The Reaper's Wicked Obsession
Chapter 108: The Crowning Ceremony (1)

Chapter 108: The Crowning Ceremony (1)

The grand Feast Hall was crowded as the celebration began. The ravenites await the chosen warriors of the Raven Court to be recognized.

They were excited about the event, and the entire place had never been more lively.

Cai kept stretching his head to keep his eyes on the door, the anticipation worked him to the bones and he couldn’t wait to see Vanya and Isadora make their grand entrance.

A hand suddenly placed on his shoulder. With a smirk, Logi leaned to the boy’s ear. "Hello, my lovely apprentice," he mused.

Cai groaned. "What do you want?"

"Go get me apples."

"Alda! Right now?"

"Yes, the servers are not doing their jobs right," he said irritatedly.

What’s with all this food if they were yet to bring in the apples?

"But... but..."

"No buts, go."

"But I’ll miss their entrance!"

"Now."

Cai sighed in defeat, rolling the wheels of his chair, while murmuring curses at Logi.

"Quickly now, then be back and watch," Logi said, chuckling as he walked back to the high table and sat.

Cai was the only one who could get him apples, he had been prohibited from the kitchen because he kept stealing them. It was his consuming right, in his defense.

’I’m counting on you, Cai.’

"Gods! This is boring." Rav mumbled, rubbing his forehead.

This ceremony was usually the longest because of how the crowned warriors were singled out. But it was tradition, after all.

"Another thing we agree with. The excitement was mostly the Hunt. Just look at the numbers, I think I’ll start snoring very soon."

Rav nodded in agreement. Even though he was at his wit’s end, he eagerly waited to see Isadora, and so his eyes kept veering to the door each time the sound of it jolting open, echoed through the hall.

"I think Kraven is even more bored than we are, I can feel how gloomy his aura is from here," Logi said, chuckling faintly.

It must be frustrating having to give speeches to each warrior. It was not his style.

"You know he doesn’t like being present, he strives himself as the shadow rather than a leader," Rav said, reclining in his seat. "This is an important day for the crowned warriors, and it needs to be done."

"Shadow or not he’s Lord Raven, and the Lord of the Court must recognize his warriors, yes? Even though he looks like he is about to murder everyone."

Rav chuckled lightly. "He always looks like he wants to, he just tolerates it."

"Will you two keep it down?" Nyssa snapped in a whisper.

"Forgive us, Nyssa, but we prefer to eat and drink, I’m famished."

"Patience is a virtue, Logi."

"Admit it, Nyssa, you’re bored as we are," Rav mused.

"That’s the thing with you men, you think with your brawls every time."

Logi frowned deeply at her words. "Say that to Rav, not me."

~♧~

Outside the door, where the crowned warriors awaited.

Isadora grew nervous when she left the house, on her way here and now standing with the others, she felt out of place.

Dreading the moment she would walk through those doors and be greeted by their Lord Raven.

Vanya had explained the details. They would be called to come forth and seal their loyalty.

’In Alda’s name, loyalty?’ she thought with a scoff, but it was formality after all, which meant it didn’t matter if she wanted to or not it was traditional, and a way to be recognized in the Raven society.

Vanya placed her hand on Isadora’s shoulder to ease her. The poor girl had been worked up since they left the house.

She knew how nervous she was about the ceremony and being the center of attention.

Even now they were given looks but mostly directed at Isadora.

Vanya’s turn came, she gave Isadora a reassuring look before stepping forward.

As Isadora watched her walk through the doors and leave her behind, her anxiety spiked. It suddenly became far worse now she was alone.

"Deep breaths, Isa, deep breaths," she mumbled to herself, closing her eyes briefly.

There was nothing to be afraid of... well except the idea of walking through those doors, walking to him.

Her fist clenched at her sides, so hard they almost drew blood, but the sting kept her mind fixated on what it was meant to be. This was not about Kraven.

This was the crowning ceremony. She was a warrior now.

She stood with other full-blooded Faes, who she had always viewed as the superior beings to society and her, a lesser one.

And yet, here she was with them, a feat she never thought she could accomplish.

They may look at her and still doubt her capability but she knew deep down in her heart she fought to her last breath to stand beside them.

Maybe they knew it too in their hearts, and that made them weary of her. She might be a misplaced piece but she earned that right to be fitted in.

This was her day. And she won’t let their thoughts ruin it for her.

After taking forever to wait, it was her turn.

Isadora took a step forward, her eyes on the large door, knowing what lay behind it.

Was it toward another shame, toward another ridicule, would she crumble under their gazes?

Shame or not she would walk through those doors with her head raised high.

’Take the step, Isa, focus ahead and don’t meet their eyes.’

The large doors spread open, and her heartbeat spiked, yet she steeled her resolve and strode into the bright place.

Unlike how the Feast Hall originally looked, it was heavily decorated and crowded, everyone was dressed down to the tees.

Isadora was thankful for Vanya picking out a suitable outfit for her. The thought of it ignited her courage.

"Alda!" Rav murmured, breathlessly as he set his eyes on the very person he waited for all through the event.

The moment she walked through those doors, she became a rare sight to behold. She didn’t carry the stance of a full-blooded Fae, yet the way she walked down the aisle—chin raised, dressed beautifully, and commanded attention.

Rav was unable to take his eyes off her.

"I’ll be damned," Logi mused, taking in the sight.

It was spectacular.