Chapter 268: My Queen
Althea could barely recognize herself once Riela and the maidservants finished preparing her for the coronation.
“I...” she trailed off, staring at her reflection in the full-length mirror.
For a moment, she simply stood there, taking in the woman before her.
“You look ethereal,” Riela said with a bright, admiring smile. “Truly beautiful. The gown suits you perfectly... so pure, so angelic.”
Althea’s long, wavy hair had been carefully braided, with soft, loose strands framing her face. White flowers were woven delicately through her hair, complementing the shimmering silver-white gown that seemed to glow with every movement.
She looked... like a queen.
“Come now,” Riela added gently. “We mustn’t keep the king and the people waiting.”
With that, she personally escorted Althea outside.
In the hallway, Gavriel stood with Uriel, deep in conversation. But the moment Althea appeared, everything else seemed to fade.
Gavriel’s gaze locked onto her. He went completely still.
Dressed in silver-white attire that perfectly matched her gown, he looked every bit the powerful king. Yet in that moment, there was something softer in his expression... something almost undone.
“Truly a couple made in heaven,” Beatrice praised warmly.
Althea felt her cheeks heat up at the endless compliments, her heart fluttering under the weight of everyone’s attention.
But more than anything...
It was the way Gavriel looked at her. He hadn’t looked away even once since she stepped into view.
Gavriel immediately pulled her closer, his hand firm yet gentle as he guided her toward the wide balcony of the palace’s second floor, where the people below awaited their queen.
“You look so magnificent, my love...” he murmured against her ear, his voice low and teasing. “It makes me want to skip the entire celebration and simply admire you... all day and all night, once I place the crown upon your head.”
Althea’s heart raced at his words.
“Stop that,” she muttered softly, though the warmth in her cheeks betrayed her.
Together, they stepped into position.
The Queen Mother was already there, her smile bright with pride. Riela quickly moved to stand beside her, while an older man stepped forward and bowed respectfully before Althea.
She recognized him at once since all her memories already returned... the Minister of Rites, Lord Ariel.
At Gavriel’s subtle signal, the ceremony began.
The minister’s voice carried across the open space as he addressed the vast crowd gathered below.
Althea’s breath caught.
There were so many people.
An endless sea of faces stretched before her, all eyes lifted, all attention fixed on her. Cheers rose, voices blending into a powerful wave of sound that echoed through the air.
For a moment, nerves tightened in her chest.
She wasn’t used to this... to being the center of everything. But she knew she had to be.
Slowly, she straightened her posture. She lifted her chin, her expression soft yet composed, and offered the crowd a graceful smile.
The cheers only grew louder.
And standing there beside Gavriel, with the weight of the moment settling upon her shoulders... Althea began to look every bit the queen she was about to become.
The Minister of Rites stepped forward, his voice steady and resonant as he began reciting the sacred words of duty and responsibility expected of the Queen.
Each word carried weight... tradition, honor, and the burden of the crown. Then came the vow.
“I, Althea Grant Kingsley, solemnly swear that I will uphold the integrity of the kingdom and serve as a Queen worthy of its people...”
Her voice was clear, though her heart pounded within her chest.
At Gavriel’s subtle signal, Althea stepped forward and lowered her head.
The world seemed to fall silent.
With deliberate care, Gavriel lifted the crown and placed it gently upon her head, as if sealing not only her title but her destiny.
The moment lingered... sacred and absolute.
Then he turned to face the crowd, his presence commanding, his voice echoing across the kingdom.
“I present to you... your Queen,” he declared. “Queen Lathea Kingsley.”
For a heartbeat, there was silence.
And then—
The crowd erupted.
“Long live the Queen!!!”
Cheers roared like thunder, voices rising in unison as they welcomed their new queen.
Althea slowly lifted her gaze, the weight of the crown now real upon her head. No longer just Althea... But Queen Althea Kingsley.
Althea offered the crowd her sweetest smile and waved gracefully.
Gavriel stepped beside her and took her hand, holding it firmly before giving it a gentle squeeze. The gesture steadied her.
When she turned to look at him, she was caught off guard. He leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. The crowd erupted into cheers.
Althea’s face turned red, warmer than a ripe tomato, as delighted shouts echoed below them.
“Long live the Queen and King! May God bless you!”
“They look perfect together!”
The noise swelled with excitement until Gavriel raised his hand. At once, the crowd fell into silence. His expression shifted. The teasing warmth was gone, replaced by the commanding presence of a king.
“I know many of you are still confused about how events unfolded,” he began, his voice strong and steady. “There are questions. There are doubts. Some of you may even feel fear about what lies ahead.”
He paused, letting his words settle over the people.
“But hear me clearly.”
His grip on Althea’s hand tightened, not painfully, but protectively.
“As long as I stand as your King, and as long as she stands beside me as your Queen, this kingdom will remain strong. Lunaris will not fall into chaos. We will protect its people and safeguard its future, guided by God’s grace and mercy.”
The crowd listened intently.
“My Queen is not here by accident,” he continued. “She carries the strength, wisdom, and heart that this kingdom needs. And I will stand beside her in every trial to come.”
Althea felt her chest tighten as the cheers slowly began to rise again, louder and more certain than before, she realized something undeniable... She was no longer simply surviving fate. She was stepping into it.