apologies, but could you come here and touch the Akrum Stone?”

I knew it would come to this…

Amid the faint murmuring in the venue, I slowly stood up. I glanced at Lord Lucius, gave a single nod, took a small breath, bowed deeply, and then stepped forward, carefully placing each foot as if testing the ground.

Lady Beth had continued refusing to remove her hand from the stone, but she finally yielded to the attendants’ persuasion and stepped away.

For just a moment, it seemed as if all the strength had left her body. It looked like resignation.

I proceeded to the center of the stage, enveloped in a prayer-like silence, and stood before the Akrum Stone.

I gently extended both hands. The moment my fingertips touched the stone with its cold luster.

I was enveloped in light.

Like flowers softly blooming, one by one, particles of light floated upward. Within them, “beings” with clear outlines emerged.

Tiny spirits with transparent wings, sparkling twinkling eyes, and dressed in colorful garments.

“Ah! Can you see? Hey, can you see us?”

“I’m so happy! My name is Milly!”

“My, Milly? What a lovely name. I am Felicia. Please call me ‘Feli.'”

The spirits introduced themselves one after another, fluttering around me like butterflies gathering around flower nectar.

Small hands touched my cheeks, slipped into my hair causing ticklish swaying, or perched daintily on my shoulders.

“Incredible, the spirits are telling her their names on their own…!”

“It’s proof she’s been chosen.”

“So, the Spirit Princess is Lady Winchester!”

From the audience came voices mixed with astonishment and understanding.

I took a deep breath and smiled at the spirits.

Phew, if this is what fate has in store, then I have no choice but to accept it without running away or denying it.

“Let’s get along from now on.”

The tiny spirits all fluttered their wings at once, expressing their joy. At this sight, a sigh-like cheer escaped from the venue.

In one corner of the audience, my gaze suddenly turned. I caught sight of Laila, looking deeply moved, gently covering her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes, and her expression seemed to be holding back overflowing emotions.

Beside her, Via’s eyes were softly narrowed, holding a somewhat joyful light.

Meanwhile, on the stage, the Director-General of the Spirit Bureau stepped forward slowly with a tense expression.

As the surrounding attention focused on him, the Director-General bowed deeply and cautiously asked, his voice trembling.

“S-spirits… May we speak?”

Answering his question was a small spirit who peeked out from between strands of my hair. Wrapped in a faint light, she giggled cheerfully, her innocent demeanor easing the tension in the room.

Her voice was as light as a whispering breeze, filling the venue with a warm atmosphere.

“Sure!”

A cheerful, childlike voice. The tension in the room instantly dissipated.

“Then… um, is that person indeed the Spirit Princess?”

In response to the Director-General’s trembling voice, multiple spirits answered simultaneously this time.

“That’s right!”

“Feli is our princess!”

“Yeah! The princess is Feli!”

Along with the fluttering sound of wings, voices like cheers echoed.

Will I still be called “princess” even when I’m a grandmother?

The thought suddenly crossed my mind and I found myself amused at my own strange idea.

Although the planned ceremony proceedings had completely fallen apart, strangely, no one was panicking.

People were simply holding their breath, waiting for the next “miracle” to occur.

His Majesty the King stood up and slowly approached the stage. In his hand was a beautiful necklace adorned with a pale-glowing Akrum Stone.

“Then, Lady Winchester. I shall bestow upon you the proof of being the ‘Spirit Princess’ chosen by the spirits.”

I bowed my head deeply with respect and received the proof with both hands. At that moment, an even brighter light swirled up, and a wind of blessing swept through.

And then—

“Feli. Let me put it on for you.”

The voice of Lord Lucius standing beside me carried a calm warmth. Keeping his gaze on me, he carefully handled the clasp.

“Beside the Crown Prince who carries the nation, stands his fiancée chosen by the spirits. The nation’s future is bright. Isn’t that right, Director-General?”

“Y-yes, indeed!”

The Director-General hurriedly bowed his head.

As if responding to those words, applause and cheers welled up from all around the venue, overlapping with one another.