The Coronation Day

Day after day passed swiftly, like a rushing stream of water in a river. Imperceptibly, the day of the coronation finally arrived.

The palace maids had been working hard for the last three days. They decorated the main hall and made luxury dishes to be served for the banquet.

Invitations have been sent out to all sovereigns in the Raeludin empire. The four monarchs from neighboring countries and the Emperor will be present at the coronation ceremony to witness the coronation of the future Queen of Veritas.

Every time Ruby thinks all the sovereigns will come to Veritas, Ruby will feel anxious. Since morning, her hands had been sweating coldly and couldn't stop shaking.

When the maids started putting makeup on her face, Ruby still couldn't feel calm.

"Milady, please, don't frown; the makeup could be ruined," asked Dena.

Ruby immediately fixed her expression, but after only a few minutes, she was frowning again.

"Milady …." A maid who did Ruby's makeup could only smile resignedly.

Dena knelt beside Ruby; she held her lady's hand and tried to calm Ruby down. "Milady, you've worked hard these past few days, so I think your coronation will go smoothly. Therefore, you don't need to worry too much."

A week before the coronation day, Ruby had been trying hard to learn the etiquette of nobility, from her body language to how she walked.

Because she had never had formal lessons in ethics, Ruby had run into difficulties and was about to give up when she realized how difficult it was to behave like royalty.

However, Matthew always believed in Ruby, so Ruby decided not to give up.

Even though her attitude as a noble still looked awkward, at least Ruby had made significant progress compared to when she first came to Veritas.

"Here, drink some chamomile tea to ease your mind, Milady." Dena gave a cup of hot tea to Ruby.

Dena's treatment finally succeeded in making Ruby's heart calmer. She exhaled several times and repeatedly said good things in her heart.

[I can do it. His Majesty had troubled himself to organize my coronation, so I mustn't embarrass him.]

All the sovereigns' eyes in the Raeludin Empire will be on her, so Ruby must show that she is worthy of being the Queen of Veritas.

Especially to Greysen, who had dishonorably rejected her.

"Milady, Madam Giselle, and her assistants have come to bring your coronation gown," Dena reported.

Ruby immediately stood up from the chair as soon as Giselle entered her chamber while carrying Ruby's coronation dress, which was attached to the mannequin.

"Milady! Finally, we can meet again!" Giselle pushed the mannequin she brought before Ruby. "My assistants and I have been working hard on this dress for the past week. What do you think? Did you like it?"

Ruby was motionless for a few moments. Her eyes lit up as she stared at the dress in front of her.

[It's beautiful! This is the most beautiful gown that I've ever seen].

The coronation gown looked very luxurious and dazzling. The dress could give off an elegant aura with a combination of red, blue, and gold. The gown was made of many layers, so the skirt looked fluffy.

A gold sash matched in color with detailed embroidery on the bodice was sewn using gold thread. The back of the dress was covered by a cloak made of fur and silk cloth.

The combination of these additional accessories aims to show the glory of the queen, symbolizing that the person wearing the dress has a high position and dignity.

"Madam, you flatter me." Ruby gave her note paper. "Thank you for sewn such a beautiful dress for me."

Giselle smiled kindly. "Milady, today is your big day. Thus, I wish to present a gown to make you the center of attention in the palace hall."

Ruby returned Giselle's smile and finally realized something.

Giselle was right. Today was her big day. She is the one who will be the center of attention of all the guests present.

Because of that, Ruby should think more about herself instead of worrying about what other people think.

All this time, Ruby had always been everyone's shadow. She had never been seen and was presumed to be invisible. However, today, she would become the sun that stood among those people. She would dazzle their eyes with her presence.

Because now her name was no longer Ruby Barnette but Ruby Harelle, the future queen of Veritas.

• • •

"Milady, I received news that His Majesty is waiting for you at the hall door." Dena conveyed messages from guards who came to Ruby's chamber.

Ruby exhaled once as she clenched her fists tightly. After making up her mind, Ruby immediately stood up from the chair and walked with Dena towards the hall door.

When arriving there, Ruby was stunned when she saw Matthew's figure standing at the door. Since many dignitaries attended the coronation, Matthew wore royal attire, which was more formal than the dress he had worn when they were married.

Like Ruby, Matthew's clothes were also combined with blue, dark red, and gold. The fur cloak and gold sash were also pinned on his body, making Matthew and Ruby look harmonious when they were side by side.

"Milady, I barely recognized you." Matthew kissed the back of Ruby's hand as he bent his back. His golden eyes looked more glowing as his hair was swept back. "You look so dazzling in gold."

Just like the sun that could erase the darkness of the night.

"His Majesty is also very handsome today."

Matthew smiled as Ruby wrote compliments on his palm. His adorable wife's face was red from trying hard to work up the courage to compliment him.

"Milady, I want to tell you something before we enter the hall." Matthew held Ruby's shoulder. "Inside the hall, there are important guests, from the kingdom's rulers to the emperor. All of them have come to Veritas to witness your coronation."

Ruby nodded her head and looked at Matthew seriously. She was sure Matthew would ask her to maintain an attitude to not embarrass his name in front of the sovereigns in the Raeludin Empire.

"But you don't have to mind them."

Ruby widened her eyes upon hearing Matthew's unexpected words.

"When you sit on the throne, everyone will always try to find your flaw, no matter how small the mistakes. Even if you try your best to please everyone, they will still criticize you when bad things happen."

"Therefore, you don't need to listen to everything they will say. You just have to observe them and respond as necessary."

Matthew then held Ruby's hands tightly. "Milady, I will always be by your side and make sure everyone will look at you with honor and dignity."

"As long as I stand beside you, I will protect you from harm. So, you don't need to be afraid of anyone."

Ruby also held Matthew's hand very tightly. Her eyes filled with tears because Matthew's words touched her heart. All the anxiety and fear that filled her heart immediately disappeared in an instant, leaving a calm feeling that made Ruby able to smile freely.

Ruby stood on tiptoe, then wrapped her arms around Matthew's neck to hug her husband. In a split second, Matthew froze in shock and couldn't believe Ruby would hug him first.

However, Matthew immediately returned Ruby's hug after realizing his wife needed a warm hug to lift her mood. His hands patted Ruby's back a few times and caressed her head.

"You will be fine, Milady."

When they let go of their hug, Ruby wrote something on Matthew's palm while smiling sweetly. "Your Majesty, you are a benevolent person."

Matthew immediately covered half of his face with his hands because he couldn't hold back the turmoil in his heart when he saw Ruby's adorable smile.

"For you, I'm willing to do anything, Milady," replied Matthew.

"Cough … Your Majesty, sorry to disturb you. However, the coronation ceremony will begin soon," warned Alger, the royal adviser.

Ruby flinched when she heard Alger's voice. Ruby realized that Alger had been standing beside Matthew from the start. The man was trying hard to keep his head down when he saw Matthew and Ruby hugging each other and standing so close.

Ruby immediately moved away from Matthew and bent her back slightly to greet Alger.

"Milady, I will wait for you on the throne." Matthew stroked the top of Ruby's head. "Remember, you only need to look at me as soon as you enter the hall, not at anyone else."

Ruby nodded quickly and waved her hand when she saw Matthew enter the hall before her.

Soon, Ruby will also walk into the hall and come out as the Queen of Veritas.