Chapter 426: The Coronation
Just before the coronation,
I, along with Felisiana-sama, Florence-san, Elizalina-sama, Rezamiliana-sama, and Violet-san, were in a room inside the royal castle.
“It’s finally happening.”
“Yes. Once the coronation is over, Rodwell will officially become king, and we will become queens.”
“Queens… I never once imagined I would stand in such a position until recently. Life really is unpredictable… though more than the title of queen itself, being united with Lux-sama is the greatest happiness of all.”
“That’s true.”
As Violet-san nodded at Florence-san’s words and said that,
Felisiana-sama then spoke to me.
“Lux-kun. A coronation is one of the most important ceremonies for a king, but are you alright… are you nervous?”
“Nervous… I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. But about the coronation… no, about the future ahead, I don’t feel any anxiety at all. Of course, I’m sure there will be many difficult things… but with all of you, I’m certain we can lead this country to become a happy one.”
“…! Lux-kun…”
“Lux-sama…”
“Lux…”
“Rodwell…”
“Rodwell-sama…”
After everyone murmured my name at once,
Felisiana-sama smiled gently at me and said,
“Yes, I feel the same… I’m certain that with you, Lux-kun, we can do it. And to make that certainty a reality, I’ll continue to support you by your side, and beyond that, I’ll also love you dearly from now on.”
“Felisiana-sama… thank you very much! I’ll continue to love you too!”
After that,
Following Felisiana-sama, everyone expressed their love to me, and we shared those feelings with each other.
Then, as it finally became time for the coronation, we headed to the doors of the throne room.
And when the soldiers opened the doors,
I entered the throne room, with everyone behind me, including Felisiana-sama, who held the crown in her hands.
I walked along the red carpet and came to stand before the throne.
Then I turned to face the people gathered in the throne room.
On the left side of the red carpet stood the nobles, and on the right side stood the commoners.
Just as had been mentioned yesterday, it seemed Elizalina-sama and the others had arranged everything as I had requested.
I felt grateful for that once more, but precisely because of it, I knew I had to live up to their efforts.
Once everyone took their places behind me, I began to speak.
“Everyone. Thank you for gathering here today… I am Lux Rodwell, the one who will be united with those standing behind me and become the new king of this country.”
“…”
Doubt and expectation.
All kinds of gazes were directed at me.
“I want to make this country one where everyone who lives here can be happy. And when I say everyone, I truly mean everyone, without any distinction of status such as nobles or commoners.”
Until now, it seemed that commoners had never been invited to a coronation held in this throne room.
The reason I asked for them to be invited was because of this belief.
“There may be those who think such a thing is impossible, and I alone cannot achieve it.”
However, I continued.
Spreading my hands, I gestured toward everyone standing behind me.
“But not by myself… with all of you who love and support me, and if all the people of this country, including the nobles and commoners gathered here, aim for such a nation together, then I believe it can be achieved!”
The doubt and suspicion in people’s gazes gradually faded.
In their eyes, feelings of hope and expectation began to take root.
“So please, lend me your strength to make such a country a reality, and please, become happy. If each and every person in this country becomes happy, then the realization of the nation I just spoke of will come closer. From now on, as king of this country, I will devote myself to supporting your happiness, with the belief that it is my duty to do so. Let us build a happy country together.”
After I finished conveying all my feelings about becoming king… everyone present, both nobles and commoners alike, looked at me with hope in their eyes and applauded.
Then, from behind me, Felisiana-sama, holding the crown, stepped forward to stand beside me.
I turned to face her…
And amid the sound of applause, she placed the crown upon my head, bringing the coronation to its conclusion.