Ashriel stood in front, where everyone could see her properly. The symbols on her long trail and her cold eyes made everyone shiver. The buzzing crowd became silent when Ashriel opened her mouth to speak.
“I believe everyone of you is aware of the indelible incident that took place five years ago. Aside from my birthday and Coronation Day, this day marks the death of the former Ruler, Meredith Eleanor Theupholis La Elora, and thousands of people who surrendered and who fought until their last breath. Being the Ruler is not something to joke about. Now, as the official Ruler of the Two Great Empires of Aparctias and Thrascias, I pray that God would give me the wisdom to carry out the responsibilities I need to fulfill and promises that I should then be made.”
The crowd remained silent as they listened to Ashriel’s speech. As nobles, they were all used to listening to speeches but somehow, tonight was different. Despite the nobles who were against her, everyone felt the authority radiating from Ashriel.
“I am aware all the times that my peoples, spread wide in the whole Empires, though some opposed me, multitudinous united to support me in the task to which I have been now dedicated with such solemnity. And I want to express my gratitude towards all of you. Though I was trained by my Grandmother since I was young, some tasks are new for me. Yes, I do have my grandmother’s teachings and examples to follow, but I clearly remembered what she taught me.” Ashriel paused for a moment as Meredith’s smiling face flashed through her mind, making her swallow her tears as she remained calm.
“’What’s behind you are people that support you and right teachings that will guide you. Yes, we need to meet in one destiny, yet the Creator created different paths for us to take. Paths that will make us braver, teach us more knowledge, and lead us to experiences that will build us stronger.’ The way I manage everything from now on might be different from what you are used to, but in the end, every puzzle will fall in its own place. Now, I declare in front of all of you that I am honored to officially accept being the Ruler of the Two Great Empires of Aparctias and Thrascias.”
Loud applause and cheers, most from the Cadre, covered the entire Royal Hall. Emmette walked towards Ashriel, and she knelt in front of him. With his moist eyes, Emmette covered his daughter with the Royal Mantle and placed her Royal Crown to her head. She rose and smiled at her father, whose tears flowed again.
“Your Grandmother will surely be proud if she can see this,” Emmette whispered.
“Indeed, father.” She then walked to her golden, royal chair in the highest place. The Elders and the Cadre shed tears when she faced them with all confidence and authority.
“Congratulations! May long life be upon Her Highness!” Emmette shouted and bowed.
“Congratulations! May long life be upon Her Highness!” The Cadre, Elders, and the crowd did the same as applauding filled the whole place.
Ashriel saw Nathan, who was flashing his big smile, and saw a tear slide through his cheek.
Granny, I’ll do my best.
The party started after the official Coronation. The Hall felt suffocating, so Amber walked through the balcony, and the servants closed the thick curtain. She looked up and closed her eyes. The cold breeze felt cool on her face.
“Mind if I join?” Amber flinched upon hearing the familiar voice from behind her. She looked back and bowed upon seeing Ashriel walk towards her.
“Lift up your head and look in my eyes,” Ashriel commanded with a firm tone. Amber hesitated but did as she was told. Her inside trembled upon meeting Ashriel’s eyes. She even flinched when Ashriel closed their distance, aiming to speak to her ears.
“From now on, you’re no longer my shadow.” She whispered. Amber’s eyes widened in disbelief. She felt her eyes moist with Ashriel’s words. “Be free. That’s an order.” With that, Amber felt warm liquid roll down her cheeks.
“F-Freedom? Am I…. Am I allowed?” She managed to say. “C-Can I really be free?”
Ashriel felt like her heart was stabbed. Yes, she was angry at her for what happened five years ago. But the anger she felt towards Amber was purely because of Edom. Deep in her heart, Amber was still a sister for her. After the Revolt, when everything around Amber broke, she become more vexing and cold. That is to prevent herself from being close with someone who might abandon her or whom she might abandon again. She just hates being separated with the people she loves so much that she is willing not to be close with anyone.
“My father said I can never be-“
“Whose words will you believe, Amber?” Ashriel cut her. “Your father’s words, or the Ruler’s?” Amber froze. Ashriel’s words hit her to the core. “If you believe mine then….” Ashriel stopped, and Amber waited anxiously. Ashriel then smiled. The smile that Amber was dying to see again. “Call me by what you’re calling me before.”
***
Oriana anxiously walked towards the corner of the long table with various expensive drinks. The nobles talked with each other, and she never bothered to socialize with them. Some did greet her, but that was because Leon entered the Hall with her. Oriana was fully aware of the greediness and jealousy hidden behind their eyes.
She sighed deeply and looked at the gloves that Leon gave before the event started.
“How can a noble of a fallen house like me be paired with the noble of the fourth house of Aparctias?” She asked herself. She sighed again and took her drink from the servant when she bumped into something.
“What the heck?!” The woman explained. Oh no, it was not something. It was someone. Oriana’s eyes widened upon seeing her drink drips in the woman’s nightgown. Some people started to gather around them as the woman fumes.
“You’re from the fallen Atherton, right? Huh.” The woman smirked, and Oriana froze. “Pathetic. I bet your manners were destroyed together with your family. How come you’re paired with Sir Leon when all you eat is dust, you low-noble, whore.” The woman blabbered without a pause, making Oriana feel disparaged.
“How dare she insult me and my family. Wait, calm down, Oriana. You’re carrying the First Rank’s name.” She whispered to herself.
Oriana took a deep breath and slowly put the glass down. Her hands wanted to make the woman bald, but she stopped herself. “I apologize if this lowly-noble, as what you’ve described, stepped your pride for being paired with the Colonel, Lady. But don’t you think what you just said was inappropriate to come out from a noble lady’s lips?” She faked her smile and heard people gasp. The woman’s eyes widened.
“You said my manners were destroyed along with my fallen family. But I guess I would rather have destroyed manners that knows how to use proper words and apologize than a manner that stinks like dead rat and athlete’s foot.”
Oriana heard the cheers and laughs of the people who surrounded them. Most are for the woman in front of her. The woman felt her ear heat, and she grinned her teeth in anger.
“You bitch!” She raised her hand and was about to slap Oriana when she felt a strong grip cover her wrist. She groaned and bent her body when the grip tightened.
“Hold yourself, Lady Witch. You might regret your actions.” The woman’s eyes widened upon hearing the man’s voice. She looked back and felt her body tremble.
“S-Sir Leon….” The woman whispered. Leon released her hand, and she quickly fixed herself. “S-Sir, it’s “Mitch,” not “Witch.” The woman said and smiled, trying to allure Leon who felt disgusted with her action.
“I see. My bad, I thought you’re Lady Witch because you look like one.”
Oriana chuckled softly but stopped when she met Leon’s eyes. Her smile disappeared. There was something in Leon’s eyes Oriana could not explain. It was sharp. But when he looked at her, it was sweet. What’s with him?
“I saw everything that happened, Lady. You were the one who bumped yourself with my partner. Want some proof?” He said firmly and pointed the chandelier above them. Mitch felt the cold sweats forming on her forehead despite the cold Hall as soon as she saw the surveillance cameras. “Everything was recorded. You accused her of something that you did. Are you not aware of how much the Ruler abhors that?”
Mitch flinched and stepped back when Leon pulled Oriana to him. Oriana anxiously faced Mitch when Leon held her shoulder firmly and turned her to meet everyone.
“The woman you just insulted will soon be a part of the House Norton, and the family you just badmouthed will soon be restored and regain its position. Are you prepared for the punishments you’ll face, Lady Witch?”
The woman felt her knees lose their strength as she fell on her knees. Her body trembled in fear, and tears started to fall from her eyes. “S-Sir…. Please…. Please forgive-“
“Hey, hey, now is not yet the time for you to crawl. And don’t apologize to me. I’m not the one you’ve wronged.” Leon said with a grin and squeezed Oriana’s shoulders.
The woman bit her lower lips until they bled. Her pride tells her to stand up and beat Oriana down, but her guts tell her she’ll die if she does that. “S-Sorry.” She blurted out involuntarily and looked at Oriana.
Leon leaned closer to Oriana and whispered to her ears. “What will you say? Don’t tell me you-“
“Colonel.” She cut him. “What’s the use asking for an apology if it came from a heart that refuses to repent from sin?” She said coldly. The woman turned pale when Leon grinned amiably and kissed Oriana’s cheeks.
“That’s my girl.” He whispered and grabbed Oriana’s wrist again. “Twin, you know what to do,” Leon said, and only then did everyone who watched the scene turn their heads to Olive, who was standing and monitoring with the crowd. Olive grinned and nodded. The crowd stepped back. Mitch is dead.
Oriana gasped when Leon pulled her out of the crowd. He walked so fast, so Oriana ran to follow his steps. Seeing her struggle, he stopped and faced her. “Tsk. You’re so slow.” Oriana gasped again when Leon pulled her and carried her through one of the balconies. The servants who saw them smiled and pulled open the thick curtain then closed it for their privacy.
Oriana closed her eyes when Leon lifted her and made her sit on the thick golden railings. She slowly opened her eyes and stopped when she saw Leon’s gaze. His face was so close.
~ What’s behind you are people that support you and right teachings that will guide you. Yes, we need to meet in one destiny, yet the Creator created different paths for us to take. Paths that will make us braver, teach us more knowledge, and lead us to experiences that will build us stronger. ~
~ What’s the use of asking for an apology if it came from a heart that refuses to repent from sin? ~