His Worst Mistake

Coronation Day

Troy went through his tasks in the last two weeks in a daze. He had no concrete feeling of what he was doing, or what was going on around him. His chest felt hollow and his thoughts ran wild. Most of his thoughts poked and pricked at him, whilst a very minimal percentage of them comforted him. These thoughts which comforted him sent him into a further downward spiral as they poked at his conscience. When he thought of his father finally dying  after hurting his mother, Troy felt good for a few seconds before reeling over in disgust. Troy felt dejected and he felt he had no support. Astrid still resided at the Palace but her presence which once served as consolation during the days before Margot's trial, now disgusted him. 

He had seen and heard enough to know that Astrid had intentionally plotted things to drive a wedge between Margot and himself. Troy berated himself for not spotting these things sooner. He had urged her to leave the Palace but Astrid refused and claimed rights to stay put through his funeral ceremony as his father's niece. Troy had no strength in him to fight at the moment and just let her be. Troy still had it on his agenda to make sure that the rumours around Astrid and Margot were going to be sorted out soon. He owed that much to Margot's memory. 

Troy stood deep in his thoughts as his attendants robed him for his coronation ceremony. As soon as his father was laid into his grave, he would be officially pronounced as King. Troy hoped his father could be given some days for his death to be mourned before he was coronated, but tradition came before sentiments. 

Troy's attendants stepped away from him as soon as they were done. Troy shifted in place and stared at himself in the mirror. He sighed.

"Your Highness...it's time" John notified Troy.

"Let's go then" Troy said coldly.

~

Astrid sat all smiles in the chair that was positioned beside Troy's. She then stood smiling as Troy walked in after an attendant announced his presence. Troy frowned as he spotted Astrid. He stopped in his tracks and bent to whisper something to John. Soon Astrid was being asked to leave her seat to sit with the rest of the congregation. Astrid questioned the attendant who informed that she was not meant to be take the seat reserved for the Crown Princess. 

It took the attendant several minutes to explain to Astrid that she could not seat beside Troy as the seat was reserved for only the Crown Princes. Astrid kept arguing that she was equivalent to the Crown Princess but Troy had warned against giving in to Astrid. 

In order not to cause a ruckus during a solemn event, Astrid reluctantly made her way down from the high table and to a spare seat situated with the rest of the congregation. Astrid had a frown the entire service and made a mental note to have a word with Troy after. 

During the reception, Astrid forced a smile when interacting with the nobles but hoped to hide herself after her earlier incident. Astrid saw Troy was now free and walked up to him.

"My condolences cuz" she said sweetly and tried to hug Troy but Troy stepped back and dodged her hug.

Astrid frowned but quickly covered it up with a smile as she decided to go straight to the point

"Troy...why did you kick me off the high table?" Astrid asked plainly

Troy made no effort to look at her and sipped his wine.

"You weren't kicked out Astrid. The seat wasn't yours to begin with." Troy said casually.

Astrid was annoyed.

"But-"

"But nothing Astrid" Troy cut her off. "I know of all the tricks you played. The reporter, the pictures taken and released with false context. I know everything Astrid. Because I haven't acted on this knowledge does not mean I approve of your actions Astrid. And NO! I don't like you in that way. You're my cousin...you'll never be Crown Princess. I'll never see you that way Astrid. So PLEASE!! Put a rest to this your childish game." Troy snapped at Astrid in frustration. He had it up to not just his neck but head.