The Crown's Fire - Chapter 120

Chapter 120: The Coronation Day
Ezekiel kissed Tarah on her lips before carefully and quietly moving away from her. Dawn was breaking, and the sun would soon rise. It was his coronation day, and he needed to prepare early. Silently, he left Tarah’s bedchamber and called for Cora.

“Don’t let anyone wake her up. Let her sleep, and prepare some hangover soup and medicine for her,” he instructed.

“But Your Highness, it’s your coronation day. Aren’t we supposed to be there on time?” Cora reasoned.

“It’s fine, Cora. Tarah didn’t want to expose herself too much yet. Many will ask who she is. Remember, she’s no longer just the kingdom’s seer but my future wife. I’ll formally introduce her to everyone soon. Having her not attend the coronation today is not a big deal. Let her rest more,” Ezekiel commented, dismissing Cora quickly.

Hours passed by swiftly, and Ezekiel made his way to Rose Palace, where the coronation would be held. The trumpets began sounding off as the coronation was now in full swing.

“Citizens of Ebodia! Bear witness to the coronation of your new king!”

At the announcer’s bellow, all the witnesses stood up at attention.

Ezekiel walked toward the throne where his father stood. On both sides, important guests were present to witness his ascension. He smiled upon seeing his sister Xenia, now Queen of Cordon and pregnant with her first child, standing beside her husband King Darius. Then his eyes shifted to his youngest sister Mineah, accompanied by her partner King Nikolai.

Seer Beirut had foretold his sisters’ fates, and his father had trusted those visions, seeing his daughters living happily with their husbands. It seemed to him that his two sisters had indeed found their happiness, just as he had found his with Tarah by his side.

Ezekiel knelt down as he approached his father. With the crown in his father’s hands, he waited for it to descend onto his head.

“From then until now, the crown of Ebodia has been passed down from one king to the next, signifying absolute power for those who need it to secure the kingdom’s sovereignty,” the announcer began. “The crown is a symbol of power, and yet it is also a symbol of peace. For it is those who wear it that will safeguard Ebodia from those who wish to destroy it.”

Another trumpet erupted from the sidelines, signaling for Mineah to sit back down, and the rest of the audience followed suit.

“From now and forever, the crown will rest upon its next bearer, for it is through its passing that growth will be achieved,” his father remarked. “Those who would wear the crown would know of a kingdom’s burden. Those who would wear it would know what would be sacrificed for the greater good.”

The ceremony slowly came to a head.

“Ezekiel, do you solemnly swear to uphold Ebodia’s rightful place in the world?” King Stephan began. “To allow it to grow and flourish as its steward?”

“This, I solemnly swear,” Ezekiel replied, still kneeling to present himself for judgment.

“Do you solemnly swear to defend the kingdom through thick and thin? To be prepared to do what is needed, should the situation call for it?” her father continued. “Are you prepared to exact the ultimate sacrifice, should your life be required for Ebodia to continue?”

Ezekiel solemnly nodded. “I do,” he swore. “This, I solemnly swear.”

Another trumpet erupted from the sidelines, the third and final one for the ceremony, as all witnesses watched with bated breath. Slowly but surely, his father finally let the crown descend from its height, eventually placing it on top of Ezekiel’s head.

“Rise, My King,” his father firmly stated. “Rise and claim what is rightfully yours.”

A steady silence followed as the entire audience watched Ezekiel rise from where he last knelt. With his gaze held high and his crown heavy on his head, he strode forward with confidence, eventually making his way to the throne. He then stared at it for a few seconds before turning around and gazing at all who had borne witness to his crowning.

“For now and ever more, so long as I shall live, I, King Ezekiel, vow to uphold Ebodia’s laws and customs. To defend Her sovereignty and people, and to prevent its destruction through any means necessary.”

With his hand on the crown, he bowed down to all in attendance, showing his eagerness to do right to his would-be subjects. It was a tradition that was always seen as adding weakness to the monarchy, but Ebodia refused to get rid of it. In truth, it was only further enforced, ensuring that each ruler would remain humble for the remainder of their rule.

“On this, I solemnly swear,” Ezekiel swore once more as he raised his head to finally greet them. “As King, I will do right by our people.”

With those words, Ezekiel finally took his seat on the throne.

For a few seconds, silence reigned as the crowd all sat in awe at what they just witnessed.

“Long live King Ezekiel! Long live Ebodia!”

A cheer echoed across the throne room, one coming from the many peasants who were granted an audience to the coronation.

“Long live King Ezekiel! Long live Ebodia!”

Then came another. This time, from one of the many nobles that were supposed to be there in the first place.

“Long live King Ezekiel!”

“Long live Ebodia!”

Two voices became five. Then five became dozens. Eventually, even some of the foreign delegates began joining in on the chants. Claps and cheers of the Ebodians echoed as they all celebrated the new monarch. Truly, it almost felt as if this was the start of a new era. An era where Ebodia would stand on its own, its head held high with confidence in its own power and people.

[Congratulations,] Khal commented. Ezekiel smiled and answered, [Thank you.]

[Damn you two!!!] It was Vulcan who interrupted. [You know what you did is against the heavens’ law! You should be separated from me only if I, the dragon soul, vanish!!! The dragon spirit will ascend back to the heavens if I, the dragon’s soul, vanish for good!] Vulcan fumed. [That damn Seer will receive heavy punishments for doing something like this! No one should separate and break the connection of the dragon’s soul from its celestial spirit! That woman will be doomed!]

Ezekiel’s face darkened as he asked his now inner dragon Khal, [What is Vulcan talking about, Khal?]