Aliya's Shoes-Chapter 579: Finally, the crown is fulfilled

Everything had been overwhelming for Brad, but he was glad that he had tagged along. This would have been a big miss. No explanation or words could describe what he was seeing here.

Alex was of the same view as his son. In a way, he was also touched that he had been included in Roman’s message. He had already passed the point of questioning what his eyes were seeing. Ian’s world was one that was beyond any imagination that ever existed in his whole seventy-plus years.

He walked over and draped his hands around Geneva, while Ian did the same with Shelby. Before the body was moved, Ian bowed low, paying his respects to the man that he had never really known but had given him life.

They made their way out of there, solemn as were the elders.

Outside, the preparation for the coronation continued, couriers prepared to depart ... sleek-winged Fae mounting cute ponies and others using their flying mode of transport. Each carried a sealed invitation, bound in silver thread. Their task was to ride to every corner of the realms. Though, because there had been no king for a while, the gifts started rolling in before the day itself. From the looks of it, a lot of thought went into each gift that arrived.

Soon, a whole day had passed already. Samantha, Isolde and Ingrid were always by Shelby’s side, while Gabriel was off doing only what the heavens knew. It didn’t take long for the elders and most of the Faes around to find out about Shelby’s new ability, and this kept them honest. Between that, Isolde and Murray, not even counting Ian, Shelby had no perceived threat whatsoever from her. Besides, all thoughts were like an open book, so no one could even plot around her.

But that did not mean that Ian would let the old issue of nearly harming her under Prince Simon go unscathed.

In the gardens, where they were supposed to be undergoing their purifications before the coronation, the elder council in its entirety had lined up before their Queen-to-be.

It was right after Roman had been laid to rest.

Each carried something in their hands, tokens of apology, offerings of acknowledgement. A silver head-dress, a vial of starlight, a cloak woven with threads of night, gifts for the unborn child as well. Their eyes, some downcast and some unflinchingly direct, carried the weight of both shame and respect.

It was an odd, almost unsettling sight: a people who had once doubted her worth now bowing low. In their silence was an admission of wrongs unspoken, of loyalty now begrudgingly granted. That was Ian’s sole condition, but thankfully, he had even made the verbal command, and they had taken the initiative to do this.

And though the garden shimmered with the sheen of precious offerings, it was the sight of the elders themselves, humbled, that left the onlookers breathless.

Every place was busy. Ian had wanted their baby to arrive before they did the coronation, but certain things never really aligned.

At the same time, the crown-smiths were still at their work. Vines writhed under their hands, bending reluctantly into the shape of antlers and branches. Sparks leapt from their fingertips as the crowns fought their form, till it firmed up.

Down in one courtyard, warriors trained in brutal silence. Blades clashed, shields rang, and not one of them glanced toward the dancers practising in the adjoining pavilion. Currey had taken over his duties as head guard, and the former head guard now worked under him.

By nightfall, the air itself seemed restless. The kitchens reeked of roasted meats and spiced wines, but every dish shimmered with faint enchantments: laughter stirred into goblets of berry-wine, prosperity baked into honeyed cakes. This food was prepared specially with the humans in mind, so no Fae-tricks were included.

And at the heart of the hall, an oath-stone had been polished until it gleamed like a shard of the night sky, waiting to bind king and queen alike in their promises.

Everything was ready, or close enough to make it seem so. Yet whispers still ran among servants and soldiers alike: ’The King and Queen had already ascended and were on the throne, which was the most daunting task of the day; this meant that this ceremony would only be a fanfare.... A mere formality!’

Then another argument arose on the morning of the coronation day: ’Do they encrown Geneva and Alex as well?’

They were in one of the grand halls, and Brad watched in awe. It was like a typical parliament house, as the elders’ heated argument went back and forth.

"We cannot have two humans as Parents-royals!"

"How do you propose that we handle this, then? Are you going to adopt the new king and Queen and become parents-royals?"

"Why not? Anything to get rid of more humans here-"

"Why are you against humans, when our king did what full-blooded royals could not even do?!"

"That was him! This conversation is not about him!"

"Good for you to steer the conversation where you want it. How can we talk about the father and not the parents?"

"King Roman promised...."

"... and so?"

"That meant that the marriage held! He gave her the token of love, which is the legitimate token for any bride. This meant that the marriage was valid. He died before she remarried, which also means that she did not violate any rules.... So what else is your excuse?"

The room fell quiet, and that was the end of the argument.

"Wow!" Brad clapped, marvelling at the efficiency of the last argument.

To Geneva’s disbelief, and before she even got to understand what was happening, she was crowned Queen Mother! And Alex as her Prince Consort!

The place was fascinating, but they had only been here for three days, with no time for rest. The children were everywhere. It was overwhelming, but they had certain privileges attached to this!

Coronation day ....

The following day, the entire celebration unfolded. Brad was always looking starstruck. He was now in the position of the king’s brother and Queen Mother’s son. That gave him privileges and, in turn, numerous temptations as well. He had to fight the fight of wills the first few times and then acclimatised.

He was learning real fast that the Faes treated nudity and sex as nothing. This made him appreciate Ian the more, because what Ian did with Shelby in front of them became like Child’s Play. A Fae slid past him, so quietly that Brad barely noticed the man as he was startled out of his reverie.

The Fae contained a quality of stillness that made it difficult for anyone to sense him, and more so a human like Brad. His features, his bearing, everything about him blended into his background, swallowed by that stillness,

He was of innocuous height, of maybe four feet eight. His dark hair was plaited in a long braid, despite the age that seemed to sear his features. His eyes, beneath silver brows, were dark, inscrutable, intense. Eagle feathers adorned his braid, a necklace of bits of bone circled his throat, and he had a beaded bracelet wrapped around one

forearm, which poked out from beneath his black robe. One weathered hand gripped a simple, uncarved staff. He was the elder in charge of the coronation.

Just then, a murmur went through the gathered Fae, turning, Brad saw a tall girl, by the Fae standards... maybe slightly below Shelby’s height, walking slowly to the middle of the floor. Her features were pale, radiant, perfect ... She looked young.

Young enough to make a man feel guilty for thinking the wrong thoughts, but old enough to make it difficult not to. To Brad, who could not tell their age, almost all the girls looked that way. Her hair had been bound atop her head so that it fell into tendrils around her face. She wore barely anything!

She started dancing as soon as she hit the floor, her eyes on Brad.

’I can feel your hunger, human. All you have to do, is ask..."

Brad smirked, then turned to see the whole hall focused on him,

"First, I have a wife and, like I told all the others who visited my chambers, take a good look at my sister-in-law before you try your charm on me...."

It took a few short moments before the hall burst out in loud laughter, even including the people on the streets who were watching through the magic projection as well. The girl lowered her head in embarrassment.

Samantha high-fived Brad while the rest laughed at the embarrassed Fae-female.

"The Kind and Queen arrive!"

All went on their knees, even including Isolde and the rest. Those who had seen Isolde at play before were amazed that she would go down on her knees for anyone, and this made their respect for the new couple rise even higher.

The great hall of the Fae court glowed like starlight made solid. Silver branches arched overhead, hung with jewels that pulsed like captured fireflies. Elders, nobles, and emissaries stood on either side of the crystalline walkway, their hushed whispers swallowed by the rising hum of anticipation.

Then, the doors opened.

Ian entered first. Broad-shouldered and unashamed, his chest was bare, the smooth planes of his skin catching the glow of enchanted flames above. Heavy ornaments of gold and jade clung to his chest and arms, each step ringing with the weight of centuries-old regalia.

His presence was steady, commanding, like a pillar of fire holding the hall together. Every step was thunder, every breath a declaration. He towered naturally over the whole populace. He was raw power made regal, a king who needed no armour, no silks, no shield to prove his dominion. Alex felt tears threaten to fall, and Geneva handed him a handkerchief, while she dabbed one herself.

At his side floated Shelby, her bulging belly only serving to add to her charm. In fact, Shelby’s charm and beauty had indeed served to help the family adjust to the Fae populace in general.

Shelby’s gown was spun not of fabric, but of moonlight itself. Threads of pale silver and faintly glowing blue cascaded like a river of stars around her, the train whispering against the crystal floor as if the night sky followed her steps. Every fold of her attire glimmered with shifting constellations, and her veil, covering half her face, looked as light as mist.

Gabriel was giddy with elation as he stared at his mother.

"Mama! You look beautiful!" He couldn’t help but shout across the room. Ingrid’s eyes were wide as stars, as were Samantha’s. Even Isolde nodded at that. The rest remained bowed.

Together, the two walked hand in hand. Fire and moonlight. Strength and serenity.

The crowd remained bowed. As they ascended the dais, the twin thrones waited beneath a carved arch of living wood and stone, crowned with blossoms that bloomed in time with their steps.

An elder’s voice rose, deep and reverent:

"Behold the King and Queen, chosen not by power alone, but by balance by the fire that protects, and the light that guides. May their reign shine brighter than the dawn."

The coronation crowns were lifted. When the crowns touched their brows, the hall erupted in a blaze of magic. Fire roared through the braziers, light spilt brighter through the crystal windows, and a chorus of a thousand voices cried out as one:

"Long live the King and Queen!"

"Vath’orien shaelis!" [By my will, it is done!] The Elder shouted atop of their voices.

"Vaelor ar Selúmir!" ["King and Queen, everlasting!"] The Faes responded.

Brad’s mouth dropped open, as did his parents’, with goosebumps covering their arms.

"Kel’theran vel’shai!" [This command is bound by blood and time.] The elder continued, shouting, then the response:

"Naeloren veyth, en’thielar." [We bow to the crown, eternal in duty.]

"Zar’kai val’oren." [No force in the realm may stand against this decree!]

"Thariel ar rioneth, coronar veyth." [Through shadow and light, the crown is bound.] came the response.

"Lir’nael thalorien." [May the stars bear witness to this oath!]

"Shae’vren ith’rel." [Defy this, and you defy the old gods themselves.]

"Coronar veyth!" [The crown forever!]

"Long live the King and Queen!"

"Long live the King and Queen!"

It was breathtaking in a way that no words could describe.

Just at that moment, when everyone was so focused on them, one Fae lurches from the crowd, killing intent oozing, but Ian stills the attack with just one look. The Fae, Lord Lent, was frozen in place, mid-air, humiliated. It was reported for years that they were held in awe by all who were privileged enough to witness this.

It was right then that Shelby’s water broke.

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