His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 886

The room was filled with a palpable sense of shock, everyone's eyes wide and jaws dropped.

For most present, it was their first encounter with Princess Stella. Even in the most cordial of relationships, the notion of handing over a royal family's crown, a symbol of regal authority and heritage, was unheard of.

Marilla's cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson, flustered and waving her hands in protest, not even daring to touch it.

"Your Highness, this is far too precious."

Thaddeus stepped forward, his voice gentle yet firm in refusal, "We appreciate your kindness, Marilla is deeply honored. But please."

"Hmph! Who I choose to bestow my gifts upon is none of your concern!"

Stella, with her delicate and proud features, shot him a look of defiance. "Besides, this is my royal prerogative. Who dares to object?!"

Thaddeus was at a loss for words.

He wondered if he was indeed aging.

Every word he spoke seemed to invite annoyance.

"What's with the princess act? The Middle Ages have been over for how many centuries now and it's not like she's some medieval duchess bestowing favors," Aviana muttered under her breath, her sarcasm skills fully activated.

"Aviana, please,"

Debby gently took her arm, her eyes soft and smiling, "King and Queen have only Princess Stella as their daughter. Naturally, she's been raised with all the love and indulgence in the world. A bit of spoiling is to be expected. But Princess Stella is truly kind-hearted and pure. Otherwise, she wouldn't have become friends with me, nor would she..."

Debby's meaningful glance drifted back, landing on Bennett, who stood tall and resolute behind the crowd, his gaze fixed on Marilla.

Yet, his intense gaze never left Stella, his eyes swirling with concern.

Stella pouted, her demeanor defiant yet endearing, "A gift once given, to take back would be disgraceful, tarnishing the royal dignity!"

Camille and Nydia could hardly contain their laughter, while Evadne helplessly massaged her forehead.

This princess, giving away crown at their first meeting. If they were to become closer, would she end up gifting the entire palace?

Marilla always favored simplicity and elegance. Even on her wedding day, she wore only a pure white veil adorned with intricate rose patterns, a labor of love from Nydia, who had spent a whole month embroidering it as her wedding gift to Marilla.

Stella solemnly lifted the crown, placing it gently upon Marilla's head as if crowning her, the dazzling diamonds complementing the moonlit purity of her veil, making Marilla shine with a beauty as radiant as sunlight on snow.

Marilla's lips trembled slightly, barely able to speak.

"You're trying to say thank you, right? I get it,"

Stella grasped Marilla's hand, her voice choked with emotion, "I've heard of your story back in Helgen. I know the journey to this day wasn't easy, that you've faced many hardships to find this happiness. But it's this kind of happiness that's truly precious, worth cherishing for a lifetime, isn't it?"

Her eyes brimmed with tears, "Being born a princess, everything was handed to me. But witnessing your love story made me, for the first time in my life, understand what envy feels like."

Overwhelmed by her emotions, Stella's gaze involuntarily drifted towards where Bennett had been standing.

But now, that spot was empty.

The bit of hope she had held in her heart scattered, leaving her feeling lost and disheartened.

She had finally found her happiness, and she couldn't bear the thought of it slipping through her fingers, filled with regrets.

Marilla, accompanied by her brother, rode off towards the church in a carriage.

With a sudden burst of emotion, Stella threw herself into Evadne's arms, her soft, tear-stained face nuzzling against her chest in a gesture of utter dependence and desperation. "After all, we've shared a bed like sisters, and you're Bennett’s favorite sibling. With you speaking up for me, Bennett'll surely treat me the way he used to.

He's become so distant now. I can't stand it, not one bit."

As she spoke, her sobs grew louder, her tears painting a picture of pure heartbreak.

"Stella, don't cry, please." Evadne tried to soothe her, her own heart heavy with empathy.

What on earth had Bennett said that night to bring such a proud princess down to her knees, drowning in misery?

"Am I that terrible?" Stella’s cries grew even more despondent.

"Absolutely not! Don't ever think that. If anything, Bennett should be counting his blessings for having you. How could he make a girl cry like this?" Evadne said as she wrapped her arms tighter around Stella.

What Evadne couldn't bear most was seeing a girl belittle herself, abandoning her dignity for love, riddled with self-doubt and ensnared in the torment of guilt and pain. Because she too had lost herself in such a maze of despair for three long years, every day a battle with sorrow.

Meanwhile—

In the car trailing behind them, Bennett and Aaron were riding together.

Bennett’s gaze was fixed unwaveringly on the vehicle ahead, his long eyelashes quivering, eyes filled with a longing.

"Bennett, why are your eyes so red? Didn’t sleep well?" Aaron leaned in close to his sharply defined face, inspecting him with concern, then gasped in shock, "Bennett, have you been crying? Moved by Marilla's wedding, are you?"

"Mhm."

Bennett briefly closed his reddened eyes, quickly shifting his gaze out the window, "I wish them everlasting happiness."