The gong was the first thing Elara heard that bolted her awake from her sleep.
She immediately looks around before registering what was happening.
The lessons. The Queen and Selene helping. Gasp!!! The coronation.
The gong sounds again indicating the event has already started. For how long have they been sleeping?
This is bad. This is bad. This is bad. She sits up properly before shaking both the Queen and Selene awake.
They both groan out before looking at Elara. "What is it?"
"The gong!" She whisper-yelled before gesturing for them to listen. The gong sounds again and that faded they're sleep.
"We overslept. Oh my god we overslept. What was in that tea" princess Selene started panicking.
"Okay calm down. Elara let's quickly get you to the house of petals—"
"No time for that" Elara interrupts before getting up.
"Send one of your court maids to the house of petals. Instruct her to collect my things and I'll just get ready here, seeing as the hall of sultan is close"
"Good idea" the Queen calls for her court maid as Elara finds the bathroom.
She washes her face and brushes her hair with the Queen's comb. She opened the door, peaking her head out.
"Do you have any spear makeup, your Highness?" the Queen nods before handing her a box.
Elara shuffles through it before picking out a rose pink lipstick and applying it. That was enough to give her face some colour.
As she steps out of the bathroom she glanced at the dress she was supposed to wear with a horrified expression.
"Now what do I do?" The event has already started and the guests are probably waiting for the consort to come.
Meanwhile in the hall of sultans. The high priest Elion was reading a rather long scroll in a very suspicious slow motion.
Everyone in the hall was bored and tired but the high priest has to stall because he knows what is happening and hopefully the consort will find a way to fix things up.
"....in order to maintain the stability of the outer realm and ensure the king has his heir if something tragic was to happen to the Queen"
The king's patience is running thin and that isn't a very good sign. He taps his finger on the chair absentmindedly as he gazes on the crowd before his eyes catch on red.
Lady Seraphine smiles bashfully to the king thinking his gaze was based on attraction.
But the king's focus was actually on her dress. Why was the concubine wearing a red gown when she knows the consort is the only one allowed to wear red?
He squints his eyes, clearly not pleased with what she's wearing.
But Seraphine was blushing profusely thinking the king was winking at her.
"High priest" the king cuts his gaze to Elion. "Is there a reason you're reading a long scroll on this particular occasion?"
Elion pushes his glasses back before glancing down to his scroll.
"N-no reason, your majesty. Just thought the new member should know—"
"Just cut to the program" the king interrupts him, getting agitated.
Elion sighs rolling his scroll. He tried his best. He just wished he could stall some more but that would anger the king.
"We have gathered here today in the beautiful coronation of the selected Consort, by the eternal flame"
"May the selected Consort come out so that the coronation may begin" There was utter silence, everyone gazed at the door awaiting the Consort.
Lady Seraphine glances at her nails, contempt that her plan has worked out as it should be.
The door then softly opens revealing Elara. The king, the guests and lady Seraphine all gazed at her with open mouths.
The dress she wore is a rich, deep navy blue gown, giving the impression of a heavy, luxurious fabric like velvet. It is heavily embellished with intricate gold embroidery forming a swirling patterns, which is especially prominent on the bodice, sleeves, and the hem of the skirt.
The sleeves are long and flowing, perhaps bell-shaped or slightly fluted, and highly decorated with the gold embroidery. The waist is cinched and accented by a large, teardrop-shaped light blue/teal gemstone at the center
She wears an elaborate gold tiara with prominent light blue/teal gemstones that match the ones on the dress.
The only word that comes to mind is stunning. Elara gracefully walks to the centre, in front of the king and all the people gathered there.
She lowered herself and bowed elegantly with grace and poise, leaving the king surprised.
Just yesterday the girl couldn't bow to save her life and now she's bowing like that's what comes to her naturally.
Was she pretending to be horrible at it yesterday? Because it can't be possible that a person can learn such a thing in under a day.
The high priest beams with pride as he already knows what happened yesterday. He glances at princess Selene and the Queen who are trying to stifle their yawn.
"Let's Begin" and so it begins. Elara bowed to the heavens and earth, bowed to the eternal flame and then finally swore fealty to the outer realm.
•••
Elara was guided to the palace interiors where she waited for the king who's to come and have a drink to solidify their bond.
She tried with all her might to stay awake but she couldn't. She ended up falling asleep while still sitting gracefully.
The king later on came inside, to find her still sitting waiting for him. He sat down on the chair opposite her only to find her sleeping.
He clears his throat and she bolts up looking at him with glazed eyes before her senses kick in.
She bows looking at the feast set out for her, her stomach growls immediately stopping her in her tracks.
How embarrassing!! She grimaces before stealing a look at the king, but he looks like he didn't hear her.
He pours the tea for both of them. Gulps it down before getting up and leaving her with her thoughts.