Procession Of The Nobles Novels & Stories

She opened the list Mac gave her and started to look for the ingredients written on it. After getting all the ingredients on the list, Elena and Forest went further into the market. They studied the way people went about preparing for the royal banquet, both commoners and nobles alike. The female nobles all had their faces covered with a veil and had a maid or two flanking at their sides. Some were rude, some were quiet, letting their maid do everything for them. The commoners looked at them in awe, their faces bright as if seeing goddesses. There were also some male nobles. Some of them, Elena suspected, were the female nobles' brothers, while others could be their betrothed, or they were j

the nobles proclaimed in unison, their voices echoing through the grand hall. Princess Ladia acknowledged the assembled nobles with a gracious nod, thanking them for attending on such short notice. With her arrival, the celebration officially commenced. Singers and musicians began to fill the hall with melodic tunes, as men and women adorned in traditional garb took to the dance floor. Chatter soon enveloped the chamber as the nobles seized the opportunity to mingle with the influential figures gathered. For some, this was their only chance to catch a glimpse of a marquis, let alone a duke.

Flags were hung at half-mast, roads in the city devoid of traffic as shapeshifters from various regions and states lined up the main road from the palace to the royal mausoleum, grieving for the loss of their former king. We returned to the palace to offer our condolences after the procession was over. A somber atmosphere hung in the air, at odds with the castle which was usually bustling with activities. In a few hours, guests and nobles will be readying to leave, now that Richard has been laid to rest.

Just then, the music ceased, and a man with a loud voice crooned, “Ladies and gentlemen, would you please welcome Her Majesty Queen Isabelle Bathoria!” The doors opened, and everyone moved to the sides of the room to make way for the procession. First came a pack of Reapers, led by Mr. Cillian, who did a little dance as he entered. He looked young again, his wrinkles and lines smoothed out like wax. Next, there was a group of priests like the one I’d seen before. Large horns crowned their heads, and cloven hoofs protruded below the cuts of their robes. Even their faces were goat-like, some with curling brown beards.

The nobles, once so powerful and untouchable, were now little more than prisoners, awaiting their fate. The trials was a spectacle unlike any the city had ever seen. The grandstand was packed with citizens, their faces a mixture of anger, anticipation, and hope. The nobles were brought out one by one, their hands bound, their faces pale with fear. They were forced to stand before the people they had once ruled over with impunity, now subject to the judgment of the very people they had wronged.

The idea of sitting beside a stranger was not an option. Lianne’s heart thumped strongly when the trumpet sounded to signal the prince’s arrival on the entrance door. The best choral group of the kingdom then started to sing a Gregorian chant. There were knights lined up opposite each other on the first half of the aisle raising their shiny swords high above their heads in welcome of the prince’s procession. On the other half, the seven generals were present, raising their swords in a similar way. The only general that was not in attendance was General Cain himself.

His presence always made me feel that he was the answer to all my prayers, he was the home I always wished for, the reward of all my patience. I wanted to close my eyes and enjoy this bliss from the core of my heart, but I wasn't ready to let my eyes off the scenery, yet. The towering gates loomed ahead, adorned with the royal crest of the Apollo pack—a golden sun entwined with a silver wolf. They swung open slowly, and my breath caught. Beyond them, a grand procession waited. It was something beyond my imagination and expectations both. The entire court had gathered. Nobles in flowing silks, warriors in tunics embroidered with the symbols of our ancestors, the Alpha Council, and the Elders

He shot me one more cold glare, hoping that it would get to me. When he saw that I kept glaring at him, he turned away. Rowena hugged her daughter before following him with their maids. I watched them hurry out until they completely disappeared from my line of sight. That was when Rafael finally turned to face the hall. He looked down at me before facing the nobles. "The show is over. You can all leave now," he announced in a nonchalant tone. That was when the nobles bowed and began to hurry away. "W— we will be back for the next set of rituals for the new brides," the eldest said before leaving.

I smiled as I went to kiss his hand, and Mad followed. “Princess Tara.” He was old, yet he was strong. “Son.” He then walked to the aisle. “And then the grandparents, if any, followed by the parents,” the coordinator continued. Claudia and Clementine walked together. “Their Majesties have been briefed and are aware of the procession. Now, it’s your turn, Prince Valentine. You’re escorting Her Majesty, the Queen.” “You're late,” I told him, smiling. “Just in time, sister.” He grinned at me.