[Heavenly Petal]

[Grade: Divine Artifact]

[Description: A protective spatial ring forged from Heavenly Amethyst Crystal and folded with petal-shaped spatial arrays. It contains a high-capacity embedded mana storage core, an independent inner space measuring one hundred meters by one hundred meters that is capable of holding living beings, and a mana-powered defensive shield capable of withstanding attacks from Saint-class Mages for as long as its stored mana remains sufficient.]

Every person present wore a look of wonder as they stared at the amethyst ring shaped like the petal of a blooming flower.

"Is that..." Celeste began, visibly stupefied.

"A ring," Elion finished for her.

He smiled as he held it out toward her. "A worthy ring for a worthy bride."

He did not bother explaining the ring’s absurdly powerful enchantments to her. Useful or not, that was beside the point right now.

Beneath the stunned gazes of everyone watching, Elion lowered himself onto one knee, took Celeste’s hand between his own, and gently slipped the beautiful ring onto her ring finger.

Celeste raised her hand and traced the intricate craftsmanship of the ring, slowly digesting the short description that had suddenly appeared within her mind.

The moment she understood the true value of the ring, as well as the meaning behind Elion giving something so precious to her, her lips parted slightly.

She looked at him with trembling eyes.

"Elion..."

She did not seem capable of saying anything beyond his name. Then, to everyone’s surprise, tears began gathering in her eyes.

Celeste rose from her seat and leaped softly into his embrace. Their lips met in a sudden, passionate kiss before separating a few moments later.

"Thank you..." she whispered into his ear.

Elion smiled and tightened his arms around her. "You are welcome." The sight left everyone around the table speechless.

They had already seen Celeste smile more times today than they had throughout most of her life, and now she was openly crying in another person’s arms.

Lilith’s expression softened considerably. Lucius watched his daughter in silence, his earlier reservations momentarily forgotten.

Even Oberon and Morgana could not help but look at the pair with complicated expressions.

Whatever doubts they still held regarding Elion’s suitability, there was no denying how much he meant to their princess.

Celeste eventually pulled away, stretching her hand out toward the others so that they could see the gift her man had given her.

The Heavenly Amethyst Crystal glowed faintly beneath the dim lighting of the hall, its petal-shaped design resting perfectly around her pale finger.

She could feel the enormous amount of mana contained within it.

More than that, she could sense the folded spatial arrays hidden within the ring and the vast independent space awaiting her command.

Her crimson eyes widened again.

"It is beautiful!" The others seemed to voice their agreement almost at once.

Dorian leaned forward, barely containing his curiosity. "What grade is it?"

Elion glanced toward him. "A high one."

Dorian’s eye twitched. "That is not an answer."

"It does not matter," Elion waved him off without answering properly.

Celeste remained silent for a moment before looking down at the ring’s description again. Then she slowly raised her head.

"Divine."

The entire room went still. Lucius’s fingers froze against the table.

Morgana’s lips parted.

Oberon looked as though he had misheard her. Even Zenith’s brows rose slightly, though she appeared far less shocked than the vampires.

"A Divine Artifact?" Dorian repeated.

Celeste nodded.

The silence that followed was almost oppressive.

Artifacts of that grade were not merely rare. They were the sort of treasures powerful kingdoms could go to war over.

Most people would never see one in their entire lives, and even ancient clans like theirs possessed only a handful of items that might possibly approach such a level.

And even then, never on that level.

Yet Elion had casually placed one onto Celeste’s finger as though it were an ordinary engagement ring.

Oberon stared at him. "Where did you obtain something like that?"

"It was a trial reward."

"The same trial that gave you the Primordial Dragon bloodline?"

"Yes."

Morgana exhaled slowly. "What exactly happened in that place?"

"A lot."

"That explanation is becoming increasingly insufficient."

Elion shrugged. "It would take too long to explain everything."

Lucius looked toward the ring again.

"You understand that displaying such an artifact publicly would attract a great deal of unwanted attention."

Elion nodded. "That is why it can conceal itself."

Celeste looked down at it.

The moment the thought entered her mind, the overwhelming aura surrounding the ring vanished completely.

Its brilliant amethyst crystal dimmed, and the intricate petal design simplified until it resembled nothing more than an elegant but ordinary piece of jewelry.

Another wave of wonder passed through the elders.

Celeste’s lips curved into a small smile. "It responds immediately."

"It belongs to you now," Elion said. "It should obey your thoughts."

She looked at him affectionately. "You entrusted me with something this valuable without hesitation."

"Only the best for you, my love." He brushed one thumb beneath the faint trail left behind by her tears.

"You are going to be my wife. I would be more worried if I did not give you something capable of protecting you."

Celeste’s eyes softened again.

Aria, who had been watching quietly from beside Elion, lowered her gaze toward the ring already resting around her own finger.

It was not nearly as beautiful or powerful, but she did not seem to mind. She smiled regardless, no doubt remembering the day Elion had given it to her.

Mira was doing the same.

It was then that Zenith seemed to realize that she was among those who had yet to receive a ring from him.

Zenith leaned slightly toward Elion. "Hubby."

He turned toward her. "Yes?"

"I would also like a ring."

Elion stared at her.

Zenith smiled brightly. "It does not need to be a Divine Artifact."

"Do not worry. I will make sure to acquire rings for every one of you," Elion assured her. "And I also have a few additional gifts for some of you."

"Oh, yes. Sister Isla showed us the workbench you gave her," Mira said, allowing a mischievous pout to form on her face. "I was beginning to think you were already playing favorites. It is good to know you have something for ’some’ of us as well."

Elion let out a wry laugh.

By that point, Lilith had risen from her seat and approached Celeste. "May I see it?"

Celeste hesitated for only a moment before extending her hand. Lilith gently held her daughter’s fingers and examined the ring more closely.

The joy in her expression was unmistakable. "It is beautiful."

Celeste nodded. "It is."

Lilith looked toward Elion. "And the meaning behind it is even more beautiful."

Elion gave her a small smile.

Lucius leaned back in his seat, studying Elion’s expression more closely.

He truly had not expected the boy to casually offer his daughter a Divine Artifact without asking for anything in return, regardless of their relationship going forward.

People were greedy by nature, and no one would have blamed Elion for keeping such a treasure for himself given that he had worked for it in a deathly trial, and yet, he had simply chosen to give it away.