CHAPTER 488: CORONATION DAY PART 2

The trip from the ancestral temple to the palace was 30 minutes at most. The mountain was directly behind the palace and the heir normally goes on a horse.

Ariel clasped her hands together to say a silent prayer. Most of the people here knew the reason he was taking so long. There was a chance the one who would walk through those doors would not be Kaiden.

Loud trumpets finally rang from outside announcing his presence. The heavy doors were pushed wide open and there he stood. His hair sparkled like gold under the sun, and he held a confident smile that finally made her heart at peace.

Kaiden stepped into the hall that afternoon as the last surviving prince of Darconia. He walked down the aisle, his head held up. He didn’t glance at anyone until he got to the front.

Kaiden flashed Ariel a soft smile before he walked towards the king, his father. He bowed to the king then went on his knees

This was the last time he was going to bow to the king. Kaiden was paying him the last respect; after today, Kaiden would never bow to him.

The king smiled softly at him. Draconia was a kingdom made on the foundation of war only the strongest made it to the end. Under everyone’s gaze, the king blessed him.

"You may rise and never bow to anyone again." The king’s voice boomed through the hall. A silent cry escaped the queen’s lips. The tears rolled down; it should have been her son, but here she was giving her blessing to the seed of another woman.

Kaiden rose and then bowed at the queen. It was a half bow. She sucked in her cry then placed her hand on his shoulder to bless him. It wasn’t from her heart but she had to do it due to obligation.

After taking the passing of the King and Queen’s blessing. He rose then walked to the altar where the priest was waiting for him. It was the new high pope of the temple Mikhail Nightshade

"Prince Kaiden Von Drakkar do you swear..." The priest’s voice trailed. Under everyone’s gaze, Kaiden took his oath of office.

"I promise to protect the land of Draconia till my last breath," he promised, then he was crowded. Kaiden turned around to face the crowd; the heavy gold crown carrying the legacy of the Von Drakkar family was on his head. The sceptre in his right hand and the sword in his left.

"All hail the king of Draconia, King Kaiden Von Drakkar."

Everyone immediately went on their knees to bow before him including the former king and queen. Kaiden had a soft smile on his face watching the crowd. He immediately found Ariel amongst them, it was a shame he could not crown her as his queen right here

The priest nodded at him, his gaze turned to the right where another door stood. He crossed the hall on a red carpet to the right door by the altar

The door was pushed open, and a loud cheer, followed by the blinding lights, welcomed him. The door led to a balcony which overlooked the palace gates.

Standing at the palace gates were the people of Draconia who came to welcome their new king. Everyone in the hall stood and started to clap at him.

Kaiden was now king.

*****

Celebrations spread through the Kingdom, the bells in the king’s chamber rang; it was a bell rung only twice at the king’s coronation and his death, if he dies while still being king.

Ariel and Kaiden didn’t get the chance to meet each other after the coronation because Eleanor’s wedding and Coronation were on the same night

The wedding was held at the grand cathedral in the middle of Vitalis on the mainland, giving everyone a chance to witness it.

The people were excited to meet their next queen. The crowd cheered as Eleanor’s carriage arrived at the temple. She wore a lavish dress ten times better than Ariel’s wedding dresses.

Eleanor was beautiful without a doubt, she looked like a fairy under the moonlight, dressed in white, lights flickered from diamonds on her dress and jewellery..

She walked down the water aisle basking in the moment, until she met Kaiden. He had a polite smile on his face, and she accepted his hand. Eleanor’s eyes glanced at Ariel with a smug look before joining Kaiden to climb up the altar.

Ariel watched the man who claimed to love her more than even his life marry another. Her feelings were complicated; she was sad, but a part of her heart knew this was how it was meant to be. Eleanor was not the other woman but she was

She could not shrug off the feeling that Kaiden wasn’t hers, the same as she wasn’t his. The marriage ritual was successful, and the mark appeared on Eleanor’s ring finger.

Kaiden’s smile went stiff, it felt like Eleanor was his first wife and not Ariel. Eleanor was all smiles. She glanced up at Kaiden, and her smile fell.

His eyes held immense pain but he quickly hid it. She forced up her smile, it didn’t matter if he loved another. She was the only one who could stand by his side.

Kaiden glanced at the high pope and nodded subtly,

On cue, the crown was brought to him, carried in a glass case lined with gold. The king’s aide brought it then knelt beside Kaiden.

The high pope opened the case, then carried the crown, which he handed over to Kaiden. It was a crown identical to Kaiden’s crown in design and craft; the only difference was the colour. While the king’s crown was gold, the queen’s crown was silver.

Kaiden still held a smile, his eyes darted around the audience before it fell on Eleanor who was bowing before him.

"Eleanor Von Drakkar, do you accept the responsibility of this crown and choose to rule beside me as your husband and king?" He asked her.

"I accept the responsibility of the crown. I will rule by your side as your wife and queen. To serve both the kingdom and our family in justice and blood." Eleanor said. Kaiden nodded,

"I hereby crown you as the queen of Draconia, Queen Eleanor Von Drakkar. Arise the brightest star of Draconia." Kaiden placed the crown on her head before he gave her his hand

She accepted with a smile, "All hail the moon and the star, all hail the king and queen. " Mikhail proclaimed, and everyone rose to their feet and bowed before them. That was the beginning of a new era in Draconia.