The grand dining hall was filled with the warm glow of chandeliers, their light reflecting off the gold and silver details of the room. Each table was adorned with immaculate white linens, floral centrepieces in royal colours of deep purples and rich golds, and elegant table settings for what promised to be a magnificent feast.
Portraits of my ancestors lined the walls, but more notably, a new portrait of me, standing tall in royal garb, had been added to the collection. It was surreal to see myself up there, among kings and queens of the past.
I walked into the room with Aurelia by my side, feeling the weight of my new crown on my head and the many eyes on us.
The atmosphere was lively, a mix of celebration and curiosity. People stood in clusters, talking and laughing, but I could feel the whispers behind the laughter about my father, about the demons present, and about what kind of queen I would become.
