297 The Crown
Selma Payne’s POV:
Seeing that I was about to go through with my words, this group of little b*stards with golden spoons in their mouths finally couldn’t pretend to be childish and calm anymore.
The boy, vaguely surrounded by the others in the center, mustered his courage and stood up, wanting to plead with me. “Please have mercy, Your Highness. We’ve never attended such an important event before. We’re too nervous and subconsciously want to gossip to divert our attention. I apologize for our foolish actions. Please give us a chance to turn over a new leaf. We will control our mouths.”
I looked at him expressionlessly for a few seconds until he started to tremble. “I still don’t know your name.”
“What?” the boy was stunned.
“I don’t know your name, so I don’t know your family name or which family you come from. This way, I won’t be able to complain to your parents, and you won’t be grounded or punished by not having any snacks.” Seeing the boy’s disbelieving expression, I chuckled. “Or do you want me to do this? Remember your family? Remember you?”
The boy took two steps back in a panic and stuttered, “No, Your Highness. I don’t want that... thank you for your understanding. Please allow me to take my leave. I wish you all the best today with the goddess’ blessing.”
His companions didn’t expect him to back off so easily. They mumbled something in dissatisfaction, but he glared at them fiercely. They could only follow him and bow to me, then unwillingly left with Jordin.
I couldn’t understand what these young masters and young mistresses were thinking. Did their family not teach them any common political knowledge?
I said I didn’t know their family names, which meant I didn’t intend to use this as an excuse to punish their families. Other than the boy who stood out, no one else could tell. I was speechless.
After sending away the unruly troublemakers, I suddenly lost quite a few concierges. I had to find someone to fill in the gaps as soon as possible.
“Oh my, take the list to my parents. They know who to choose as a substitute.”
Although the ceremony would only start at 10 am, all the guests who received the invitation arrived. It was easy to find a few substitutes.
At 9:30, the substitutes were also in position. I was rather familiar with one of them. It was Carolyn. During the rehearsal, she was on her graduation trip with various packs, so she didn’t participate and was only on the waiting list. I didn’t expect that she would still become my concierge.
We hadn’t seen each other for many years, so we didn’t feel distant and greeted each other affectionately. This seemed to have become a trendsetter, as Carolyn was quickly welcomed in the unfamiliar lounge.
I was happy for her, but at the same time, I was a little sad. It was hard to say whether it was a good or bad day to be regarded as a social standard.
We were led to the designated location by the rites official, where we stood in line and prepared to start the ceremony officially.
After a long wait, the trombone that signified the beginning of the ceremony finally sounded for the first time.
I took a deep breath as the gorgeous door in front of me slowly opened. I smiled and took my first step.
After going through countless rehearsals, I couldn’t remember those familiar standards when it was actually time. Everything was so natural. There was no pretentiousness, no intention. It was as if I was born knowing how to take every step, and there was a set of standards leading me.
There were many silent spectators on both sides of the grandstand. I didn’t know most of them, but there were occasionally one or two familiar faces.
I saw the shocked Benson and the petrified Rhode from the corner of my eye.
When I reached the front of the stage, I stood still, and the rites official helped me take off my gorgeous long cloak. Then, I kneeled on the soft cushion embroidered with the royal emblem with gold and silver thread.
My parents rose from their thrones and came to me.
“Madeline Periana H. Oromalivira is the legal daughter of I, the Lycan King Victor Periana H. Oromalivira, and Queen Helena Garcia H. Oromalivira’s.
“Thanks to the Moon Goddess, werewolves should be in their positions and perform their duties. They should be given proper names to avoid chaos in the sky.
“Today, under the witness of all the fair and kind, I will act on behalf of the goddess’ legacy and officially crown this royal bloodline as the Princess. She will legally possess the power to be addressed as ‘Your Highness’ and officially become a member of the core royal family. She will be the symbol and spokesperson of the royal family in all subsequent occasions that are tacitly acknowledged and authorized.”
My mother took out the crown soaked in osmanthus water and handed it to my father. My father held up the crown and placed it on my head solemnly.
At this moment, the Officer of Rites, who was waiting on the side, shouted, “Goddess bless the Princess!”
The guests followed the Officer of Rites and shouted three times, which lasted for a long time and resounded through the clouds.
The coronation of the Princess was only the first procedure. The coronation of the Crown Princess, which followed, was the most important.
My father once again read out the declaration, which only had a few changes compared to before. Then, he took another gorgeous crown from my mother’s hands, symbolizing my status as the successor, and placed it on my head.
This tiara was heavier, more ornate, and more dramatic than the previous one. It almost completely covered the crown that belonged to the Princess. Just like me, compared to being just a princess, my main duty was to be the Crown Princess.