Chapter 323 - The Crowning (2)

As Adrianna walked further in the throne hall, she noticed that ministry members who were dead against her were also present in the audience. She walked over towards the throne, which was on a raised platform with three steps under a canopy. 

The throne hall mesmerized Dmitri. Intricate gold patterns sn.a.k.e.d the sloped ceiling with stone effigies staring down at the positively sparkling marble floor. Bright torches illuminated the ivory rug leading to the throne that was flanked by smaller red carpets on either sides. Walls were decorated by emblazoned lacery banners which had beautiful nature images. Between each banner there were large candlesticks in gold, which were lighting the images. Glass stained windows were neighbored by huge dr.a.p.es of ivory color. Each and every curtain was adorned with beautiful jewels and tassels. 

The throne that was in the raised platform was a grandiose gold throne that sat in front of a giant painting of the kingdom. It was covered with sacred patterns. There was a lotus flower that was fixed on each of its thick feet. All the guests were sitting on bulky chairs, which were aligned in two rows facing each other. It seemed that those with higher ranking sat close to the throne.  

Adrianna took a deep breath and walked forward to climb the steps of the throne while Dmitri was guided by Fleur to sit on a bulky chair on the right side of the throne. Everyone else sat down and took their places. 

When Adrianna was in front of the throne, she couldn't help admiring the grandiose of it. Isidorus was standing there on the right side of the throne. He bowed at her. As soon as Adrianna stepped to sit on the throne, it disappeared. She was stunned and looked at Isidorus. Did the throne already reject her? Was the entire struggle to reach that place in vain? Suddenly she saw that a chair appeared on the side of the throne. Isidorus asked her to sit over there.

When Adrianna sat there, she looked up at Isidorus. Instead of the throne why was she sitting in that chair? She was confused. 

She saw Isidorus closing his eyes. "I summon the crown to appear and test the candidate who has claimed to be its rightful owner." 

According to a legend, the crown locked itself in a golden cage that was invisible just behind the throne. It could only be summoned by Isidorus or the rulers of the kingdom. Once it was out of the golden cage, only Isidorus or the rulers could touch it. 

When Zephyr had planned to bury the original crown, he had thought that once it was in Isidorus' hands, he would snatch it from him and bury it. What Zephyr didn't know was that the crown disappeared on even the slightest threat to it. 

Once Isidorus summoned the crown, a golden cage behind the throne appeared. It was a small cage where only the crown could fit. Isidorus took a gold chain out from his neck, which had a key to it. He used that key to open the cage and the crown came out on its own. Its beauty captivated Adrianna and Dmitri. Adrianna could feel as if the crown was live. 

The gold crown was two inches high on all sides. There were seven oval gems that were collected from across the world and fixed in it in a line. On all sides there were diamonds that lined the crown. 

Isidorus took the crown in his hands and said, "If this crown accepts you, you will get to sit on the throne. If not, you might end up becoming mentally sick for the rest of your life."

Adrianna was only looking at crown. She felt unnatural, unexplained attraction towards it. Perhaps all the candidates that looked at it, were attracted to it. What was that charm that was pulling her to it? It was as if she was ready to plunge herself into eternal abyss only to have that crown. 

Isidorus looked at her. He had seen similar emotions earlier also. He broke her reverie and asked, "Are you ready?" 

Adrianna nodded heavily. She couldn't wait for the crown to sit on her head. 

Dmitri became nervous when Isidorus asked Adrianna as to whether she was ready. He stood from his chair on an impulse and mentally communicated to her, "I am not ready! Adri, we don't need this. Let's go back!"

Adrianna looked at Dmitri with a lot of affection and replied, "We have worked so hard to reach this moment Dmitri. Please let me go for it." Her lure for the crown was growing by the minute. While she was getting impatient, Dmitri's hands became sweaty. He could feel her l.u.s.t for the crown in his heart. He sat down reluctantly knowing that there was no power in the world, which could stop her from accepting the crown now. 

Adrianna looked at Isidorus. He came forward and placed the crown on her head. Adrianna closed her eyes as though she got immense satisfaction in her heart and her journey of life had achieved its destination. She hadn't realized but the crown was now taking the shape of her head. It did that so softly that it added to Adrianna's comfort. It started clutching her. First, it softly clutched her head and then slowly the grip intensified. 

Adrianna, who was earlier feeling almost cathartic, could now feel the grip. She opened her eyes as to what was happening. She took her hands to remove the crown, but she couldn't. Everyone in the audience was looking at her with baited breath. The grip tightened and she could now feel the pain. Why was it hurting her when all she could feel was love for it? She bore the pain for some time. 

The audience had seen previous candidates who had staked the claim to the crown shouting and howling in pain within a few seconds but Adrianna seemed to be bearing it calmly. 

Now the crown had clutched so tightly that it was almost bone crushing. Adrianna shouted in pain. "Aaaaaa! Remove it!" The pain was so intense that she thought her head would explode into hundreds of pieces. She screamed, "Noooooo!"