In Aeternum (Actively Updating and Editing)

XII: Coronation

They soon found themselves on a lantern-lit lane, headed towards a large manor. Smiling over at Elsy, Hannah clapped softly in excitement.

Scary was standing outside waiting for them, wearing one of the most beautiful dresses Hannah had ever seen. It was a Victorian dark purple Victorian ball gown, with silver ghosts, black spiders and orange pumpkins embroidered all over it. Her flaming red hair was up in a messy bun, held with spiders and laced with cobwebs.

She waved out the window at the witch.

"Hannah!" Scary smiled, "You're a bit early!"

Hannah smiled back.

"Not that I mind," Scary laughed.

A man opened the carriage door for them. She stepped out softly, not wanting to trip over her dress.

"You look so beautiful, Hannah-Marie!" Scary gasped.

Hugging the woman, Hannah looked behind her at the carriage, "If you think I'm beautiful, wait for Elsy..."

Scary looked up expectantly. This was the moment of truth.

From the coach, stepped a silent, beautiful angel. The way she looked in the lantern's light, how it caught the red jewels that decorated her, was breathtaking. Her long hair was held up in a swirling bun, curls framing her delicate face. From behind the mask, you could see the beautiful amethyst that was her eyes.

There was no mistaking it. Elysia-Lumina Ilaria Aurelius, Lost Crown Princess of Amarithiyah... Was alive and well.

The footman just looked at her in awe as he helped her down. Lifting her skirt so as not to get it dirty, she stepped silently onto the stone-paved road.

"We will take the horses to the stables, and bring your trunks to your rooms. They are beside Master Orson's, as he told us that you are his special guests!"

Hannah blushed darkly at his words as Elysia let out her bell-like laughter, "Oh how gracious of you sir! Though, before you leave, do you mind going into the carriage and getting the two shawls that we accidentally left on the seat? That would be most appreciated."

He didn't hesitate to do as he was told, happily even. Handing the shawls to Elysia, he sat back in the driver's seat and after a crack of his whip, he was gone down the lane.

"Now," Scary smiled after staring at Elsy for the longest time, "We need to get the last minute decorations up. Go wait in the study that is off to the side of the ballroom. Something tells me that Elsy here, does not wish to be seen just yet."

Elsy smiled, "Yes, thank you."

After pointing the direction they needed, they found the study she was talking about and let themselves in. Taking off her shawl, Elysia lay it over the back of an armchair and went right over to the books that lined the wall. Taking a volume off the shelf, she sat down in the same chair her shawl was tossed and began to read before the fire.

Hannah had only been here once before, and she knew nothing about where anything was, yet here Elsy was, acting as if she had known this place her entire life. It must have been a "Manor" thing. The brunette supposed that a lot of manors were set up the same way.

Sitting in the other chair, she gazed into the fire. It had been far too long since she had seen Skully or Bug-A-Boo. Max or Ruby. HELL. She even missed Harry.
She couldn't wait to introduce Elysia to them all. Elsy would love it here.

-

About a half hour had passed and Hannah had almost fallen asleep before there was a knock at the door. She jumped up, hoping it was Orson. Scary walked in, now wearing a lovely bat-shaped mask.

"The Coronation is about to begin, you two. After the coronation, there will be the presentation of gifts from all the knights and nobles, and then the "First Dance" where Orson will choose someone from the crowd to dance with. When the dance is complete, there will be dinner and then more dancing, alright? So let's get you guys out there!"

Scary led them out into the crowd that had gathered in the Throne Room, ushered towards the front as Orson's "Honoured Guests".

Many of the ball goers looked at Elysia and Hannah, commenting quietly about how beautiful they both looked. She smiled and gave a small wave. Elysia curtsied softly at each compliment, a soft "merci" escaping her lips each time.

Like a perfect princess.

Hannah sighed.

Suddenly there was a fanfare, and Max came into view from the left of the thrones that were situated in the middle of the room, Ruby at his side. They both wore a crown upon their heads, looking nobler than Hannah had ever seen them. Their gorgeous black and red attire matched the curtains that hung around the thrones and was something Hannah had not expected. She knew they were a king and queen, but she had never seen them look so noble. Ruby was so beautiful.

Another fanfare played and from the opposite side of the room, Orson walked in.

It was so hard for Orson not to scan the crowd for Elysia. He knew she was there, her delicate scent was floating through the room, reaching his nose as soon as he entered.
Elysia's breath caught in her throat. His dark blue hair was combed to the side, and he looked much bigger than she remembered. Even underneath his black and red tuxedo, she could see the lean muscles ripple as he walked.

Turning to the crowd, he gave them a kind smile and bowed as the room erupted with cheers and clapping.

Meeting his parents in front of the thrones, they all turned to look at the crowd again as a choir started to sing. From the crowd came proclamations of "Vivat Rex!". "Long Live The King!".

When the music ended, Max cleared his throat, "To the people of the Fright Side and the Kingdom of The Night. I give, to you, Your Future King!"

Hannah and Elysia cheered louder than the rest of the crowd.

Max held up his hand in silence. He told Orson to raise his right hand and to repeat after him.

"I, Orson Vladimir Dracul,"

His voice had gotten deeper, and sounded so sure. He never sounded that way, ever. Elysia could feel it send shivers down her body.

Orson swore to govern faithfully, with justice and mercy. To uphold his teachings and maintain the doctrine of the land.

Max then held up a very beaten up book, handing it to his son who held it graciously.

"To keep your Majesty ever mindful of the Law and beliefs as the rule for the whole life and government of Vampire princes."

His father then led him to kneel before him in front of the King's throne, Ruby at his side. The choir sang an anthem as Max gave Orson his blessing. Bats flew in and placed robes of gold on Orson's shoulders, who now stood up and faced the crowd.
His father handed him a scepter, the symbol of kingly power and his mother handed him a rod with a dove on it, to symbolise the justice and mercy he was to uphold as a king. From the left side of the room, a man in black robes walked over to Orson and placed a grand crown upon his head.

"Your New King!" Max shouted to the people.

"Vivat Rex! Vivat Rex! Vivat Rex!"

Elsy and Hannah shouted along with everyone again, laughing and rejoicing.

Orson was now King Of The Night; The very thing he had dreaded since Hannah had met him. But, he now stood proudly in the position he was meant to have. Max and Ruby stood off to the side, as Orson took his seat on the king's throne. The room was once again filled with cheers as people started lining up to give Orson their gifts. She had a gift for him, but Hannah wouldn't give it to him here. She would wait until they were alone, or at least, more alone than they were now.