[Music Recommendation: Love Story (Version Orchestrale ~ Indila]
The grand hall was filled with nobles, guards, and family members, all eager to witness the historic event. Fidelis sat on his throne, his eyes shining with joy as he awaited the moment he had longed for: the coronation of his son and daughter-in-law. He looked happiest amongst all that had gathered, at intervals he checked to see when Adric and Oriana would arrive.
Outside the hall, Oriana raised her gown, the hem of the gown making ruffling sounds as she walked. When she saw Adric talking with his personal guard, she inhaled deeply before closing the distance between them. Though she was excited to be Adric’s Queen, she was also nervous about it.
Rowan stopped talking when he saw the princess. He bowed before leaving them alone.
Adric turned to look at Oriana, who was still avoiding meeting his gaze. He put his hand forward, "Are you ready?"
"Y-yes," Oriana cleared her throat before slipping her cold, small hands into Adric’s large ones. She could swear that blood stopped flowing in her hands because the moment Adric clasped her palm, it felt numb.
"Why are you shaking?" Adric reached for her face, holding her chin up to face him properly. "A Queen should only act weak in front of her King, but out there I want you to be the most important part of the crown. My Queen." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
Hearing his words, Oriana raised her eyes to look at him. She didn’t know how to feel about the words she had just heard, but it felt really good to hear Adric call her with such a term of endearment.
With Oriana looking straight at him, Adric was able to see just how beautiful she was. Her golden hair glowed so brightly, covering her shoulders, and her anxious eyes that had the effect of the sun stared right back at him. Taking the opportunity of holding her chin, Adric traced his finger gently before bringing his hand down.
"Let’s go," he tugged her hand, but when Oriana tried to take a step forward, she stepped on her gown, causing her sleeves to rip a little.
Oriana gasped; she was really anxious, and now making a mistake in front of Adric made her feel embarrassed. "I-I’m sorry, I’ll rush in and get changed."
Adric let go of her hand for a brief moment. "No need," he removed his jacket, draping it over Oriana’s shoulders. "We should start playing our roles. A true King must always protect his Queen." He covered her properly with the jacket, then bent a little to hold up Oriana’s gown. When he was sure she could walk properly, he stood straight and held her hand.
"Let us now welcome His Royal Highness Prince Adric and his Bride, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Oriana, to their coronation." Rowan was the one to announce their entrance, and the entire crowd stood on their feet.
Freya clapped her hands excitedly when she saw the princess walking inside beside the Crown Prince. "That wasn’t part of the princess’s dress, Madame Rosalie." Freya moved her head to the side when she saw the oversized jacket Oriana was now wearing over her gown.
"You’re right," Madame Rosalie nodded her head in agreement. "It doesn’t matter, she still looks beautiful."
Oriana used her free hand to hold closer Adric’s jacket. His scent was now stronger because of the jacket she was wearing. Somewhere, it calmed her nerves, and she felt protected.
As they got closer to the center of the hall, Adric let go of Oriana’s hand. Holding her waist firmly, he carried her up so she wouldn’t trip.
Fidelis couldn’t stop himself from grinning from ear to ear. He couldn’t contain his excitement. The future he was seeing with Oriana and his son was one so bright, filled with just love. Adric might not know it now, but he will eventually.
"Gathered today, we have come to pass down the Crown to another generation." Fidelis started addressing the crowd with a bright smile on his face. "I couldn’t have asked for a better heir. Adric has shown great wisdom in leading the kingdom, bringing victory to Avon every time. With his presence, my absence wasn’t really felt by the ministers because he was there. I am sure he is one for the crown."
The crowd clapped, cheering loudly as the crown was brought forward to Fidelis. He walked to where Adric was sitting and placed it gently on his head.
"And to my daughter-in-law, Princess Oriana. She brought light into the Galgani Royal family, and I wish she extends that light in supporting her husband and keeping the Kingdom united with her delicate nature." Fidelis took the crown that was meant for the Queen, and he placed it gently on Oriana’s head.
"Let us all bow to The King and His Queen!" Fidelis shouted with a strong voice.
"All hail the King, All hail the Queen!" The crowd cheered them loudly.
Adric raised his hand, and the crowd became silent, waiting to hear from the new King.
"Today I-" he stopped talking when he noticed a commotion from one side of the crowd. "What is going on?"
Adelaide, who had been watching the entire show from the side, smirked. "I’m guessing they have something to say. Let them pass," she ordered the guards.
One of the people causing the ruckus ran towards the center but was stopped by guards. It didn’t stop him from shouting,
"We won’t have a stained blood be our Queen! Princess Oriana of Orion is a child birthed through infidelity!"
Hearing this, the crowd gasped, and in groups, they started murmuring amongst themselves. It was a shocking revelation to some, while those who knew about it were calm.
Adric was among those calm. He signaled Rowan with his eyes to send the man away.
"Let him be," Oriana stepped forward. She stopped Adric by holding his hand. "I at least owe them an explanation."
Turning to the crowd, she started, "People of Avon, I know very well about the story behind my birth, but I promise it won’t affect my reign as the Queen. I will support My King with everything I have. To prove that, I will have my army fight alongside the soldiers of Avon, and I will bow to only one King. The mistake my mother made ends with me."
Oriana turned properly to face Adric, and she bent her knees gently with her eyes looking down.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
