The moment Param stepped into the room, all of Aveline’s thoughts about the assassination attempt disappeared.
He still in the traditional all-white garments but this time, he didn’t have a veil covering his hair.
Like this, his dark curls framed his face perfectly and complimented the curve of his jaw.
What a beautiful man…
Judging from the reaction of her attendants, Hales and View, it was a common occurrence.
Even Fourth was gaping like a fish as he stared at the older man.
How can a priest look so sinful?
“Greetings, Your Majesty!” Param bowed and kissed the back of Aveline’s hand like before.
How can someone ooze temptation?
“H-hello.” Aveline stuttered out.
She had a feeling that Theo would be screaming inside if he was here and not busy with arranging the ceremony.
When he knew that Param was coming, Wren had to practically drag him away.
“Welcome, Master Param! Would you like a cool beverage?” The servants bowed to the man.
Hales blushed as he gave her his attention.
“Fool! Master Param enjoys warm tea – I shall serve you, Master.” View interjected and the two began to bicker among themselves.
Through it all, Param had a patient smile as if he was used to it all.
This must be normal for someone with an aura like his.
“Thank you coming, Master. We appreciate your presence.” For once, Fourth was serious as he directed the man out to the garden.
“Of course. It is my job to take care of the royal family.” Param smiled at Aveline.
Now why am I blushing?
You’re a married woman!
“It is also fair to teach Her Majesty our customs.”
Like pretending to be someone’s dead wife?
I haven’t forgotten!
Aveline was quickly understanding that people in Paxmouth were quite unconventional.
For example, Param may be a beautiful man who belonged in a painting, but he also liked to tease his friends, especially someone with a reputation like Theo.
Additionally, his demeanour shifted dramatically when he guided Aveline through the process.
From the moment they sat down, the teasing curve of his mouth disappeared, and Aveline suddenly understood why he held such a position.
His emerald eyes remained intense as he explained how Aveline was expected to pay respects to the founders of Paxmouth in a sea cave only accessible by boat; how she had to circle the perimeter of the city three times to prove her dedication to protecting the people; and how she had to hold open courts for the people after she takes up her role.
It sounded like a lot.
Paying respects to the founders is possible – Aveline’s been trained in something similar in the past.
Walk around the perimeter of the city doesn’t seem too bad…
if weather permits.
And for the last one, Aveline was the most anxious about.
What if they dislike me?
“That’s on top of the usual process.” Param shrugged as he sat back in his chair.
Aveline had numerous scrolls and books open in front of her when he explained the process.
“The usual process?”
“The pre-coronation purification, oath, anointing, investiture with regalis and the crowing.” The man took a pause as he looked at her.
“I thought you knew? Did Farren not prepare you?”
The issue wasn’t that Farren didn’t prepare her, they gave up once Astra took the post.
“But its understandable if you don’t remember. It’s been a while.”
Aveline looked up.
A while?
But Param was busy scribbling something down.
“The anointing is the most important part. Don’t forget that -”
“Wait.”
Param looked up.
“Why did you say that ‘its been a while’?”
A beat passed as Param looked at her attendants.
“Hasn’t it?” He shrugged like it was a fact.
Your looks aren’t going to get you out of this!
Aveline crossed her arms.
“I mean.” Param shifted.
“You have been busy with wedding arrangements, therefore, your mind must have been thinking about that.”
He flashed that dashing smile.
Aveline narrowed her eyes.
Something doesn’t add up…
“Yes! I heard that Her Majesty could barely sleep in the upcoming days!” Hales added from the side.
“That’s why she slept so long when she arrived here!” View nodded in agreement.
Aveline glanced at the pair and they bowed their head in submission.
Why is everyone so on edge?
Even Fourth looks frantic.
The youth was refusing to meet the eyes of his mistress.
Before she could ask further questions, Param placed the page he was writing on in front of her.
“This is the oath. You’ll repeated after me at the ceremony, but it’s worth knowing.” He winked as he stood.
Why am I blushing?
“Now, if you excuse me, Your Majesty, I must find your husband.” Param bowed before leaving Aveline alone.
She blinked at the silence.
Her eyes scanned the numerous pages and scrolls to try and make sense of it all.
But something was bugging her enough to lose focus.
Astra still has weekly monarch lessons…
Why did he say that?
What does he know about me?
When she buried her face in her hands, Fourth piped up.
“Your Majesty, why don’t we take a break?”
“I thought this was the break.” Aveline mumbled from behind her hands.
“I mean – a dress fitting!” Fourth exclaimed.
He looked at the other two for support.
“Y-yes! We should see if any alterations are needed before the day!” Hales nodded.
The three of them helped Aveline up.
When they took her to the dressing room, Aveline got another shock.
❀
Something doesn’t add up…
Aveline took in her appearance in the mirror as the attendants fussed around her.
Astra usually wears light colours.
This is burgundy.
It would wash her out.
Her hands smoothed over the fabric.
How would this suit her blonde hair?
But it complemented Aveline’s darker hair and eyes perfectly.
It made the hazel colours even more vivid and gave her skin an ethereal glow.
When View finished lacing up the back, something else occurred to her.
Everything sits so…
well.
The bust was the right shape for her – which could just be from the corset.
But the sleeves fell at the right length around her elbows – that’s harder to adjust.
And then Hales slipped the shoes on her and it was a perfect fit.
They may be the same height, but Astra’s feet was much wider and longer than Aveline’s.
“When was this made?”
Hales stood beside her.
“If I recall correctly, it was around six months ago.”
Before the letter came.
Why was Paxmouth so sure that Farren would agree?
“Then – how did you know my measurements?”
It would have made sense for them to alter the gown when she arrived, but the fact that it all fitted her so perfectly before she came was unnerving.
The girls glanced at each other silently.
Hales gulped while View blinked.
No answer?
“Tell me.”
“His Majesty.” Fourth called from behind the screen.
“He wrote them down for the tailor.”
How does Theo know my measurements?
That’s when she saw it.
It wrapped up from behind her hips to her stomach with the tail pointing down and the head between her bosom – a beaded snake just a lick lighter than the rest of the burgundy of the dress.
In it’s mouth was a golden sun.
Aveline didn’t notice it at first, since the sun was the most noticeable, but the snake made her blood run cold.
There was only one kingdom associated with snakes.
Donn Yama.
Aveline’s fingers slowly traced the body to make out the words:
Selene Lenore.
This dress was made six months ago.
The letter called for Astra’s hand in marriage.
Yet, there was the motif Donn Yama and the name of Aveline’s mother on it.
“Fourth!” Aveline called for her servant behind the dressing screen.
❀
Theo was at the castle.
So, Aveline, in her coronation gown, commandeered a random horse from the stable and made her way up.
Her attendants followed as they tried to catch up while calling for her.
“Please wait, Your Majesty!” Hales cried.
“Fourth, go get the Commander!” View ordered the male, who took his horse in a different direction.
The journey wasn’t actually that long, but the gown was obviously not made for riding.
When she made it into the courtyard, everyone bowed and greeted her, but Aveline was focused on one thing.
I need to find him!
She gave the reins to a random attendant as she ran through the main doors.
Compared to Farren, the royal castle here was a place for official duties and government.
The people who lived here were the servants and groundskeepers, so the layout was simple enough for Aveline to find the main hall without difficulty.
The doors were already open and people filtering in and out with various items for the event.
Inside, Theo was on his throne at the back of the room.
He was at the centre, surrounded by multiple finely-dressed people.
All eyes were on Aveline as she entered.
These people look important…
She stopped herself.
What do I do?
Why did I come here without a plan?
Great, now I look intrusive.
“Your Majesty!” Lark’s booming voice made her notice him next to Theo.
“What brings you here?” He glanced behind her.
“Alone… in your coronation gown?”
Aveline knew she must have been a sight to behold: her hair was wild from the ride and her garments were too elaborate for the middle of the week.
Not to mention the unconventional state of it.
Since the dress had so many layers, the back of the garment was left open for the ease of the wearer.
A cape would be clasped at the shoulders to conceal the exposure, but Hales and View didn’t get that far.
This meant that Aveline was running around with the back of her torso exposed.
From her pale shoulders to her lean waist and shape of her hips.
“Your Majesty!” Hales and View panted as they rushed to her side.
I saw them fight assassins with ease, but running around is a challenge?
Aveline turned around to see how much they were sweating from the journey.
Behind her, the whole room collectively gasped.
“Ministers and nobles, let us discuss somewhere more…” Lark started the damage control, but his mind was too distracted.
“Creamy.”
He glanced at his king.
Theo said nothing.
“I mean – er…”
His gaze was hard and tempestuous.
“Let’s just go!” The group followed obediently, even bowing to Aveline on the way.
“Your Majesty…” Lark began as he took in the former’s state.
For once, he was at a loss for words.
“Remember that your ceremony is in two days.” He bowed before ushering Hales and View out with him.
They even closed the doors.
The hall seemed massive now.
Silence.
Theo remained in his seat as he watched Aveline with indecipherable look.
Is he angry about my dress?
Refusing to yield, Aveline made the first move to cross the space.
Prepare yourself, Theo.
The distance felt like eons as the pair kept eye contact through the whole time.
Even when she made it in front of him, Theo refused to stand from his throne.
Aveline raised a brow.
Neither spoke.
Is he really playing this game?
Fine.
Let me play mine.
“I thank King Magnus for his kindness in granting me a private audience.”
At the formal address, Theo froze.
His nonchalant demeanour shifted.
“But this subject can’t help wondering whom King Magnus intended as his queen.” Aveline glanced at the empty seat next to his.
“The Princess Astra you married in Farren, or Princess Aveline that you married in Paxmouth?”
Theo’s silence told her she’d finally asked the right question.