Chapter 53: Chapter 53

Gwenn

It’s coronation day and I knew that I was supposed to feel happy at this but I wasn’t. Instead all I felt was calmness like something was coming and my mind was preparing me for it.

“You look not so bad. Although I think the robes will be better if it covers your ugly mug of a face.” Themis teased.

Her words forced a laughter out of me, I was not expecting her words but it was welcomed. She reminded me of the time where we would argue and insult each other. A war was looming then but we were happy and building our friendship. Now we had to grow up or rather, I had to grow up. Themis battle has passed and what is left is mine.

“What if I fail?” I asked Themis, my tone low and my head down as if I was scared of his answer. “What if as a queen, I fail them Themis.”

“Did I fail in my duty?” Themis asked and I glared at her. Why the question, was she not the one who killed the king of Erisea and ended the war. She is talking as if she was not the one who made every move Dar made worthwhile. She is talking as if she was not the reason why Orel was still alive, she tried to save Elison but she could not.

“Why are you asking me an annoying question when you already know the answer?” I asked irritably and when she just stared at me, I gave her the answer which we both knew. “You didn’t. It was thrust on you without your knowledge of permission and yet you too charge and turned it into something more. Not everybody can do it like you do Themis.”

“I know that not everybody can do it like me but there was one thing that you failed to mention. I am not up to you.” She responded.

Did somebody hit her head?

“I really am not understanding you Themis. What do you mean?”

“You have courage, bravery and strength, departments which I had next to nothing and yet you think that you will fail?” Themis shook her head. “Did your sister in-laws succeed in making you doubt your abilities. You have not been the same Gwenn I know. You haven’t been her in a while now.” She said.

A husband who hated you will do that to you, family member who would rather poison you then smile with you does that and that was the kind of family which Themis introduced me to. “Are you sure that he is the right person for me?” I asked her and Themis eyes went soft.

She wrapped me in her arms. “Gwenn, you will be a great queen, you will be who you are meant to be very soon. You will be okay and you will see that Arius is the best choice for you. You might not see that now but you certainly will.”

“How long will it take for me to see it?” I asked Themis who shook her head at me.

“You already are but you just won’t believe it.” Themis replied and then linked her arm through me and we left my room, we walked out to the dimly lit hallway which had rows of torches lighting up the path which I was supposed to take.

“You will be an amazing queen, you will see.” Themis said as she patted my hand, when we got to a junction, she removed her hand from mine and I was all alone at the crossroads. I knew what I was meant to do. I was meant to choose the path to follow. Arius had told me the day before that all of them led to him but still I knew this was an important decision and so I chose the one directly opposite me because something urged me to take that direction.

I walked for a while, wondering why I never came across this parts in the Palace and although I was not yet an expert at all the road but I didn’t get lost either. Still I had never encountered this place before.

“Gwenn.” Arius said as he smiled and then approached me, something about him felt off.

“You know you are going to the wrong way, I can take you to the right place.” He offered.

“Are you sure?” I asked before I started to turn back and that was when I realized that this Arius was just dressed in his everyday clothes and although those were made of fine quality, I knew that just like me. He should be wearing a garment specially for this day. Then I remembered Arius words.

He would be waiting for me, not taking me to the right location.

“You are not Arius.” I said looking at the look alike while reaching to bring out my dagger.

At once, the hallways began to melt away and Arius look alike moved away from me. “You are right. I am not.” He replied just before his featured morphed into that of Kayd. “Congratulations my queen…” He paused and then corrected himself with a bow. “Alal.”

“I looked around and saw that Themis was not so far from me, with Orel standing by her side while Arius was staring off into space besides me.

“Well at least it is not just me who is being tested.” I said and within minutes, I saw Isolde bowing at Arius who looked around in surprised.

“Yama.” She said recently before standing straight and going back to where the rest of the council is. Gogan and Dahlia and stood in front of us but Arius was staring at me with wonder in his eyes.

“You look beautiful.” He whispered and I couldn’t help my snort.

“What? The me you saw wasn’t beautiful, what did you even see?” I asked.

“You dressed seductively and calling for me. I knew it wasn’t you at once.”

“Because I was dressed seductively or because I was trying to seduce you?” I questioned.

“Because Isolde’s spirit was different from yours, they used her because she was a warrior like you and still I could tell the difference. It was never about the body for me. It was about you. Everything about you.”

“You had me in the vision.” I replied, not answering.

“No. I had an imitation of you, right down to your fierceness but I didn’t want that. I wanted the real you. That’s all I ever wanted.” He added softly as my eyes jerked to his.

He was still acting like he was listening to Gogan, so serious and attentive, unaware of the emotions he just invoked in me.

I think he just broke down the last of my barriers.