Chapter 197

197 The Parade

“Your Highness, it is time,” Jerome gave a polite bow to Everard and informed him that they were going to leave for the Great Hall.

Everard was standing in front of the mirror. The maids had finished dressing him for the occasion and had already left the room. At the moment, the only ones who were present in the room with Everard were Alexander and Jerome.

“How do I look?” Everard asked while looking at his reflection.

Everard was wearing a pair of black trousers and boots, a white shirt, and a red coat with beautiful golden embroidery on it. Apart from that, a red ceremonial mantle that fell down to his ankles was attached to his shoulders.

Jerome looked at Everard’s reflection and replied, “You look perfect for today’s ceremony, Your Highness.”

Everard shifted his gaze from his own reflection to Alexander’s reflection. And he asked again, “Alex? What do you say?”

Alexander locked his eyes with Everard’s reflection and then answered, “You finally look like you are ready to be the King of Xanmar. I can already sense the powerful aura emanating from you.”

“You flatter me, Alex,” Everard gave a smile to his friend and turned around. He looked at Jerome and said, “And thank you for always having my back, Lord Jerome. So, what are we all waiting for? Let’s go and let everyone see what their King looks like.”

Jerome was extremely happy to see that newfound confidence in Everard. It finally looked like he had accepted his fate and given in to his unavoidable future responsibilities.

.....

“Yes, Your Highness,” Jerome ran ahead of Everard and led the way.

Before stepping out of his room, Everard looked at his friend and said, “Alex, you are going to stick by my side for the whole day like you had promised. You better not leave me alone, not even for a second.”

Alexander smiled and gave a gentle bow. And he sarcastically replied, “As you wish, Your Majesty. This humble servant shall do what his master wants from him.”

Everard chuckled at the demeanor of his friend.

The two of them then walked out of the room simultaneously.

Both of their guards began following them. The royal guards of Xanmar were surrounding the two of them from all four corners, while Alexander’s guards were walking behind the guards of Xanmar.

“So, how are you feeling?” Alexander asked as they approached closer and closer to a grand carriage that was decorated for today’s purpose.

Everard clutched his fists and thought, ‘As if I am going for a public execution...’ However, his answer to Alexander was completely different, “I’m feeling as if I am ready to conquer the hearts of all of my citizens.”

Alexander gave a huge smile to Everard and nodded in approval. “That’s the spirit, my friend. Keep it up.”

The whole castle was in a festive mood, unlike how gloomy it looked just until yesterday. The whole castle was decorated for the occasion, even the corridors were decorated with fancy flowers and curtains.

All of the maids and servants looked really busy; they were rushing here and there, shouting out orders at each other, and preparing the castle for the celebratory ball and congratulatory dinner that was going to be held during the night.

“Everyone seems really busy,” Alexander said after looking around at the common hall that they just passed through.

Everard’s eyes fell on the open-style ceremonial carriage that was waiting for him at the main door. It was also decorated with flowers and small flags of Xanmar.

Jerome stood by the door of the carriage and gestured at it while giving a low bow to the soon-to-be King. “This way, Your Highness.”

Everard gave a nod and stared at the grand carriage for a while. He also looked around to see how everyone was waiting for him to get on the carriage.

Though everything still felt extremely unreal to Everard, he was sure of one thing – that from today on, he was going to inherit what his father had left for him. So, he took a deep breath and stepped toward his future.

After Everard got up on the carriage, Alexander pointed at his own carriage and said, “I will be right behind you.”

However, Everard gestured for Alexander to stop and asked, “Why don’t you hop on with me? You just said that you will stick by my side, remember?”

Alexander grinned and said in a low voice, “What if the people think that I am your wife?”

A few of the guards with sharp ears pressed their lips together in an attempt to control their laughter.

“Ugh! Why do you have to be so irritating?” Everard curled his upper lip in disdain when he saw his friend quite adamant about his decision. He sighed and said, “Alright, follow me in your own carriage then. I will see you there in the Great Hall.”

“See you there,” Alexander replied and strode towards his carriage.

Alexander refused to sit down together with Everard because he didn’t want the people of Xanmar to get confused regarding who their ruler was.

Although Everard was wearing the ceremonial mantle that would clearly distinguish who the soon-to-be King was, Alexander was also in his royal outfit that could pass him as the one who was supposed to be crowned today. So, he didn’t want to steal his friend’s thunder and confuse the people of Xanmar.

After everyone was ready, the horses, carriages, footsoldiers, and guards headed towards the castle’s main gate while following a band that played a beautiful piece of celebratory music.

Everard had thought that he would start to see the crowd once he reached the main streets of the capital. He had thought that the crowds would be waiting for him in the Great Hall.

However, he was greatly surprised when he was greeted by loud cheers and claps from the people who were eagerly waiting by the main gate to catch his one glimpse.

‘Are all these people here to see me?’ Everard thought to himself while darting his eyes around the crowd.

An overwhelming sense of happiness and pride erupted in his chest. He laughed to himself and slowly raised his hand in midair.

He then watched his people shouting and cheering for him even louder when he smiled and waved his palm at them. He could also hear his people praising him saying things like, “Long live the King” and “All hail the new King”.

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Everard took a deep breath. The rims of his eyes glistened upon seeing that much love and respect from his citizens.

He kept on waving his hand at the public and thought to himself, ‘I didn’t know that I already had such a good reputation among my people. Is it the trickle-down effect of my father’s reputation? If so, I must do everything in my power to preserve it.”