Chapter 59: Coronation

 

     On the day of the coronation ceremony, it has unfortunately been cloudy since morning. The chief priest muttered to himself as he looked out of the window. 

     The cathedral where the coronation will be held is located at the end of a broad path. Once they pass through the first tower gate, they turn left. A long flight of stairs at the side leads through the entrance. Entering the temple with high ceilings, at the center front is where the main altar is located. The arched ceiling had colorful paintings on it and several finely crafted columns lined up along the wall were breathtakingly beautiful. 

     There were large round windows on the center of the ceiling, especially the wall opposite the main altar. Therefore, even if it is cloudy, there is still light inside. A number of delicately carved stone statues were placed in front of the pillars, also beautiful murals that can catch one’s attention. In the middle of the pillars were carved symbols of Astoria and the temple patterns.

     Dozens of long chairs were lined up on the sides of the nave where the royals and aristocrats sat. It was quite difficult to access them since there are people rushing to the sides or near the entrance, as well as the limited amount present. They were like cramped up potatoes. Everyone desperately stretched their necks to try and see Liz at the main altar. 

     On the main altar, Liz stood with her back against the audience as she faced the saintess. Behind them were a few luxurious looking chairs and a canopy where the King, Keefa, and the other royals of the direct family line sat watching the ceremony.  

     As people watched, Liz’s oath and baptism with perfume oil had ended. The chief priest passed the saint’s staff to her. Liz bowed as she gratefully received the staff, which was as tall as herself with large white stones embedded on it.

     “You don’t seem nervous. That’s good.” The chief priest whispered to her with a smile. However, that wasn’t the case. Liz was tremendously nervous, she just didn’t show it.

     

     “The person chosen as the saint is quite different, she looks very calm.”

     “True. Even on such a big stage, it’s like she has not squirmed at all. The future of Astoria is going to be bright!”

     The seated noblemen  spoke admiringly.

 

     Meanwhile—

     ‘What? Was I supposed to hold the cane with my right hand? Left hand?’

     She was told in advance, but she forgot. It’s probably due to tension. She has to decide which one to take it from. Which one? She thought hard as she had a neutral expression.

     “The next holy saint has stopped. What’s the matter? Is there something wrong?”

     “You’re a fool, I don’t think so. Look at that calm expression. It’s part of the coronation. I think she’s trying to make a difference.”

     ‘Okay, right hand!’

     She felt that it was so and held the staff with her right hand, and then she looked at the reigning saint in front of her.

     “It’s the opposite.”

     Was it the left hand? Thinking what was in her heart, she casually moved the staff to her other hand. 

     Perhaps it’s because he understood the meaning of Liz’s behavior, Keefa, who was sitting, looked down. His dark brown hair and shoulders tremble. Liz realized that he was laughing. She became even more emotionless. Beside the main altar, she perceived that Lloyd, as well as the priests, were laughing as well. It’s probably different from Keefa as they laughed without any hesitation.

     The King stood up from his chair and approached her. While the minister held onto the silk cloth with both hands. He took off the bracelet that was placed there, and turned to her with a smile and said, “Congratulations!”

 

     ‘I should hold out my arm here.’

     It’s alright, she remembers. The blessed bracelet should be on her right hand. 

     ‘Huh?’

     Then she realized. Liz’s long-sleeved robe’s design is large and loose as it hangs from her shoulders up to her wrist. However, her wrist is swollen. At this rate, it would be quite difficult for the king to let her wear the bracelet. Liz, who was quite concerned, rolled up her sleeve as she was holding the staff and held out her snowy right arm.

     The king’s eyes widened. His hand holding the bracelet paused in the air as if he froze.

     ‘What?’

     She could tell by the sudden reaction of the people around her that it was originally the role of the priest to roll up her sleeves. She understood that surely the holy saint shouldn’t do it herself at an official event.

     Behind the king, the reigning saint had an uneasy look on her face. She could read what the saint’s eyes were saying.

     The trembling shoulders of Keefa became even more prominent. She could hear Lloyd’s laughter behind her.

     ‘……’

     She regretted it, but  she couldn’t withdraw her hand in front of many people, especially under the presence of the King. The chief priest softly chuckled and the King calmly smiled as if nothing happened. He placed the delicate bracelet on her right hand and a priest hastily rushed forward to fix her sleeve in place so that she wouldn’t do any unexpected acts.

     The people watched in silence as they craned their necks. It’s time for crowning. The chief priest handed the crown to the saint as Liz kneeled on the floor, her back upright. 

     “I bestow the crown upon the next holy saint, Liz Stefan.” The saint said as she slowly placed the crown on Liz’s head as well as gently fixing the chiffon veil attached.

     Liz let out a breath and slowly raised her head, she could feel the weight of the crown on her head. Her eyes met the saint and she was gently smiling at her, heartfelt blessings can be seen through her dark eyes. Liz stood up and deeply bowed down to her and the King, carefully paying close attention to the crown on her head so that it wouldn’t fall. 

     Then, she faced the crowd, as she bowed down to them, bright sunlight peeked through the clouds. The sun shone through the large windows towards Liz on the main altar and cheers erupted among the people.

     Her white garment embedded with tiny white jewels sparkled under the sun, even her crystal-like skin gave a subtle glow. With her striking red eyes, it gave her quite a mystical aura.

     At the side of her peripheral, the priests were clapping in secret. The cathedral was originally designed in such a way where the sunlight would shine down the main altar. However, today unfortunately, it was cloudy and they were quite distressed about it and let it go but the clouds soon broke out at the right time.

     “The black hair of the past saints were lovely, but her white hair with the crown looks so majestic as well!”

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     Liz smiled and slowly bowed to the crowd. Amid the cheers and applause, she walked down the aisle toward the front door to leave the cathedral.

　As Liz took a step towards the chief priest, she saw both Olivia and Rebecca among the lined people. They were of nobility as well as the last few candidates left in the selection. The saint probably made arrangements so that they’d be in the line.

     “Congratulations Liz!”

     “It looks very good on you.”

     The two applauded with a big smile and Mimizun peeked its head out of Rebecca’s dress.

     “Thank you.” Liz returned with a smile.

     The Holy Dragon was waiting in the next room with the black leopard and penguin. The maids happily prepared some sweets and meat for them in the morning. Surely, they’ve been enjoying the food themselves. 

     As she continued to walk, a cheerful voice was heard in the midst of the cheers. 

     “Liz!”

     Liz raised her head. However, the person could not be seen in the crowd. As she stretched her head and searched harder, Anna suddenly jumped out from the middle as someone pushed her from behind.

     Anna looked back and said, “Thank you…!” 

     Liz caught a glimpse of the person’s face and it was Lloyd. He smiled at her and withdrew immediately.

     Anna was wearing a white shirt paired with a black skirt. She looked more plump since she left the temple. Her cheeks are stained with a healthy pink. She looked very happy as she cheerfully said, “Congratulations Liz!”

     A familiar voice came from the crowd, “Liz, I finally caught you!”

      “Natalie!?” This voice, the way of speaking was from her.

     Natalie was trying hard to get out from the crowd towards the front. Her black hair was slightly a mess on her forehead. She looked proud, though her dress was slightly wrinkled and her face was flushed a bright red. Before Natalie left the temple to her home, Liz remembered her saying, “I’ll surely attend Liz’s coronation.”

     “You really came…Thank you.” Liz let out a laugh.

     “There’s no need for thanks! And…! It’s not like I was looking forward to it!”

     She was still the same, as Anna beside her pouted. Liz laughed, her heart felt full. 

     The chief priest gave her a gentle nod, and Liz started to proceed again. She then saw Claire standing near the front door with the aristocrats, looking at her with her arms in front of her body.

     “Claire!”

     Although it may be harder for her to attend the ceremony up close, it is clear as to why she was able to do so since behind her were one of Keefa’s aides.

     “I knew I couldn’t easily enter the cathedral during the coronation, but when I found out that you were chosen as the next saint, I couldn’t help it. I came to celebrate as close as possible. Then this close aide brought me…”

　Liz smiled and nodded. It was Keefa who prepared it beforehand, he knew Eric would not leave him alone, so he sent her this young aide.

     “You’ve become the next holy saint. It’s amazing! Really, really amazing!” she said, giving a big bright smile.

     Liz felt the string in her robe, which was around her neck, and showed the ring hanging on it. It was Eugene’s ring that Claire brought from the Howard family that’s been handed down from generations. She caught hold of it and smiled back, as Claire’s face flushed with happiness.

     The moment Liz went out of the cathedral, the bells on the tower rang. Signifying blessings and celebration.

     “Go to the palace and please go to the balcony facing the square, where the saint and the king are. It is packed with people at the front, excited to see the new saint.”

     She nodded at the words of the priest behind her. Before she reached the balcony, cheers could already be heard. As soon as she went out, there was a surge of feeling that enveloped her. Her sight was filled with the faces of the people. She thought that the amount of people in the cathedral earlier during the coronation was already a great amount, but this was different.

     The people’s cheers grew louder when the saint, king, and Keefa went out to the balcony. It was like a roar.

     “Kyu.” The Holy dragon that climbed onto Liz’s shoulder, hid behind her head. It was frightened by the momentum of the people.

      “Go to the front,” At the words of the saint, Liz advanced to the railings. “And wave your hand.”

     Then, she gently raised her hand and the crowd cheered.

     “The next saint doesn’t have magic?”

     “You fool. She possesses magic within her. It’s just…what is it?  For some reason, she just doesn’t have black hair and eyes.”

     “But I heard that nobody knew about it. Even so, she had the potential and was chosen as the next saint.”

     “Is that so? That’s amazing, even though she was a commoner, I suppose.”

     “She was from a rural village quite far from the capital.”

  

     As the joyous cheers of the people echoed, Liz, the new saint, was waving her hand. Her white hair fluttered in the wind, the crown on her head was shining brightly, and her ruby red eyes were looking at the people as she gave them a smile.

 

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