CHAPTER 4

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LAVINIA

I entered the hall with so many people following me and a few maids handling the silhouette of my dress' long trail. The gathering was grand and so were the arrangements, I had been in my room dressing up, almost all day long. My mother was with me for most of the time, I wonder if she found herself anytime to gather some information regarding all that had happened last night. I walk down the deep red carpet spread in my way up to the throne which itself was set right between the two seats designated to both my parents. The royal priest, in my way, standing next to the elevated platform where I was going to take my pledge as the next queen to the throne of our empire, Thyrennia. I have been trying to control my breaths but the anxiousness I feel right now, already has me on the verge of losing my composure. NO, I am alright. I repeat those words in my head until I no longer feel the heavy cape weighing down on my shoulders, until my feet get familiar with the piercing ache from this new pair of shoes and my mind zones out of the distress that I cannot seem to control from last two days.

I reach near the few raised steps that eventually lead to my soon-to-be throne. I was presented with a sword. The same sword that the queens of this kingdom have born throughout decades of ruling our kingdom. I look at it, my eyes ruling the intricate details of it's case, the hilt of the sword embedded with a finely cut ruby and all of it covered in gold. I remember the age-old prophecies of our royal blood, about how Thyrennia must only be ruled by the eldest blood daughter of the queen herself, lest the fate of the country will await inevitable destruction. These words are nothing more than a saying for the people but it lays the very foundation of our past generations. I remember these words by heart, reciting them, reminding myself what I am made for.

"I present to you, the royal sword of the Thyrennian empire, the symbol of bravery, strength and loyalty towards the throne, the ancestors and the people of the kingdom." Said the old royal priest who was now standing in front of me with the sword in his hands, bowing in front of his next queen. He wore a white draped gown lined with gold and red that made him look nothing like the rest of guests here.

I took a steadying breath, short yet confident and put my hands out as the priest laid the sword in my hands. The moment I touched it, I felt it's cold embrace, although, the ruby studded in it hummed to the touch as if warning me that it invited reckless destruction. I could feel the immense amount of power it possessed and it was heavier than the swords I usually train with, possibly because of the heavily gilded case. But here, comes the moment of truth. I hope I don't forget the pledge. I can do this, I recited it just moments ago in front of my mother.

"I. Lavinia Aughustus Thorine, the next heir to the kingdom of Thyrennia." I say as I shift my eyes to the throne, taking in a breath and my head held high. My palms were sweating at this moment but all my eyes reflected was sheer confidence and certainty. I already knew. "Pledge to serve my country till my last breath with loyalty and bravery, with truth and safety. I submit all my concerns and efforts towards the well-being of this kingdom and swear to take down every head that dares to go against our empire."

There was a moment of silence and I could hear my heartbeat grow faster by the second although the silence was instantly shifted. The atmosphere lifted as soon as mother got up from her seat and moved towards me with nothing but a stern expression on her face accompanied with a pair of blank eyes, her footsteps were the only voice that could be heard in the huge hall where numerous other bodies stood in awe and bright eyes as they saw their queen approaching the next heir to their country.

The queen stooped sternly in front of me and I could feel a slight glint of smile spreading across my face. She lifts the crown from her head as I bow next to her and feel her place the heavy stone studded gold on mine. It made feel so full with power, like I was complete now, something I have never experienced before, like I had something to hold on to. I could feel my body ease and the tense feelings leaving my muscles. My thoughts were interrupted as soon as I felt a pair of reassuring hands on my shoulders, straightening me up. I look up at her eyes, now filled with love and happiness to which I passed a small smile, however, I know for a fact, my eyes expressed more than just a smile.

Aurelia ~ The Order Of Fates Where stories live. Discover now