CHAPTER 29
Grace could still feel the tingling sensation in her limbs as she descended back to the ground. The gasps in the hall had quieted, but the unease in the air remained thick. Her elevation, her unnatural rise had left an imprint on every soul present. This was not a usual coronation. This was something else.
The nobles stole glances at each other. The council members whispered amongst themselves. Even King Charlenugo, a man who had seen decades of royal transitions, seemed uncertain.
But Grace?
Grace kept her head high, ignoring the way her heartbeat pounded.
She turned to Juliet, whose hands were still trembling from the ceremony. Their eyes met.
"You alright?" Grace asked under her breath.
Juliet hesitated, then nodded. "Of course," she murmured. "Just overwhelmed."
Queen Judith stepped forward, her expression unreadable. She raised her hand, silencing the murmurs in the hall.
"The coronation is complete," she declared. "A new era begins today. Let the feast commence!"
The room erupted into applause, but it was forcedhollow. The tension had not left the air, only been masked by the sound of celebration.The grand dining hall was filled with the rich aroma of roasted meats, spiced wines, and exotic delicacies from across the kingdom. Gold chandeliers cast warm light over the guests, making the jewels on their robes shimmer.
Grace or rather Prince Quicke sat at the head of the table, beside Juliet. Across from her, King Charlenugo and Queen Judith observed her carefully. To her right, Queen Jonah sat with Parkston beside her, his uniform crisp and Grace had not looked at him since the ceremony. She didn't trust herself to.
"Prince Quicke," Jonah called, raising her glass. "You must tell us how does it feel to finally sit on the throne?"
Grace forced a smirk. "Heavy," she said simply, lifting her own glass.
Laughter rippled through the nobles, but it was a nervous kind.
Jonah, however, smiled as though she had won something. "Power always is," she mused.
Grace took a sip of her drink, hoping the wine would dull the irritation curling in her stomach.
A few seats down, Lady Morphine was unusually quiet. Her husband, Morphine, barely touched his food. Their unease had been evident since their arrival, and Grace had not forgotten.
Juliet finally broke the silence. "Mother," she said carefully. "You haven't spoken much since you arrived. Are you well?"
Lady Morphine stiffened slightly before nodding. "Just tired from the journey, dear."
Grace leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table. "Lady Morphine, I'm sure the journey was exhausting, but you seem more troubled than tired." She tilted her head. "Something wrong?"
Lady Morphine hesitated.
"Of course not," Jonah cut in smoothly, a practiced smile on her lips. "My aunt is simply adjusting to the grandeur of Alagascar. It is quite different from our lands."
Grace did not break eye contact. "Indeed," she said slowly.
The feast continued, but Grace barely tasted her food. Her mind was elsewhere, on the Morphines, on Jonah's carefully placed words, on the transformation that took place with her.
She excused herself before the meal ended, making her way through the empty halls. The noise from the celebration dulled behind her, replaced by the quiet hum of torches lining the corridors.
"Robert."
Her commander emerged from the shadows, as if he had been waiting for her. "Your Majesty."
"Did you hear anything from the Morphines' chambers?"
Robert hesitated. "No clear words, but something is being hidden."
Grace clenched her jaw. She had known that much.
"Keep watching them," she ordered. "And Jonah as well. If there is something going on, I want to know before it becomes a problem."
Robert bowed. "Understood."
Grace turned away, making her way toward the terrace. She needed to clear her mind.
But as she stepped outside,Parkston was there.
Standing at the edge, his hands resting against the stone railing, staring at the city below. The moonlight made his features even sharper, his blue eyes even colder.
Grace's throat tightened, she could turn back.
But she didn't.
Instead, she stepped forward.
"Couldn't handle the noise either?" she asked.
Parkston didn't turn immediately. Then, after a pause, he let out a quiet chuckle. "Something like that."
"You've changed," he finally said.
Grace exhaled sharply. "So have you."
Parkston turned then, fully facing her. "I looked for you," he said.
Grace's heart clenched. "Did you?"
His jaw tightened. "Yes."
Grace laughed bitterly. "Not well enough, it seems."
Parkston stepped closer. "I thought you were dead, Grace." His voice was low, raw. "I searched everywhere. But you were gone. And then" His eyes darkened. "Then I heard about Prince Quicke."
Grace held her ground.
She could see it now, the realization in his gaze. The pieces falling into place.
"You know," she murmured.
Parkston didn't deny it. "I suspected. But seeing you now, it confirms everything."
Grace swallowed hard. "And what now?" she asked. "What do you do with this truth?"
Parkston studied her for a long moment. Then, he sighed. "Nothing."
Grace blinked. "Nothing?"
He ran a hand through his hair. "This kingdom needs you. You fought for this. I won't take it from you, and besides you now exist in a different body".
"You married Jonah," she said after a moment.
Parkston's expression hardened. "Yes."
"Do you love her?" She asked
There was a pause.
Then, quietly, "I don't know." Parkston responded.
Grace closed her eyes. "Goodnight, Parkston," she whispered.
And before he could reply, she turned and walked away.