Chapter 8| The Coronation

The maids spent hours preparing me for the coronation that will happen in the afternoon. The sinister feeling that settled in the pit of my stomach still hasn't gone away, even though Julian assured me that he would not let anything happen to me.

I was nervous for today. There is this feeling in my gut that won't go away, as if it's telling me that something will definitely go wrong in the coronation.

Julian came up to my side, peering over at my reflection. He smiled. "You look ravishing,"

I blushed. He and his silly antics. I was wearing a purple dress that showed a little cleavage, the sleeves were long, and it opened up as it reached my hands. Diamonds were all over my body, and my hair was done in an elegant bun. I dismissed the maids who seemed hesitant, but when Julian gave them a nod, they scurried out of the room. My hands were trembling and Julian noticed this. He was concerned.

"Are you okay, Aurora?" he frowned.

I gulped and tried to smile, but failed miserably. " I... I don't... I don't know Julian. My gut is telling me that something wrong will happen at the coronation,"

"We've already gone through this, Aurora. Nothing will happen at the coronation, I made sure of that,"

"Yeah, I-I understand,"

"Look, I will not let anything happen to you Aurora," he kissed my forehead "I promise you,"

"Okay," I whispered.

The maids told us that the guests for the coronation has arrived and were already settled. All the residents of the Kingdom were invited because I and Julian wanted to take the opportunity to tell them that there is nothing to worry about Julian being their new king.

Servants rushed back and forth on the hallways, preparing for the feast that was to happen after the coronation.

I spotted Meredith and waved at her. She noticed it and ran towards me like a raging bull. She was wearing a green dress that was yellow linings at the side. Her hair was let down, and here green eyes glimmered in excitement.

"You will be the most beautiful queen," she giggled.

"Come now, Meredith, don't fill my head with impossible fantasies,"

She laughed. "Trust me Aurora, if something is impossible, I'm sure that would be a queen that is much beautiful than you. But, unfortunately, all of them are old hags, soooooo,"

She wiggled her brows at me. We forgot all about Julian. He was staring at us, clear amusement in his eyes.

The large oak doors were what was separating me and Julian from the throne room. A thick, red cape that was lined with white fur and was decorated with precious jewels were placed on me, just like the one that was draped on Julian's back.

Faint music came inside the throne hall, but when the large oak doors opened, the full blow of the music came to my ears. It was humming a gentle, soft melody.

Eyes were on us when we walked on the aisle, side by side. Others looked at us in content, but there are ones who frowned at us.

The bishop stood at the front wearing his traditional robes that bear the color of Kashmir. Julian and I bowed lightly to him before we stood back up and faced each other.

When the bishop raised his hand, the music stopped and he started the ceremony. This is it. The knots in my stomach worsened as we went further into the ceremony. The feeling in my gut just won't go away. Julian gave me a worried gaze but I just played it off with a smile. He saw past this, but thankfully, he did not pry.

It seemed like hours before the bishop asked for the crown. Two men came forward holding a plush, red cushion with our crown on top.

Julian's crown was pure gold, and it was adorned with the rarest gems in Kashmir. The bottom was lined with soft-looking ermine fur.

Mine was also gold, but instead of the ermine fur and the rare gems, the whitest pearls I've ever seen adorned it. There was what looked like a pattern on the crown itself. It was beautiful, breathtaking even. Like it was fit for a queen. Me.

"May the almighty bless you with a great reign," the bishop held Julian's crown in his hands.

The crown was carefully placed on Julian's head. He stood back up and faced the crowd. Applause and hoots erupted as the people rejoiced to see their new King. It was then that I knew. He was born to be a king. No one else.

"Hail the King,"

"Hail the king,"

"Hail the king,"

They chanted it three times before quieting down. They were now looking at me. I was confused for a second, but when the bishop cleared his throat, I knew it was my turn.

I kneeled down until I felt the crown placed on my head.

"May the almighty bless you with a great reign,"

I stood up and turned to the people. MY people. They cheered and I grinned at them. When I stared at them, I knew that it was now my duty to serve these people. It was now my responsibility, as their ruler, their queen.

Julian gazed to me, proud. He raised his head and mouthed "You did it,". I just cocked my head at him and mouthed back "Thank you,"

"Hail the queen,"

"Hail the queen,"

"Hail the-"

They stopped their chanting when I caught an arrow that was aimed and shot at me. My heart was thrumming, I was sure that it would burst out of my chest. The crowd stared at me wide-eyed, and Julian, well Julian looked at me and dared me not to move. He was frozen like the crowd in front of me. The arrow was still in my hands and I turned around to see who attempted to kill me.

"Aurora, please don't," Julian pleaded.

I did not listen to him as I fully turned around, but by the time my chest was visible to the shooter, he wasted no time and let go of the string of the bow.

Time slowed down. I could hear Julian scream my name, but I paid no heed to it as I looked at the arrow that flew at a speed like the wind. It reached its destination. To my chest. A sharp pain erupted and my people screamed in terror. I stumbled back.

"Noooo!" Julian's voice boomed throughout the hall. He came running towards me, shock, pain, and agony in his eyes. A tear left my eye as I looked at him.

He caught me in his arms, laying me on the cold floor. He was helpless. I could feel the life slipping out of me. I could see black dots appear before my eyes, but I struggled to keep my eyes open.

"Call the healer, NOW!" Julian hastily ordered someone.

Meredith rushed to my side, tears streaming on her face. The general was at her side. I felt my self being lifted up and carried outside of the throne hall. I looked up to see Julian desperately trying not to cry. I cupped his face. "It's going to be alright Julian,"

I coughed blood, and the struggle to keep my eyes open became to much.

"Julian..." I whispered. Even speaking was hard. The arrow is still sticking out of my chest.

"I know Aurora... Please... Forgive me for breaking my promise," A streak of tear left his eye but he wiped it with his shoulders. He willed his self to be strong.

"Its okay Julian," I placed a hand on his chest and rubbed it. He kept running to the direction of the infirmary, but it was impossible to get there in time. It was a separate wing in the palace.

I felt the arrow going deeper in my chest and I winced. This pain is unbearable. Finally, Julian arrived at the infirmary. He burst into the doors and laid me to the bed.

My breath was sucked out of me when the healer pulled out the arrow and immediately applied pressure to the wound.

"If you don't save her, you will see the same arrow sticking in your chest,"

The healer paled and his hands trembled.

"Aurora, please. Stay with me. Please... Don't close your eyes, my queen,"

Those were the last words I heard before I completely drifted into unconsciousness.

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