Chapter 100 New beginning

Chapter 100 New beginning
Chapter 100: Scarlett

The morning sunlight spilled through my windows in golden beams, painting the marble floors with streaks of light.

And for the first time in years, I let it wash over me without flinching... without feeling like it mocked the darkness I carried.

It felt good. I felt good.

Because today wasn't an ordinary day, it was the day I was finally letting go of all my burdens.

For so long, guilt had been my companion. Guilt for falling in love with a man who had betrayed my family...

But today, it was all gone. Because I now knew for sure that Asher was a changed man.

He was no longer the man hungry for vengeance. People now sang his praises. He was now the king who cared for his people, the man he had pretended to be...

Now, he was truly that man.

And my heart ached in anticipation of seeing him again after so long.

My hands smoothed the silk of my long dress as I smiled at myself in the mirror.

I had sent an invitation to him about Blade's coronation, but this was going to be more than just that.

"Scarlett," Violet's gentle voice broke through the room as she stepped in, holding her baby, my nephew.

I turned to her and gave a small bow. "Lady Violet... You look radiant in your outfit," I teased, wiggling my brows at her.

Her face lit up in a warm and tender smile as she crossed the distance between us and held my hand.

"Oh please Scarlett, you are the one who looks more than amazing..." She whispered taking her time to admire my dress. "You look so beautiful, the goddess herself must be proud.”

I laughed lightly, but then my emotions clutched my throat. And my heart skipped a beat. “Violet... I don't know... but, what if I am wrong? What if I am jumping back too fast?”

Her grip tightened around me like a true sister. “You have nothing to fear anymore. Asher is truly changed now. I have seen all he has done... no man does that for fun... he truly loves you.”

Her eyes turned wet with unshed tears. “Scarlett, you made my cousin better... You deserve to be happy.”

My heart squeezed as my insides jubilated in agreement with ber words. I truly deserved to be happy.

"Thank you, Violet... Thank you," I whispered, and not minding the quiet beautiful child she was carrying, I hugged her.

"Taa dah rahh!" Little Baby Blade protested and we broke apart laughing at his grimace.

"I guess that ends this little party," Violet laughed. "I came to get you out there anyway. Come on, let's go!"

With a smile still plastered on my face, I followed her through the double doors and down the hall, where everyone was already gathered.

The music swelled in the ambiance and the shatter died down as we got closer. And then I saw the two familiar figures grinning at me at the entrance.

My brothers. Axel and Blade.

They were dressed in royal suits that were embroidered with our family crests.

My heart squeezed with pain as the image reminded me of when we were children... When the three of us attended ceremonies, they would dress just like this...

"Scarlett, don't you dare cry and ruin your makeup!" Axel warned, crossing the path to take my hands.

"You are not supposed to yell at her on her big day, Axel!" Blade growled and Axel shot him a warning look.

The scene made my heart swell and I couldn't help but laugh.

"This is exactly how you two have always behaved as children!" I laughed.

"Well, he is still a child," Axel grumbled, but I saw the smirk growing on his lips.

They both reached for me, each standing on either side just as the music started. 

My heart swelled once again, but this time, it wasn't for my brothers, but the aisle we were about to take.

“You look beautiful, Scarlett,” Blade whispered, as if he already knew how I felt. "King Asher is such a lucky man...."

"He sure is," Axel agreed, his shoulders rising with pride as we began the walk down the red carpet.

The music soared as we stepped into the large hall. The people got to their feet, staring at us in awe.

Tears prickled at my eyes as my emotions threatened to drown me. Because to make it all worse, Asher was at the end of the aisle.

My breath caught as our eyes clashed.

He stood in a dark tuxedo, trimmed with silver threads and his crown gleaming faintly in the morning light.

But I saw the way his hands trembled. I saw the way his eyes watered in shock and... Love.

It was clear that he couldn't believe what he was seeing. My letter had never specified how this ceremony would go...

He didn't think it would be a renewal of our vows, so the shock was evident on his face.

Because surely, he must have thought this was just a regular ceremony in honor of Blade.

When we finally got before him, the music climaxed as if to mimic the hammering of our hearts.

And then I watched Asher's lips part soundlessly, as though he would crumble if he made a sound.

Time seemed to freeze as I stood there, not knowing how to react.

He was so handsome... And our bond flared up like this was the moment it had been waiting for.

My wolf stirred, wanting to feel him close at that moment. And as if Axel could hear it, he passed my hand to Asher, waiting one.

The moment our hands touched, I felt my heart explode with desire.

The music chose that moment to stop and the elders began the ceremony.

And when it finally got to our turn to speak, Asher didn't follow the prepared words... He couldn't...

“I simply choose you, Scarlett Black,” he whispered, his throat tight with emotion. “In this life, and every life after.”

My emotions flooded inside of me as I nodded, sniffling my tears. "I choose you too. Now and always..."

With that he crashed his lips against mine and the hall erupted in cheers.

Yet before the noise could fade, Axel stepped forward.

“Now that you have both reunited, I think it is time for me to pass on what was never mine to hold,” he declared. 

My eyes narrowed as I turned my eyes to Violet for help. But she carried a smile— even little Blade waved at me from the crowd as if they all knew what Axel was about to do.

“The throne of this kingdom belongs to my sister, Scarlett— and now, to her mate..." Axel continued and I felt my insides explode in shock.

An indifferent kind of shock.

Once again, I turned my eyes to the crowd, where uncle Greg and Nathan stood. But even they had that same knowing smile.

"Axel?" I whispered but he held my hand and nodded. "I am tired of ruling, Scarlett... I just want to retire and love a peaceful life with my sweet Violet and our little Blade."

The words sent shockwaves through my chest and even the crowd as gasps filled the entire place.

The elder was already coming to lift the crown from where it sat to bring it over when Asher suddenly raised his hand.

"No," he said in a firm tone. "I don't want this throne. But I have a better proposition."

The murmurs in the hall grew louder as everyone now turned with edge, wondering what was happening.

But Asher continued with calm resolve. "I say we unite the two kingdoms. Both the old and the new... Both the forgotten lands and the capital..."

At this point, my eyes almost popped out of my chest as I watched him with fear.

What was he saying?

"That is a good idea... Uniting the Lycan lands has always been my father's vision." Axel agreed and it felt like a punch in my gut.

"But— my kings, forgive me. But who will rule?" The officiating elder asked, voicing out all our worries.

Asher's breath hitched as he took my hand and then smiled. "There is only one person we can all agree to do this... And that is, Blade Black."

The hall froze, as everyone— including me stared in disbelief.

"But my King, the prince is young. He will need training," the elder replied.

But Asher was prepared and my heart swelled with even more love than I could handle.

"Albert and Greg can be reagents," he said. "They should rule in his place. And when he has trained enough to understand the balance of power and love, then he will take his place as king."

"But my King, these men you mentioned are not royal blood. They are betas..." The elder countered as more of his colleagues also grew agitated in the crowd.

"Albert and Greg have served these lands more than any King has ever done before... If anyone deserves to handle it before the prince is ready..."

His eyes faltered to where Albert and Greg stood, struck with shock and then in a softer tone, he added; "Then it's them."

"I agree with Asher," Axel boomed in a sharp tone. "The kingdoms will be in good hands."

Tears brimmed at my eyes as the turn of events made me s with emotions. This was so perfect.

Uncle Greg had given so much. This was the best way we could thank him. This was the highest honor we could give him...

Sensing my emotions, Asher held my hands tighter and smiled... at me.

"Just like King Axel, I have realized that life is not about thrones, lands or power... It is about love. And now that I have you, I am complete."

And like that was the cue, the hall erupted in thunderous applause. The people rose to their feet, cheering, clapping in excitement.

I leaned into Asher, smiling and crying at the same time as I realized that he was right.

Power wasn't everything. And Blade also deserved this for his patience.

This was his time. This was his story...