Love and Debt

The day of the coronation came. They were seated in the middle while Jaden and Peggy were in front. They needed to sit with the royal family so Peggy was a little pissed with that arrangement.

Nina looked around the throne room, trying to check for familiar faces. But she didn't know most of them. The room was surrounded with royal guards and A.E Corporation's men were also there but dressed as guests or servants.

The throne room can accomodate a thousand guests or more but since there would be a possible attack, Kyle ordered to have around two hundred people only and that includes them, the royal family, and A.E Security Team.

All other guests and the people of Flousia could only watch the ceremony through a live broadcast. Media Tech, owned by the Jackson Clan, was the only media who was allowed to record the ceremony.

Once the Mafia start the attack, Media Tech will cut the broadcast but will continue to record what was happening inside the palace. There were a lot of hidden cameras that were secretly installed. 

Nina felt so guilty, knowing that she reported everything to Paolo. She didn't notice she was in deep thought when she felt Andrew's hand on hers.

"Are you nervous?" He asked.

Nina shook her head and smiled at him.

"I'm fine." She simply answered.

Then they heard the entrance door slowly opening.

'Thud! Thud!"

"Announcing! Your Royal Highnesses, Crown Prince Kyle Theodore Hulls and the Crown Princess Emily Blair Nitori Hulls!" The Royal announcer shouted.

Kyle and Emily walked down the center aisle with a red carpet on it. They slowly entered, walking towards the throne.

In front was the Archbishop who will officiate the ceremony, dressed in a red robe. On his right side was a glass square box where the King's Crown, Flousia's Orb and Scepter were.

Nina couldn't hide her happiness and excitement when she saw Emily who was as elegant as ever, and beside her was Kyle. 

It was magical. Nina couldn't believe that she would be one of the guests to witness a real life prince and princess oath taking. She was staring at the couple gracefully walk towards the archbishop.

Kyle and Emily stopped in the middle and vowed before continuing. Peggy said it was tradition that they needed to bow three times as they walked towards the front.

They made the second bow and continued to walk. When they were in front of the Archbishop, they made their last bow and kneeled.

"Your Majesty, are you now ready and willing to take the oath?" The Archbishop asked.

"I am willing." Kyle answered.

The Archbishop walked closer in front of Kyle and started the coronation oath taking.

"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the People of Flousia according to their respective laws and customs?"

"I solemnly promise so to do." Kyle answered in a firm voice.

"Will you promise to use your power for the welfare of your people and not for your own interest?" The archbishop asked again.

"I will."

Then the other bishops picked the orb and the scepter, and handed it to the Archbishop. He whispered a short prayer before giving them to Kyle.

Next, the crown was passed on to the Archbishop. He then said another prayer.

"I pray to the almighty to bless and sanctify our king as we set a crown of gold, the crown of the faithful, on this day upon his head. Enrich his royal heart with grace and abundance and crown him with all princely virtues."

Nina was gasping for air the whole time. It was a once in a lifetime experience to witness something magnificent.

After saying the prayer, the archbishop put the crown on Kyle's head. Then he did the same with Emily.

After being crowned, the people inside shouted in unison.

"Long live the King! Long live the Queen!"

"Long live the King! Long live the Queen!"

"Long live the King! Long live the Queen!"

The new King and Queen turned, facing the people with smiles on their faces, as the audience on the inside and outside of the palace continued shouting.

"Presenting! Your Majesties, Kyle Theodore Hulls, King of Flousia and Emily Blair Nitori Hulls, Queen of Flousia!"

The royal announcer shouted, introducing the newly crowned King and Queen.

Nina couldn't stop herself from applauding. She was happy for Emily. At the same time, she was sad. Her guilt was already consuming her, and she couldn't stay with them anymore.

She already made a proposal to Paolo. After this day, she had to file a divorce against Andrew. Half of Cross Corporation was transferred under her name as Andrew's promise to her. That was the only thing she needed.

After the divorce, Paolo promised to release Andrew's mom. Then she would have to meet Paolo's son, and marry him.

But Nina had different thoughts.

As the party started, Nina's mind wandered again somewhere when she suddenly bumped into someone.

"I-I'm sorry." She said, apologizing to the man in front of him.

"It's fine. But don't wander off, the real party is about to start." The man said in a cold tone.

Nina's eyes widened. She felt like her heart was about to come out from pounding so loud. She looked at the man who was staring at her face.

"You're pretty and sexy. I like you" He smirked while looking at her from head to toe.

She suddenly felt goosebumps in her body. Her lips started trembling and couldn't say anything. Her eyes moved, trying to look for Andrew, but she couldn't find her.

"Are you looking for your husband? I guess he's there with a woman." Paolo continued to talk, pointing at someone.

Nina saw Andrew near the entrance door, talking to a woman. She couldn't see the face of the woman, but Nina didn't care who it was. They were just talking. She waited for Andrew to look to her side, but he was a little caught up chatting with the woman.

Nina's knees weakened and she felt like she was about to fall when the man suddenly grabbed her waist.. She already knew that the man in front of him was Paolo Santelmo's son, James.