Blood King

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

            The pain in Celina’s body had numbed itself out to the point where she could no longer feel it, from what she could guess it had gone away all on its own. It was odd, but she could not think of that now.

            “Are you alright Celina?” Xavier asked as he stood by her side, dressed formally for the event as he wore his Prince’s crown as she wore her’s. “You look a little pale.”

            “I’m alright,” she said to him. “I just feel nervous, is that strange?”

            He laughed a bit and shook his head. “No, it’s not at all. You have the right to feel nervous just as much as I do.”

            But Celina knew that he was far more nervous then she was, the only reason for her nervousness was for her brother, not herself, as the nobles gathered she wondered what would happen next, from what she had been told of the coming day the nobles and royals from the other lands would be introduced, they would get the chance to speak with the Crown Prince before all would head to the castle’s church so that Xavier would then be crowned King with their eyes as a witness to the event. 

            The horn then sounded as the large double doors opened, Celina then felt Xavier grasping her hand and squeezed, not tightly but for reassurance, as those from other lands entered.

            The first to enter were the royals and nobles from the lands of Labadier, an announcer called out who they were in a boisterous voice, King Vladimir Rasputin Dracul Boscone, followed by his daughter, Princess Eleanor Claudia Lapina Boscone, then her younger brother, the Crown Prince Radu Bason Dracul Boscone, and then the King’s brother and General Stepan Bason Mircea Boscone.

Seeing the royals of Labadier made Xavier mentally cringe, he did not like anyone from those lands, he glanced at his sister with a worried gaze, the maids from those lands had tried to poison Celina, tried to kill the only family he ever truly loved. And because of that he would always see those from Labadier as enemies. But now was not the time to think that, for they mocked him, called him a brat and a child, their tune would change once he became King.

If they did not then they would not be welcomed to his kingdom anymore.

Vladimir came up to the base of stairs and bowed his head, with a gruff exterior, a man like that of a hulking tree as he stood about the same height as Xavier, he had a well-kept beard with dark brown eyes he looked at Xavier with a half-smile. “Magnums words of praise New King,” he said but his voice did not hold a note of respect, only contempt, it was clear that he did not wish to be here, but he knew if he was not he would be mocked as a coward in front of a young King to be. “I am sure you will do well for you and your country.”

Xavier gave the man a smile, but it was not filled with warmth as he looked at him. “Thank you King Boscone, I am truly honored by your words of praise, I humbly welcome you and your family here on this day.”

“And I humbly accept,” his eyes then looked to Celina, to the Princess’s credit she did not flinch when he addressed her. “Princess Celina, my how you have grown since I had last seen you. You’ve grown beautifully, if your mother or father were still alive I am sure they would also agree.”

“Thank you,” she said. “That is very kind of you.”

“Allow me to introduce my son, Radu, like you Xavier he is the Crown Prince.”

The boy Radu looked up at Xavier with strong admiration and pride, he had light brown hair and even lighter brown eyes that shined with optimism. “I have heard much about you and your father and the many things that you have done for your country, when I become King one day I hope you and I will become better acquainted.”