The boat rocked gently as they entered the cave.
There was a moment of darkness before light filtered through the opening at the top.
Param was saying something behind her.
But Aveline wasn’t paying attention to him at all.
“It was always you.”
Theo’s voice had haunted her for the past two days.
They’ve had separate quarters for the pre-coronation purification process since their talk.
“Your Majesty.” Param’s voice cut through Aveline’s thoughts.
His held his hand out to help her off the boat.
Aveline tried to keep her balance as she stepped into the beach.
She was wearing a simple temple gown matching Param’s all white.
The ocean was cool against her ankles, helping her focus on the moment.
I need to do this right!
Stop thinking about Theo!
But he’s the reason I’m here!
Per Param’s briefing, Aveline made her way to the alter at the back wall of the cave.
There was mural on the wall depicting how Paxmouth came to be.
In front of it was a long line of swords, arranged in pairs for each ruler and their spouse, from the founder to the most recent.
Each one had a candle and wreath as an offering.
To be monarch, one must ask for the blessing of their predecessors and make an oath to serve their kingdom.
The ancient Paxmouth tongue was nothing like she’s ever know, so she stayed up with Bae, who surprisingly was an expert in languages, most of the night practicing.
Aveline kneeled before the most recent swords and alter.
King Magnus Alaric.
Theo’s father.
But why don’t they share the same surname?
Param passes her a candle – made specifically for this purpose with a mixture of herbs – for Aveline to light as she recites the invocation under her breath.
When she was done, she bowed before the alter and moved on.
The process was the same apart from the last one – the oldest: Queen Mare Mona.
This time, after the candles and rites, Aveline drew blood in an oath to her commitment.
Param handed her the ceremonial dagger, made from a whale bone that the queen slain herself.
Aveline gritted her teeth as she ran the blade across her palm and let the blood dripped onto the floral wreath.
She completed her final bow before joining Param on the boat.
“At least the most important part is done.” He kindly pressed a gauze into her hand.
“May the heavens be in your favour.”
“What would happen if they don’t accept me?” Aveline asked as she took care of her wound.
It’s not like I had a say in this.
I didn’t even expect to be queen.
Param smiled slightly as if the question was amusing.
“People have tried.” He nodded back to the alter as darkness overtook them.
“Those are the ones who made it.”
Other people have tried to take over Paxmouth?
Either they were insane or brave!
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty.” Param looked so calm despite the rocking of the boat.
“The stakes are lower as you are queen through marriage. This is just a formality.”
Formalities take forever!
Aveline had been up since before dawn and completed only one out of her multiple task list that day.
Hales was quick to get her ready in the coronation gown – making sure to add the cape straight away – while View helped Aveline put on her jewellery.
She didn’t get to see it the other day, but Aveline knew it would only feed her fury.
Apart from the multiple strings of pearls of varying sizes and colours, there was an earring set of rubies in the shape of Hawthorne berries.
A belt buckle that was a bouquet of flowers and herbs that Aveline used in her remedies.
There was also a custom broach of the Farren and Paxmouth insignia that held each side of her fur-lined cape to her shoulders.
And they were expecting this for Astra?
No…
“It was always you.”
Something about Theo’s words uneased Aveline.
He had asked for her in the first place?
Then why did the letter say Astra?
Is that why he didn’t seem surprised at the altar?
“Your Majesty!” Hales caught Aveline before she fell.
“Please, sit!” The girls helped Aveline into a chair as View served her some water.
“Oh no, did we lace you in too tight?”
“Impossible! Her Majesty’s figure doesn’t need it to be any tighter!”
Aveline held up her hands for them to stop bickering.
“I just… I think’s it’s nerves.”
And dread.
And panic.
And rage.
At that, the girls kneeled before Aveline and took each of her hands into their own.
“Your Majesty, please be assured – the people love you already.” Hales squeezed her hand.
“You have nothing to worry about.” View nodded with her.
That’s the thing – everyone here seems to know me, but I don’t know them.
“Why?”
“Because His Majesty loves you, and we love you as well.” Fourth replied as he entered with tray of snacks.
Something about his kind smile made Aveline feel more at ease.
But…
Love?
Theo loves me?
❀
This was the second time Aveline had worn a veil while walking down the aisle towards people she didn’t know.
Except now, the veil didn’t shield her from their stares or conceal her panic.
Since it was a straight line from the castle grounds to the ocean-front garden, Wren thought that Aveline didn’t need a practice for something so simple.
But what they didn’t anticipate was the rose petals covering her path.
Fourth said the citizens had done it themselves; that their queen deserved the best.
But the sweet sentiment but made their queen struggle to walk safely!
Don’t mess this up!
Don’t fall!
Take your time!
In front of her was Hales and View, each holding a flame to symbolically ‘lead’ Aveline to her role.
Fourth was her cape holder as her head attendant.
Bae, Gems and Sun followed behind as her bodyguards.
All were dressed in formal, matching ceremonial wear.
Don’t fall!
Don’t think about the noise Fourth will make if he falls!
Aveline swallowed her laugh.
Not now.
It was a much-needed respite before things got serious.
The trumpets grew louder than the cheering as Aveline made it in closer to the nobles, priests and military commanders at the top.
At her destination, on a platform overlooking the sea, Param stood out like a guiding light.
He looked too ethereal as his ceremonial gown billowed in the wind and his golden headpiece sparkled in the light.
He’s a sight for sore eyes.
To his left was Lark and Wren, both looking unusually respectable in their official uniforms.
On his right was Theo.
He’s the cause of sore eyes.
The man was dressed similarly to his wedding in Farren but this time his cape matched hers.
They looked every bit the King and Queen they were supposed to be.
“It was always you.”
Their eyes met.
Theo smiled.
Not the usual teasing one that seemed to be reserved for her.
Nor the nonchalant regal one of King Magnus.
It was softer.
Like he was smiling into her soul.
Aveline was so distracted that she nearly hit her toe on a granite step.
No – don’t do this now!
Hales and View were already out of the way as Aveline knelt on the cushion before Param.
Aveline bowed her head as Param started his opening speech.
“What a glorious day for a celebration!” The crowed cheered.
“Because His Majesty loves you, and we love you as well.”
From the sounds it, Fourth’s words were true.
The people loved her.
And Theo, too?
Aveline was so lost in her thoughts that she nearly flinched when Param applied the anointing oil to her forehead.
The man faltered slightly, glancing at Theo before continuing.
The rest of the ceremony went as practiced before and Aveline was surprised that she made it this far.
The unexpected part came during the investiture ceremony.
When they practiced it, Aveline used a simple wooden replica.
This time, when she held out her hands with her head bowed, the item was five times heavier, and hundreds of times more expensive.
“All monarchs, even their spouses, receives their own sword at their coronation.”
Aveline understood that from the cave this morning.
She just didn’t expect hers would be this…
elaborate.
And also match her husband’s.
The body of it was black and glistened threateningly in the light.
Unlike Theo’s, there was a golden tassel attached with same Hawthorne berry jewels as her earrings.
One day, this will be in that cave.
Aveline gulped.
It’s getting real now.
She was closer and closer to being the official Queen of Paxmouth.
The sword was heavy in her hands as Param began reciting the oath.
Aveline licked her lips as she gulped.
Don’t mess this up.
You’ve worked too hard.
Don’t let them down.
It was probably the fact that she recited it like a mantra in her head that Aveline repeated everything flawlessly that even she was surprised.
“I shall give voice to the people regardless of blood or birth.”
Aveline repeated that.
“I shall protect those who cannot protect themselves.”
That was easy too.
“I shall place the needs of Paxmouth before my own.”
This one made her pause.
Paxmouth and Farren were at war for generations.
Blood had been shed on both sides.
And now a Princess of Farren was swearing to put Paxmouth first.
Is that why people wanted me dead?
“I shall… place the needs of Paxmouth… before my own.”
She gulped as the crowd cheered once more.
Then, the final part came.
The crowed erupted.
Not a murmur of confusion.
No questioning faces.
A high-pitch ringing stung her ears as Aveline realised what Param just said.
Aveline Yarrowheath.
She’s no longer Princess Aveline Farrenbone.
Forgotten.
Discarded.
She’s going to be Aveline Yarrowheath, Queen of Paxmouth.
But…
Theo expected me.
Aveline turned to look at the silent crowd behind her; all holding their breaths as they waited for her answer.
What about them?
Weren’t they expecting Astra?
The waves crashed below them.
The seagulls cried as they flew around the beach.
Aveline turned back to look at her attendants.
They were all beaming and nodding in encouragement.
Lark was grinning in approval.
Wren gave her wink while making a heart with her hands.
Finally, Theo.
His hands were clasped by his belt, but Aveline could tell just how nervous he was.
It’s not like I can back out now!
I married him twice already!
Regardless, his eyes were candid about what he wanted.
You.
Us.
Together.
In Paxmouth, Aveline was recognised and appreciated.
Her eyes looked back at them.
Fourth.
Hales.
View.
Bae.
Gems.
Sun.
Her retinue.
Lark, grinning as thought he never doubted her.
Wren, still making the ridiculous heart.
And Theo.
“It was always you.”
The man who had chosen her even when her own family didn’t.
Aveline took a deep breath.
It was time she did something for herself.
She looked up at the beautiful man, right into his striking eyes and responded:
“I do.”
Param smiled.
“Then bow your head.”
Aveline followed the order and felt something cold touched her hair.
Heavy.
The crown sat over the silk veil, completing her look.
Of course the crown matched Theo’s.
“Rise, Aveline Yarrowheath, Queen of Paxmouth!”
The crowd roared in joy as flowers were thrown in the air.
People clapped and hollered as Aveline turned and bowed to the crowd.
Theo came to her side and took one hand as he lead her back into the main hall.
Aveline couldn’t help but smile back at the people cheering and well-wishes.
“Long live the queen!”
“May your rule be prosperous and stable!”
“Queen Aveline!”
When they made it inside, Aveline saw that Theo’s throne had moved.
It was no long set in the middle, but moved so that the other seat was equally in the middle.
Huh.
Before they sat down, Theo leaned to whisper:
“The only one I want by my side is my wife and queen, Aveline Yarrowheath.”
Aveline blinked.
I guessed that already.
What a romantic.
Finally, the moment they took their seats, it all became real.
I’m finally a queen!
Her hand lightly squeezed Theo’s.
For the first time, the title didn’t feel like it belonged to somebody else.
Her eyes found her husband’s.
He was elated as his thumb lightly stroked her knuckle.
You’ve always wanted me.
Her smile faltered.
But someone didn’t want me to make it here.
Who doesn’t want me to be queen?