CHAPTER 354: BLOODY CORONATION-II

Arabella smiled when they locked eyes and saw how he too was dressed in the clothes made from the same fabric as her, showing that both of them comes from the same source like a pair which touched her heart.

She reached out her hand and he gently marched toward her, scooping her directly to his arms before burying his nose to the crook of her neck.

He hummed happily, twirling her around that made all the other maids who saw it to shyly look away as they felt that they had became the third wheel.

"Heaven is about to get angry at me for stealing something so precious."

"Stop, don’t jinx such a perfect day," she schooled him and leaned forward to kiss his nose. A few nights ago, Cassius had behaved oddly but as soon as morning came, he had returned to his usual self.

He was also in a good mood, celebratory to the point that she could feel the joy radiating from him.

"Are you prepared?" Cassius then looked at her and chuckled again, "I wonder how much more beautiful you would be on the wedding day."

Shied by his words she poked his nose playfully, "Will you cry if you see me in a wedding dress?"

For a moment Cassius was stunned, looking at her eyes and quickly smiled, "I would be drenching with tears but such a beautiful day shouldn’t be covered with tears. Of course, unless it is the night of it."

"Oh you," she hit his chest and he playfully bent as if she had hurt him hard. "You were so busy the past few weeks, are you finally free now?"

Cassius ordered everyone to leave except Barbara as he knew that Arabella would be struggling to walk with the dress. He even placed as flatter shoes to Barbara’s hands which she could change into if her feet hurts.

"Yes," he said, his voice oddly solemn, "But don’t worry now, I’m a man who is as free as a bird."

"How could a King be so free?" She teased, "I heard you spread the envelope to the coronation all over the land, even to villages that people has abandoned."

Cassius slowly sat beside her and saw how her eyes had mellowed.

"Is it because you wish that envelope could somehow reach my sister?"

Cassius took her hands and smiled, "I might have lost my sister but I promise you that no matter what I will protect your family and especially you. Even if my life is the cost needed to protect it."

"Don’t say that," she gently patted his hand back, "You know that I can’t live without you."

"So am I," he chuckled and kissed her knuckles before standing up. "So even if I’m hurt or dead, I will find my way back to you."

Arabella’s heart was restless, heavy with unease, but she brushed it aside, telling herself it was nothing more than nerves for the celebration ahead.

When the servants came to announce they were awaited in the throne room, Cassius appeared at her side. At the great doors, he slipped her hand into his and drew it against his shoulder. With a tilt of his chin, his voice rang low but commanding.

"From this moment on, you are the Queen of this land."

She turned to him, her breath caught as his eyes held hers, always on her, always searching for her, as though his very soul had been bound to hers.

"Everything in this land will bow to you," he vowed softly. "And that includes me."

The doors thundered open, the air shattering with the guard’s cry:

"BEHOLD, THE KING OF VERSAILLES— HIS MAJESTY, CASSIUS CROWN!"

The bright light from the stained glass behind the throne greeted them first, so bright that it had almost blinded her. Then from her left and right, Bella noticed how everyone had gathered, faces of the people who had once seen her as an object of lower class now turning into one full of respect.

She could feel how at this moment no one here would ever again look at her the same way, ever dare to call her rudely.

She had became someone who has a rank above everyone else here.

It still felt unreal. The position didn’t feel like it belong to her who had never once treated others as a subordinate but from now on it was a life she had to learn.

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t nervous about it but now holding to Cassius’s arms and how firm his support was to help her walk in such a difficult gown make her trust that no matter what this life was going to throw to her, he would be there to help and she was not going to lead this path alone and in difficulty.

Watching from afar was Atlas.

He leaned his back on the chair while everyone had stood up and clapped their hands and for a moment he felt he had been thrown to the past, recalling the time when she had walked through the door and saw Circe standing while holding the crown, ready to crown him.

Perhaps back then, he should have done what this clever vampire kid had done. He should have made Circe walk beside him as well, wear the same clothes from one cloth and made her walk with him down the aisle.

Perhaps that way he would have understood how it felt if he had succeeded in marrying her.

It was a childhood dream that could never take place...

"This is almost like a wedding," a voice of someone took his interest and turning around, Atlas’s smile hung low as he found that person who had talked was none other than Alice.

A familiar... familiar face.

The face of the same woman who had once been a close friend to Circe.

But what did Circe told him again?

That she wasn’t a friend and she’s nothing but a dangerous beast.

"Do you know how surprised I was to find your face in midst of all these humans, King Atlas?" Then Alice widened her lips, covering it, "But now... I suppose I cannot call you a King anymore?"