Bright morning light streamed in from outside the window, passing through the white gauze curtains on the bed and falling on the sleeping girl, illuminating every fine hair on her face clearly.

As if sensing that ray of light, her long eyelashes moved slightly, and Celitia slowly opened her eyes.

She stared blankly at the canopy above her head, gradually recalling the dream she had.

Strange clouds, and that man sleeping in the wooden cabin who had been awakened by her...

What did those words he spoke mean?

Was there a connection between this dreamscape and reality?

Celitia pondered for a while but still couldn't figure it out.

Right, where had Sophia gone?

The body her arms had been tightly holding had somehow left the bedding.

Her embrace was empty, making her feel very insecure, and Celitia immediately became nervous.

"Sophia?"

Celitia immediately sat up in bed, looking around the entire bedchamber for Sophia's figure.

The maids were just walking in from outside, every one of their faces beaming with excitement.

Had something happened?

Sensing their joy, Celitia was very bewildered.

"Ah, Lily, you're awake?" Sophia hurried out from the washroom. "Were our voices too loud? Did we disturb you?"

Sophia had already finished washing up, her golden hair tied meticulously, wearing a dignified deep blue dress.

Like the maids bustling around the bedchamber, Sophia's face was also full of irrepressible joy.

Sophia continued: "It's still early. If you feel you haven't slept enough, you can sleep a bit more."

"It's fine, I always get up at this time." Celitia shook her head and asked, "Did something good happen? You all seem very happy."

"Father finally woke up this morning!"

Sophia's voice was bright, her joy overflowing.

Celitia was stunned: "His Majesty the King woke up?"

"Yes, this is the first time in four years!" Sophia nodded vigorously.

Seeing Celitia's bewildered expression, Sophia realized she hadn't mentioned her father's condition to her.

"It's like this—Father has a rare illness that causes him to fall into deep sleep, only occasionally becoming conscious."

Sophia explained to her: "About eight years ago, Father first showed these symptoms. Later, the periods of sleep became longer and longer, while the periods of consciousness became shorter and shorter..."

Celitia nodded thoughtfully.

For some reason, she recalled again that strange dream from last night.

The man in the dream had told her that soon, they would meet again.

"Could I also go pay my respects to His Majesty the King?"

After considering for a moment, Celitia didn't want to ignore the vague intuition rising in her heart.

"However, since His Majesty has just awakened, if you think it's inconvenient..."

"How could it be inconvenient? Although he's His Majesty the King, he's more importantly my father."

Sophia's face reddened slightly as she said shyly: "We're now in a... romantic relationship, so I'd quite like you to meet him."

Looking at the girl's expectant eyes, Celitia's heart was suddenly filled with indescribably complex feelings.

Both bitter and sweet.

Her reason for proposing to meet the King had nothing to do with what Sophia was thinking.

She didn't even dare tell Sophia about any of it.

She just wanted Sophia to show her that bright, brilliant smile while tightly holding each other's hands, never letting go.

That was all...

Sophia completely failed to notice Celitia's abnormality, only happily taking her hand, her eyes sparkling.

"Then let's hurry over!"

Given Father's usual personality, telling him about these things should make him happy for her, right?

If she could gain Father's support, perhaps someday there really could be a grand wedding...?

Imagining Celitia in a pure white wedding dress, marrying her under the Goddess's witness, Sophia was so excited her hands were trembling.

Each harboring their own thoughts, neither moved for a moment.

It was the head maid standing nearby who coughed lightly: "Princess Sophia, Miss Celitia?"

"You go ahead first," Celitia came to her senses and said quickly. "Don't delay your time. I'll wash up quickly and come pay my respects in a moment."

Sophia reluctantly let go of Celitia, feeling like she could never get tired of touching her hands.

She emphasized to Celitia: "You must come!"

After Sophia left, Celitia hurriedly got ready.

Putting on the dress Sophia had prepared for her, led by a servant, Celitia also headed toward the King's bedchamber.

Before even entering the door, Celitia heard a somewhat familiar voice.

"Yes, my daughter is almost of age. Time really flies."

This voice was low and gentle, with a bit of hoarseness from not speaking for a long time.

"Not being able to accompany you all during this time is truly regrettable..."

Celitia stopped to listen for a while, but couldn't remember where she had heard this voice before.

Over there, King Gorman and Sophia were continuing their conversation.

So Celitia didn't interrupt, just standing at the doorway, silently waiting for them to finish.

"Celitia?"

It was Marianne who noticed Celitia waiting outside the door and called to her: "Don't be formal, come over quickly."

Several gazes immediately focused on her, and Celitia had no choice but to cross the threshold and slowly walk through the bedchamber door.

Sophia couldn't contain herself and ran to Celitia, taking her hand and dragging her to the front of the bed.

"Well, Father, this is... this is the person I told you about."

Sophia's face grew even redder, even her speech becoming stuttered as she shyly introduced Celitia to Gorman: "Her name is Celitia."

Gorman's gaze fell on Celitia, and seeing her appearance clearly, he was obviously startled.

Celitia was also able to carefully observe Gorman's appearance, and the more closely she looked, the more her brow furrowed.

Gorman had light brown curly hair and deep brown eyes, with deep-set eye sockets and a high nose bridge.

His face was carved with sharp lines, the lower half bearded, revealing a certain authority of one long in power.

At first glance, Gorman appeared to be a man in his forties, which was normal.

However, Celitia finally discovered where that sense of familiarity came from.

If Gorman's eyes were changed to deep purple, his full beard trimmed clean, and his skin reversed to about twenty years younger...

Wouldn't that be the mysterious man she had seen in her dream?