Hearing her Highness's words, Diancie turned her face aside, still hugging the diamond in her arms.
What the queen said wasn't without reason…
But with her turn to step onstage about to come, there was no way she could send Elias back now.
And she couldn't entrust him to anyone else either. The cracks already spread across his surface made her far too uneasy.
"It's just a diamond anyway…"
She thought that whether she carried him or not, the clan would still be disappointed.
After all these years, the image of a princess who couldn't create diamonds had already sunk deep into everyone's hearts.
Before her, countless generations of princesses had never faced such a shame.
Only she… still amounted to nothing.
"Your Highness, I'll head over there first."
Thinking this, Diancie waved her small hand, her voice carrying a note of dejection.
Only after receiving permission did she make her way down toward the stage.
Seeing her leave, Elias followed close.
He still couldn't stray far from her—if he did, his ability to move would collapse instantly.
Before leaving, he gave the queen beside them a glance.
Compared to the Diancie who had picked him up, this one was clearly more mature.
Her upright figure radiated regal dignity, a bearing that spoke of command.
But with Elias's sharp perception, her body wasn't as healthy as it appeared.
Just a light sweep of telekinesis revealed the weakness inside.
Since he didn't know her well, Elias only furrowed his brow slightly.
Perhaps she had sensed that brief pulse of energy—for the queen suddenly snapped her gaze in his direction.
But finding nothing amiss, her eyes softened again, with a trace of confusion.
Was that my imagination…
On the open ground, Diancie tucked herself into a corner, doing her best to shrink her presence.
If the elders spotted her, they would surely ask about her training again.
And that was what she feared most of all…
Because most of the Carbink did not treat her badly.
On the contrary, with her status as princess, she was respected and adored.
And precisely for that reason, more than their scolding, she dreaded the sight of disappointment in their eyes.
"Elias… if you saw me like this, you'd be disappointed too, wouldn't you?"
Diancie whispered softly.
And at that moment, the gem near her side gleamed faintly.
It was the signal—time for her to take the stage and create a diamond.
Her little face fell instantly.
It always seemed like the festival came too quickly.
Dragging her steps reluctantly, she passed through the entrance ahead. After a tunnel neither long nor short, she emerged onto the stage.
This was the heart of the settlement, a place where every member of the clan could watch her.
Above her loomed the queen's great diamond.
Its crystal glow shone down, reflecting dazzlingly from her own gems.
Diancie shrank a little into herself.
She felt she didn't deserve to stand in such brilliance.
As she appeared, the Carbink emcee lowered its voice deliberately.
"Princess, are you ready?"
It kept the tone quiet—better not to stir the crowd's excitement.
After all, the princess's attempts in past years had all ended the same. There was little reason to expect much this time either.
To stir up anticipation now would only make her fall harder.
"Yes…"
"Wait!"
Just as Diancie let out a breath, ready to answer, another voice cut across.
Looking up, she saw it was her Highness who had spoken.
"Diancie, the princess should stand over there."
Her Highness pointed toward the space directly beneath the great diamond.
It was higher than her current spot, closer to the crowd, bathed in the best light.
The place where she should have stood all along.
But since she could never create a diamond, she had never dared step up there.
Every year she simply stood here, tried once, failed, and slipped down again.
Never once had the queen or the clan forced her.
So why now…
"This year, go there."
Perhaps sensing her doubt, the queen spoke before she could protest.
She could not continue to indulge Diancie.
Year by year, her own body was weakening, while Diancie showed no progress at all.
If she wasn't pushed now, the outcome would only repeat itself again.
Rock-types might live long lives—decades, centuries—but even so, time could not simply be wasted.
What angered her most was that even after being told, Diancie still dared bring that cracked stone onto the stage.
Feeling her Highness's gaze, Diancie hid the gem behind her back.
Her body trembled faintly.
Just standing here already made her heart pound to the point of bursting.
If she had to go up to the radiant main stage, she might faint outright.
But the queen's face betrayed no room for negotiation.
Silence fell across the air. Even the emcee did not know what to say.
At last, Diancie bit her lip and walked forward as if toward execution.
When she stepped onto the grand stage, her whole body shook. She half-closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.
She didn't dare look at the faces in the crowd.
"Create the diamond."
Her Highness's voice came again, calm and steady.
Knowing she could not escape, Diancie reached out one small hand—while still clutching the cracked gem tightly in the other.
From afar, the queen nearly laughed in exasperation.
Sometimes Diancie was obedient; sometimes, her defiance was maddening.
Even now, she refused to let go of that broken stone.
And she couldn't create a diamond anyway—was she admitting defeat outright, attempting it with just one hand?
Lowering her gaze, the queen resolved to scold her thoroughly afterward.
Meanwhile, Diancie had already shut her eyes tight.
She could feel countless stares fixed upon her.
Hope, curiosity, worry…
All those emotions pressing down together, making her nerves fray even further.
But more than anything, she knew clearly—she was at her limit.
The light gathering in her hands showed not even a shadow of a diamond, not even the faintest outline.
And she was not surprised.
With her strength as it was, creating a diamond was impossible.
Unbidden, her eyes grew wet.
As the glow began to fade, so too did the expressions of the crowd.
Diancie grit her teeth, ready to lower her hand.
But just then—
She felt something wrap around her tiny fingers.