Yume released a profound sigh as she finally stepped into the sanctuary of her private chambers. With gentle fingers, she unpinned the radiant stars that had adorned her hair, allowing them to scatter like stardust as her locks cascaded down in a cosmic waterfall. The day's weighty teachings had drawn to a close, and she could finally enjoy a brief moment all to herself. 

With a hint of recklessness, she flung herself onto her oversized bed, relishing the sensation of plush comfort beneath her. Sitting up, she gazed out of the window, her eyes alight with a mixture of longing and curiosity. Outside, the familiar pair of stars twinkled, their presence a constant reminder of mysteries waiting to be unraveled.

"Will we ever meet eye to eye?” Yume pondered aloud as she stared at the twin stars; her voice soft against the stillness of the room. She let out a deep sigh as she stretched, a yearning for connection tugging at her heartstrings. As the future queen of the purple moon, she was well acquainted with the burden of solitude that accompanied her station. Years of reminders from her mother had taught her that much. Yet, amidst the weight of her responsibilities, she couldn't shake the desire for an adventure beyond the confines of the astral palace.

A wistful sigh escaped her lips as she settled back against the plush pillows, her thoughts drifting to the days of yore. From the moment of her birth, Yume had been groomed for her destined role—to become the next Conduit. As the only daughter of Queen Stella, it was her birthright to wield the magic of the purple moon, guiding its mystical energies throughout the universe.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Her education had been rigorous, delving into the lore of Stellarin, the ethereal goddess, and her pursuit of cosmic beauty. Yume learned of the pact struck between Queen Stella and Stellarin, an agreement that turned the purple moon into the source of all magical energy that flows throughout reality. Seekers from distant realms were permitted audience in the astral palace, their worthiness by an audience with the astral queen. Those deemed worthy were granted access to boundless magic, while the unworthy were banished, forbidden from returning.

The weight of these responsibilities pressed heavily upon Yume's shoulders, exacerbated by her mother's insistence on celestial tutors from far-flung corners of the cosmos. These instructors, though knowledgeable, were stern and unyielding in their teachings, save for two exceptions.

Lunarette and Solarie, twin guardians of the realm known as Earth, stood apart from the rest. Their lessons were infused with warmth and empathy, offering a moment of respite from the rigidity of Yume's education. Between lessons, they regaled her with tales of their adventures as guardians, weaving stories of valor and camaraderie that stirred a sense of longing within her.

Despite the fleeting moments of joy they brought, Yume couldn't shake the pervasive loneliness that clung to her like a shadow. As she reminisced about her cherished memories with Lunarette and Solarie, the ache in her heart only seemed to deepen, a poignant reminder of the solitude that awaited her as the future queen of the purple moon.

As exhaustion draped over her like a heavy cloak, Yume felt her eyelids succumb to the weight of sleep. Slowly, she slipped into the realm of nocturnal solitude. Yet, this slumber was anything but ordinary.