The ride continued, and soon we entered through the massive gates. The bustling streets grew quieter as people stepped aside to make way for us. But what caught my attention was what they were doing.
Everyone kissed their left thumb, placed it over their heart, and knelt down. It felt like the entire world had come to a halt. The only sound that broke the silence was the clip-clop of the horse’s hooves on the cobblestone roads. I looked up at my mother, who gently wrapped her arms around me and whispered, “My small Kael…”
Before long, we reached the entrance. My mother carried me, helping me with the heights, but then I froze.
There, in front of us, was something even bigger than the horse. Something larger than the massive gates of the kingdom.
I looked up at the capital. I didn’t even have words for how big it was. It was overwhelming, impossible to describe.
My mother continued to carry me as we climbed what felt like thousands of stairs. My eyes couldn’t even follow the height of the building. The walls seemed endless.
Around us, armored guards stood watch, their eyes always alert as we neared the entrance. But then, I froze again. The sight before me was even stranger—spiraling stairs wrapped around a pillar that stretched high above us. In no time, my mother handed me to a maid. I didn’t particularly like the warmth of her arms, but I knew she was safe, so I allowed it.
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The maid helped me change into new clothes, and I waited, unsure of what would happen next.
And then, I saw him. My father. He stood in front of me, wearing a crown, silver and gold clothing, and a red cape that flowed behind him like fire. The crown on his head was decorated with gold and gems, sparkling in the light.
My mother, standing beside him, looked like something from a dream. She was dressed in silver and white, elegant and ethereal, her blonde hair shining like rays of the sun.
My father took me in his arms and led me to a giant balcony. The people below stretched as far as I could see. He lifted me high, and his voice boomed, calling out to the kingdom. But I couldn’t hear him. My eyes were too busy watching the sea of people below, the thousands of them, standing in complete silence, staring up at me.
Knights and guards stood firm around me, their swords at the ready, watching the crowd. But the moment my father lifted me higher, the silence was broken.
“The future king…” my father’s voice rang out. He paused for a moment, then shouted even louder, “Prince Kael Ardyn I!”
The crowd, which had been so still, erupted in a loud cheer. “ORA!” they shouted, like a battle cry, a victory sound.
Everyone kissed their thumbs again and knelt down, paying their respects. But then something strange happened. My mother reached for my father’s left hand and with a golden dagger, she made a small cut. Fresh blood began to fall, but my father, with his bloody thumb, drew a cross on my forehead. He kissed his thumb and then raised me up again, holding me high in some kind of ancient ritual.
After what felt like forever, he passed me back to my mother, and the atmosphere shifted. The tension broke, and the people below erupted in joy. They hugged each other, opened bottles of drinks, and cheered. The ceremony was over, but it felt like the beginning of something much bigger.