The Princess' Harem
Chapter 145: Tranquility Amidst Growth

Chapter 145: Tranquility Amidst Growth

After observing the preparations for the Spring Offering Ceremony, Viana returned to the palace. As soon as she arrived in her chambers, she sank onto the sofa.

Sina immediately brought her warm tea and snacks. The soothing aroma of jasmine tea slowly permeated her body, dispelling a little of her fatigue, and some of her frustration, because Lazarus still could not be fully dealt with.

She smiled at Sina. "Thank you, Sina. The tea makes me feel a bit more energetic again."

Sina bowed respectfully to her. "May Your Royal Highness always remain spirited."

Viana smiled back at her, and nodded.

***

The following days passed, filled with endless work. Viana immersed herself in piles of reports, discussed with her advisors, and also made decisions that affected every financial aspect of the kingdom.

Her ability as a prospective ruler had developed rapidly. She no longer relied solely on advice, but also on her intuition, and understanding of all problems, and their solutions.

Every morning, Viana reviewed the financial reports provided by Sir Arthur. The figures that were once worrying, now began to soar high.

The trade routes, which she had reopened with Valendale, and other surrounding kingdoms, were now bearing sweet fruit. Elysian flagged ships, and trade carriages, went back, and forth, bringing back sales revenues, filling the royal treasury at an astonishing speed.

Thanks to the massive recovery efforts, following the blight, all local harvests yielded more than expected. Food surplus, and abundant trade revenues, made Elysia’s economy rebound faster than anyone had ever imagined.

"Your Royal Highness, the royal treasury has never been this full, since your Grandfather’s reign," Sir Arthur said one morning, his eyes sparkling.

"Some merchants even complain, because their storage warehouses are not enough, to hold all the incoming merchandise."

Viana merely smiled hearing it; everything she had done was not in vain. And this sense of accomplishment made her very happy, a mix of joy, at seeing her people living prosperously, and also being free, from Lazarus’s traps.

But, of course, amidst her busy schedule, she made time for herself. In the afternoon, when the sunlight penetrated the windows of her study, she would go to the training ground, to watch Cooper practice his sword.

The boy had grown rapidly. And under the guidance of Joel, and Reyes, his swordsmanship had improved, although still stiff, and awkward.

Viana simply sat on a stone bench, watching him, who was excited, when he saw her arrive. And she also felt happy to see him; for her, Cooper was a reminder of all the things, she was fighting for in Elysia.

In such quiet moments, she would sometimes close her eyes, and expand her consciousness, to sense Lazarus’s presence. She did not want to be caught off guard in dealing with him.

Besides, she needed practice, and checking on the man, she became more proficient, at filtering out all the ’noise’ in the city.

The information she gathered turned out to be very useful, because sometimes she would sense Dexter moving from the castle, towards a place underground in the city.

She did not know what that place was, but because Dexter had always been alone at that location, she did nothing.

Viana still could not fully grasp the detailed conversations, plans, or words, Lazarus spoke, when he was with Dexter. But she continued to try, to improve her abilities.

She even tried to communicate with bats at night, or owls hooting outside her chamber window, hoping they could become her spies in the future.

***

The following days passed with relative peace, and Viana began to contemplate an idea. Because the granaries were so full, they had to build new ones, the local, and regional trade markets were becoming increasingly bustling, and the royal treasury was overflowing, she wanted to celebrate all this joy.

The people had suffered, and they deserved to have a grand celebration. And this would symbolize that Elysia had risen, becoming even stronger than before.

However, before she proposed this idea to her parents, the King, and Queen, she wanted to see, and ensure, how many cups would be filled, at the Spring Offering Ceremony.

***

The day of the ceremony arrived. The cool, and bright morning sun, illuminated the temple grounds.

Today was the day, the Spring Offering Ceremony was held. All the people of Elysia, enthusiastically, filled every inch of the temple courtyard. Their enthusiasm felt far greater, compared to last year. There was a different energy, a deep conviction, in their eyes.

Viana sat in the seat of honor, to the left of her father, King Clive. Her mother sat to his right, while Joel, Reyes, and several personal Royal Guards of the King, and Queen, stood behind them.

Sina and Cooper sat beside the princess, and he showed great curiosity. This was the first time he had seen this ceremony, which he had only ever heard about, from stories, of people who came to his city.

In the section for the nobles, Lazarus was also present there, wearing luxurious, and dark red clothes. His face looked calm, but Viana felt a slight, suppressed anger, because she could feel Lazarus repeatedly glancing her way.

He was watching her.

In the center of the magnificent altar, the High Priest, accompanied by Kaley, received two glass chalices from the maidens. These chalices were the essence of this ceremony, depicting Elysia’s fate for the coming year.

In her previous life, this year, no chalices would have been filled, meaning Elysia was in a very difficult condition. At that time, the blight was ongoing, coupled with attacks from forces, from a country, they had not known before.

But, now, because Viana had changed the course of destiny, by revealing Arin was the culprit of the first slave kidnappings in Elysia, it became clear that the attacking forces were also Arin’s.

Viana crossed her arms on her lap, feeling very relieved that the blight, and the war, were over. Then she refocused her attention on the altar, in the center of the temple.

The High Priest, standing in the center of the altar, raised both hands, causing everyone to fall silent.

"Blessed people of Elysia, nobles, and Your Majesties King, Queen, and Princess Viana. We gather today, to witness the gods’ promise to us, for the coming year. A promise of hope, for prosperity, for Elysia," the High Priest’s voice echoed, throughout every corner of the temple.

Then the High Priest stepped towards the chalices placed on the altar table, and murmured several solemn, and reverent prayers.

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