AISLIN | I

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

THE CORONATION brought vibrance and new life to the kingdom of Ecrin. Many people came to see Prince Zakariah be crowned.

We were greeted by the farmers when we first arrived in the Kingdom of Ecrin. People working out in the fields, with their goats, as well as people in their yards with their cattle and children. The people of Ecrin were friendly, but reserved. They were not used to the presence of so many strangers in their quiet kingdom.

The palace became more visible as we moved deeper into the community. The people who lived more fruitful lives than the rest lived on the outskirts of the castle walls. I noticed that the closer you lived to the castle, the more money you had. The families who lived on the farm lands had limited resources. Nonetheless, the King had made provisions for them, and they have never been overlooked. They weren't hungry or sick, and they all had what they needed.

Merchants greeted us within the castle walls. Behind the gates, all of the buying and selling took place. The King's men stood guard and kept an eye on the people. This was for the protection and security of both the merchants and their patrons. It discouraged the merchants from extorting the people and discouraged the people from stealing from the merchants.

We were greeted by gardens and lush vegetation with trees as we approached the entrance into the courtyard. Beauty and aromas. Things that would adorn the castle and make it appear majestic. My favorite garden is known as the forbidden garden, which was the one into which no one dared to venture. The garden was overrun with poisonous plants. Their beauty, taste, and touch were all lethal.

Two guards stood on either side of the 12 foot long wooden doors leading into the inner walls that the castle sat inside. The castle was constructed of sandstone. Its dark color drew your attention in and held it there like it helt the heat from the afternoon sun. The castle itself was enormous.

The coronation ceremony was followed by a celebratory ball. The men stayed in their clothes. They had all worn evening suits or their dress uniforms for the ceremony. However, all the ladies (including me) had to change into our formal gowns and told the boys we'd meet them there.

Queen Aria was dressed in a deep dark green gown. The green silk-like fabric slid gently across the floor as she glided across the room. Her dress was adorned with black lace that hung from her shoulders and ran down her arms. Her dark curly hair was slicked back into an elegant bun, and her edges were perfectly groomed. She wore just enough makeup to accentuate her sharp features and widen her eyes.

Princess Senara wore a pastel blue gown that made her grey eyes stand out and contrasted her dark skin, though it was lighter than most of her family. The top of the dress was embroidered with light pastel blue flowers that cascaded across the neckline and down the bodice. Her dress dangled from her shoulders. Senara, unlike her mother, let her hair down. Her full curls were on display, bouncing with her every move. The Princess appeared to be looking forward to attending the ball. When I asked her why, she mentioned that she had been promised to one of Ecrin's princes. She appeared ecstatic to see her future husband, Oislin.

My gown was black with a large slit on the side. The skirt was loose and flowy, but the bodice fit like a second skin. A single gauzy sleeve draped down my right arm and buttoned tightly around my wrist. The same fabric was used to create an extra layer of fabric on the bottom of my dress as well as the ruffles on my neckline. I had cut my long black hair up to my shoulders. I wanted to try something new with it and it got it out of my way during work.