Chapter 105: Coronation (2)

The sun finally set. But the full moon made sure to keep the world from falling into an abyss of darkness. 

In fact, the night of the Coronation was always decided to be held on the night of a full moon.

Everyone below, on the magical hall, were waiting in anticipation of the new Queen of the Kingdom of Nemphis, the new leader of the Confederation. It was about time.

Their prayers were not left unanswered. Soon, drumbeats along with the screeches of several Griffins could be heard. But unlike the ear piercing shrieks of the Griffins trained for battle. The calls of these hidden Griffins were melodious as that of flutes. They were specifically trained for this.

Everyone looked up at the balcony, under the tree that gave the ones directly underneath shade from the circling chandeliers above.

Soon, another green appeared underneath the beautiful emerald green leaves of the tree.

The third princess, Evelyn Greatwoods, who was known for her beauty was looking even more gorgeous. Her blonde hair looked lustrous under the chandelier lights that sneaked through the evergreen leaves of the Edgarwood tree, so did her dress. Her matching green eyes darted through the crowd below, just how monarchs look down upon their subjects. What made it look so believable was the confidence she had; it was oozing from her eyes, her face, and the grace of her body movements.

This added an aura of true Royalty- of Majesty around her. And this phenomenon did nothing but adding to her beauty.

Many gasped at the sight; little of the reaction had to do with her beauty, almost all of it came from the authority she was giving off, that overwhelming self-confidence. There were still stories circulating around about the 'previous' king's nervousness during his Coronation. But none dared to belittle him for this. Because the case for the generation before was the same. It was normal to be nervous.

But the little girl before them had a level of confidence so great, that some had the urge to kneel right there and then. The Kingdom- was in safe hands.

But the two ladies following the new Queen, Mia and Maria- were secretly biting their bottom lip, hiding it with their upper ones, trying their best to hold the laughter back. Only they knew the secret behind that sheer confidence.

After looking down at everyone- the nobles from her own kingdom and the ones from the others- for a few seconds, she turned to the side. 

She gracefully walked through the balcony, under rays of light that escaped through the guardian leaves of the tree, fluttering her dress. 

The scenery mesmerised many, especially the young male heirs of the nobles, who were unable to close their mouths. She walked down the stairs, step by step, with extraordinary elegance. 

Mia and Maria followed, trying their best not to ruin Evelyn's big day. 

She finally reached down and walked through the stunned crowd. Hundreds of gazes followed her every steps which lighted you the magical floor. But her face did not even flinch. She could not afford to. She finally reached the other side of the hall.

Just before the huge trunk of the majestic Edgarwood tree, lied a throne made of wood. It was made of something deemed even rarer than the exclusive Edgarwood trees the Royal family magically nurtured.

None but the Royal family knew the source of that wood, and none dared to ask.

Evelyn stood before that archaic but magnificent throne but did not sit on it, nor was it the time to. Mia walked away from the scene and joined the crowd at the front row, while Maria stood beside the wooden throne.

The hall was completely silent; none dared to disrupt this peaceful atmosphere. Evelyn stood before the Edgarwood tree as if she were another Majestic tree- not making a sound or a move, but emanating a lofty aura.

Finally, an announcement broke the silence.

"Their Majesties, the High King and the High Queen have arrived."

Those who were on their seats stood up and those who were already standing became even more upright.

The old couple, seemingly middle aged, walked through the crowd with nonchalance. Gazes filled with admiration, envy, loyalty and complexities were fixed on them. But it barely affected them at all. The tough years have thickened their skin.

The duo at last, reached before their granddaughter.

"Greetings, grandpa. Greetings, grandma." She bowed towards the two.

"Oh my, look at her confidence." The woman looked at her husband. "I still remember your legs trembling on that day."

He smiled. "Good thing she goes after father."

Evelyn smiled wryly inside her head.

"Let's not waste any time and get on with it, shall we?" The high queen proposed.

"That's the plan." He turned to Evelyn, his carefree look turned serious. "Sit."

Evelyn exhaled. Her eyes turned even more serious. She sat down.

The High King turned to the crowd. The waiting Vanessa stepped out. On her hands was a cushion, and upon it lied a gorgeous Tiara made of the platinum coloured Eshtum, the most expensive metal known to mankind. There were three green supreme grade magic crystals embedded on it.

Vanessa knelt on one knee before the High King, and raised the cushion up.

The high king gently, but with a contrasting serious face, picked up the Tiara with both of his hands. 

Ernic Greatwoods raised the treasure in the air. "We, the Royals of Greenwoods, don't make any verbal pledge, for the weight of this crown on the head is enough to make one realise that he or she must carry the whole nation on her shoulders."

He turned back to Evelyn. "Child, with this tiara, the nation now belongs to you." He put heavy tiara on her head with utmost attention and care.

Silence. Utter silence.

Evelyn Greatwoods, from now on, was the Queen. The shiny silvery-white Eshtum went perfectly with her blonde hair. The colour of the crystals matched well with her eyes. The confidence she had had yet to disappear. 

Suddenly-

"Long Live the Queen!" Someone hailed. And soon-

"Long Live the Queen! Long Live the Queen!" Everyone began to chant in chorus as they threw their fist in the air in rhythm.

After a few minutes it died down, turning the atmosphere silent again.

"Today, I have another announcement to make." The high king declared. His voice reached everyone's ears.

"Adrian Darkheart!" He beckoned.