Chapter 2
The noise seemed to get impossibly louder as we drew closer to the cathedral. St. Charles' Cathedral. Named after my great, great, great grandfather. And is now the location of my coronation. The nerves have come back tenfold but I hold it together. My stomach feels weak but I do not let on. I am to be a Queen. I have to act like one.
The carriage doors open and Mother is helped out before me. This is it. I clench my teeth as a hand appears through the doorway. My hand shakes violently as I place mine atop of it. More hands appear through the doorway, to grasp my waist and arms, to aid me out of the carriage without having to bend in the waist. My toes find the floor first, delicatly brushing the cobbles before I am safely standing on my own two feet. My ladies and my mother smoothe over my dress and hair before they part like the sea. I come face to face with the entrance of the cathedral. Its tall towers and gargoyles peer down at me expectantly. I want to take a step back. I want to get back into the carriage and tell the driver to go. Go anywhere away from here. I am not ready. I cannot be a Queen. I shou-
A hand finds mine and squeezes, breaking me from my panic. I find my mother at my side. She smiles and begins to walk and I have no choice but to follow her. There are hundreds of faces looking and waving at me from either side of the roped off pathways. Old and young, waving homemade flags and wearing the biggest smiles on their faces. Some are singing, some are shouting, some just smile as they wave their handkerchiefs. They smile for me. They are here for me. They believe in me. We get closer and closer to the entrance of the catherdral. The shallow steps are lined with soldiers. I climb them slowly, one at a time with my mother by my side. Once at the top she releases my hand.
"Turn around, darling," she whispers.
I turn, cautiously.
The weight put on my hips from this dress is already beginning to dig in painfully. But once I turn, my mind goes blank. Its like a giant blanket of faces and movement. My breath catches as I sweep my eyes. There must be thousands of people here. Here to see me. My nose tingles and my eyes fill as I see my people. They believe in me. I am not just a pretty dress and a bundle of hair. I am the person who is going to decide these peoples lives. They are what matters. They have faith in me and I will not let them down.
I smile and the crowd cheers. I turn back to my mother. "I am ready now." She nods with a smile and takes my hand again. We walk through the archway into the ornate cathedral. Every seat is filled with the aristocrats and the gentry. This time, I release my mothers hand as the music begins to play. I turn towards her. She grasps my shoulders and leans in to kiss my forehead. I close my eyes as I feel her leave my side. She walks ahead of me down the isle towards her seat. I look to the sky.
I will make you proud, Father. And I begin to walk.