Book 2 - Chapter 46

Book 2 - Chapter 46
Chapter 46 – The Queen Celebrated



As what Lady Ursula said, the Rantzen Family celebrates birthdays differently. When Solene entered the garden maze’s center plaza, she understood what the old woman meant. Not only was it held inside a maze, it was set up in a way that all the guests would circle the theta-shaped fountain. A circular symbol was drawn around it, which Solene hadn’t noticed the last time she visited this area of the estate. She couldn’t help but arch a brow. She wasn’t told how the party would flow. She was only informed by Henri to ‘prepare’ and nothing more. And by ‘prepare’ he meant to choose a dress out of the three he bought for her.

Black and red. These colors were always what she favored, so when she spotted one that had these shades spread neatly on her mattress, she chose it. Patricia, her personal maid, helped her don it. As always, the gown had a slit design, revealing her long legs. The sweetheart neckline complimented her slender neck and the long sleeves protected her from the cold.

Patricia styled her hair up into a high ponytail and said something about it being useful later. Solene couldn’t understand what her words meant, but she was pleased with the hairstyle. It was simple and neat, something that she always preferred.

The chilly wind in the maze bit her skin, but not so much when she saw her family, all grouped together, sitting around a table nearest the theta fountain. It sent her a warm feeling in her chest.

“Sweety!”

“Big Sis!”

“Solene!”

All of them chorused when Solene approached them. AC was the first to jump out of his chair and run to give his sister a hug. Solene happily accepted him into her embrace. Although he had gained weight since they last saw each other, she still lifted him up and cradled him in her arms. Continuing to the table, she smiled at her mother and grandparents’ way.

“Mom, it’s so good to see you again,” she stated, leaning forward to give her a kiss.

“We couldn’t miss your special day, sweety,” Meridith replied and gave her a quick embrace with AC in between them. “How are you? Did Lord Henri treat you well?”

Solene bit her lip subtlely before she withdrew. “Yes, he is an excellent husband, mom.” Excellent was an understatement, but it was the only best word to define him and the way he treated her.

Meridith smiled. “That’s good to hear. With this kind of arranged marriage, I worried you would have trouble adjusting.”

‘Adjusting...’ the word lingered in Solene’s head, and memories of what she had been through these past few months replayed in her mind.

“Well, at first, yes,” she resisted the urge to flash a goofy smile. Her mother would probably flip out if she knew what her daughter experienced. “But Henri was very supportive of me.”

Meridith bobbed her head to show her delight. She opened her mouth to speak again, but then AC squirmed under Solene’s hold.

“Big sis! Look!” he shouted just as he pointed to the theta fountain. The circular symbol lit up as if it had neon blue lights underneath the ground, while the theta sculpture itself was lit up by the moon’s beam.

Meridith checked the time displayed on her cellphone. It read 11:45 in the evening.

“It is almost twelve. I think you should be ready, sweety. Come here, AC.” She stretched her arms and picked up the boy from Solene’s embrace.

Solene, on the other hand, gave her mother a solemn gaze.

“Mom, I have a surprise for you later,” she stated, remembering her father’s promise. She hadn’t seen him yet, but she was sure he was already here somewhere.

Meridith furrowed her brows. “It’s your birthday today. You should be the one who should get a surprise.”

Solene’s mouth curved upward with pride. “I already did, but I wanted to share it with you."

“Okay, I can’t wait then,” Meridith stated as she kissed her daughter on the cheek again.

Solene turned to face the fountain. A soft gasp escaped from her lips when she saw Henri already standing in the middle of the circle.

“Henri...” she whispered as her person enjoyed examining him.

Spruced up in an all-black suit as always, he was the picture of a true Lord of the Rantzen Family and the King of Sattus. He was just so handsome Solene couldn’t take her eyes off of him anymore.

Henri’s gray-greens smoldered as it fell on her, then he brought his hand up and invited her in, “Come Solene.”

She accepted his proffered hand and stepped inside the symbol. She felt him squeeze her fingers just before he started with his introduction, “Everyone, thank you for coming here to celebrate this wonderful moment with us.”

All the guests that had surrounded them nodded. They comprised the whole of the Rantzen Clan, together with their grim reapers and the household and security staff.

“My wife, not only will she become twenty-one—an age where she will officially become the Lady of the Rantzen House—, she will also become a full-fledged conjurer. Witness as history takes place right here, right now.”

He turned to her and asked, “Solene, will you kneel?”

Solene didn’t hesitate. She kneeled on the ground and raised her head up to meet his strong gaze. Surprisingly, her knees didn’t feel sore at all. It was as if the cobblestones were made of pillows.

Henri then nodded at someone behind her. She waited as this new person replaced his spot and smiled when she realized it was Lady Ursula, wearing a ceremonial robe.

Lady Ursula summoned her grimoire and chanted a spell from there. She raised her hands and then the waters from the fountain floated to create a stream around Solene and collect on top of her head.

Solene felt as light as a feather that instant. She watched the reactions of everyone around, including her family, and she saw awe in their eyes.

“Solene St. Fair, daughter of Meridith and Jacob St. Fair, Lady of the Rantzen House, and the Queen of Sattus...”

There. Finally, Lady Ursula said it. Surely, her family now would know the secret, and yes, when Solene looked back at them again, there was surprise in their eyes, especially from her mother’s.

“Will you accept this blessing of purity?” Lady Ursula continued.

Solene locked gazes with Henri, who stood just a few feet away from them.

“I accept,” she stated. With that, she could feel the symbol underneath her thrum. The water slowly dripped down her head, wetting her face and hair. She briefly flinched out of surprise, but then she relaxed. The water was calming, and it reminded her of the water of the River Enyd.

No. She was certain now this was the holy water of the River Enyd.

“Will you accept this blessing of change?” Lady Ursula followed, looking down at Solene as she was bathed in a blue glow.

“I accept,” Solene answered again. This time, her whole body convulsed. Electric currents appeared around her together with the water floating around her.

“You as a St. Fair conjurer!” Lady Ursula’s voice heightened. “Will you accept your powers and the responsibilities that come along with it?!”

“Yes! I accept!” Solene gritted her teeth as she felt her nerve endings, her muscles, skin, and bones rewire. Coldness enveloped her. Then it was followed by extreme heat. The water continuously dripping down her head cooled her off, but it also created steam; steam that strangely stayed inside the circle.

“By the authority vested in me by the Rantzen Family and the Kingdom of Sattus, I invoke thee your blessing!”

After those final words, the clock stroke twelve midnight. Both of them were covered by a beam of light from the heavens, and it remained like that for a few seconds until it disappeared.

When the steam and electric currents vanished too, Solene was seen hovering three feet away from the ground. Her eyes were half-lidded and her mouth was semi-closed. She was aware of her surroundings, but she felt weak. Extremely weak.

From her fading consciousness, she saw Henri approach her, ready to encase her in his arms. “Sleep, love, and recover.”