Who understands? The aloof female ruler always flirts without even realizing it.

The gilded doors leading to the main hall slowly opened inward, revealing an incomparably magnificent and splendid scene behind them.

Sunlight streamed down through the towering stained-glass dome, casting a colorful and sacred light onto the gleaming marble floor.

On either side stand massive pillars carved with imperial epics and royal emblems, silently witnessing history.

A long red carpet stretched straight from the entrance to the distant altar, with royal guards standing solemnly on both sides, their silver armor reflecting a cold and dignified light.

The guests held their breath and quietly took their seats as instructed.

At this moment, the elegance of clothing and the allure of hair ornaments are transformed into reverence for supreme authority and sacred rituals.

At the very front of the VIP section, Torses was dressed in an impeccably dark suit, the Speaker of Parliament badge on his chest gleaming with a cold, hard luster.

His face was dignified and serious, and the imposing aura of a superior was naturally revealed.

However, beside him, Shen Jiyun gently embraced his partner with a smile. The tender touch seemed to carry a silent soothing power, causing the female insect's tightly pursed lips to relax slightly.

Their gazes, filled with a complex mix of pride and satisfaction, were focused on their children and grandchildren who were about to ascend to the altar.

As one of Shen Yan and Karandall's few friends, Miller and Locke enjoyed the highest level of treatment, walking side by side at the forefront.

The young lady tried to straighten her back, attempting to match the elegance of the insect beside her, but her peripheral vision kept involuntarily drawn to Locke's perfectly sculpted profile.

The female insect, on the other hand, was completely immersed in the ritual, walking with ease and looking straight ahead.

The formal attire made him look like a divine representative who had stepped out of an ancient painting, with a gentle appearance masking aloofness that kept insects at bay.

Only when his gaze inadvertently swept across Miller's slightly swollen cheeks would the corners of his lips, pressed into a straight line, twitch almost imperceptibly, so quickly as to be an illusion.

A line of insects arrived before the altar.

Above the altar, made of pure white marble, the enormous imperial emblem gleamed in the pillars of light.

The elderly priest, with his white hair and beard, stood quietly here, holding a heavy holy book in his hand, his eyes compassionate yet all-seeing, radiating a divine radiance that had been tempered by the passage of time.

He slowly raised his hands and began his prayer in an ancient and melodious tone, as if he could communicate directly with heaven and earth.

The prayer is about responsibility, protection, sacrifice, and the eternal glory of the empire, asking the gods to guide and protect the young ruler, leading the empire into the next glorious era.

Each syllable carries a heavy weight, striking the hearts of the listeners.

All the guests, including the usually unrestrained Shen Yan, lowered their heads and listened quietly, their faces more solemn than ever before.

After the prayers were finished, the priest placed the sacred text on the altar and turned his gaze to Kalandel.

Karandal took a deep breath, his icy blue eyes swirling with complex emotions.

He possesses the tenderness of a mother father, the loyalty of an imperial general, and an indescribable weight and determination to push his flesh and blood to the center stage of destiny.

He carefully adjusted Shen Lan'an's posture, making sure he sat steadily in his arms, facing the crowd.

The little one seemed to be affected by the solemnity that permeated the air, and miraculously quieted down.

He opened his eyes, which were like the purest blue crystal, and curiously looked at the colorful light streaming down from the dome.

The priest's solemn voice rang out again, as if proclaiming:

"Here, with the gods and all people as witnesses, we entrust the future of the empire to the hope of new life, Your Majesty Shen Lan'an."

Then, the priest turned his gaze to Shen Yan and nodded slightly.

The male son stepped forward.

His royal attire today was magnificent and solemn, and the usual playfulness and unruliness between his brows were completely restrained, leaving only the reserved and profound pride of a regent.

He solemnly lifted the small crown, which shimmered with soft golden light, from the red velvet cushion held by the attendant beside him.

Holding this crown, which weighs more than a thousand pounds, he walked up to his partner and cubs.

He didn't act immediately, but instead looked deeply into Karandal's eyes.

That one glance contained so many unspoken emotions.

Her icy blue eyes looked back at him, filled with complete understanding and support.

"No matter what lies ahead, we'll be together."

Then, Shen Yan turned his gaze to the cub, a barely perceptible glint of water flashing in his eyes, which was then replaced by unwavering determination.

He bent down slightly, his movements extremely gentle, as if afraid of disturbing this historic moment, yet with an unshakable strength, he firmly placed the small crown on the baby's soft hair.

"Thump—!!!"

Inside and outside the palace, the giant bells of all the clock towers were shaken at the same time.

The magnificent, far-reaching, and solemn sound of the bell surged forth like a torrent that had been building up for thousands of years.

Piercing through solid walls and resounding through the skies of the capital, it announced to the entire universe, with unstoppable force, the official opening of a new era.

The bells tolled and echoed in the auditorium, vibrating every inch of air and every soul.

Amidst this sacred chorus symbolizing the alternation of power and the changing of history, Miller's emotions intertwined, and he subconsciously sought solace.

His gaze involuntarily drifted towards Locke.

The female insect was tilting her head slightly, her thick silver eyelashes casting a faint shadow on her cheeks, as if she were wholeheartedly experiencing the bell tolling that was destined to be recorded in history.

Bathed in the light cast by the dome, their delicate faces exuded an almost divine piety and gentleness.

Perhaps it was the powerful sound of the bell that emboldened Miller, or perhaps it was Locke's recent subtle concessions that gave him courage.

Hidden beneath the wide sleeves of his formal attire, with a mixture of tentative anticipation and trembling, he gently hooked his little finger around the other man's fingers hanging at his side.

The female insect suddenly stiffened and turned to look at the male.

Miller's heart stopped; he almost thought he would be violently thrown aside in the next second, or even slapped again.

However, it did not.

He simply stared at me with those deep, golden eyes, his emotions churning within.

There was anger, there was warning, but it also seemed... there was a hint of gentleness.

As the bells faded and the crowd, guided by the priest, erupted in a deafening roar of "Long live His Majesty the Emperor! May the Empire prosper forever!", Locke swiftly pinched Miller's finger with his other hand.

The force was considerable, carrying a clear warning, and it made Xiongzi's finger bones ache.

But he didn't let go.

Amidst the deafening cheers, before the altar in full view of everyone, and beneath the sleeves where no insects could be seen, complex and indescribable emotions were conveyed and intertwined.

Miller's entire arm went numb, and his heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of his chest.

He looked ahead.

The priest lifted Shen Lan'an, who was wearing a crown, high up to receive the blessings of the people.

Shen Yan stood beside Kalandall, his gaze fixed on his partner, ignoring the cheering swarm.

Gently grasp the female ruler's left hand, interlocking their fingers.