The Kingdom of Noitcif

Chapter Ten - The Coronation Ceremony

  After a week of grieving - where no work was done and all shops were closed - the morning of the coronation ceremony dawned. Espen was surprised at how nervous he felt now that he was truly about to take the throne.

  "It is perfectly understandable, Estevan," Lee Rose commented from the other side of the room, as ladies-in-waiting and gentlemen of the bedchamber applied the finishing touches to the prince's and queen's attire, hair, and jewelry.

  "It's all come upon you so suddenly," added Camilla, back in her role as the queen's lady-in-waiting. "I'm sorry I couldn't prepare you more for it," she lamented with a sincere look at Espen as she adjusted the jeweled hair comb in the queen's locks.

  The king-to-be forced a smile and nod in her direction as he fought back another bout of internal butterflies.

  Finally, once the crowd had gotten settled, Lee Rose and Lysander flanked Espen on either side as they walked with him to the front of the large assembly hall. At the podium, the high steward unrolled a golden scroll, and began to read in a loud, clear tone:

  "I hereby proclaim that after grieving the death of our dear King Hyperion, our sorrow may cease, and instead, we may express joy due to the ascension of his son, Prince Estevan, to the throne. Do the people of the Kingdom of Noitcif approve his acceptance of the crown?"

  At this, the voices of thousands of Noitcif citizens filled the hall, their shouting rising up to the top of the gold-plated ceiling and wafting through the open windows into the sky beyond as they chanted, "Long live King Estevan! God save the king!"

  Espen's face brightened. He felt so accepted that his nervousness and butterflies were instantly replaced with a resolve to be the best king he could be.

  The chief speaker then turned to the prince, and asked: "Prince Estevan, are you willing to accept the crown of the Kingdom of Noitcif, agree to always place your people before yourself, continually do what is best for the land, and keep your loyalty towards Noitcif until the end of your days?"

  Espen paused for a moment, letting those words sink in. He wanted to remember them forever so he could rule this kingdom with a loyal heart.

  "I am willing."

  For a moment, the high steward stood in front of Espen, keeping an even gaze as Espen looked back at him. The prince fidgeted. Had he said something wrong?

  The high steward smiled at his confused face and mouthed, "Kneel."

  "Oh." Espen nodded and smiled in return, and bent down on one knee.

  "By the power invested in me, and through the approval of the assembly, and God, I crown you King of Noitcif!"

  Espen felt the weight of the crown of gold being placed atop his head. It fit perfectly. Slowly, he rose to his feet, and took Lee Rose's extended arm as she led him to his throne one step up from where they were.

  "Sit, my king," she said with a curtsey.

  It was extremely difficult for Espen to maintain his composure, realizing that he truly was the highest authority in the land. But conversely, because he was, that reality empowered him to rise to the occasion. He turned and sat with renewed confidence on the gold, velvet, and jeweled throne, looking out over his subjects with a countenance befitting of a king. There was a cry of joy from the people below, and the chanting began once again as the high steward, and then the duke, each gave him a flourishing bow.

  King Estevan glanced over at his mother, and then at Camilla, who were smiling from ear to ear. And leaning against a pillar in the midst of the crowd, the young king could see Tarquin, who was cheering louder than all the rest, his fist in the air.