Chapter 2: The Joyful Kingdom

Months passed, and under the reign of King Yorin and Queen Lyra, the Kingdom of Xia flourished like never before. The birth of Prince Zhong had infused the land with a sense of rejuvenation, as if the very earth had been blessed by the gods. The once-bustling streets of the capital seemed more alive now, buzzing with excitement and pride for their royal family. Everywhere one looked, there were signs of celebration and hope. The people of Xia revered their new prince as a symbol of a prosperous future, and that optimism was shared by the royal family as well.

While the people celebrated, the royal builders were hard at work, laying the foundation for the grand Diamond Castle. The ambitious project, a castle made entirely of diamond, was a feat unlike any other in the history of Xia. Master builders from every corner of the kingdom had been summoned to oversee its construction. Day by day, brick by brick, the castle began to take shape. The solid foundations had already been set, and soon, precious diamonds from the kingdom’s deepest mines would be transported to craft the towering walls that would one day glisten under the sun.

As much as the kingdom marveled at the construction of the Diamond Castle, it wasn’t the only event on the horizon. An equally momentous occasion was drawing near: Prince Zhong’s royal blessing ceremony. The royal blessing was a deeply sacred tradition, carried out for every member of the royal family when they reached six months of age. It was a ceremony that ensured the favor and protection of the gods, bestowing divine power upon the royal child, guiding them throughout their life, and safeguarding their rule.

In Xia, four powerful deities ruled over the elements of life, each essential to the kingdom’s well-being. Asta, the God of War, was a mighty deity whose blessing granted strength and courage, ensuring that the child would grow to protect the kingdom from any danger. Yuna, the Goddess of Wealth, bestowed her blessing in the form of prosperity and fortune, her favor bringing abundance to the land and riches to the royal family. Zhong, the God of Intelligence, was the most revered deity in the kingdom. His blessing granted wisdom and clarity, ensuring that the child would grow to be a wise ruler, capable of making decisions that would benefit Xia for generations. Lastly, there was Zenobia, the Goddess of Spirits, whose blessing brought peace to the soul and allowed the child to connect with the unseen world. Her favor ensured that the child would lead with a calm heart and a deep understanding of the spiritual realm.

The blessing of the gods was not merely symbolic. At the ceremony, each deity would mark the child with their sacred symbol, a visible sign of their favor. These divine marks were imprinted upon the body, ensuring that the gods’ protection would be with the child for life. For the people of Xia, it was a matter of fate and destiny. A royal child marked by all four deities was destined for greatness—a ruler of immense power, one who would lead Xia to its brightest future.

Only three days remained before Prince Zhong’s blessing ceremony, and the entire palace buzzed with anticipation. Queen Lyra, though radiant with happiness, could not help but feel a growing sense of anxiety as the day approached. The ceremony was sacred, yes, but it was also fraught with uncertainty. Would the gods bestow their blessings upon her child as they had with rulers before him? Would Prince Zhong receive the marks that would shape his destiny and ensure the future of Xia?

Though she kept her worries quiet, they weighed heavily on her heart. As much as she trusted in the gods, she was a mother first, and the thought of her son’s fate being decided by the deities filled her with unease. She would often stand by Prince Zhong’s crib in the stillness of the night, watching him sleep peacefully, his tiny form a picture of innocence and purity.

The ceremony was fast approaching, and soon, the future of Xia would be decided. The kingdom waited with bated breath, eager to see if their beloved prince would receive the favor of the gods and lead them into a golden age. For now, all they could do was wait, their hopes and dreams resting on the shoulders of their young prince.

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