Royal Pains

The Crowning of Adelaide - 1

' [ T ] he crowning . '

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   Breathing. Steady.

Nimble fingertips glided carefully along the velvety fabric of her gown, tracing along the delicately adorned patterns that coated the intricate serpentine corset in arrays of floral. Within a moments notice, she had stood.

All eyes had been placed among her. However, hers had failed to open.

"Madam," Golden flaked hues quickly lifted to catch the sullen gaze of the Archbishop that stood before her, his lips moving but hardly able to withstand the noise that had filled her head. Adelaide blinked once. Twice.

She was only twenty and after her mother's sudden demise, she was forced into coronation. Forced to make an oath. Her knees quivered beneath her, yet she lifted her shoulders upwards and pursed her lips tightly. She would, for her mother, take the throne.

"is your Majesty willing to take the oath?" The Archbishop continued, his expression rather stern.

Adelaide parted her mouth to speak, her chin tilting upwards ever so slightly. "I-" There she froze, swallowing back the lump that had formed within the center of her throat. Again, she repeated. For her mother, she would take the throne. "I am willing."

After the few words rolled from the tip of her tongue, she lifted the Royal tome from the stand at her side, a single right palm placing hesitantly within the center. The Archbishop began again, his eyes never failing to part with her own. "Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the peoples of The Kingdom of Lelidia and of your Possessions and the other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?"

It was no secret that the words he had spoken had entered a single ear and departed from the other. She had choked, simply speaking the words she had been told to speak. "I solemnly promise to do so."

"Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?" In that very moment, she was sure that it would never end. That these words she hardly understood were bound to repeat over and over again.

"I will." With a single hand, the Archbishop reached behind a pedestal and lifted the Sword of Lelidia. Adelaide winced upon sight, her expression faltering as the very tip placed gently upon each shoulder.

Each member of the Royal Council stood, hands knotted together, followed by those of the Kingdom. "Madam Adelaide Katerina Windsor, I hereby announce you Queen of Lelidia. In doing so, I proffer to you the Royal Crown." Adelaide straightened her posture, her Emerald eyes glancing aside to her fathers. He wore a content countenance, hardly dipping his chin before motioning Adelaide's attention back upon the crown that was being held out towards her.

"The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep. So help me God. I will take this crown and wear it with honor, chivalry. For I, Adelaide Katerina Windsor, intend to rule the Kingdom of Lelidia up until my very last breath." Adelaide fixated her gaze upon the diamond crested crown as it was placed neatly upon her head.

She was Queen.

Waves upon waves of cheer erupted within the Coronation Hall, propelling Adelaide to pivot on her heels and stare blankly upon the kingdom in which she now ruled. From Duchess to Queen, her lips slowly began to tug upwards into a rather skeptical grin.

"Congratulations, Queen Adelaide." A feeble, decrepit woman spoke. Adelaide dipped her chin, forcing a smile. She did not deserve that title.

The coming of Leadership frightened her, however for her kingdom she would manage. She would keep to her sole promises, tend to her duties.

After all, she was born into this.

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AUTHORS NOTE  —  I am aware that the first chapter has begun quite slow and short, though this is only the beginning. I have many plans for this book and I am hoping that those who take the time to read it will enjoy it just as much as I will writing it.

Stay tuned. I can assure you all that it WILL get much, much better.