?


    Hearing Charlotte''s words, the ceremony officer felt a warm glow in his heart and quickly said, "Oh no, Your Highness. Don''t worry, the crown is perfectly fine."


    "Really? Are you taking the crown to the back room?" Charlotte asked with a smile. The officer did not think twice and nodded.


    "Yes, Crown Princess."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    "Alright then, be careful with it. That crown is my sister''s, and we wouldn''t want any sneaky thief getting their hands on it."


    Charlotte seemed to be hinting at something, but the officer just thought she was looking out for him and chuckled. "You''re funny, Your Highness. There are no thieves in the pce."


    "Of course, you''re right. Off you go, then."


    Charlotte waved her hand, and the officer bowed and left. The crowd around them kept up their lively chatter.


    Charlotte nced around. Seeing no one was watching, she followed the officer toward the back room.


    Juliana and Lucy held the knife together and made a ceremonial cut in the cake, marking the end of the ritual.


    "Happy birthday to the queen! Wishing you bountiful blessings..."


    The cheers continued as the cake was taken away to be cut into pieces and shared with the people outside. Everyone hoped to get a piece to join in the happiness, though it was unclear if there would be enough for all.


    Annabe, the future princess consort, was the first to step up. She held out two boxes.


    "Your Majesty, I''ve prepared these birthday and coronation gifts just for you and Princess Velda. They''re simple, but I hope you both like them."


    She lifted the lid of the boxes, revealing an ivoryb in one and a smooth, shiny pearl as big as a pigeon''s egg in the other.


    "Thisb is for you, Your Majesty. And this pearl is for you, Princess Lucy. Where you used to live, there''s a saying about being the apple of one''s eye. You''re just that for the king and queen."


    Lucy immediately adored the thoughtful gift.


    "Why would we ever look down on these gifts? Anna, you''re always so sweet. Oh dear, I''m so tempted to have you join our family as my daughter-inw," Juliana chuckled, her words making Annabe blush.


    Lucy quickly caught on to who thedy was and beamed. "Of course, we love them! They''re wonderful. Thank you so much."


    Annabe''s gifts were a hit, and everyone else was excited to give theirs too.


    However, with so many gifts, it would take until morning to go through them all.


    Thus, the master of ceremonies made a list to keep track. He nned to go over them after the event.


    Later, the royal family would give back twice the value of the gifts in money to the people.


    They would use it to build things like schools and hospitals. It was all paid for by the royal family. Plus, at the end of the ball, themoners


    1


    would get a special gift with the royal emblem. It was one of the reasons people loved royal events So much.


    The ballroom was buzzing with excitement. Any moment then, the dance would begin.


    Charlotte tiptoed out from a hidden corner of the hall just as Arthur reached out his hand to Juliana with a warm smile.


    "My dear, would you honor me with a dance?" he asked.


    "Oh, certainly," replied Juliana with a bright smile.


    She ced her right hand lightly in his, and they started to dance with grace. The room watched in awe as they glided across the floor, twirling in a perfect waltz.