Chapter 10: All hail the queen

Azea felt her hand grow cold.

Shooting her gaze up, she found the king missing from his spot. He had left without a word. The same way he arrived.

"I crown you, Queen Aleena Amblecrown of Astria," the imperial queen announced.

Azea went on her knees to receive the crown. Her heart was heavy with thoughts. The King had vanished with the wind, a fact that troubled her mind.

Normal people couldn't do that. Magic wasn't real, it was a mare fantasy created by lonely souls that needed something to believe in. Something more that promised a better life than their reality.

Hence Azea's mind was puzzled.

She wasn't a believer in fairy tales like many girls her age. Azea was additionally not someone who easily accepted a story for what it wasn't. Aleena being the exception, the girl played her well.

The imperial queen mother graced Azea's head with the crown of Astria. "All hail the queen."

"All hail the queen! All hail the queen!"

The subjects of Astria chanted in unison over and over again. Azea rose from the ground, with her head held high ready to brace the new journey as queen.

She smiled. Her smile was projected all over Astria. Her beauty and glow over the newly discovered feelings in her heart gave her a glimmering appearance.

If someone had told her the previous day that in a matter of hours, she would become a bride and the queen of her kingdom. Azea would not have believed them, yet there she stood with the crown of Astria on her head.

The projection ended.

The imperial queen took Azea's hand anf gave it a gentle squeeze. "I know this wasn't your dream wedding but this is the tradition of the royal family," she said. "Now for the most important thing, the consummation of your marriage," she added.

Azea followed her lead as they marched down the stage. The magical moment of the night had vanished with the rising of the sun.

The morning promised a more beautiful moment. Azea hoped it was better than the night. She wished that by the end of the day, the king would not be a stranger to her.

That the two of them will find comfort and peace in each other. To have and to hold each other till the end of time. "Why was the wedding rushed?" she inquired. "What I mean to ask is, why rush it before the morning? Why not hold it during the day?"

Azea raised the questions that ran through her mind. Restraining herself from confirming with the imperial queen whether her son is indeed the devil's illegitimate son.

The imperial queen sighed. "You will soon come to learn all the secrets of the palace. You'll understand why things run as they do soon enough," the imperial queen stated.

Her response had Azea a little worried. The more mysterious the life ahead seemed, the more nervous Azea became.

The King wasn't hideous as it was rumored. He had a crown and a kingdom to his name yet Aleena run away from the alliance. No one runs away from such good prospects without reason.

Azea feared to learn what those reasons were. "You are to have breakfast in your room, and we shall speak in the evening," the imperial queen informed her.

The gates were open, revealing Magnolia and the other women standing outside in waiting. To the side were close to ten women in matching outfits standing with their heads bowed.

"Greetings to the imperial highness, greeting to the new queen of Astria," they all greeted.

"A ball will be held later to celebrate your wedding," the queen mother let out. "Do not tire yourself so much. Your first coupling isn't for pleasure but to validate your marriage. If the act is not performed then your crown can be revoked," the Queen mother added.

Azea gulped.

"I will leave you to your ladies." The queen mother ambled away to her escorts and marched down the stairs.

Azea's insides were in knots. Her new life depended on her being intimate with the king. If she wished to remain queen and live in the palace with his majesty then she needed to make haste and validate her marriage with him.

The only problem was that the king was nowhere to be seen. "We should get you ready your majesty, "Magnolia told.

She ushered Azea in the opposite direction from the queen mother. Azea followed obediently, debating in her mind how she was going to get the king to come to her.

After walking for a while, Magnolia pointed to a palanquin that was set in waiting for her. Azea let out a relieved breath. Walking down the stairs all the way to the ground was going to take forever.

She entered the palanquin happily. She was lifted off the ground with the guards and they continued the path down.

Azea found a moment of peace to process her emotions. She brushed her right hand over the palm of her left hand. The sensation from the king's touch still lingered in her hand.

A smile bloomed on her face. Her big round eyes glowed in the thoughts of the king's handsome features. She had engraved his image in her mind, impossible for her to forget.

His impact on her was so strong. Her heart missed a few beats in his thoughts.

"What is your secret, my king?" she whispered. "How did you disappear with the wind?"

Azea was lost in her mind to notice how fast the guards were moving. The palanquin was moving at a fast speed, descending the stairs floor by floor in minutes.

The ladies were far behind with Magnolia taking the lead trying hard to keep up with their queen. A futile effort.

"We are here," The guards announced to their queen. Azea peered at the curtains and took a peek outside. Her eyes locked with the king unintentionally.

Azea couldn't look away.

"Your ladies will be down soon. Only then should you come down," one of the guards whispered to her.

Azea nodded and remained put while every nerve in her body pushed her to get down and ran to the king.