CHAPTER 530: CORONATION DAY

"I don’t know when I fell asleep." She said, her voice was soft and calm..it was a stark contrast to how she felt.

Was that just a dream or something else? "I had a bizarre dream. It felt too real to call it a dream ."

"It must have been a frightening nightmare then. Sorry about that." He held her hand. He did not know what he could do to help. His comfort was not what she craved. She needed someone else

"We can call it that too," Abrielle answered, then shifted uncomfortably, and clutched her top. The subtle ache in her chest was still there.

"What happened in that nightmare?" Aurelius asked. Abrielle was too hesitant to answer. She didn’t want to accept it.

As if saying it out loud would make it a reality. Still, she could not ignore Aurelius; she turned away from his similar blue eyes and then glanced at the distant night sky.

’Was he also looking at the same sky?’ she wondered. A short breath slipped through her lips, then his reply came out. "He killed me." She answered

That was all her mind to wrap around. Aurelius’s hold tightened. He could deduce she was speaking about Cedric but that wasn’t possible.

He was good at reading people. His image of Cedric didn’t match that. Cedric genuinely loved his sister. There was no way he could do such a thing.

"That is not Cedric." He blurted. Abrielle slowly glanced at him. Her head bowed, staring at their hands. "What if that’s why he doesn’t want to come to me?"

"He is scared of hurting me." She could barely whisper. "But his absence hurts more." Her eyes stung. Another set of tears threatened to fall, but she wasn’t going to cry.

Aurelius held a cheek, rubbing it slowly. It felt intimate. She knew his affection was pure.. "Don’t cry. I am sure Cedric will come back to you as soon as he can."

His words gave her a weird glimpse of hope. She did not know what she could do without his assurance.

******

The night passed, and the next day arrived. Cheerful songs filled the atmosphere.

It was finally Aurelius’s coronation. The event was scheduled to be held close to twilight. After which he would parade the city of Emberlynx at night.

"Good luck today," Abrielle gave Aurelius a hug before he left the castle. They stood by the main entrance hugging for a while. The cold winter breeze blew between them but they still felt warmth

Aurelius broke the hug and glanced at Sebastian, who stood not too far away. "I already have all the luck I need." Aurelius chirped with a smug smile. Abrielle could not hold back her laugh

She was in better condition this morning. She had to reserve her best smile for today. It was the least she could do.

"I guess you are a lucky charm. I will be by your side, cheering you with my best smile then." She chimed, her eyes sparkled as she smiled. Even her cheeks had a healthier colour..

"You better be," Aurelius said. The only thing missing was Bethany. He was sure she was watching from wherever she was now.

Abrielle waved him off and waited at the main entrance archway until his carriage rode away.

******

The coronation was being held at the grand cathedral in the city centre of Emberlynx. People filled the road celebrating the ascension of a new emperor.

It was surprising to see how much Aurelius was loved by the people. "It’s beautiful," Abrielle blurted, her eyes locked on the window, watching the streets as the carriage rode by. It was already evening, and street lanterns were getting lit by luminescent magic stones.

"We are almost there," Sebastian said from her side. Their carriage finally arrived in front of the cathedral.

Only invited high nobles were allowed to go in. The others waited on the street.

Abrielle stepped out of the carriage with the help of Sebastian. Coincidentally, another carriage arrived at the same time as theirs.

To be more specific, there were two carriages. "Adeline," Abrielle chimed softly once she saw her cousin. Ever since she got to Heliosa they haven’t gotten the chance to see each other.

Adeline wasn’t alone, she was with her husband, Aunt Ava and her three children. A set of triplets, two girls and a boy. Unfortunately, Ava’s baby was too young to be brought out for the occasion.

Adeline smiled and immediately approached Abrielle to give her a big hug. "It has been a long time since I saw you, but it feels like forever, princess Abrielle," she winked at Abrielle, teasing her a bit.

Abrielle laughed, "Abrielle, my dear, it’s been a while " Ava chimed in from the side, also giving her a hug. Her nosy aunt frowned and could not help but notice, "My dear, you have lost a handful of weight. It must be hard."

"Mother," Adeline cautioned her mother. Abrielle shrugged, Ava was always like this. They exchanged a bit of pleasantries. Sebastian was busy conversing with his sister’s children.

"It’s fine. I miss Aunt Ava, too." Abrielle chimed and Adeline smiled.

Adeline nodded then approached with her husband hand in hand.

He was the only surviving sibling of Silvanius. One of the primary reasons he was probably alive was that he was Silvanius’s full sibling and had no interest in fighting for the throne with his brother.

He possessed the Ceaphyr family attributes, striking ginger hair and blue eyes. "You have not been officially introduced. This is my husband, Caesar. Caesar meets Abrielle. We grew up as cousins and playmates but she turned out to be your niece. Fate is funny indeed." Adeline introduced.

Caesar had a soft smile, he did resemble Silvanius a lot. Abrielle could even see Aurelius in him, only that compared to those two, he seemed more gentle. "It is an honour, Prince Caesar," Abrielle greeted the Duke

Caesar shook his head. "Caesar is just fine, we are family after all, and barely 10 years apart." He dropped the pleasantries.

Caesar’s eyes had a hint of amusement on seeing Abrielle. He was originally meant to wed her before the bride was swapped. Imagined how it might have turned out being wedded to Silvanius’ daughter.

Although cousin marriage was not completely forbidden. He was certain that if he had seen Abrielle, he would have recognised her. She was a replica of her late mother. "You do look like Bethany.. It’s nice to meet you. I am sure Aurelius has been kind to you "

"He has," Abrielle answered.

"Come here, children," Adeline called out to the triplets. They obeyed their mother’s call and left their uncle. Adeline quickly introduced them. "Circe, Calisto and Celeste. This is Princess Abrielle, your cousin." She introduced sparing them the complicated family tree.

The three children all politely paid their respects. "Nice to meet you, Aunty Abrielle."

They were a perfect blend of the Nightshade and Ceaphyr blood. Calisto and Celeste looked more like twins, having the same ginger hair and blue eyes, although their facial features resembled Adeline’s. Circe, the oldest of the triple, was a female version of Caesar, but she had her mother’s silver hair.

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