The King's Mistress

Chapter 168: Ceremonial Ties

She did not care that Cassandra was there to hear her insults to Sierra. After all, everyone knew what she was like now. Agnes was warned by her family to not stir any more trouble than she already had.

For the sake of her home kingdom, she was to gain King Alistair’s favor.

Sierra tightened her curled fist as she glanced over to Agnes. She had a gleeful smile on her face. It was as if she was waiting for her to make a mistake. One slip up, and Agnes would do everything in her power to ruin her.

Remembering to remain calm, Sierra relaxed her fists and let out a breath of air. She looked at Agnes straight in the eyes and gave her a smile.

’Deep breath, Sierra, deep breath,’ a voice rang in her head. It was Opal. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

The smile on her face grew a little wider as she looked out the window. Even her little pet snake knew just what to say. If she knew what she should do, perhaps it was best not to kick a fuss.

Seeing as Sierra had no comeback, Agnes thought she had won. She was just about to rub it in when the carriage came to a sudden stop. This caused Agnes to lose her balance, she almost fell forward and onto the ground.

Neither Cassandra nor Sierra offered a hand to help. Agnes held onto the side of the carriage for support. She gritted her teeth and straightened herself, pretending nothing had happened.

As the carriage door opened, Sierra remained seated. Cassandra was the first to leave the carriage. After her, was Agnes.

"Princess Agnes," Sierra called out to her just as she was about to leave the carriage, causing her to turn.

"What?" She asked in annoyance.

Agnes could not hide the look on her face. Sierra simply smiled.

"Watch your step, Princess. We wouldn’t want falling flat on your face, now would we?" She chimed.

The change in Agnes’ expression was something only Sierra could see. For just a flicker of a second, her face contorted in anger.

"Hmph," Agnes huffed.

She didn’t want to engage with Sierra either, so she got off the carriage and down the steps. One of her maids was already waiting to hold her hand and help her stabilize herself. She clutched her maid’s hand tightly, clenching her jaw.

’Well said,’ Opal’s voice hissed in Sierra’s mind.

Sierra chuckled as she hopped off the carriage. Ida was there to walk alongside her as they made their way into the Hall of Opulence. This was a hall reserved for some of the most important ceremonies in Drakin.

As soon as the princesses and knightess entered the hall, all the nobility in attendance came forward to congratulate them. To be accurate, they only spoke to Princess Cassandra and Princess Agnes.

None of them seemed to pay Sierra any attention. Only Princess Myra and Princess Taita came forward to congratulate. Sierra craned her neck to scope out the hall. She had hoped to see a familiar face amongst them.

She had hoped to see her father.

She let out a sigh, knowing he was not here to share in this joyous occasion with her. The situation in Cair worsened with each passing day, there was no way he would be able to make it.

Just then, the trumpeters sounded their instruments, drawing everyone’s attention to the front of the hall. King Alistair and Queen Roxine sat on their thrones on the elevated platform.

A minister of ceremony stood up front, while a royal servant stood by his side.

"Today is a joyous occasion in the Kingdom of Drakin. Our great and glorious King Alistair has chosen his new concubines to join his royal court. May the Official Title Ceremony begin!"

The announcement was met with a round of thunderous applause. Sierra successfully made her way to the front of the crowds, standing next to Princess Cassandra and Princess Agnes.

At first, Sierra did not dare look up. But a nagging feeling in her gut pushed her to. As soon as she did, she locked eyes with Alistair. The look in his eyes was one of anticipation and love.

She could not help but blush a little.

Roxine was quick to notice the attention her King was showing. She leaned over to him and whispered in his ear.

"If you keep staring at her, it’s going to get awkward, my King."

Coming to his senses, Alistair straightened himself in his seat and cleared his throat. He broke the gaze with Sierra, already missing it dearly.

"Princess Cassandra of Sumera, please step forward."

Cassandra did as she was asked. Alistair got up from his seat and walked down the steps to meet her face to face. He reached out his hands. She held onto them as they stood facing each other before the minister of ceremony.

The minister asked Cassandra and Alistair to repeat a series of vows. Sierra watched up with a pang in her heart. It felt off to see him reciting vows with another woman. But she stilled her heart.

After everything she’s been through with him, she knew one thing was for certain.

She was the only one in his heart.

At the end of the vows, the minister instructed Cassandra to get down on her knees, while Alistair took a step back.

Kneeling before the minister, the minister declared to everyone in attendance, "Princess Cassandra of Sumera is no more. Rise, Imperial Consort Cassandra."

"All hail Imperial Consort Cassandra!" The crowd cheered as she rose to her feet.

"Imperial Consort Cassandra," the minister called out to her, "Please present your dowry to your King."

"Certainly," Cassandra spoke as she curtsied while keeping her head low.

From amongst the crowd, a path was cleared. Ten servants came forward. They carried large heavy chests in pairs. The chests were presented to Alistair and opened for all to see.

Everyone gasped in shock and amazement for each and every chest was filled to the brim with rare silks, jewelers, gemstones, and geodes. There was nothing personal about any of it, but it showed the wealth from which Cassandra was from.

"Thank you, my consort. In return, I present you with this gift," Alistair declared as he clapped his hands together.

A servant came forward and presented a scroll to Cassandra.

"I bestow upon you the lands of Aldridgemark. You may use it as you please. Furthermore, the Lilac Estate shall be your place of residence in Vargos Castle."

Cassandra lowered her head and received the scroll.

"Thank you, my King. I accept your gift with great pleasure. I hope I serve you well."

With that, Cassandra’s ceremony concluded. Everyone applauded heartily, eager with anticipation to see what would happen next. Sierra looked on, her heart pounding in her ears.