Chapter Twenty-Two
_ Orlean Palace
The mid-May sun was radiant, with a clear sky and a vibrant atmosphere. The Emperor stood with grandeur in his golden robes and majestic presence, speaking in his deep, resonant voice...
"By the laws of Serdia and the authority granted to me by the people..."
He looked calmly into his brother's face, which seemed submissive for a moment, and his fingers tensed.
"I appoint the Second Prince, Erik von de Roshan, the hero of the Helva War, son of Emperor Kaizen von de Roshan and Empress Serena Estroin.."
His grip tightened on the blue velvet robe, and he uttered the words through his teeth
" ..as Duke of the Estroin region .."
He placed the robe on Erik's shoulder with a heavy movement and stiff fingers.
Erik looked at Arthur after he withdrew his hand.
"It is a great honor for me..."
He raised his sword with pride and a calm smile.
"I, Erik von de Roshan, Commander of the Orlean Knights, pledge to protect my mother's legacy and heritage, and to defend the southern borders of Serdia."
He lifted his eyes for a moment to his brother's face and lowered his tone slightly.
"I will not forgive those who harbor ill intentions toward the fam.. Your Majesty .."
He bowed slightly as he felt the touch of the cold box his brother handed him. He opened it to see the Estroin seal—the double-headed phoenix. He raised his head toward his brother, who spoke with sharp calmness.
"I look forward to that .. Duke of Estroin."
The attendees applauded enthusiastically. Erik shifted his gaze between his brother and the few present there; among them were Marquis Alexia, Count Houzan, and the most intriguing figure, Count Rohan Nelson..
He spoke with calm seriousness.
"Now, I would be happy to have everyone attend my wedding ceremony an hour from now .."
"..."
He saw his brother's stony gaze, then smiled in his playful manner.
"I must get ready; my bride is waiting for me .."
Firmin and Jeremy moved behind Erik, while Rohan moved behind Arthur with excitement and whispered..
"Your Majesty ..."
Arthur turned to Rohan, who took the initiative to whisper close to him.
"Aren't you planning something exciting for today?"
It was a cunning smile that suited that twenty-seven-year-old young man. Arthur looked calmly at Erik's back, then returned his gaze to Rohan and said in a cold whisper and with spiteful eyes..
"It is still very early; what is good requires time .."
"I have full confidence in Your Majesty's ability .."
Rohan smiled craftily and looked toward the spot where Arthur was still staring..
* * *
Lumina Temple was the largest temple in the Serdia Empire. Beneath the towering roof of this temple, the sun's rays fell with their light amidst the refreshing scent of spring. They stood alone, bathed in the daylight, as if the vastness of the place had been specifically designed to embrace the purity of that bond.. which was lined with deals. They bowed before the greatness of the Light and paused for the High Saint to recite the marriage vows..
"In the name of the Radiance dwelling in the heights of Lumina.."
It was the enthusiastic and loud voice of the elderly priest.
"And by the witness of this great temple.."
Looks of curiosity appeared on the faces of the attendees toward the bride and groom, who bowed their heads to receive the blessings..
"We are here to fuse two wills into a single covenant. Let the Light appear; for what this roof joins under the eye of the Empire, the storms of annihilation shall not part."
Silence filled the temple hall as Erik stepped forward with calm strides in his official attire, in which he had been crowned as Duke of Estroin a few hours ago. He looked steadily at Elite, who approached with firmness and dignity to look at him resolutely. Erik took the ring from the velvet cushion and placed it on Elite's hand while reading his vows with eyes that carried much..
"I, Duke Erik Estroin, pledge to protect your borders as if they were my soul; so that my shadow shall be the dwelling, and my light shall be the support.. Do you accept the weight of my name?"
Elite looked at him in her white dress scattered with pearls, with its simple and beautiful design. She set down the Calla lilies and took the other ring, reading her vows with suppressed anxiety, her other hand trembling slightly—something that did not escape Erik's notice.
"I, Elite Bryant, accept the weight of your name, and I grant you the keys to my world, and I place my destiny with yours; so that our covenant remains a stability for the land, and a vow that time does not fold."
The audience applauded as Erik lightly took Elite's hand and guided her to stand beside him, and they turned to the audience to greet them. After a puzzled look from Elite, Erik smiled and signaled with his eyes toward the gentle presence of that beautiful child. Ian was clapping stiffly like a broken machine, and despite his gentle smile, the tensions were obvious..
Erik looked at Elite, who was smiling elegantly at the crowd, while he felt her clearly high heartbeat. He tightened his grip on her hand—it seemed fleeting, but to Elite, it was like a push to move forward..
"Let us take our first steps, my Lady .."
Elite nodded her head and they stepped firmly. Arthur was standing quietly; despite his steadiness, he seemed as if he were standing in nowhere..
The attendees seemed to be in a state of excitement. The presence of this couple was majestic, as if the sun were blessing them; as soon as they stepped out, its threads met to wrap around them, increasing their splendor..
* * *
"Are you still upset?"
"Why wasn't the reception held at Altan Palace?.."
There was clear resentment in the child's voice. Ian knew that holding the party at Altan Palace was impossible, but he wanted a reason as usual, which made her sit on the floor and hug him. She had taken her first step toward a world with a different future, the end of which she did not know..
"Ian, Mama was wrong.. I'm sorry .."
Ian's embrace of his mother tightened; he feared that if he took his eyes off her, she would disappear. He seemed very clingy..
"Young master, we must move .."
Ian moved his head, refusing to leave his mother, and it seemed that Elite did not appear opposed. Rose spoke while looking at the helpless Viola..
"The Duke will come to escort Her Majesty to greet the guests .."
"I don't want to .."
Rose and Viola sighed helplessly as they looked at Elite, who seemed even more clinging to the child..
Knock, knock, knock !!!
The sound of knocking was quiet and not surprising from its owner. Ian gripped his mother's dress firmly, while the knocker did not wait for an answer to enter. He opened the door with an energetic smile..
"I'm late—"
He looked at the child attached to his mother like glue, smiled craftily, and said:
"We are late for the guests .."
It seemed there was no reaction from Ian except to hold on tighter. Erik stepped forward smoothly and lightly, pulling Ian and carrying him in his arms, while extending his arm to Elite and saying elegantly as she stood up to take it..
"Let us go, my Lady .."
Ian looked with wide eyes at his mother, who seemed worried, then at Erik, who held him steadily while his eyes were on Elite. He had caught him off guard, and Ian hadn't realized his intentions, so he spoke with suppressed anger..
"Put me down .."
"No .."
"..."
"If I put you down, we will be late, and that is a lack of etiquette for the Dukes of Estroin and Altan .."
Ian frowned and turned to the other side helplessly. Erik's steps were steady while carrying him to the stairs, which seemed more massive than what Ian was used to, so he subconsciously grabbed the edge of Erik's clothes. Erik glanced at him and then continued as if it were nothing..
The attendance was large, unlike the wedding ceremony. Erik looked at Elite and whispered:
"It seems he is planning something .."
"If you want a huge fire, you need a lot of wood .."
Elite's whisper was cold—something Ian was not accustomed to. He looked at his mother, who seemed like someone sharpening their weapon, and thought..
'Is there a war happening?!'
"Put me down ..."
"..."
"Yohan is there .."
He spoke in a quiet voice as he shifted his gaze among the people until he found Yohan and pointed to him..
"Alright ..."
Erik bent down and set Ian down, adjusting his clothes, and whispered playfully..
"Don't cling too hard .."
The redness in Ian's eyes increased; Erik truly felt a murderous intent from this child, so he smiled playfully while patting his head..
Ian did not look at his mother; instead, he moved quickly toward Yohan with a complex feeling..
"Don't Their Majesties look beautiful together .."
"Duke Estroin seemed very understanding with the young Duke of Altan .."
"Poor young Duke, he is still very young, but the Duchess will leave him."
"I heard that his guardian is Count Bryant; it's not a problem, the family relationship is good .."
"But surely he won't be allowed to live with his mother .."
"She has become Estroin, not Altan .."
"Her clinging to her child is an insult to Duke Estroin .."
The words hovering in the air behind the ladies' fans or under the nobles' wine glasses carried not a shred of emotion.
Yohan looked with a helpless expression at his friend, who was clearly looking at the people with eyes charged with hatred. He patted his back gently and said consolingly:
"They are just like that .."
"??!"
"They love to talk without consideration."
"But it is the truth .."
It was a quiet and tired voice. Yohan looked with a lively face..
"Isn't it exciting? We have become close .."
"Yes .."
It was a dry response, but Yohan did not comment and tried to find a topic to change his friend's sharp mood, but ..
Tink, tink, tink !!
There was the sound of short tapping on the Emperor's glass. A majestic silence fell, eyes focused on that Emperor who was smiling amiably..
"I congratulate my younger brother Erik on his marriage, and on his position as Duke of Estroin .."
The attendees regained their senses, and their focus intensified on the Emperor, who did not seem satisfied with just those words. They looked at Erik, who approached Arthur at the center of the hall, holding Elite's hand, and said..
"I need nothing else; Your Majesty's blessing is my greatest ambition .."
Arthur smiled, raising his eyebrow. Did he think he would stop at that? He said with a smile:
"Since you are now the Duke of Estroin, you must move to your palace soon .."
"..."
Silence fell. Everyone looked at one another, and whispers echoed in every corner..
'Aren't all the Estroin palaces destroyed?'
'They were almost blown up ..'
'Will His Majesty kick out Duke Estroin?'
"I know I am burdening Your Majesty.. I apologize .."
It was a response that made the playful whispers quiet down. Erik was looking at a certain corner calmly, then turned to the Emperor, for whom what he was doing now seemed to be nothing more than one of his whims..
"What does Duke Estroin think of staying in his own palace .."
"..."
"Orlean Palace.. which His Majesty previously gifted to the Second Prince."
Erik suppressed his laughter, frowned with a dramatic expression, and said:
"It is no longer mine .."
"..."
Everyone was in a state of silence. What did the Duke of Estroin mean?
...... To be continued ......
Note ..
Everything written in the novel is my own creation; artificial intelligence is used only for proofreading.
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