The coronation banquet was a spectacle of opulence, a tapestry woven from the Empire's grandeur and the Federation's curiosity. The Grand Hall of Tianshu Palace, its walls adorned with tapestries depicting the Roning dynasty's triumphs, glowed under chandeliers that mimicked orbiting stars. Tables groaned under the weight of delicacies: crystal fruits from the outer systems, roasted beasts infused with spices from distant worlds, and goblets of luminescent wine that shimmered like liquid starlight.
Bai Sha, now officially the Crown Prince, navigated the sea of guests with a poise that belied her inner restlessness. Her coronation robes had been exchanged for a lighter gown, still midnight blue but adorned with silver filigree that caught the light like a meteor shower. The scepter rested on a cushioned dais, but the crown remained on her brow, its sapphire pulsing faintly with her heartbeat.
Cecil, ever her shadow, moved through the crowd with the ease of a predator, his presence parting nobles like a ship through waves. Yet his eyes never strayed far from Bai Sha, a silent vow of protection. He paused to exchange words with a Federation ambassador, his tone courteous but edged with steel, a reminder of the Empire's strength.
Ya Ning, dressed in a Federation-style tunic of emerald green, intercepted Bai Sha near a table laden with desserts. "Sha Sha, you look like you stepped out of a myth," she said, her voice a mix of awe and mischief. "But tell me, how's it feel to be the Empire's darling?"
Bai Sha laughed, snagging a crystal fruit and tossing it to Ya Ning. "Like I'm one wrong step from tripping over my own robes. You should've seen me practicing the scepter twirl—nearly took out a chandelier."
Ya Ning giggled, catching the fruit. "I'd pay to see that. But seriously, that Blackbird stunt in the hall? You had the Federation delegates whispering about 'imperial sorcery.'"
"Let them whisper," Bai Sha said, her smile sharp. "They'll learn soon enough what the Empire's made of."
Zhou Jue and Zhou Ying joined them, their Federation uniforms a stark contrast to the Imperial finery. Zhou Jue, ever the skeptic, raised a goblet. "To the Crown Prince, who makes even starbugs quake. But don't expect me to bow, Sha Sha."
"I'd be disappointed if you did," Bai Sha shot back, clinking her goblet against his. "You're here to keep me grounded, not to add to the pomp."
Zhou Ying, quieter but no less observant, studied Bai Sha's crown. "It suits you," she said simply. "But it's heavy, isn't it?"
Bai Sha's fingers brushed the circlet, her expression softening. "Heavier than a mech's cockpit. But I'll manage."
The banquet swirled around them, a kaleidoscope of laughter, music, and clinking crystal. Nobles vied for Bai Sha's attention, their flattery as polished as their jewels. She deflected them with practiced ease, her wit as sharp as her blade. Yet her gaze kept drifting to the Federation delegation, to the friends who knew her not as a prince but as a fighter, a dreamer.
As the evening deepened, a hush fell over the hall. Cecil stepped onto a raised platform, his voice cutting through the din like a blade. "Lords and ladies, honored guests, we gather not only to crown a prince but to forge a future. The Empire and Federation stand at a crossroads. Let this night be a beacon of unity."
He raised his goblet, and the hall followed suit, a sea of shimmering light. Bai Sha joined him, her own goblet raised high. "To the stars," she said, her voice clear and strong. "May they guide us all."
The toast was met with cheers, but Bai Sha's eyes sought her friends. Ya Ning winked, Zhou Jue smirked, and Zhou Ying nodded, a silent pact forged amid the revelry. The Empire was her destiny, but these bonds were her strength.
Later, as dancers took to the floor, Bai Sha slipped away to a balcony overlooking Tianshu's glittering skyline. Little White Chirp fluttered to her shoulder, its soft chirps a balm against the weight of the night. She leaned against the railing, the city's lights a constellation at her feet.
Cecil found her there, his silhouette framed by the hall's glow. "Hiding already?"
"Regrouping," she corrected, offering him a wry smile. "Big night, Uncle. I'm just… taking it all in."
He joined her, his gaze on the horizon. "You did well. They love you already."
"They love the idea of me," she said softly. "The Blackbird, the warrior. But I'm still figuring out what this crown means."
Cecil's hand rested on her shoulder, warm and steady. "It means you're not alone. Whatever comes, we face it together."
Bai Sha nodded, her heart lighter. The stars above burned bright, and for the first time, the weight of the crown felt like a promise, not a burden.