A Newcommer
"Long live the sun of Vyre!"
"Praise the sun of Vyre!"
"Hail Crown Prince Ailen!"
A Chorus of cheers from the people of Vyre made Ailen all giddy. He's nervous, excited, and embarrassed. When the giant doors of the chapel were opened, the people greeted him as if he was their savior. Some of them cried; some of them look at him with awe.
Either way, he's content with the attention he received.
The event was shockingly easy to bear.
The pope and Demarcus gave a speech and prayers about Ailen's well-being. The blessing part was a bit embarrassing for Ailen. Everyone literally watched him getting himself washed— well, the pope poured holy water all over him with his clothes on, but it's still embarrassing.
He forgot his embarrassment when the blessing and assessment ceremony was over, and people kept praising him over and over.
Ailen only had to wave his hand and smile at the people. He can't wait to give his first speech later.
When he went back to the palace, the maids won't let him breathe.
They quickly gave him another quick bath before changing him. The suit he's wearing was far more fancier than his previous attire. A white collared shirt neatly tucked on his white cropped trousers. A huge gold and white fur cloak, adorned with gold laces and the imperial symbol on the back.
When he and his attendees walked to the doors that would lead to the foyer, everyone clapped and cheered when they saw Ailen. Someone announced his arrival, but Ailen couldn't care less.
The Emperor was there, standing near his throne, and gave a curt nod at Ailen. Ailen slightly bowed before walking down the foyer. Everyone bowed their heads, smiles plastered on their faces, eyes glued on Ailen as he walked to the throne.
Ailen bowed at The Emperor.
The Emperor raised one of his hands near his chest, indicating the others to raise their heads.
"Before we start this grand celebration, I would like to mention a few things," The Emperor started. The room was filled with silence. "For centuries, the imperial family never inherited the Niveus bond. Every day we're dreading tomorrow, hoping to the Gods that nothing could harm us since I, and previous imperial family members, didn't possess the bond. But today, my son Ailen inherited our ancestor's bond, a sign that the guardian deity of this land saw worth in my son's soul. My son has fallen ill since birth and fell asleep for three years. The guardian deity witnessed my son's battle against death, and my son won. He's alive and well,"
Once The Emperor finished, the others cheered loud enough to cause the chandelier above them to shake. Everyone clapped and praised Ailen. Ailen smiled at The Emperor, though it didn't reach his eyes.
It's all formality, anyway.
And so, the celebration began.
Ailen was crowded by excited nobles who bombarded him with questions and introductions. He has forgotten half of everyone's faces and names immediately; Ailen only nodded his head continuously with a bashful smile. Everyone cooed at him, complimenting his adorable features without crossing the line.
It was then when an hour passed, Ailen could feel his legs trembling from exhaustion.
He excused himself from the others, trudging through the crowd to find fresh air on the balcony.
When Ailen took a deep breath, he spotted a stranger nearby.
He's taller than him, possibly close to his coming of age. The male looked like he's around seventeen. Tall and strikingly handsome.
When their eyes met, it felt like Ailen got hit by a meteor.
"Hey there, Little Prince,"