Prey of the Lion

Chapter 7: Coronation of the Empress

Chapter 7: Coronation of the Empress

I woke up on my coronation day. The empire was busy with everyone preparing for this grand day, where their Empress (me, who happens to be a man) will be crowned officially. The palace was the busiest among all and there were several handmaidens who entered my room in order to serve me and help me dress up.

They applied a light makeup on my face just to highlight some of my features and they fixed my hair in a way that would compliment the tiara that will be crowned later on. After that, they helped me wear the dress that Lady Castella poured her soul into. I looked at the mirror and I was almost taken aback by the beautiful figure that stood there. It was me.

Halata naman ang tuwa sa mukha ng mga katiwalang nagsilbi sa akin, halata rin ang pagkamangha sa kanilang mukha habang tinititigan ako at ang aking pigura. I smiled at them, “thank you for helping me.”

Yumuko naman agad sila nang sabay at halatang hindi sila nasasanay na purihin dahil ginagawa lang nila ang kanilang trabaho.

Bumukas ang pinto ng kuwarto pagkatapos at bumungad si Filo, yumuko muli ang mga katiwala at isa-isang lumabas.

“Empress Lark,” matigas na pagbati nito sa akin.

I smiled. Nakita ko naman ang pamumula ng kaniyang pisngi pagkatapos. “Uhm, do I look okay?” I asked, suddenly conscious of myself because of his awkward reaction. Is there something wrong or anything in my face?

Umiling lang si Filo, “The Emperor sent me. The coronation is about to start.” Aniya.

“Ah, so you are here to fetch me.”

Tumango ito.

Naglakad na rin ako papalabas. Filo offered his hand after as a sign of chivalry, and I took it without hesitation. He was wearing gloves but I can feel the thickness and hardness of his fingers, a sign of rigorous training with weapons, especially swords.

Mula sa malayo ay nakita ko na ang matayog na entrada ng Throne Room kung saan mula sa labas nito ay nakatayo si Akane. Ngumiti ito sa akin at halata ang pagkabighani sa kaniyang ekspresyon dahil sa aking itsura.

“Prince Lark...” She sighed, “so beautiful.”

Nagpasalamat naman ako dahil sa kaniyang sinabi.

“Are you ready to be crowned as the Empress?”

“I am.” I smiled, even though being the Empress is foreign to me, I have to accept my fate rather than going against it. This is to ensure that the disastrous magic that is sealed within me remains sealed. This is also for my kingdom, so that Leo will never lay his hands unto it, rather, put it under his protection. The reputation of his empire is widely known across the nations around the world, no one would dare get unto his bad side.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Empress has arrived.” Anunsyo ng isang tagapagsalita dahilan upang maging tahimik ang lahat ng tao sa loob ng Grand Hall kung saan sa dulo ay dalawang mga upuan na para sa hari at reyna. The bigger throne was occupied already by Leo who wore a magnificent royal clothing that I know Castella made.

Speaking of, I saw Castella beside the aisle and she was with Pan who gave me thumbs up, and beside them were two old couples who waved at me, I blinked a few times and my eyes widened upon seeing my parents, beside them were my siblings who smiled at me.

Halos malaglag ang aking panga.

They’re here!

I smiled at them and looked at Leo who just nodded at me. He must have arranged things in order to pull it off. Well, I guess my family should not miss one of the turning points of my life.

I walked the aisle going towards the throne as people watched in silence. The harmonic sound of orchestra resonated. My pace was slow, regal and elegant. My eyes focused on Leo. As we went closer, binitawan na ni Filo ang aking kamay at hinayaan akong maunang maglakad na.

I walked towards the few stairs that led me finally towards the throne, in front of am empty seat that is meant for the Empress, for me.

Tumayo pagkatapos si Leo at tumabi sa akin, we faced the people.

“You look beautiful, Lark.” He whispered.

“Thank you.”

A few seconds later, an old man who wore a sutana with intricate designs walked and approached us. “I am Father Revera Argamentino II, and by the authority that is vested in me by the gods, I hereby come to officially make Lark Lightborne, the Empress of Liondale Empire, through marriage with the Emperor, Leonhart Liondale.”

Marriage?

I thought this was just a coronation?

I looked at Leo with a confused expression. “Ano ang ibig sabihin nito? I never heard of marriage happening.” I whispered.

“Ha?” Kumunot ang noo ni Leo at bahagya niyang nilapit ang kaniyang bunganga sa aking tenga, “I thought it was common sense that in order to be officially crowned as the Empress, you have to marry the Emperor.”

“You never mentioned about you marrying me.” I scowled.

Leo chuckled, “I’m marrying you.” He said after, “sorry I was late in telling you that.”

The ceremony went on and there were many rituals that happened. When it was finally time, the priest, Father Revera, made Leo and I to face each other, it was time to make our vows.

“Do you, Emperor Leonhart Liondale, take Lark Lightborne, as your Empress, and solemnly swear to be together, in good times and dark—”

“I do.” He said while his golden eyes were locked at mine, without even letting the priest finish his sentences. I felt something tug within, like there were strings that suddenly resonated sounds. I was confused as to what those were, but it was screaming danger.

The priest looked at me after Leo took his vows. He said the same thing over, and I looked at Leo. I have no say on this. I have to do what must be done—for the people I love, and for my kingdom. I guess for myself too, as I am scared that this dangerous magic that is sealed within me may come out.

“I do.” I also said.

And with that, a tiara was crowned on top of my head and everyone cheered.

“You’re mine now.” Bulong ni Leo sa akin pagkatapos at saka ito ngumisi.

“I guess that makes you mine too, then.” I smiled awkwardly.

“Indeed.” He replied.

Umupo na kami sa trono habang nakaharap sa mga tao.

The celebration of my coronation went on and I remained rooted on my seat with Leo. I was still surprised that I was married all of a sudden, to a man too... Who have a very bad reputation across Terra Forma.

I felt the weight of the tiara on top of my head, how much more with the crown that Leo wore? It spoke of our responsibilities... Making me his Empress also made me someone who is on par with him.

Do I deserve this? Of course not. He only made me his Empress because he had to, because it is what he was tasked to do.

“You’re staring at me like I am a food that you are about to devour.” Umiwas agad ako ng tingin nang sabihin iyon ni Leo, “are you hungry?”

Umiling ako.

“Don’t worry, the food will be served later after the ceremony,” aniya.

“I am not hungry. I am just dazed because of the sudden turn of events.”

“Well, what’s done is done. We have said our vows to the gods too.”

“I know... I just never thought it would be possible—for a man to marry another man.”

“Well, cheers to breaking the norms and the f****d up culture.” Ngumisi si Leo.

I smiled after and closed my eyes.

Hindi ko alam pero nakaramdam ako ng mabigat sa aking kalooban, like there was a warning, but I could not get a grasp of it. I ignored it, maybe I am just paranoid because I do not really know how to act as the Empress.

“Leo...”

“Yes, Lark?”

“This is for the best, right?” I asked.

He faced me after, his golden eyes burning again with passion and power, “I think it is.”

“I don’t know, I just got this bad feeling. Maybe it is nothing.” I smiled.

I looked at the big window of the grand hall that showed the Twin Moons, they shone bright tonight. They seemed to be looking down at me and Leo. We were both blessed by these moons with magic... With power I never asked nor wanted.

I faced the people again after—I am not just the Empress of Liondale Kingdom, I am also the wife (or husband?) of the emperor who is notorious for being merciless.

“As the culture goes, after the coronation or marriage, it is expected that the newly-weds have their honeymoon!” Anunsyo ng tagapagsalita dahilan upang manlaki ang aking mga mata.

“Ah, finally. The long-awaited part.” Ngumisi si Leo at saka siya tumingin sa akin, “let’s go.”