THE CEREMONY

[LENA]

I watched Andre's back disappear behind the corner with a smile on my lips.

I should really stop judging people based on first impressions. Or on brazen presumptions. The cold prince wasn't so cold after all.

I'm glad we patched things up just before he left. I felt a pang of regret, knowing I should've made more effort during his stay. Regardless, I will be forever grateful to Andre. For saving me, for checking up on me, and for making me feel better.

I was happy that he, at least, had found true love. But at the same time, it also made me sad, knowing he couldn't be with her in the end. Then again, who really knows? Maybe, with some miracle, he would find a way to ensure their happiness. I pray for that miracle, and that it will happen to me too.

The thing with Philippe was behind me. A painful memory, but in the past. Apart from the occasional numbing sensation in my chest and the spark of anger that accompanies it whenever he inadvertently crosses my mind, I was okay.

As for the maid who I saw with him, I didn't do anything about her. I could barely remember her face. I mean, I might recognize her if I saw her, but it seemed she was doing her best to avoid me as well. I didn't even bother trying to find her. She didn't cause my pain. It was all Philippe's doing.

I came to realize how insignificant my puny heartache was. The talk I had last night with Luca helped a lot. I could tell he wasn't being entirely honest about his time away, but I wasn't either. I knew he had it way worse than I had. Then, being around Cece helped a lot too. Of course, I hadn't told a soul about what Philippe did to me, Cece included, but I was happy to listen to her talk. Her constant idle chatter never fails to keep me occupied, distracting me.

I still have my whole life to live. With Luca, with Cece, with my family. Even with my duties, I had grown to accept their inevitability. As long as I have people I care about by my side, I know I can do anything.

There was no use dwelling on that abominable dipshit, who was just a fleeting speck in my past.

I giggled to myself, feeling extremely foolish. Perhaps he didn't mean that much to me, now that I think about it.

"What's so funny?" Cece asked, further confirming my foolishness.

"Nothing," I said, giving her a warm smile.

She sighed. "It's sad he has to go."

"Who? Andre?"

"Oh, so you're calling each other by nicknames now."

I laughed. "He's not so bad after all."

"True," she said dreamily. "He's elegant and courteous and so refined."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Cece?"

"What? You left him with me the night of your party."

"I know. But just so you know, he has a girlfriend back home," I whispered.

"That's preposterous!" she exclaimed, clamping a hand to her mouth in mock horror. Then, she sighed. "Whatever. It's not like I'll catch a prince charming for myself someday. I'm not worthy."

"Don't say that. Maybe you would. I'll make sure my father finds you a good match. He has the influence, being the King and all," I said teasingly.

She gave me a bright smile.

"Let's go," I said. "I don't want to be late for Luca's ceremony."

"Speaking of which, you haven't introduced me to your adored bodyguard yet."

"Right. I'll do it after the ceremony."

The ceremony was held in the great hall. It wasn't a big, ostentatious event. The great hall was bare of decorations except for two Ephemere banners hung behind the dais. The attendees were members of the royal guard. They stood at attention in rows of five on two sides of the hall, leaving a carpeted walkway in the middle. Higher-ranked officials stood in the front row. The King sat on the throne on the dais, flanked by the captain of his own guard and the commander of the royal guard, standing on each of his sides.

I dragged Cece to the front and took my place a little to the left of my father on the dais. Cece stood behind me. My father raised his brows at me, and I gave him an apologetic smile for being late.

The commander stepped forward with a rolled sheet of parchment in his hands and began with the introductory remarks, addressing the King and the attendees, and the reason for the gathering. "I call upon Sir Luca Auger of the Royal Guard. Please come forward," he finished.

Luca stepped out of the row and slowly walked down the middle. I hadn't seen him this morning since he spent hours in the oratory in preparation for the ceremony, as per custom. He looked nice. He was wearing his black, blue and gold formal guard attire, which, I noticed, was a lot tighter on his arms due to his bigger frame. His long hair was tucked neatly into a low ponytail on his back. Keeping his eyes forward, he stopped right in front of the dais and bowed. Then he stood straight with his right fist over his chest as a sign of allegiance.

"Oh?" I heard Cece whisper behind me.

"What?" I whispered back.

"He looks familiar. I think I've met him before."

"Really? Tell me later. Shush. It's starting."

The commander unrolled the parchment in his hands and began reading. "To all here present," he boomed. "Be it known that Luca Auger, member of the Royal Guard, having been recognized for his long and honorable service to the Royal Family, and for having completed his promotional training with flying colors, is hereby raised to the rank of captaincy. Luca Auger, please kneel before the throne and receive the King's blessing."

Luca kneeled on the hard marble floor, keeping his hand on his chest with his head slightly lowered.

"Luca Auger, do you swear and acknowledge King Kaiser Lavien, King Consort of the Kingdom of Ephemere, as your true and rightful liege?"

"I do swear," Luca responded in a clear voice.

"Do you swear everlasting allegiance and loyalty to King Kaiser Lavien, the Royal Family, and the Kingdom of Ephemere?"

"I do swear."

"Do you swear to uphold your duty of commanding the Princess's Guard, guided by the virtues of honor, loyalty, and valor, to ensure the Crown Princess's safety and well-being at all times?"

"I do swear."

"Do you swear to uphold your primary duty that, above all, you must protect the Crown Princess, Princess Elena Seraphina Lavien, even when she becomes the future Queen of Ephemere, and until the end of time, even if death shall take you?"

"I do swear."

"Repeat after me," the commander ordered. "I, Luca Auger, do solemnly swear and pledge my sword and shield to King Kaiser Lavien, my liege, to defend and obey him; and to Crown Princess Elena Seraphina Lavien, my charge, to defend and protect her until she departs this earth, or death shall take me."

Luca repeated each word perfectly, keeping his eyes lowered.

The King then stood up, and an attendant handed him his sword. The hilt was golden and it glinted with sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, casting multiple faceted colors all over the walls of reflected sunlight from the high windows. It was a special sword only used in ceremonies; it wasn't intended for use in battle due to its heavy jeweled adornments.

Even the gleaming sharp blade deflected off the light as my father held the sword in his hands as he walked forward. He raised the sword and pointed it at Luca, tapping each side of Luca's shoulders with the flat end of the blade as he spoke.

"I do hereby dub you, Captain Luca Auger, Captain of the Princess's Guard, from this day forth until the end of time. Take this sword—" A squire approached them and delivered another sword to Luca. This one was different. A regular sword, made of steel with a plain hilt and a leather-bound grip. "And may you use this to bravely uphold your vows and do your duty to the Kingdom of Ephemere, and to my daughter," he said, ending it with a smile. "Arise, Captain Luca Auger, and be recognized."

And just like that, the ceremony was over. My eyes shone with pride; I even teared up a little, overwhelmed with emotions, but I quickly brushed them off. I was so happy for Luca!

The company of guards began filing out of the great hall. I tried to catch Luca's eye, but he was still talking with my father and the two senior officers several feet away. I didn't want to interrupt their conversation, so I towed Cece to the side and waited.

"Lena, you've been holding out on me."

I turned to Cece, looking confused.

She smiled mischievously and dropped her voice to a whisper. "Your bodyguard's a looker!"

My eyes widened. "Hush! They might hear you," I scolded her.

"I'm just saying," she said, grinning. "He's like the dark, mysterious type, don't you think?"

I didn't reply. Not because Luca was finally done with his conversation and was coming over to us, but also because I completely agree with Cece's observation, now that I think about it. But, I didn't want to admit it.

"Congratulations, Luca," I said, smiling at him. "Captain Luca."

"Thank you, Your Highness," he replied.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why are you being so formal?" I demanded.

He glanced at Cece, looking unsure.

Right. I haven't introduced them yet.

"Oh. Luca, this is Cece, I mean, Cecelia, a good friend of mine."

"Hello, Captain Luca," Cece said sweetly, holding out her delicate hand.

Luca looked surprised for a second — we both looked surprised, actually — but he received her outstretched hand and lightly kissed it on the back. "Greetings, Lady Cecelia," he said politely.

Okay, that wasn't really necessary, I thought sourly. It was common courtesy to greet a lady at court with a kiss on the hand, but somehow I didn't like that.

"We've met before, Captain Luca," Cece continued.

Luca gave her a puzzled expression.

"The night of Lena's birthday, of course. You asked me where she was. By the great hall?"

Luca brushed back his hair apologetically. "Oh, right. I'm sorry for not remembering sooner, Lady Cecelia."

"No worries!" Cece gave a delighted laugh. "Please, call me Cece. We're both Lena's friends. I'd like us to get along well."

"Certainly," Luca replied, a hint of a smile appearing on the corner of his lips.

I didn't like that either.

An ugly sensation trickled up through my veins. Something I've never felt before. I couldn't put a finger on what it was, but thinking about the implications of the two of them getting along well did not please me. At all.