Chapter 218 - Bk 2 (1)

Amie did not need an oracle to tell her that representatives of foreign kingdoms were unhappy. Under the eyes of the audience, he slipped a ring on her index finger. She did not take time to truly look at it but knew what it was. It was a betrothal ring. As long as she wore that, she was considered his to wed.

Prince Adrian took in the soft smile on Amie's face with a slight one of his own. He did not need to be a being of higher power to feel the coldness in her eyes. He did not bother too much to take in the expressions of those from other territories, as he left down the path line by red beans with Amie's hand in his and Queen Mother Raine behind them.

Seeing the royal family first take their leave, many others followed. This was quite a solemn coronation and no one dared to stay behind. They were all to make their way to the palace ballrooms for the after coronation festivities and none wanted to be late talk more of absent, as a drama was going to unfold. Amie and the king alone sat in a carriage all the way to the palace, a weird air around them.

"This is unconventional." she commented on this arrangement.

"This is giving your brother face." he answered.

"My family?" she asked.

"They are being led to the ballroom, do not worry." he answered, his eyes never leaving her face. She looked down at the ring on her finger. It was a plain ring, looking like that made for a man. It made sense as betrothal rings were keepsakes of the groom; usually a ring of significance to him. She felt the engravings on the ring but could not quite see clearly in the deem carriage.

"Isigil purre'gue ingimi." he said.

"The hands that cover the eyes." she translated.

"You understand one of the lost languages?" he asked.

"Doesn't everyone?" she answered.

"Even the closed Courtkruff academy never taught this language to their ladies." he countered.

"My mother was raised well." she said and the carriage stopped but he made no motion to get down.

"You know it's going to be a storm in there, right?" he asked.

"You just had an unconventional coronation and still wish to marry an unknown name. If it does not rain the sky would not be sure of its existence." she answered.

"Good. One has to always be prepared." he threw those words at her, stepped down from the carriage, and raised his hand help her down. After a slight hesitation, she placed her hands in his and stepped down. The two did not immediately make their way to the ballroom; they instead took the longest route there. By the time they arrived the entrance of the ballroom, they were the last ones there; even though they were the first to leave the coronation. They only entered after Queen Mother Raine had been announced.

"His Majesty, King Adrian of Juhntt, root of the broken tree and Miss Krain of Steinhouse." A servant announced as the two made their way in, the king wearing a blank look and Amie, a soft look masking the chill in her eyes.