The Beginning of the Clink of Stars

Ah… it hurts so much…

That was the last thought that crossed my mind.

My name was Anya. I was just an ordinary village girl, working at a small bakery on the edge of town. My life was simple. I loved the scent of yeast rising in the morning, loved greeting customers with the widest smile I could muster, and loved seeing people’s faces light up when they tasted my bread.

People often said my smile was like the morning sun.

But it seemed… not everyone liked the sun.

I still remember the taste of that tea.

Sweet—far too sweet—so sweet that it completely masked the bitter taste of the deadly poison mixed inside. Someone who envied my simple cheerfulness decided that I was too dazzling to be allowed to live.

The world faded to black.

My only regret at that moment was this:

I never got the chance to taste the new Melon Cream Cheese Bread recipe I had just finished preparing the dough for.

How pathetic, right?

Dying from poison, yet the only thing on my mind was bread.

(Visual Cue: A blinding white light transitions into warm pastel hues.)

SFX: Kling… Kling…

What was that sound?

A bell?

It was so soft, like the sound of wind brushing against crystal.

My eyelids felt heavy, as if they were glued shut with honey. Slowly, I forced them open. Gentle golden light greeted my vision.

This wasn’t the cracked, moldy ceiling of my old room.

This was… a canopy bed?

Cream-colored silk fabric, embroidered with golden thread in the shapes of star constellations, draped above me. I tried to move—and the sound rang out again.

SFX: Kling… Kling…

The sound came from my arm.

I lifted it, feeling something was wrong.

That arm… was small.

The skin was milky white, unbelievably smooth—like it had never touched hard labor in its entire life. Around my upper arm was an intricately crafted golden arm cuff, adorned with tiny star charms and miniature bells that chimed every time I moved even slightly.

“W-Where… is this…?”

My voice came out—but it wasn’t my usual chirpy voice.

It sounded like a bell itself. Soft, melodious, and… oddly pampered.

Panic surged through me.

I jumped out of the absurdly fluffy bed. This mattress alone could probably fit five of my old self! My small feet sank into a thick fur carpet as I hurried—more like gracefully stumbled—toward a large gold-framed mirror in the corner of the room.

And I froze.

The reflection staring back at me…

That wasn’t me.

The girl in the mirror was the very definition of a living porcelain doll.

She had unbelievably long hair, softly wavy like drifting clouds. Its color was magical—sky-blue at the roots, gradually fading into a fresh golden hue at the tips, as if her hair itself were the embodiment of dawn. Her peek-a-boo bangs partially covered her forehead, naturally adding to her shy appearance.

Her face… oh no.

A perfectly heart-shaped face with slightly chubby cheeks—the kind of cheeks that practically begged to be pinched. And her eyes… large, round, framed by impossibly long lashes.

But what truly stole my breath was their color.

They didn’t have just one hue.

They shifted slowly, like the Aurora Borealis dancing across a polar night sky.

“W-Who… is this…?” I whispered to the mirror.

The girl in the reflection asked the same question—with a confused expression that somehow made her look a thousand times cuter.

Suddenly—

Ding!

A cheerful sound rang inside my head, followed by a translucent light-blue holographic screen appearing right in front of my face.

[DING! Good morning, Host!]

[System Initialization Complete…]

[Detecting excessive levels of cuteness… Error! Error!]

[Cuteness exceeds acceptable limits! System recalibration required!]

“S-Sys… tem…?”

I tilted my head slightly.

[Ah! Please don’t tilt your head like that, Host!]

The system’s voice sounded frantic—like an overprotective grandmother watching her grandchild almost trip.

[That pose is extremely dangerous to the hearts of anyone who sees it!]

[Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Star Bell System.]

[My role is to guide you in your new life as Aeria Stellaluna, Crown Princess of the Solarium Empire.]

C-Crown Princess?!

Me?

A bakery girl… becoming a Crown Princess?!

[Please don’t worry, Host!]

[Your duties are very simple.]

[You only need to breathe and remain cute.]

[Oh—and I have detected low blood sugar levels due to transmigration.]

[This is an emergency!]

The system interface flashed red.

[BEGINNER REWARD GRANTED!]

[Received: 1× “Royalty Brioche Breakfast Set” with Enchanted Strawberry Jam]

[Received: 1× Premium Warm Milk Tea Pot]

With a soft shimmer, a silver tray appeared on the small table beside me. Perfectly puffed brioche bread released a rich buttery aroma, accompanied by a steaming teapot.

My eyes—these aurora-colored eyes—sparkled instantly.

Forget being a princess.

There was good bread right in front of me.

Just as I reached out—

BANG!

The bedroom doors burst open.

“Your Highness Aeria! You’re awake?!”

Five maids rushed in—then abruptly stopped.

There I stood, in a lace-trimmed nightgown, blue-and-gold hair slightly messy, tiny hand stretched toward the bread.

Silence.

Three seconds passed.

Then—

Chaos erupted.

“KYAAAA! Her Highness is so cute this morning!”

“Look at those cheeks! That natural blush!”

“Call the royal physician! We must confirm her cuteness levels are stable!”

“Your Highness, please don’t move! Let me brush that beautiful hair—ah, my heart can’t take it!”

They swarmed me—not with stiff reverence, but like passionate fans meeting their idol. One maid even clutched her nose, a thin line of blood visible from sheer excitement.

“U-Um… excuse me…” I squeaked.

My tiny voice made them all freeze instantly, holding their breath.

“I… want to eat that bread,” I said innocently, pointing at the brioche.

The head maid’s eyes filled with tears. She immediately lifted the tray and knelt beside me.

“Of course, Your Highness! Please eat as much as you like!”

“Oh, how pure and precious our Crown Princess is—asking for bread with the face of an angel!”

I sat on a plush chair, being fed heaven-tier bread by a maid who was crying tears of joy.

[Ting! Daily Mission Complete: Be Cute and Eat Breakfast.]

[Reward: Passive Skill ‘Soothing Aura’]

[Effect: Those around you feel calm and develop a strong desire to protect you.]

[System Note: Excellent work, Host!]

[Please continue eating and grow round and healthy!]