Chapter 216 - Bk 2 (12)

All rose and curtsied as Queen Raine passed by them. Her hair was adorned with the queen's crown set that matched her golden attire from head to toe. One look at her and one could tell she was a born ruler. She approached Amie as her eyes took her in from head to toe. Amie was dressed in soft beige that further made her sun kissed rust hair stand out. Her cold face broke into a soft smile which Amie reciprocated. Someone looking from the outside would think them friends, even mother and daughter. Except, this queen was quite young herself. But only these two knew if they were truly smiling or not. In fact, they did not know at all. It was as though they had come to an understanding the moment their eyes met, as these two had never exchanged words before.

Queen Raine approached Amie and she curtsied rightfully. The Queen smiled at her softly and even let out a chuckle.

"You look amazing, Amie" she said and leaned in, "Adrian will have a hard time concentrating." she seemed to whisper, yet all those behind them could hear her clearly. Amie lowered her head in a slightly shy nature that fooled even her.

"Sit, please." Queen Raine said and all returned to their sit.

Many secretly glanced at the queen who occasionally whispered to Amie with bright mischievous eyes and Amie reciprocated with soft and sometimes embarrassed smiles. It made one wonder how long they had known each other. Looking at the amusement in Queen Raine's eyes and Amie's laughing gaze, the audience and the actors were both thoroughly fooled.

A loud drum sounded outside the hall signalling the entrance of Prince Adrian. Amie wondered though, something about this coronation seemed different from that of Prince Thelmus. As though Queen Raine discovered her confusion, she whispered, "Your instincts are right." at this, Amie glanced at her.

"You suspect this coronation is not starting as Prince Thelmus', you are correct. There will be no singing children or King-makers. The Religion alone will crown him." she said, her words only loud enough to enter Amie's ears.

"Why?" Amie asked.

"Because he wishes it so. I am guessing this method of coronation by the highest power will be useful someday." she answered.

"But, didn't the religion take part in crowning Prince Thelmus?" Amie asked softly.

"No. After all, the religion has not crowned someone in Thriergor for thousands of years. Conducting a coronation can be done by the laws of Juhntt alone or by the religion's traditions. Just because you were crowned by the edicts of the religion does not mean that you have been crowned by them. It just means you embedded their traditions into your coronation or asked them to serve as witness. Many may not realise it right now, but they are witnessing the religion's second coronation in the history of Thriergor." Queen Raine explained.

At this time, Prince Adrian had stepped into the hall with six monks trailing behind him in twos, dropping red beans to their sides and thereby creating a path line with red beans on both sides behind Prince Adrian.

Amie saw him garbed in gold and gems, with his entourage of rarely seen monks causing the audience to bow in reverence and smiled, giving him a deep look. Queen Raine glanced at her and could not tell what her smile meant until she opened her mouth, "Noblest girl in all the lands, greatest powers to fix your crown. Your story could put fairy tales to convulse, Prince Adrian." she whispered. As though he had heard her, right that moment, he lifted his eyes and locked gazes with her; each keeping their thoughts locked inside.