As the archbishop's voice fell silent, the church sank into stillness. Then the archbishop reached out and traced a cross upon Eilena's forehead, completing the final blessing.
Eilena rose to her feet and turned toward everyone present. Her face still held a trace of nervousness, but her gaze had gained a measure of resolve. She cleared her throat and, in a voice still somewhat youthful yet clear, spoke her first words as a princess:
"I, Eilena von Goldflower, daughter of the Former King Heinrich, hereby proclaim to you all—I have returned."
Her voice was not loud, even somewhat thin, but within the silent cathedral, every word reached each person's ears with perfect clarity.
"Thank you for the archbishop's blessing, thank Lord Karl for his loyalty and support, and thank all the subjects who remain loyal to the Former King and to the Goldflower Kingdom." She continued, her voice gradually steadying. "For the past dozen years, I drifted among common folk and lived an ordinary life. Never did I imagine that one day I would stand here and meet you all in this capacity. But fate has placed this responsibility upon me, and I cannot turn away from it."
She paused, her gaze passing over every person present, before speaking the words that moved them all. "I know I still have much to learn. I do not yet know how to govern a nation, nor do I know how to handle those complicated affairs of state. But I am willing to learn. For this country's future, for the well-being of every Goldflower subject, I am willing to do everything I can—to study hard, to grow stronger. I hope that, in the near future, I can become a worthy ruler, one who does not shame the Former King or any of her