𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅

chapter eighty-four

Third POV

The tension was heavy in the castle that following morning, and all the workers were aware of what was happening. The white and purple banners decorated the hallways, and the staff made sure that everything was ready for the celebration.

The emotions were high, and a lot of people were not on the same page when it came to the future Kings. The majority of the kingdom still saw them as what their father was, violent murderers, and we're not ecstatic about them becoming the rulers of this land.

Of course, rumors of their recent slight change of behavior had been going around, the information spreading like a wind flowing through the valley. The people of Ekudal were still unsure whether or not it was true. They remembered their father, who had broken their trust so many times. It was hard for them to imagine his sons would be any different.

The streets of Ekudal were filled with people chanting and dancing in the kingdom's colors. A lot of them wanted to catch a peek at  the future Kings.

The ambiance in the royal dressing room made every maid on edge as they helped the Princes get ready. They seemed in a bad mood today, especially this morning. Prince Drakkar had already stabbed one guard earlier on, he refused to tell his brothers why, though.

"Your Highness, if you could turn around," the seamstress asked Prince Zeke, and he did with an annoyed sigh. He had drunk a little too much this morning, not wanting to admit that he was trying to cope with the fact that Emriana wasn't there.

She wouldn't be at their side when they would become Kings. The realization was hitting them with a brutal pain, each of them coping with the news in their own ways. It didn't mean she wouldn't become Queen later, but it wouldn't be the same.

Zeke felt the bile rise at the back of his throat and grabbed the nearest trash, and emptied his stomach. His two older brothers sent him a worried glance before looking straight ahead, both deep in thought. Zander had completely closed himself off, putting on the same cold demeanor he had mastered so well over the years.

Drakkar felt like hitting something, but he tried to compose himself. He had to be strong, he couldn't show his future kingdom he was weak for a girl. The only thing keeping him from snapping was that he would get to see her as she would paint them along with her team.

"I think the animal fur would look better on him, use the velvet for Prince Zander," the maid moved around them quickly, getting them ready for the portrait that would be exhibited at the Royal salon so all the kingdom could see.

The three of them felt the heavy golden, and diamond crown lowered on their head. Zander glared at himself in the mirror, dressed just like his father would. He punched the mirror with a violent jab, crushing the glass under the impact.

"Your Highnesses, we are done."

All of the maids lowered their heads at the same time, showing their respect. General Droga was waiting for them at the door, and they followed him down the hallway with silence so heavy, it made him nervous.

They didn't even ask questions when General Droga showed them to the ballroom, urging them inside. In the middle of the room were around twenty people moving around, getting everything ready. There was a pretend library with a chair for the background of their portraits.

Drakkar recognized Emriana's friend pulling out the paintbrushes from a piece of luggage. As soon as she saw he was looking, she turned around so he couldn't see the grin she had on.

Their eyes wandered around, looking for the blond girl but found her nowhere. Zander was about to snap, it was too much.

Their mother walked down the stairs, followed by her ladies-in-waiting, smiling at her three boys.