Starlight

by Nikki Gaspar

  “We will, Claire,” Rosy said.

  “I can’t wait to see you as Queen Clarissa,” Ben said.

  I grinned and then allowed Vincent to escort me to the car idling outside.

  ***

  “I’ll entertain your guests while you are busy getting that crown,” Vincent said when I was seated in the black car that looked older than me.

  “You’re making me sound like a beauty pageant contestant.”

  “Well…you would win if you ever decided to join. I promise you that.” His ears turned red.

  “Ahem, enough with the flirting,” Major Krisham said, “the Bellan People are waiting for the queen.”

  Vincent fake punched Major Krisham’s huge bicep and the latter responded with an exaggerated hurt expression.

  “Okay, are you boys done? I said we are on a schedule,” Jazaael said, hands on his hips. “Major Krisham, get to that driver’s seat and parade our queen around. Vincent, stay here.

  The boys gave Jazaael a mock salute but followed his orders.

  ***

  The parade was made up of a marching band, followed by two cars ridden by king’s guards, then my car, which had the roof down so that I could wave to the people waiting on the side of the streets, and then another two cars ridden by king's guards at the rear.

  “What if there are no people waiting outside? I would look like an idiot if I have to wave at the empty streets,” I said to Major Krisham when our convoy started to move.

  He chuckled. “You don’t have to worry about that.”

  And he was right. As we approached the gates, I heard the excited hubbub of people, and it got louder as the Bellan People heard the marching band start to play their music.

  Any worry I had earlier was gone when I saw how much support the Bellan People had for me. Most of them were waving little Bellanmuse flags, some have posters with congratulatory messages, and there were plenty of children sitting on their parents’ shoulders and waving cards that they have written for me.

  King's guards and policemen surrounded the sidewalks, preventing the people from reaching the cars.

  “Can we ask the guards to collect the cards written by those children?”

  “Of course,” Major Krisham said and then pressed something on his earpiece. “Men, the queen orders you to collect the cards written by the children. Tell them that the queen would love to read their greetings.”

  The parade lasted for about an hour, and I enjoyed every second. Before I knew it, we were back to the palace’s gates.

  ***

  “This is our stop,” Major Krisham said, stopping the car halfway through the long driveway. “You have to walk from here towards the stage. Goodluck, Queen Clarissa.”

  One of the king’s guards…or they were probably called the queen’s guards now, opened the door for me and helped me out of the car.

  I tried to avoid looking at the reporters covering the event, and the cameras focused on me because I didn’t want to get nervous.

  A set of queen’s guards stood on both sides of the aisle, holding swords. Real. Shiny. Sharp. Swords. I tried to remember the walk Miss Luna taught me, but I was more concerned about the wobbling of my knees and the fear that one of the swords would drop and slice my head open. I just walked as carefully as I could and prayed to reach the stage with my dignity intact.

  Looking ahead, I saw the elders waiting at the elaborate stage, together with the Bellanmuse Church’s Bishop, who would perform the ceremony.

  The royals and my other guests’ seats were facing the stage, but their heads were turned to watch me walk.

  “That walk was graceful, Your Highness,” Vincent teased when I reached the end of the aisle where he was waiting for me.

  “I wonder how, when I can’t even feel my legs,” I whispered and grabbed his arm tighter to help my balance.

  We started to laugh, but almost choked instead when we remembered that the entire country was watching us.

  “This is it, Claire,” he said, releasing my arm when we finally reached the edge of the stage.

  ***

  An opulent throne situated in the middle was my assigned seat. The crown was placed on a table beside it, with its many jewels gleaming in the sun.

  Lord Romulo stood behind a podium and waited until I was done fixing my gown after I sat before he addressed the audience.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen of Bellanmuse, we are gathered here on this historic day, for the coronation of Princess Clarissa Grandis, the heir to the throne as ruler of our beloved country. Officiating the ceremony is His Excellency, Bishop Philip of the Church of Bellanmuse.”

  When he was introduced, Bishop Philip advanced towards me, followed by grandma, who was holding a Bible.

  “Place your left hand on the Bible and raise your right hand,” grandma said.

  I cast a glance towards the audience where I saw my guests Rosy, Christine, and Ben, proud smiles were displayed on their faces.

  Mari and her mother were looking at me proudly, their eyes shining.

  Aunt Emily and Mrs. Luminaire were bawling, handkerchiefs hiding their face.

  Aunt Emily’s husband’s arm was around her shoulders, rubbing consolingly, while Mr. Taz patted Mrs. Luminaire’s hand, pretending that he wasn’t tearing up, but I saw him wipe a tear quickly with his thumb.

  Sitting beside them were Vincent and my cousins. When they saw that I glanced at them, they made funny faces, effectively putting an end to my anxiety.

  “Your Highness, do you solemnly swear to faithfully fulfill your duties as Queen of Bellanmuse?” the Bishop asked.

  “I swear.”

  “Do you swear to use your power as Queen solely for the interest of our country?”

  “I swear.”

  “Will you, to the best of your ability, rule the people of Bellanmuse guided by truth, justice, and fairness?”

  “I will.”

  The Bishop smiled, took the crown from the table, and placed it carefully on top of my head. Then, he faced the audience and announced “Bellan People, I would like to present to you…Clarissa Grandis, Queen of Bellanmuse!”

  Acknowledgement

  I would like to thank God Almighty for giving me the gift of love for books.

  My heartfelt appreciation goes to my mother, May, for your unconditional love and support. And for putting up with a daughter who is always gazing into space.

  Thank you, Idz Gaspar for taking the time to read my book and for giving me suggestions that helped improve my work.

  Thank you, Raph Delos Santos for giving me an expert’s opinion and for being my patient advisor.

  Thank you, Atty. Gerard Tayao for responding to my inquiries despite your busy schedule and for the encouragement to never give up.