A palpable tension still filled the air. All eyes were fixed on the platform where the queen and her consort were gazing at each other with indescribable expressions, though it was apparent that their moods were far different than when they entered.
The delegates, who were expecting a disastrous outcome, were now left in stunned silence, with jaws agape, struggling to comprehend what they had just witnessed. Never in their lives or in the history of this kingdom had they ever witnessed or heard something like this.
However, none of their reaction was as intense as Rebecca's. The words of the Royal Examiner were as clear as they could get...It was more than just a perfect union!
Even if she wanted to complain, she can't since it would be akin to disrespecting the Royal Examiner and his words.
She could barely hold herself together as, inwardly, she was seething with anger and shock. Her eyes burned with spitefulness as she witnessed his unexpected triumph.
Her plans to discredit Asher indirectly through the test and sideline him were now in shambles.
Her thoughts were in a whirlwind as she was filled with a mixture of anger, frustration, and defeat.
Never before in her life had she felt her hopes getting shattered like this. She was livid, but she knew that she couldn't even show her true emotions right now, not before all these people.
"Long live the Queen and her Consort!"
She saw how all the delegates got out of their reverie and deeply bowed to congratulate Rowena and that brat. Knowing that she had to follow suit, with a heavy movement, she got up, forced a smile, and bowed, even though everything inside her was telling her to lash out.
She didn't even want to imagine how her poor Oberon would react upon hearing this news. If possible, she would want to shield him from this news.
"Pull yourself together," Seron whispered to her before walking forward to congratulate them.
Rebecca clenched her fists as she took a deep breath.
"This union is not just perfect, but a symbol of hope for our people. May it bring peace and prosperity to the kingdom for generations to come!" One of the older delegates stepped forward and declared to congratulate the two. He bowed not only to the queen but also to the consort since he knew this young man was going to be a force to reckon with in the future.
Even if he doesn't, the fact that his offspring with the queen would be the strongest demon to ever exist was enough to make him feel respect and admiration for him.
Now was a great time to form a connection with him and inform the lord of his House about this great news.
Another delegate stepped forward and said after bowing, "This is a new hope for our kingdom. A beacon of light in these dark times."
The other delegates spoke of great things to come, of the strength and power that this union would bring to the kingdom, and of the glory that lay ahead.
Most of them were now filled with excitement and a strong hope that their kingdom would surely rise to new heights and now feared and respected House Drake even more.
They all knew that House Drake had been in decline for a century or more, especially due to a lot of deaths, most of them being closely related to the queen. All of them were powerhouses whose deaths caused not only House Drake's but the kingdom's strength to fall as well.
However, now that the queen was married to someone with an Immortal Bloodline with a perfect union, they felt as if the Devils were compensating House Drake and the kingdom for all the losses it suffered.
Rowena stood tall and proud, her gaze sweeping across the delegates. She lifted her chin, and with regal grace, she inclined her head, acknowledging the words of the delegates. Her voice was warm and rich, "I am honored by your words," she said, "and grateful for the support of the kingdom. This union is not just about myself and my consort but about the future of our people. Together, we will work to restore our kingdom to its former glory and pave the path for a better future for our people."
As Rowena graced the delegates with her words, her gaze softly landed on Asher, her eyes brimming with a mix of happiness and warmth. She couldn't remember the last time she felt at ease about the future and everything. One thing she knew was that none of it would have been possible without him.
Asher felt her gaze and softly smiled before moving his hand to gently take hold of her hand.
Rowena couldn't help but let a small smile grace her lips. The warmth of his touch seeped into her, and for the briefest of moments, she felt her walls break down and her guard lower despite being in front of other people. Even if it was just a year, she felt alone, shouldering the weight of the kingdom on her own and the loss of her loved ones she had been shouldering since she was a child.
But now she had someone by her side who would support her and help her shoulder her burdens, be it about the kingdom or about herself.
She couldn't wait to see what her future with him would be like and inwardly expressed her gratitude towards her late father for bringing him to her.
The hall was filled with a mix of subtle gasps and whispers as the delegates observed this unexpected and intimate exchange between their queen and her consort. Never in their lives did they expect to see such a mesmerizing smile from their queen. They had never seen her smile before and didn't know if she could.
Maybe the rumors about the queen having affection for her consort, especially since she took care of him personally when he was sick, were true.
They felt like they were looking at a couple who married out of love.
Rebecca had a strained look in her eyes, unable to believe what she was seeing. Was Rowena really in love with that brat? If that were the case, that smug-faced brat would cause her even more problems, especially now that he has so much support. Just thinking about it made her feel like pulling her hair.
She felt as if this day was getting worse and worse for her. Her only relief was that Oberon wasn't here to see this.
But that didn't matter since, just like everyone, he would also know that once a perfect union was discovered between a couple, it wouldn't be long before they took part in bonding with their bodies.
It was a custom, a tradition that had been practiced since ancient times, and the same went for someone as powerful as the queen as well. Not even she would stray away from the traditions that had been ingrained into her bones, just like any other person in this kingdom.
She felt her head spin, feeling angry and sad for her poor son, who had yearned to marry Rowena and become her king for decades.
She now only wished for this session to end quickly so that she could go home and comfort her son before he gets too upset.
But suddenly, her eyes narrowed upon seeing Asher making his way past the delegates and approaching her.
She straightened her back and wondered why this annoying brat was coming towards her.
Asher had a sly smirk playing on his lips. He stood close to her, his voice low as he spoke, "I do hope you enjoyed the show, Princess Consort. It seems I have succeeded where you hoped I would fail."
Rebecca couldn't believe the cheek of this guy to come up here and talk to her like this, "Do not presume to understand my intentions," She said in a low voice through gritted teeth.
Asher just chuckled and said, "Of course, princess. I wouldn't dream of it. Or would I?"
Rebecca was this close to feeling like slapping off his annoying smirk from his face. Never before in her life did a junior like him have the audacity to taunt someone as senior and powerful as her.
His smug grin was only fueling her rage as she tried to maintain her composure. But despite her best efforts, she could feel her cheeks flushing with anger.
However, upon seeing Rowena walking in her direction, she put on her best smile.
Asher chuckled at seeing how quickly this woman changed her face and looked at Rowena as he said, "You came at the right time, Rowena. I was just telling Princess Rebecca how it's a pity that the rest of her family wasn't here to witness the test. Maybe we should all hold a celebration, exclusive for only the members of our House. What do you say about that, Princess Rebecca?"
Rebecca felt like her eyes might pop out of her sockets if he keeps pushing her like this.
Rowena gently nodded and said as she looked at Asher, "If you wish for it, then we can hold one and celebrate your achievements as well," Rowena felt that he deserved it, especially after going through so much.
"It will be an honor for us to attend," Rebecca said with a pleased smile, though inwardly, she was scratching at her nerves.
"I have no doubt," Asher said with a subtle smile.
"Ahem, I apologize. Your Majesty and Your Highness, please go ahead while we wind up everything here. We wouldn't want to waste any more of your precious time, and in the meantime, I will coordinate with the High Seer to decide on an auspicious date for the Sacred Union," Seron suddenly came up and said with a respectful bow.
Asher knew that this Sacred Union was only decided after a Perfect Union was discovered. He couldn't believe these guys even gave high importance to things like this for something humans generally considered not a big deal.
But he had no complaints at all if that meant he got to do what he must.
Rowena gave a short nod, though her gaze momentarily became distracted upon hearing the words 'Sacred Union.'
The atmosphere in the Testing Hall finally relaxed as both the queen and her consort left, though the news of their astonishing union spread like wildfire around the kingdom.
"Hmph, aren't you so eager to put them on the same bed?" Rebecca asked in a low voice as she looked at Seron with a veiled scowl.
Seron let out a tired sigh as he said in a low voice, "We have to let it go, Rebecca. Time and time again, the Devils have favored that boy, and if we keep standing in the way, we are the ones going to get hurt. So just go with the flow for now and accept it."
Rebecca's eyes widened, seeing how Seron was giving up already. She stepped forward with a heavy step, "Not while I am still breathing," She said with a cutting glare before leaving with heavy footsteps.
Seron took a slow, deep breath while staring at her disappearing figure with a narrowed gaze.
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