Royal Temptation

Chapter 2: Coronation

After gulping the lump that had formed in my throat, I closed my eyes then concentrated on my breathing. My father was going to do his speech. I was behind the closed door of the immense hallway that led to the ceremonial room. I was supposed to stand behind these doors and wait until my father announce my entry. I watched the designs on the big wooden door with the hope that by following the patterns, it would calm my nerves down. 

Nothing. 

The best thing that I could do right now, was to focus on my father's voice. His voice aways soothes me down. He had a very strong voice and he knew how to reassure people. I focused on his words. "My dear and loyal subjects, Today I stand before you, my last day as your King" He started. Sadness was overflowing his words. "Lyra has always been known as the land of happiness. I intend to keep it that way. Today, my daughter, The Princess Amara, will be crowned Queen of this land" My father proclaimed with pride. "It was hard to keep her hidden from you, from you precious people. But it was necessary. Twenty one years ago, our kingdom was threatened. Unfortunately, we lost many lives" He said. My mother was among those whose lives were lost. And unfortunately, that was the day I was born. From what I've heard in the halls, my mother was killed in the bed that she gave birth on. I wondered what it would have been like to grow up with a motherly figure. "But we defeated the enemies. We protected each other and most importantly, we stood together. I couldn't be prouder of what we have been able to achieve till now and with Amara as Queen of Lyra, I am certain that we will be able to conquer more" My father said with such a strength in his voice that I could feel the goosebumps rise on my skin. "Hence, People of Lyra, I present to you, the Princess and future Queen of Lyra" He exclaimed. 

My eyes skimmed my gold figure hugging dress. It was a mermaid style dress. It had long sleeves and the designs on the sleeves were very detailed. The dress was off shoulder. My crown fitted perfectly on my head. The dress has a long golden drape that fell on the floor. I could hear all the cheering and clapping of the people. My heart was racing in my rib cage. I opened my eyes as the door started open in front of me. I held my head up, in confidence. My eyes first settled on my father, who was standing on the podium, in front of the microphone. He seemed so far. I was about to walk in the alley, with my people around me. I knew that all eyes would be on me. 

They all wanted to know what the Princess looks like. 

As I started walking, i reminded myseld to breathe so that I wouldn't faint. Gasping and amazement could be heard in the crowd. I didn't leave my father's figure. I had two knights walking right behind me for my protection. Protection was needed as we didn't know what to expect today. 

"Princess Amara looks so much like her mother" I heard a whisper in the crowd. "She is so beautiful mommy" I heard a girl exclaim. A smile formed on my face at her words. "She's going to be an amazing Queen" a man proclaimed. Soon, under the applause of the people of Lyra, I reached my father. With his big smile on his face, he held my hand and lifted it up in the air, causing everyone to cheer even louder. I could feel pride filling in my heart. I never realised how impatient they all were to know about me. 

"Princess Amara of Lyra!" My father exclaimed in pride. The incumbent moved forward. He was holding a crown in his hand. I would recognize that crown anywhere. That was the crown of my mother. It was golden with white crystals encrusted on it. 

"People of Lyra. We will now proceed to the passing down of the throne from The King To the Princess Amara" The incumbent announced formally. I stood on the side, standing straight, holding my head up in confidence while my stomach was churning in nervousness. I didn't want anyone to see the inner turmoil that was happening inside of me. My father went on his knees in front of the people of Lyra. He bowed his head, then stared at the floor. The incumbent lifted the crown off my father's head, then put it back into the transparent glass box. I then bowed in front of the incumbent who was now taking my mother's crown. Everyone was silent. I was scared that hell would break loose. I was scared that we might go under an attack at that very moment. 

"I declare today, under the oath of the kingdom of Lyra, that the crown now belongs to the Princess Amara of Lyra" He said as he lifted the crown in the air and showed it to the people before gently putting it on my head. "Today in front of you, stands the new proclaimed Queen Amara of Lyra!" He exclaimed. As I stood up properly before the people, they all bowed in front of me. My father stood up by my side. I could feel the tears filling in my eyes. Once my people stood up straight again to look at me. I did the one thing that I knew they deserved. 

I bowed to them.  

I could hear a few gasps. To my knowledge, no Queens or Kings have ever bowed to their people. This was considered as a weakness. But the thing was that, they were our weakness. The only reason why we were here today, was because of our loyal people. They deserved to be bowed to. I stood up then made my way to the microphone. I stood in front of it. My eyes skimmed the big hall. I was taking in each and every people that were present today. Unwillingly, a tear rolled down my cheek. I blinked several times. I didn't make a move to wipe it. I had a smile on my face. I have waited for this moment for so long. I have waited so long to be able to stand in front of them today. I didn't have to hide any longer. 

"People of Lyra" I started. The people seemed to be amazed by my voice. "I am Queen Amara, The daughter of King Albert and Queen Saria of Lyra" I introduced myself. I could feel the pride oozing off my father as he stood by my side, waiting for me to make my speech. My eyes moved to Mrs Brown, who was standing on the side behind the close curtains. She seemed nervous, borderline scared. I didn't blame her for being nervous about this situation. I have never spoken to a public. I never made a speech in my entire life. She didn't know what to expect and neither did I. 

"The happiness that I can feel today, is indescribable. This is what I have always dream of. I have always dream of standing in front of you, making all of you proud. My duty is to serve you and to make everything in my power, to make your life easier" I started. "During my reign, my main priority is going to be you" I told them with conviction. "During my entire life, I was hidden from everyone's eyes. It was very difficult for me because all I ever wanted to do, was to walk on the streets of Lyra, getting to know all the people" I admitted. "Today as your Queen, I stand in front of you, promising you all the good things that I can offer. I want to be a good Queen just like my father was as a King and my mother was as a Queen" I added. My father held my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I really hope that I will be up to your expectations" I finished and moved away from the microphone. 

"Long live The Queen!" I heard someone exclaimed in the crowd. And the next thing I knew, everyone was cheering. "Long live The Queen!" Everyone started chanting. I could see goosebumps rising on my skin. The immense ceremonial hall was echoing their voices united as one. I couldn't be happier. My people was happy to see my presence as their Queen. 

* 

My father and the chamberlain walked me into the official office of the Royals. I have been there twice in my life. There was a huge desk that had several flags engraved on the wood. They were the flags of the several kingdoms that were in the country. There was a total of seven kingdoms. The Kingdom of Lyra was the third most powerful kingdom. I intend to bring my kingdom to the first place. 

I brought my attention back to the desk. Behind it, was a huge chair. It would probably be able to fit two people of my size on that. It was very detailed. The room had big portrays on the two sides. One of them was of my late mother and the other one was of me and my father. "This is your official spot now, Amara" my father said cheerfully. "You decorate it however you want. You just need to notify Mr Pepin here so that he can make the changes as soon as possible" my father explained. I turned my attention to Mr Pepin. He seemed to be in his fifties. His hand was in front of him, as he stood respectfully with his head bowed. 

And I hated that. 

Mr Pepin has been serving the royal family for the thirty years. He deserved to be respected. His grey hair was well combed in the back of his head. His face was shaved and he was always wearing his black suit. I cleared my throat before speaking. 

"Mr Pepin" I spoke and he rose his head to look at me. I smiled in his direction. "From now on, don't bow your head when you see me. Stand with your head up and proud" I announced. My father seemed surprised. Mr Pepin's eyes widened in surprise as well and he turned his head to look at my father. I chuckled when my father shrugged. 

"She's the Queen now" my father simply said. I knew that my father always wanted to keep the boundaries between the royal family and the people of Lyra. But that was not my case. I wanted to respect the people as much as they respected me. 

"May I say something, My Queen?" Mr Pepin asked politely. 

"Yes. You may" I responded with my smile still plastered on my face. To be honest, I couldn't bring myself to tear that smile away from my face. I was happy and I had the reasons to be. Everything has been going on just like I wished. 

"You should keep a boundary between you and the people" Mr Pepin said. Did he just read my mind. "It is good to show gratitude towards them but this might also be seen as a weakness" he told me. I nodded, taking in the advice that he was giving me. He somehow was right in what he was saying. 

"Thank you for your thoughts, Mr Pepin. I will keep them in mind" I thanked. My father then clapped his hands once and rubbed them together in excitement. 

"We must attend the ball now" My father exclaimed. I then recalled that after the coronation, a ball was organised to celebrate The New Queen, that is, me. I nodded as we all walked out of the room. All the kingdoms in the country was invited to that ball. This was how I was going to be introduced to the other Kings and Queens. I was nervous. I could feel my heart racing in my chest. I took in a deep breath and followed my father and Mr Pepin. I wondered in the King, Tyrus of the kingdom of Sage was going to be there. The King Tyrus was the one who attacked the kingdom of Lyra twenty one years ago. He then demanded a truce which my father had a lot of pain accepting. Nevertheless, he accepted it unwillingly just to make sure that his people were safe. He didn't want another attack and he did everything in his power to avoid it. 

Even if it meant making a deal with the man who killed his wife. 

"My Queen, I am going to announce your entry" My Pepin told me and bowed before walking away. I would say that bowing to the Royals were something very instinctive to all the people who worked in the castle. I stood in front of the huge wooden door as my father linked his hand with mine. The ball was taking place in the ceremonial hall. 

"The Queen Amara accompanied by The King Albert" I heard someone said formally as the trumpets started playing. The door opened majestically. I could see everyone standing in rows. I walked in, with my father by my side. Hundreds of people were present today. They are all Kings, Queens, Dukes and everyone who had a title in a kingdom... Or money. 

As I walked down the red carpet, my eyes skimmed around the faces. There were so many people that I had never seen. But again, I was the one who stayed locked in a castle. The trumpets stopped playing and soon enough, the crowd started dispersing. Everyone started talking to each other while I stood there awkwardly. My father had found one of the Kings of the other kingdoms and he was happily chatting with him. I looked around, trying to know what to do. People were certainly going to approach me but I didn't know what kind of people would. 

"Would you like a drink, My Queen?" my trail of thoughts was interrupted by a family voice. I turned my attention fully to the petite blond girl who was standing with a tray of different drinks on it. 

"From Princess to My Queen?" I asked Sarah teasingly. 

"Possibly" she answered with the same tone as me. The thing that I liked about Sarah was that she seemed to be herself around me. My title was not something that seemed to be bothering her. 

"Why are you serving people out here?" I asked her curiously. I thought that her duty was only to assist me and help me around. She shrugged and then grinned. 

"Guess I multi-task" She responded. 

"Exactly what I was looking for!" Someone exclaimed from taking a glass from the tray that Sarah was holding. I had absolutely no idea who that man was. He seemed to be in his late fifties. Sarah bowed slightly before taking a few steps backwards. "And exactly who I was looking for" he added when his eyes recognized me. I smiled, trying not to let a frown form on my face. "I am the King Lewis of the Kingdom of Wales" he introduced himself. My eyes widened when I realised who he was. It was the first King that I was meeting, not counting my own father. His kingdom was the fifth one out of the seven. I bowed slightly to show him respect. 

"And I am Queen Amara of Lyra" I responded kindly. Her grey hair and beard made him look very old and tired. Kindness and wisdom could be reflected in his grey eyes. There was something very calming and soothing about that man. 

"Such a beautiful Queen" The King Lewis complimented as he took my hand in his and gently kissed the back of it. A slightly uncomfort took over me. My knowledge of the kingdoms and their stories quickly kicked in the back of my head. King Lewis has never been married in his entire life. 

"Thank you, King Lewis" I thanked. From the corner of my eyes, one King attracted my attention. He was the only king that I knew from them all. His pitch black eyes screamed evil. I couldn't understand his presence here today. I glared at the aking Tyrus before turning my back on him. He was the most heartless king that I've ever known. He had never thought about the good will of his people. He only thought about his greed and his love to cause pain. 

"Amara?" My father called in confusion as he approached me. 

"How can you stand him?" I asked my father. By his facial expression, he knew very well who I was talking about. 

"The truce" my father responded. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath to calm down then stared at my father. It was the first time during this whole day that my smile has managed to disappear. The image of King Tyrus, pushing a dagger through my mother's head, appeared in my head. 

"King Albert" I heard a male voice greet from behind us. My father and I turned around to look at the owner of the voice. He was an old man, wearing a royal blue suit. His dyed black hair was gelled in the back and his beard was very well-trimmed. 

"King Leo" my father greeted. Realisation set in. King Leo. He was the King of the kingdom of Phoenix. The Kingdom of Phoenix was the most powerful Kingdom of the country. They were known as being very ruthless. 

Ruthless but fair in their judgement. 

"King Leo" I greeted then gently bowed my head. 

"Queen Amara" he greeted, seeming very impressed by the fact that I bowed to him. Not all Queens would do that. I did it because I respected him and there was a reason why his kingdom had reached this level of perfection. He was a very good King. "We need to have a conversation" he said seriously. 

But he was also known as being ruthless.