The Gentle Maiden and Five Lustful Brothers-Chapter 121: the coronation

***Authors note: Thank you for all the condolences on Discord. I’m trying to be okay. Readers enjoy their happy moment, because happy moments always come to an end.***

Things were going wonderfully in Bucharest, so far. They shopped until the morning light was first making its appearance in the sky. The women decided they should head back before the hustle and bustle of the streets start and prepare for the upcoming coronation.

In the heart of the city was the main palace, which was astonishing and enchanting to look at it. It had a breathtaking blend of old-world architecture with a modern touch. Made of smooth black stone, accompanied by broad terraces, and sweeping glass balconies. The gates were carved black steel

The foyer was a vast, open space, bathed in soft light that shined through high windows. The floor was polished black marble, shot through with veins of shimmering red, almost like blood frozen mid-pulse.

A grand staircase floated up from the center of the room, it’s clear glass steps suspended on invisible supports, lined by railings of black steel. Above, a chandelier of twisted glass and silver hung from the center of the ceiling, casting shadows that danced over the walls and floor as the moon’s light shifted across the sky. Everything about the city and the palace was magical.

The following day the palace was getting busier, the staff were moving smoothly, though at a ridiculously fast pace in preparation for the arriving clans.

Ash and the other brothers had left to handle clan responsibilities, so Rosa joined Violet in her examination of the guests pooling in from cars pulling up. The people Violet and Rosa saw arriving were all deathly beautiful, beings designed with grace and perfection in mind.

More and more, people were flooding in from all over. Violet was peaking down through her window when she and Rosa heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." Violet answered.

Four servant girls entered with their hands full, one trailing right after the other.

"Hello, my queen." The four women said in unison as they curtsied "We are here to dress you. The coronation will begin at midnight."

"We don’t need help dressing." Rosa spoke first.

"Rosa, this is how it’s done. Let the girls do their job, don’t make things hard on the girls." Violet motions for the girls to come in and welcomes them.

"Sorry about my friend, she’s not used to how things work around here." Violet said.

Violet knew and understood because she lived with the princes long enough, she had time to learn that each staff member had a role, and for special occasions, a servant’s role was to dress and attend to their master.

A fifth servant came in carrying a tray with an array of different breakfast options.

"Oh, look at all this food, Violet!" Rosa said with excitement. She was still getting used to such extravagant food and dresses. She lived modestly with humans her whole life. So, being pampered like this was still all new to her. freēnovelkiss.com

The girls laughed and danced together reading themselves for the ceremony.

The coronation was unlike any Bucharest had ever seen.

The grand plaza before the castle was lit by rivers of a red flame, winding along the pathways like veins. A massive archway of black roses and blood-red lilies framed the entrance, guarded by sentinels in dark armor chased with silver. They stood still as statues, their eyes surveying every guest with sharp awareness.

Every inch of the castle was wired with the best tech money could buy. Touchscreens and biometric locks. Enchantments were placed to ward off curses or ill-willed magic.

The guests gathered in hushed awe. Rows upon rows of nobles, warriors, and curious outsiders, dressed in their finest dresses and suits, as well as shimmering armor. The air vibrated with anticipation, heavy with the scents of perfumes, candles, bloodwine, and magic.

When Ash and Jeremy arrive at Violet’s room they are enthralled by the beauty of their women.

"Wow." Both men said in amazement. Bewildered by them.

"Rosa, we have our seats waiting for us, come on" Jeremy said stretching his arm for Rosa to wrap with hers.

"I’ll see you after, you got this, don’t be nervous, okay?" Rosa winked at Violet.

They left to find their seats. Ash looked at Violet like she was the only woman in the world.

"I can’t believe you are about to be my wife and queen. That when we exit this hall the world will change.

Violet was ready to make changes, ready to reshape the World of Night.

The heavy doors opened.

Ash entered first, the new king.

Ash wore a black velvet cloak embroidered with gems, over an obsidian suit. His crown, simple but commanding, was a circlet of dark platinum set with a single blood-red garnet. He moved like a predator cloaked in grace.

At his side came Violet. The new queen.

Violet was radiant, a vision of innocence and beauty. She wore a gown of pure black silk that shimmered with every step, the hem stitched with intricate patterns in silver and scarlet thread. Her hair was crowned with a delicate silver tiara, shaped like intertwining vines and tiny blood rubies. Around her neck, a pendant glowed faintly.

Lilith, the Queen of the Damned and Mother of all Vampires, rose to meet them.

She wore deep magenta and black, her crown heavy with gems, her presence so commanding that even the most arrogant nobles dared not meet her gaze for long.

In her hands, she carried the two Crowns of Power.

The room held its breath.

"Asher Drakarys," Lilith’s voice rang out, low and rich with power, "Do you swear to rule with strength, wisdom, and the blood of our line in your veins?"

Ash knelt "I swear it by blood and by bone."

"Violet Drakarys," Lilith turned to her, and Violet, trembling only slightly, dropped into a deep, graceful curtsey. "Do you swear to rule with mercy, passion, and the fire of life within your heart?"

"I swear it," Violet said, her voice strong and clear, "By my heart and by my soul."

Lilith smiled, a true smile. She lifted the crowns high, magic swirling around her fingers, sparkling in the air like captured stars, she placed the crown on Ash’s headfirst. Then, she placed Violet’s crown atop her shining pink hair and the sky itself seemed to hum with approval.

The crowd erupted. Cheers, roars, the clapping of hands and the stomping of boots and heels from all, acknowledging the new sovereigns.

Ash rose and turned, offering his hand to Violet. She placed her hand in his, and together they faced their people, a perfect image of light and darkness intertwined.

"Our reign begins, my queen."

Violet smiled, sweet, brave, and every inch the ruler she was born to become.

And so, it did.