🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Caecilius rose from his seat, joy radiating from him like sunlight breaking through clouds. He moved to the stage where his grandson and granddaughter-in-law stood, pride swelling from every step he took.
Horace handed him the microphone with a soft, reverent smile—his eyes already shimmering with emotion.
Caecilius cleared his throat and spoke, voice booming through the hall.
"Now you have all heard from my grandson, your future king, and his Luna, your future queen," he announced. "So now, I use this opportunity to crown my special granddaughter-in-law… the Princess of Demise!"
A collective gasp swept through the hall. Ariel's own breath caught in her chest. The crowd erupted into joyous shouts.
Horace froze—eyes wide, lips parted. His jaw slackened in pure awe. He looked at Ariel like she had hung the moon herself. His chest rose and fell sharply, overwhelmed.
"I—I will be a princess?" Ariel whispered.
