With silent steps, Yume trailed through the endless hallways of the astral palace, following closely behind Stella. An unusual blend of excitement and anxiety swirled within her.

On one hand, she relished the prospect of broadening her role as a princess. Far too long had she been confined to her studies and mundane routines. And perhaps this new responsibility could foster a deeper connection with Stella?

Yet, on the other hand, she felt a tinge of melancholy. She recognized that her carefree, albeit uneventful, days were drawing to a close. Times were changing. At 700 years old, she understood she couldn't evade her responsibilities forever.. Someday, she would ascend to the throne too, and be the one burdened with the weight of the cosmos.

Despite these conflicting emotions, both Yume and Stella remained silent throughout their journey from Stella's chambers to the throne room, resulting in an awkward atmosphere.

After what felt like an eternity traversing the labyrinthine corridors, they arrived at the grandiose door leading to the throne room. "Prepare to witness magnificence like never before," Stella proclaimed proudly as the doors swung open, revealing a spectacle that took Yume's breath away.

The sight inside the room was awe-inspiring. It resembled an entire castle within itself, its dimensions defying the scale of the rest of the palace. Countless portraits of celestial beings adorned the walls, and an unobstructed view of the cosmos greeted those who looked upward. As in Stella's chambers, furniture was conspicuously absent, conjured at whim by Stella's command.

For several minutes, Yume stood transfixed in the doorway, overwhelmed by the majesty of the room. Sensing her daughter's astonishment, Stella chuckled softly, allowing Yume to absorb the surroundings.

Guiding Yume through the room, Stella educated yume of the identities of the countless figures depicted in the portraits, recounting tales of legendary beings and their mythical exploits.

However, as they approached a blank canvas in the leftmost corner of the room, Yume's innocent question of who this portrait is meant to depict, met an unexpected response. Stella's demeanor shifted, her regal facade giving way to an uncharacteristic sorrow. For several moments, she remained silent, her gaze fixed upon the empty portrait.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Now, let me show you the throne," Stella interjected abruptly, redirecting the conversation. Yume suppressed her curiosity, recognizing an unspoken sadness emanating from Stella. It was a rare glimpse into her mother's past, a realm she rarely divulged.

Continuing their exploration, Stella summoned a magnificent throne for herself with a snap of her fingers, resplendent in crystalline starlight and adorned with a regal purple cushion.

“Unfortunately, I have not had the time to prepare one for you yet. Today you must be contempt with standing at my side. But rest assured, I shall grant you a throne as magnificent as mine as soon as possible, my dear.” Stella said.

Although disappointed by the absence of her own throne, Yume acquiesced to Stella's directive, standing dutifully by her side.

What followed was an interminable series of visitors seeking counsel from Stella. While most paid little attention to Yume, one visitor stood out—a celestial with twintails of flowing white hair, affectionately known as the "astro girl" Her skin was tanned, and she was clad in a strange outfit that did not resemble anything Yume had ever seen before.

She introduced herself to Yume, lovingly treating the princess as if she was her own daughter. The visitor, known as Tsuna, spoke of how she was an old friend of Stella.

She patted Yume gently on the head with her gloved hand, and presented her with a small gift: One of the hair decorations that kept her twintails flowing. “I want you to treasure this, as a symbol of love. For the position of queen is a tough one, and your burdens may be big. But know that you will be the biggest symbol of hope and love in the galaxy. And I want you to treasure that knowledge, young princess. Treasure it for eternity.” Tsuna said gently, and gave Yume a wink as she walked out of the throne room.

As their interaction concluded, Stella's gaze lingered wistfully, reminiscent of days long past.

As the day's audience drew to a close, Yume's boredom grew visible on her face.. Stella detected the disenchantment in her daughter's voice but before she could respond, a blinding light heralded the arrival of an unexpected guest. A young man, clad in black robes patterned with mysterious symbols that seemed to resemble the monstrous void of ancient times, manifested.

Stella readied cosmic magic in her hands, pointing them directly at the intruder.. “Speak your name.” She said coldly.

“C-Cavaris! Please don’t hurt me! W-w-where am i? W-who are you?” He said, panicking. Stella, still not lowering her guard, signaled for Yume to stay behind her. but the confrontation was interrupted by the doors opening once more…And in stepped Lunarette, Solarie and the mysterious monster.