Kitanna
Chapter 266: STAR’S CHOICE

Chapter 266: STAR’S CHOICE

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: PARK BOM AND I ~ 2NEI]

Anticipation hung heavy in the air of Morado, thicker than the sweet scent of fading cherry blossoms. A hush had fallen over the kingdom, broken only by the soft rustle of silk banners and the chirping of birds.

For days, Morado had pulsed with a quiet thrum, every heartbeat echoing the question; would the twins be named today?

Finally, dawn bled gold across the horizon, the first rays painting the palace windows with the promise of an answer.

Axilla ran through the hallway, with the hem of her dress making ruffling sounds as they made contact with the ground.

"Stop running, Love," Cortez called from behind.

Axilla stopped in her tracks, going to hold Cortez. "We should be fast; if we place the name we chose for twins first, there’s every possibility it’ll be picked." She tugged him excitedly.

The day had finally arrived for the twins to be named, and everyone in the royal family wanted to partake. Kitanna and Nix had no choice but to ask everyone to write the names they wanted and place them inside a basket at the royal shrine.

Cortez smiled, seeing just how excited the girl was. "Well, if you are so sure, let me go then. I have longer strides, if you keep running you might trip." He said to the girl.

Axilla shook her head, "I want us to go together." She held Cortez closely while they walked to the shrine.

Meanwhile, Lord Hieron, who was helping Lady Hash fit her leg properly into her shoes, tried to be fast with it.

"We should be fast so the names we picked would have a chance." The older man remarked, helping Lady Hash stand on her feet.

Lady Hash inhaled deeply, "I’m through; let’s go." She replied as they walked to the shrine.

Soon, the shrine was filled up with the court officials and every member of the royal family, including Venantius and his aide who had decided to stay back until after the naming ceremony.

The King and his Queen sat on their throne, and beside Kitanna were the twins who were sleeping peacefully as they held each other’s hands.

She leaned forward and said to Nix, "Whose name do you think would be picked?" She asked, looking at the basket filled with names. It was going to be a tough one.

Nix tilted his head to the side, "I’m not sure, but I hope it’s Lord Hieron’s. He won’t give up easily. He already started calling the twins the names he gave them." He replied, looking at the crowd that was in attendance.

Initially, they had planned to name the twins casually, with no big celebration. But everything changed when everyone wanted to take part in naming the babies.

Lord Hieron suggested Adelaide and Orlando, but it was rejected by everyone. Lady Hash chose Cedric and Ally, but it wasn’t accepted either. This caused a little discord in naming the twins; Kitanna and Nix had to fix a ceremony for it where everyone writes the name they wanted and it’s placed inside a basket. Where the high priestess would choose one paper, and that would be the official name for the twins.

The high priestess, Mubera, offered prayers with the basket while others waited anxiously for the name to be picked.

Lord Hieron sneered, "What is wrong with Adelaide? It means noble, and there’s Orlando, which means famous warrior. A name fit for my little prince and princess." He huffed, turning his head away.

Lady Hash rubbed her forehead. "They are not as good as mine. Yours is a little bit too much. Something more simple but classic, I’m good with names, you know. Look at the name Cortez; I gave it. Cedric and Ally are classic; it’s the best." The older woman argued.

Axilla, who was standing behind them, whispered to Cortez, "This argument won’t end anytime soon." And Cortez nodded in agreement.

Finally, when Mubera was done with her prayers, she touched the basket and shook it up a little before saying to the crowd gathered,

"I will now proceed to pick the name for the twins." She informed, getting everyone’s attention. When Mubera touched one of the folded papers, the twins, who were sleeping, started crying.

Kitanna carried the boy, trying to console him, while Nix carried the girl, but they didn’t stop crying. Not until Mubera moved away from the name basket; when she stepped closer again, the twins resumed crying.

"They don’t want to be named?" One of the officials asked, as everyone was now looking worried.

Everyone took turns to get close to the basket, but the twins didn’t stop crying. Kitanna’s forehead was creased with worry; she turned to ask Nix,

"Don’t they want to be named?" She asked.

Before Nix could reply, one person walked towards the basket. It was little Labre, whose furball fell beside the basket.

"They are not crying?" Hieron said loudly, and others noticed this too. Even when the little boy moved the basket, the twins didn’t cry.

"Pick one paper from the basket, Labre," Kitanna called out.

Labre turned to his mother, and Larel nodded in approval, saying.

"Go ahead, pick one paper and give it to the King and Queen over there." Larel pointed.

Labre, unsure, dipped his hand inside the basket; when he lifted one paper, everyone held their breath. The little boy was scared, but he slowly walked to where the King and Queen were sitting, and he gave them the paper he had picked.

Kitanna took the paper from the boy with a smile on her face. She said, "You who took my wedding bouquet. I hope you grow to be someone who would protect and guide their path." She leaned forward to pet the boy’s hair. Labre smiled shyly before running back to stand beside his mother.

Larel held the boy’s hand proudly, as everyone waited for the name to be announced.

Kitanna handed the piece of paper to Mubera, who unfolded it, then she said, "The twins are a constellation among stars, and they have chosen who would guide them during their adventures on earth. Any name called today is already ordained before now."

Then she read from the paper, "Adrian and Evelyn."

The hall was quiet for a moment, everyone unsure of how to feel about the name. To some, it was too simple; to others, it didn’t just rhyme. But then the twins gave out a small laugh.

"They love it!" Kitanna smiled, as she watched her babies give a small dance.

"All hail Prince Adrian and Princess Evelyn!" Someone shouted from the crowd.

"Hail! Long live the King and Queen, Long live Prince Adrian and Princess Evelyn!" The people chorused.

People took turns to give their gifts to the twins, and also wishing them well. Food and drinks were made available for everyone as groups engaged in conversations.

The women of the royal family sat close to Kitanna as she fed one of the twins.

"I’m glad Lord Hieron didn’t argue about the name," Larel said with a smile. Everyone was surprised to see Lord Hieron accept the name fully.

Axilla nodded, then she asked, "Was that the name you wrote?" Her question directed to Larel.

"It wasn’t me," Larel replied.

"Everyone keeps saying it isn’t theirs," Axilla chimed, getting a clean towel for Kitanna to wipe the baby’s face.

Lady Hash hummed, thoughtfully, before saying, "They were written in the stars, and Labre was chosen to guide them."

Her words brought smiles to everyone’s faces, as they all nodded in agreement.

Kitanna raised her face to see that Nix was looking at her, then he mouthed something that made her blush.

"You both can’t get enough of each other, hm?" Larel nudged the Queen.

Kitanna let out a little laugh, "Not just Nix and I." She tilted her head forward, "Axilla and Cortez can’t even stay a minute without looking at each other." She remarked.

Axilla, who had been stealing glances with Cortez, turned when she heard her name, and then she cleared her throat.

"That’s not true; I wasn’t looking at him," she fondled with her hands shyly.

Kitanna nodded playfully, "With the way things are going, I’m sure the twins would have company soon."

Axilla held her face with her hands, trying to hide her blush. "Not true...maybe a little true?" she said, her voice trailing off.

The women laughed out happily, teasing each other.