Chapter 196 - The Ceremony

The ceremony will be held in the throne room so we went there directly after getting Caden from his room.

As a member of the royal family, we would be seated according to rank. Everyone knew that I was next in line to the throne so I was the one seated in front followed by my husband, then Caden. I wanted Caden to sit in the middle of Jayden and I, but the people's attention was on us.

Grandpa should be present during the coronation but since he couldn't make it in time, he already sealed the proclamation of Kyle's appointment.

Our friends were seated somewhere in the middle as I looked at the back to search for them. If it was allowed, I would rather sit with them than with the royal family members. 

I didn't have any problems with them but I just couldn't trust them completely. I know that a lot of members of the royal family have tried to take the throne from Kyle.

We were informed that Prince Philip, one of our cousins, tried to make up a false story against Kyle. He bribed one of Kyle's classmates in the university to spread a rumor that my brother tried to force himself on her. Of course we would never believe such a lie.

He didn't stop there. In the middle of the scandal, he was also trying to seduce Emily, telling her that he would make her his queen once Kyle was dethroned.

Emily was stressed for a few weeks, not because she believed the rumor but because she was worried about her husband. In the end, the woman admitted that she accepted a bribe from Prince Philip and gave a public apology.

Kyle was supposed to give him a punishment but his parents begged for him. Instead, he stripped off his title and was never allowed to set foot in the palace.

But even though the scandal has been cleared, the royal family never took their eyes off Kyle. I knew it was hard for him and I was never there to help him. He never asked for my help but that doesn't mean he didn't need his sister.

I looked around at the room again and saw some familiar faces. But most of the guests were unfamiliar. The room was surrounded with royal guards and A.E Corporation's men were also there but dressed as guests or servants.

The throne room can accomodate a thousand guests or more but since there would be a possible attack, we decided to have around two hundred people only and that includes us, the royal family, our friends and A.E Security Team.

All other guests and the people of Flousia could only watch the ceremony through a live broadcast. Media Tech, owned by the Jackson Clan, was the only media who was allowed to record the ceremony.

Once the Mafia start the attack, Media Tech will cut the broadcast but will continue to record what was happening inside the palace. There were a lot of hidden cameras that were secretly installed. 

I felt Jayden's hand on mine. It was warm and when I looked at him, he was smiling. He leaned forward and whispered in my ear.

"Smile. Don't make them think that we already know something. Focus, love. Focus on me."

Then he planted a gentle kiss on my cheek.

Maybe I was really too obvious. I didn't notice that my eyes were moving around the room as if I was looking for something or someone.

I nodded when I felt Jayden squeezed my hand. I forced myself to smile, not minding if it was too fake to everyone.

"Mommy, when will it start? I want to stay with Alira and Lucas. Can I go there?" Caden suddenly asked while pointing where the Wilson's were seated.

I looked at Jayden and I know he knew what was on my mind. I wanted Caden to be with our friends. I was thinking he would be safer with them than with us since Kyle and I were the main target.

Jayden shook his head and turned to Caden.

"Son, you have to stay here with us. The royal family will think that Mommy and Daddy have a stubborn child. The ceremony will start once that door opens." He said, pointing at the entrance door where Kyle and Emily would enter.

He pouted at first but eventually smiled, telling us that he understood.

"If anything goes wrong, I want to protect both of you. Caden should be with you at all times. He would be scared if you're not with him." He murmured.

Jayden was right. Caden needs me and his father if scary things happen. He might cry and I would definitely get worried if he's not with me.

"Oh it's starting!" Caden shouted.

Then we heard the entrance door slowly opening.

'Thud! Thud!"

"Announcing! Your Royal Highnesses, Crown Prince Kyle Theodore Hulls and the Crown Princess Emily Blair Nitori Hulls!" The Royal announcer shouted.

Kyle and Emily walked down the center aisle with a red carpet on it. They slowly entered, walking towards the throne.

In front was the Archbishop who will officiate the ceremony, dressed in a red robe. On his right side was a glass square box where the King's Crown, Flousia's Orb and Scepter were.

I turned my eyes to Kyle who was looking really good wearing his golden royal robe and beside her was Emily who was as elegant as she had ever been. They really look good together, I thought inwardly.

Kyle glanced at me and smiled. I don't know how I would feel with his expression. He didn't look worried like when we talked earlier. I saw him winked at me then turned his eyes again in front.

I suddenly felt excited and happy for him and Emily. For a moment, I forgot that we had something going on that might happen anytime soon. I was smiling while I looked at my brother and my friend walking towards the Archbishop.

They stopped in the middle and vowed before continuing. It was tradition that they needed to bow three times as they walked towards the front.

They made the second bow and continued to walk. When they were in front of the Archbishop, they made their last bow and kneeled.

"Your Majesty, are you now ready and willing to take the oath?" The Archbishop asked.

"I am willing." Kyle answered.

The Archbishop walked closer in front of Kyle and started the coronation oath taking.

"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the People of Folusia according to their respective laws and customs?"

"I solemnly promise so to do." Kyle answered in a firm voice.

"Will you promise to use your power for the welfare of your people and not for your own interest?"

"I will."

Then the other bishops picked the orb and the scepter, and handed it to the Archbishop. He whispered a short prayer before giving them to Kyle.

Next, the crown was passed on to the Archbishop. He then said another prayer.

"I pray to the almighty to bless and sanctify our king as we set a crown of gold, the crown of the faithful, on this day upon his head. Enrich his royal heart with grace and abundance and crown him with all princely virtues."

After saying the prayer, he then put the crown on Kyle's head. Then he did the same with Emily.

After being crowned, the people inside shouted in unison.

"Long live the King! Long live the Queen!"

"Long live the King! Long live the Queen!"

"Long live the King! Long live the Queen!"

The new King and Queen turned, facing the people with smiles on their faces, as the audience on the inside and outside of the palace continued shouting.

"Presenting! Your Majesties, Kyle Theodore Hulls, King of Flousia and Emily Blair Nitori Hulls, Queen of Flousia!"

The royal announcer shouted, introducing the newly crowned King and Queen.

I was smiling the whole time. My heart was sincerely happy for Kyle and Emily. I didn't notice that tears were falling from my eyes.

Jayden wiped my tears with his fingers. I know he was also happy that the crowning was a success.

After the coronation, a party was held. The King and Queen took off their royal robes and changed into a dress and suit.

I walked towards Kyle and Emily to congratulate them but was suddenly stopped by one of the royal guards. I forgot that since they've been crowned already, I cannot approach them as easily as before unless permission would be granted from them.

"Let her. That's okay." Kyle ordered while walking towards me.

I was hesitant to hug him because people would think differently from now on. But Kyle suddenly pulled me, wrapping his arms around me.

"Are you that happy for me that I saw you crying?" He asked.

I giggled. "I am."

"Did you manage to do it?" He suddenly asked.

I know he was talking about what we discussed earlier.

"Yes.." I simply answered.