CHAPTER 531: CORONATION DAY PART 2

"He has_ more than I could even ask for," Abrielle answered. Aurelius had been her strongest anchor.

"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.

Their smiles were contagious and Abrielle found herself smiling. "They are little angels. You are truly blessed, Adelina." Abrielle chimed.

Adeline smiled, her marriage didn’t start perfectly. The first year was pretty difficult for her to be suddenly arranged to marry a stranger and being shipped off to a far kingdom without any relatives.

At one point, she hated Abrielle and Rebecca, but things eventually settled. Her husband turned out to be way better than she imagined.

"I know," she giggled, winking at Caesar. Their little interactions were cute and they indeed looked happy together. Caesar smiled at her, and for a moment, it felt like she was the only one in his sight.

"I am the lucky one," he admitted, and the red colour on Adeline’s cheeks increased. She averted her eyes, unable to hold his gaze. She was bashful.

Abrielle’s mouth turned bitter; they were serving too many sour grapes in public. Other nobles arrived at the location but headed straight for the cathedral paying no attention to them.

Sebastian awkwardly cleared his throat, snapping Adeline and Caesar from their little world. "Enough of sour grapes. There are some singles amongst us." He dryly said.

Adeline glared at him, her cheeks flushed from embarrassment. Sebastian only rolled his eyes at them..

"The crown prince will be arriving soon. It is only appropriate that we take our seats now." He hinted

"We should head in, it’s getting pretty dark," Adeline mentioned, realising how late it was.

The little group finally stepped into the cathedral.

Sanctum de Aurora stood before her in blinding splendour. For a moment Abrielle forgot to breathe. She had thought the great cathedral in Vesper to be unmatched, but this... this was grander, brighter, as though the very sun had been captured within its walls.

Abrielle drew in a deep breath before she went up the steps. The grand steps which led up to the cathedral. Sanctum de Aurora stood tall in the centre of the city of Emberlynx like a monument of time.

They made their way up the endless stairs and finally through the large doors left wide open for the coronation

She drew in a deep breath, once the blinding lights hit her. It was mind-blowing how an ancient civilisation like this could build a building as grand as this. How many centuries did it take them?

Once she arrived at the door, the feeling hit again. The one of being watched. It was something she could never escape. The sister of the next emperor and wife of the tyrant prince..

She has quite a reputation to her name.

Every step she took down the endless aisle was measured, deliberate. Yet beneath the calm curve of her lips, her chest tightened. So many eyes followed her, eyes that weighed, judged, whispered. They are not looking at her as Abrielle, she thought, but as the new princess of Heliosa.

The marble floor glowed beneath shafts of colored light spilling through the stained-glass windows. Golden and crimson shapes fell across her gown, catching in her hair like fire.

The vast nave seemed to stretch forever, lined with rows upon rows of nobles and commoners alike. Their heads turned as she passed, their stares clinging to her shoulders like invisible chains. She forced herself to keep her back straight, to mask the tremor rising in her chest.

As she neared the first row, her gaze flickered just briefly to Sebastian. His expression was neutral, almost cold. To anyone else, he was nothing more than a guest.

But as she passed by him, his fingers brushed against hers, so light she might have imagined it. The warmth lingered, grounding her. When she dared a glance, he gave her the faintest smile. It was enough to steady her breath.

Sebastian sensed her unease and wanted to grant a sense of comfort. Nothing intimate but enough to tell her she wasn’t alone. She held her head up and continued with a proud smile

They could not act close, she reminded herself bitterly.

Not anymore. Not here especially.

She is not his cousin now. Abrielle was now Heliosa’s princess, and he was only a noble from Draconia. The thought hurt more than she expected; it was still hard to forget an identity engraved on the original Abrielle, but she smothered it with the same grace she wore on her face.

At last, she reached the emperor. Silvanius looked at her as though studying a jewel newly unearthed. His voice was low when he greeted her.

"You carry yourself well, child," he said, a rare curve softening his mouth.

She bowed her head, keeping her voice steady. "I only hope I do not falter beneath so many eyes, Your Majesty," she said curtsying subtly before approaching her seat beside him.

"Eyes are nothing," he replied, tone almost amused. "A true heir stands taller when watched. Remember, they stare because they must. You must overcome that feeling if you wish to be a queen one day."

Her heart gave a nervous flutter, but she forced a faint smile. Her mind drifted to Cedric.

A queen. Was she capable of that? From the look of things, even without Cedric, she might find herself in a high position. A tired sigh escaped her lips. She didn’t want to think about that.

With that, she took her seat beside him, the golden light from the stained glass windows settling over her shoulders.

"Have you gotten any news from him?" Silvanius passively mentioned. Abrielle shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She bowed her head refusing to answer..

The emperor sighed. He already had his answer, but his mind could not help but wonder where Cedric had disappeared to. The awkward silence between them didn’t last for long.

The loud organ harmony changes with soft bells ringing. Everyone knew it was time. The entire cathedral rose to its feet, and the doors opened.

It was a different entrance that the guest had used. This one was reserved for the occasion. Aurelius soon stepped into the hall, and everyone’s eyes were on him

He was dressed in gold with a large ceremonial dark blue robe overlapping his outfit. Aurelius marched into the cathedral with every grace of a prince.

He looked like a ruler despite his humbling age of 25.

His steps matched the rhythm of the organ’s notes. Aurelius didn’t walk straight to the altar, he approached Silvanius first.

"Father," he chimed before giving Abrielle a soft smile. Silvanius smiled, his eyes were filled with nothing but pride.

Aurelius went on his knees, gave his father his last bow, "Please grant me your blessings." He requested.

Abrielle stood by the side and watched the entire process. Silvanius blesses Aurelius. There was no empress, so only Silvanius’ blessings were given after he was done. Aurelius stood up and then marched to the altar under everyone’s gaze.

Once he got to the altar and stood before the priest. The music stopped, and under the priest’s instructions, they all sat down.

The ceremony continued, and every proceeding felt like a blur to Abrielle. She was genuinely happy for Aurelius and held her best smile but her mind wasn’t in it

She could not keep track of the vows or proceedings. She just watched while her mind wandered. The crown was brought to the altar, and Aurelius bowed slightly to accept.

The gold crown mixed with red rubies shone on his ginger hair. A sceptre and golden ball in each hand, he started reciting his vows according to the priest’s instruction.

"I swear to protect this empire till my last breath on the throne," Aurelius swore to take his last vow. A short moment of silence tore through the room

"Your words have been spoken and may never be forgotten." The priest declared then drew in a deep breath.

"Rise oh great one, a new reign has begun, oh great emperor Aurelius Ceaphyr, the first, of the great empire of Heliosa." The priest declared.

Aurelius turned around to face the crowd and everyone rose to bow at the new emperor of Heliosa. Abrielle’s feet moved on their own as she paid her respect.

****

A new age has begun, they said. As arranged Aurelius made his way out of the cathedral, and low cheers welcomed him from the people who had been waiting for their emperor

With a bright smile and waving at the crowd, he started his official parade on a ceremonial white chariot in the middle of the procession guarded by several knights on horses.

Abrielle followed not so far away on a horse with a dashing smile. Her eyes watched the crowd until the colours slowly faded and her horse stopped. Without saying a word, her hands gripped the reins and she changed her course leaving the parade.