The Crown of Wilted Gold.

7

****
Aaron and Irisa walked toward the large crowd that was waiting outside, they looked to be around four hundred people. They filled the courtyard of the palace and spread out. They were cheering and throwing flowers at them, Irisa put on a pretty smile, and they waved at the people of the capital. Happy that it was finally over, they had finally usurped power from the oppressive woman and her son.

Aaron walked back into the palace with his entourage which had almost doubled as soon as he was pronounced Emperor, he was smiling ear to ear, not able to believe that it was happening. He was filled with happiness as he glanced at his wife, who was deep in thought.

"Beloved, you seem to be in another place?" Irisa glanced at her husband before the smile reappeared on her face.

"I am not, I can just believe that we have done, we are here. Is it real?" She said Aaron squeezed her hands, "It is real, beloved, we are rulers and owners of Kaley," Irisa blinked and looked away, as they approached the dining table.

It was ceremonious to have a light meal, the guard bowed before opening the large doors filled with their family members, Irisa looked at her side of the table, her brothers, her father, and her stepmother. Aaron's side was Pearl, his cousins, nieces and nephews, uncles and aunties, his stepmother, his brother and he were sitting.

He made sure one of their hands was tied to the chair, he was not stupid, letting them out of the room could have recasting consequences but he knew that he had to show mercy to make people believe he was benevolent. The table stood as they approached the head of the long table, a servant helped pushed their chair backwards before they took their sit.

"Please, we are family, much formality is not needed," Aaron said softly, looking at the prepared meals, three cooks stood not far from them, "we shall proceed with the meal now," Aaron commanded and the maids started serving the meals that were to the people sitting on it.

Aaron was to take the first bite of the meal as head of the family, and then Irisa would follow him. He took the first bite of his plan chicken, it signified a new dawn and royalty, Irisa took a bite of her egg, and it did not go unnoticed to her that everyone was hinting at her pregnancy.

She and Aaron never officially discussed children but she knew it was their responsibility to give the state children, the kingmakers had mentioned it as her role.

She was not sure she even wanted children, after the death of her mother, she had blamed herself for the loss, she often wondered if that was the reason her father generally avoided her or if the Duke just despised her naturally.

The others started feasting and eating, enjoying the meal in the kitchen prepared. The feast was way smaller than the one the Empress dowager would formally hold, she knew she was not in the place to comment so she kept mute, eating whatever was served to her.

"Everyone, can I have your attention?" Aaron said loudly but putatively, "I know that the ceremony and formation are to take place in a hurry and a rush, and my father wanted it that way to ensure I take the throne and continue his wonderful works, with my wife being the heir to the Empress dowager's throne. I want to appreciate you all for travelling from far and near on such short notice.

I hope that you will work with my wife and me to rule the country," the table was still silent. No one said anything, they could not understand why he had Agnes and her son sitting on the fable. Any Emperor would have killed the former crown prince to secure his reign.

The feasting ended with Aaron rising, he took Irisa's hand and nodded at the table before leaving the dining hall. Irisa remained quiet as the entourage followed them through the palace, she was deep in thought. Thinking of what he wanted to achieve by not killing them. He did say he was going to put them in the old manor where he lived all his life.