52. New King.

"It's coronation day!" That was the line on everyone's lips since the day started. It was finally the day to crown the new king, and everyone was excited about it. Most people in the palace weren't only excited because it was a coronation, they were mostly excited because it was the person they wanted to be king that turned king.

Gbam!

That was the sound of Arthur's room's door as it went ajar and Hunter walked in with a look of fury on his face. As soon as he walked in, the slaves inside the room that were helping Arthur prepare for the coronation party bowed their heads to him in respect.

"Excuse us," he said immediately. Not thinking about it once or twice, the slaves rushed out of the room immediately to give the two princes the space they needed. When they all got out, Hunter closed the door behind them. "So, this is it? You would accept it?" He asked his brother with a frown on his face and a look of seriousness.

"Accept what?" Arthur asked him, despite knowing what he was talking about.

"To become the king, Arthur! You are aware that I am the crowned prince. I am the one our father chose right before his death!"

"When he picked you, Hunter, did I make a fuss about it?" Arthur asked him, but he didn't get a reply as Hunter just kept glaring at him. "No, I didn't. So, I don't understand why you're here to make a fuss about me becoming king. Have you forgotten about the rules of the kingdom so quickly?"

Hunter scoffed as he gave his brother a scornful glare. "This is not about rules! Father already made me the crowned prince, Arthur. You and I know this isn't right!"

"He made you the crowned prince, but he never pronounced it. So, did you pronounce it yourself?" He asked him. "And besides, he left the mantle of leadership with me. He wasn't planning to die, was he? And according to the law of the land, whoever the late king hands over the mantle to is the next king automatically." He added calmly.

Hunter was about to speak when Winifred walked in. She had no idea Arthur and Hunter were having a discussion inside. She only walked in the same way she always barges into his room without knocking.

"Uh, sorry." She said as soon as she walked in and saw a look of tension between them as they both turned to look in her direction. "I had no idea you had a visitor," she said to Arthur as she turned her back to leave.

"Aren't you a mere slave? Shouldn't you knock before walking into a Prince's room?" Hunter asked as he walked closer to her. Then he chuckled and turned to face Arthur again. "Even a slave doesn't respect you the way she should, and you're becoming king? I bet no one will respect you in the kingdom."

Winifred scoffed at what he said, and it was loud enough for both of them to hear. She could not stand insults in any manner, so she turned to face him. "At least we are justified that he'll be a just leader, unlike you!" She snapped at him before walking out. She didn't wait for him to reply her before leaving.

Arthur just smiled at what just happened while Hunter turned to him, fuming with anger. "We shall see," he muttered before storming out too.

The palace was already filled with several royals from several kingdoms. The palace hall was already decorated the day before by the slaves, supervised by Florence. Everywhere looked neat and beautiful as they all awaited the arrival of the prince that was about to be crowned as king. Some minutes later, Prince Arthur walked to the hall in his royal robe, some of his men following closely behind.

As soon as he walked into the hall, every single person in the hall stood up to honour him. He walked further into the hall, while his men stood at the entrance, guarding the hall. When he got the front, the chief priest of the kingdom carried the crown on the table and walked to meet him.

"Kneel," the chief priest said to Arthur and he went down on his knees. "Today in the presence of every soul in the kingdom, who has come together to agree that you, the first son of the late lycan king, King Alexander O'Brien, whom he gave the mantle of leadership to before his death, is the right person to be made the next king. Today, the moon goddess have agreed that you are the right person to be made the next king of our land. Today, all powers of the kingdom is laid into your hands and every soul in the kingdom shall bow to you and surrender to you because from now on, I crown you the new lycan king of the land." The chief priest said and moved closer to him a little.

"Do you, Arthur O'Brien promise to follow the rules of the land as you become the king of your people?"

"Yes, I promise to." Arthur replied.

"Do you, Arthur O'Brien promise to be just, humble and honest in all your affairs and judgement concerning the land and concerning your people?"

"Yes, I promise to."

"Do you, Arthur O'Brien swear to protect your people until your last breath, with anything and whatever it takes, even if it will cost you your life?"

"Yes, I swear to."

"And lastly, do you, Arthur O'Brien swear to make life easier for your people, and to guard the throne and all its glory jealously?"

"Yes, I swear to."

"Then so be it. Today, you shall be made king. But remember, just like your father and your forefathers that came before him, you have also taken an oath. You have taken an oath today to serve your people, to guard the throne and to protect the kingdom. If for once you go against these rules, the wrath of the gods and the curse of the people shall be placed upon you." The chief priest said and paused. Arthur did not know he was supposed to reply, so he didn't speak. Then the chief spoke again, "do you agree to that?"

"Yes. Yes, I agree to it."

"Today, I crown you the lycan king, Arthur O'Brien." The chief priest said and placed the crown rightly on his head. Then, he took the mantle of leadership and handed it over to Arthur and he collected it. Then, he took Arthur's hand and he stood up from the floor. The chief priest raised his hand that he held. "My people, king Arthur O'Brien, our new king! Bow to your new king!"

Immediately, everyone in the hall bowed their heads to Arthur who stood there watching everyone in the palace bow their heads, including the chief priest.

"Thank you, my people!" He finally said to them.

"All hail king Arthur O'Brien, our new king!" Someone called out as they raised their heads.

"All hail the king!"

Arthur walked up to the throne and sat on it as the chants kept going on and on. Hunter rolled his eyes as the chants continued. Alice on the other hand sat there smiling, staring at her brother who had just been made king. Elena was also seated somewhere there, beaming with smiles. She was so excited, knowing fully well that she was the Luna to be.

"Your highness, do you have anything to say to your people? You can address them now, my lord, before the coronation programme is dismissed and the party starts." One of the palace chiefs cane to Arthur to whisper in his ears.

"I'd like to say a few things." Arthur replied.

"Alright, my lord. I'll let them know, so they can keep calm for you to address them." The chief said to him and bowed before walking away. About five minutes later, the palace hall was silent again as the chief had told them all to keep quiet, as the king was about to speak.

"Good day, my people!" Arthur started. "I am most elated and grateful to have you all here today. Thank you for gracing this coronation for me, and here today, I promise to serve you all and to be a better king than my father and those that came before him. I will follow their footsteps, but I will make sure everything is done to the satisfaction of my people."

"That's our king!" Someone shouted from the audience and Arthur smiled.

"First, I'd like to undo a couple of things before we proceed to the actual party. I have seen some of the things in the kingdom that has not been of importance to us and most times, has been causing pain and harm to our people, especially the slaves. Today, I'd like to make a few changes to some things as a start to my tenure." He continued speaking as he listed the things he wanted to undo, in which many of the people in the palace agreed to it.

When they were done, they proceeded to the party set aside for him.