The soft, languid feminine voice reverberated through the spiritual realm, while warm, fragrant breaths brushed against her from only inches away. The combination sent her maidenly heart into turmoil. Only Lyra's remarkable physical discipline, honed to the level of a Crusader, allowed her to suppress her embarrassment and avoid behaving like a lovestruck girl perched atop a sacred statue.
After all, the ceremonial robes Astrid wore for her public coronation as Pope had been meticulously designed and crafted by Monica. The exquisite garment was the result of several sleepless nights devoted to perfecting every detail, making it nothing short of a masterpiece.
What made the ensemble even more extraordinary was its wearer, Astrid, the Empire's Jewel, whose beauty and regal presence were unmatched beneath the heavens. Anyone with even an ordinary appreciation for feminine beauty would find it nearly impossible to look away from her.
