Chapter 275: These Are My People Now

After the High Priest formally recognized the union of Drayce and Seren, with Seren now officially crowned the Queen of Megaris, it was the time for the royal wedding parade where the King and the Queen would travel around the capital city in an open carriage. This would also be Seren's first official appearance as the Queen of Megaris in public, causing the curious citizens of Blackhelm to line up the streets for the rare chance of seeing their revered king and his chosen queen.

Drayce guided Seren's way while holding her hand, helping her to climb down the stairs of the throne platform. Amidst the clapping and festive music, the young king and queen walked down the aisle to exit the throne hall. Many of the wedding guests looked at the royal couple with praise and well wishes, some of the females even eyeing Seren with envy.

Seeing his sister being the center of attention for a good reason, getting all this respect and love from people now that she had become the queen of the strongest kingdom and the wife of the most powerful king in the continent, Cian could not help but feel relieved. He wished that their father was here as well to witness this turn of event in his pitiful sister's life. His eyes turned moist at the thought of how his sister spent the past few years living like a soulless doll, and comparing the frail image to the confident bride walking elegance, he could not help but hide a few happy tears.

Unfortunately for him, the best friend of the groom who was standing next to him had noticed it. A teasing grin spread on that elegant royal face. "It won't look good if the crown prince of a kingdom sheds tears publicly when he is in an allied kingdom. It might cause an irreversible diplomatic issue."

"Tears?," Cian scoffed, "I think you should check your sight, Prince Arlan."

Cian was initially not close enough to be on joking terms with Arlan. As fellow princes, they were more acquaintances than anything. But for some reason, ever since that time they escaped from Hatha's pursuit, Arlan started to treat Cian more casually.

"Then why do I see your eyes moist?"

"I have traveled for days nonstop and didn't get a proper sleep so it's affecting my eyes," Cian replied coldly.

"I believe you," Arlan said as his grin broadened.

Lenard was originally watching the King and the Queen of Megaris just like everyone else, but he turned to Arlan and decided to intervene just in case his brother says something that might piss off the Prince of Abetha. He diverted the topic towards his brother's friend. "I never thought I would ever see such a day. I always thought that the throne of Megaris would only have a king and not a queen under his reign."

"You never know when things will suddenly change," Arlan commented. "Life is truly full of surprises."

As one of Drayce's closest friends who knew him well, Arlan never thought that the man who only loved the sword would ever fall for a woman. They thought that even for political reasons, Drayce might not yield to marry, even if it was to produce an heir, and would probably pass on his crown to a nephew in the future. Arlan was sure that even Slayer had the same thoughts, but they were proved wrong by the existence of the young woman named Seren Ilven.

'I am not sure if it is Seren who got lucky, or if it's Dray…' Arlan could not help but muse as he stared at the happily married man escorting his wife outside of the throne hall.

When Drayce and Seren came out of the Grand Palace, a shower of flower petals were thrown their way. Seren then saw the splendidly decorated open carriage waiting for the next part of the wedding celebration. The body of the carriage was made in the form of a golden dragon and red phoenix in flight among clouds and was attached to six beautiful white stallions. In the lead, several royal knights headed by Slayer were lined up, while there was a troop of royal knights organized behind the open carriage. It was both a marvelous and imposing sight.

A knight opened the door of the carriage and Drayce helped Seren to sit inside before accompanying her by sitting next to her. As it was an open carriage, everyone could perfectly see their King and Queen. It was Seren's first time riding such a carriage, and she thought that being scrutinized by countless people would make her nervous.

'What if the sight of my scales scare them?' 'What if the people don't like me?' such thoughts passed her mind. However, with her husband never letting go of her hand, it seemed like there was no reason for her to feel that way.

Cheers could be heard the moment the sound of a horn signaled the start of the wedding parade. Those inside the palace grounds who could not enter the wedding venue finally got their chance to see the newly wedded King and Queen of Megaris. Along the way, many threw flower petals, and while the nobles all bowed to them, the commoners kneeled on the sides of the road.

Soon, the procession left the gates of the palace and entered the city proper. The cheers that erupted were many times louder than the ones she experienced within the palace. It seemed like Seren had worried for nothing. Every citizen was eagerly waiting to get a glimpse of their new queen, and they highly respected their king.? The number of people that had gathered on both sides of the road seemed to indicate that the entire city had come to watch the wedding procession. Some of them were even watching from their windows, and others, from their rooftops. As the people bowed as the carriage passed by, it caused a human wave among the cheering crowd.

"That is our new queen, Her Majesty Queen Seren!"

"Oh, that's the King and Queen!"

"All hail His Majesty King Drayce! All hail Her Majesty Queen Seren!"

"Congratulations on the wedding!"

"Please continue to bless the kingdom, Your Majesty!"

It was the first time for Seren to witness such a scene. To have people accept you… A soft smile lingered under her veil.

'I wonder if a king and queen receive this kind of treatment all the time.' She had never participated in any public event as a member of the Ilven Royal Family, and had little idea of how monarchs were treated by their subjects outside of the palace. 'Even though I was a princess, I have never joined a parade in Abetha.'

It was as if all negative emotions melted under the well wishes being thrown her way. The eyes of the people looked at her and her husband with awe and respect, and while there were some who looked at her with curiosity, no one showed obvious disgust or hostility.

'These are my people now…'

The capital of Megaris was large, and while the procession stuck on the major roads, it still took hours before the carriage finished its route. Seren was a little tired, but she knew the day was still not over. After finishing the parade, the carriage returned to the royal palace for the next part of the wedding celebration.

The wedding banquet. The newly wedded couple now had to head to the ballroom where all the royals, nobles, and other important guests were waiting to interact with the bride and the groom.

As soon as Drayce helped Seren get out of the carriage, they were received by their respective servants. Drayce had to temporarily let go of his wife's hand as they had to rest and refresh themselves a little before they entered the ballroom.

Her ladies-in-waiting escorted Seren towards a separate room for her to change out of her ceremonial red bridal gown and into a luxurious white and red gown with crystal decorations that resembled the pureness of the first snowfall. The fabric was lighter and easier to move in, its skirt flaring out from her tiny waist in a way that the crystals shimmered with each of her movements. The braid of her hair was brushed as well, and now her long reddish hair fell behind her back in large curls. When she looked at herself in front of the full-length mirror, Seren noticed that the gown she was wearing complimented the dainty silver crown sitting on top of her head.

When Seren met the waiting Drayce outside of the banquet doors, she realized that the young man was now dressed impeccably in his favored black attire with golden motifs and his sword attached to his waist, which highlighted how devilishly handsome his face was and fully brought out the dignity of a king in him.

When their gazes met, Drayce offered his hand to the fair maiden like a gentleman.

"Shall we?"

The sweet harp music playing in the background stopped when the herald announced Drayce and Seren's arrival to the banquet. All the guests mingling inside the ballroom paused whatever they were doing to welcome the king and the queen who had just arrived hand in hand.

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