Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 338. The Coronation is Getting Near
With Rose's coronation drawing closer, both anticipation and scrutiny grew heavier each day. The preparations were running smoothly on the surface, but Angel and Rose both knew that behind the scenes, the real challenge lay. Every noble, every courtier had their eyes on Rose, analyzing her every move, every word, waiting for the smallest mistake they could twist into gossip or rumor. This was the reality of royal life, where a single misstep could shift the tides of power.
Rose had to be careful, more careful than ever before. She had grown accustomed to the court's scrutiny, but this was different. As the future queen, her every action was magnified, and any rumor that gained traction could have long-lasting consequences. Even something as innocuous as a misplaced word or a brief glance could be spun into a scandal.
Angel was aware of this too. He had been navigating the complexities of court politics for years, but now, his concern was for Rose. He knew how ruthless the nobles could be, how they would seize on any opportunity to undermine her. Especially with her status. And worse, how the smallest seed of gossip could grow into a thorny problem. Sometimes, rumors appeared for the most trivial reasons, or even for no reason at all. And once they took root, they were hard to dispel.
The most recent example of this had been the bloodstains on their bed sheets. What had been a private, intimate moment between them had quickly spiraled into a source of wild speculation. The gossip in the court had ranged from accusations of Angel being too rough with Rose during their intimate moments, to more malicious claims that he had been angry with her and had nearly killed her in a fit of rage.
Angel had been furious when he first heard these rumors, but he knew better than to act on emotion. In his position, losing control could only make things worse. So instead, he and Rose had handled it with care, issuing a statement, that the bloodstains were simply the result of Rose's clumsiness upon touching the king's sword, not an act of violence or malice. Rose had even spoken publicly about it, explaining that her relationship with Angel was strong, and that they were both perfectly fine.
But, as was often the case in court, not everyone accepted the truth. Some nobles preferred to cling to their own speculations, spinning more elaborate tales about the king's supposed cruelty or how he was only making Rose his queen out of guilt for his imagined misdeeds. They whispered that Angel was acting out of pity, that his decision to crown Rose was merely a way to save face after failing to treat her with the dignity she deserved.
It was two days before Rose's coronation. Preparations for the grand event were well underway. Angel had spent the morning in a series of meetings. He worked from his study. It was his usual routine.
In contrast, Chancellor Allan was overseeing the logistical side of things, ensuring that every corner of the castle was perfectly prepared for the upcoming event. The courtiers and nobles were already arriving in the capital, their entourages flooding the streets and inns, but they wouldn't gather in the castle until the next day. For now, Allan's focus was on perfection—everything from the floral arrangements to the seating for the ceremony. And while Rose would soon be crowned queen, the fact that she didn't yet have official authority meant that most of the real decision-making was still left to Angel and his council.
Rose, on the other hand, had a quieter day ahead. Her schedule had cleared somewhat, and while she was not yet queen, her presence was still requested at various noble functions. Today, she was attending the birthday party of one of the capital's prominent noble families, a celebration for the young daughter of a high-ranking lord. It was a relatively low-stakes event in comparison to the political maneuvering happening behind the scenes, but it was a good opportunity to socialize.
She arrived at the event with Claire by her side, as usual. The two women had grown closer over the past few months, with Claire acting not only as her handmaiden but as a confidante. Rose trusted her more than most, especially during these stressful times.
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