Reborn To Change My Fate

Chapter 356 - Three Hundred And Fifty Five

The carriage finally stopped in front of the Cathedral. Tall stained-glass windows let colored light spill onto the stone steps. The heavy wooden doors were open wide.

Derek stepped out of the carriage first. He turned and offered his hand to Marissa, helping her step down gracefully in her heavy silk dress.They stood at the bottom of the long stairs.

At the very top, the bishop stood waiting.

Derek and Marissa linked their arms again. They began to walk up the stairs together.They entered the Cathedral. The massive room was completely packed with people. Every lord, lady, general, and wealthy merchant in the kingdom was standing inside. As Derek and Marissa walked down the long center aisle, everyone bowed their heads deeply in complete silence.The only sound was the beautiful, slow music playing from the high balcony and the soft rustling of Marissa’s heavy silk dress dragging on the red carpet.

Marissa looked straight ahead, but she noticed someone in the very front row. Sitting next to Beatrice was Ryan.The young boy was wearing a tiny, perfectly tailored noble suit made of dark blue velvet. His hair was combed neatly. He was sitting very straight, trying to look like a serious, grown-up lord. But when Marissa walked past him, Ryan could not hold it in. A huge, happy smile broke across his face. He lifted his small hand and waved slightly at her.

Marissa felt her heart melt completely. She turned her head just a fraction and gave the boy a quick, secret wink. Ryan’s smile grew even wider, and he quickly put his hand back on his lap.

Derek and Marissa reached the front of the Cathedral. They stopped at the bottom of the raised altar.The bishop raised his hands. The music stopped instantly.

"Today, we gather under the eyes of God," the Bishop spoke. His voice echoed clearly across the large stone room. "We gather to crown a new King and a new Queen. We leave the dark winter of betrayal behind us. We step into the bright spring of unity, healing, and absolute justice."

The Bishop looked down at Derek."Derek of the House Thompson," the Priest called out. "Step forward."

Derek let go of Marissa’s arm. He walked up the three short stone steps. He stopped in front of the Bishop. Derek slowly lowered his large body until he was kneeling on the soft velvet cushion placed on the stone floor. He kept his head bowed, showing his respect for the heavy duty he was about to accept.

The Bishop picked up a large, heavy golden crown from a silk pillow. It was the ancient crown of Eudora, decorated with large, dark red rubies."Do you swear to protect the weak, to judge with fairness, and to defend this kingdom with your life?" the Bishop asked clearly.

"I swear it," Derek replied. His deep, firm voice easily carried to the very back of the Cathedral.

"Then rise, King Derek," the Bishop commanded.

The Bishop carefully placed the heavy golden crown onto Derek’s dark hair. The gold felt cold and incredibly heavy, but Derek accepted the weight.

Derek slowly stood up. He turned to face the crowd. The heavy crown sat perfectly on his head. He looked powerful, honorable, and completely ready to rule.The entire crowd inside the Cathedral instantly dropped to one knee. They bowed their heads.

Then, it was Marissa’s turn.

"Marissa," the Bishop called out softly. "Step forward."

Marissa walked up the stone steps. She knelt gracefully on the velvet cushion, her white silk dress spreading out beautifully around her on the floor. She folded her hands in her lap and bowed her head.The Bishop picked up a second, smaller crown. It was delicate and beautiful, made of shining gold and clear, sparkling diamonds.

"Do you swear to guide this kingdom with wisdom, to show mercy to those in need, and to stand as the heart of Eudora?" the Bishop asked her.

Marissa thought about her second chance at life. She thought about the love she had found. She thought about Ryan and the future she wanted to build.

"I swear it," Marissa answered. Her voice was strong, steady, and full of deep, honest conviction.

The Bishop gently placed the diamond crown on top of her dark, curly hair.

"Rise, Queen Marissa," the Bishop announced proudly.

Marissa stood up. She turned and stood right beside Derek. She felt the light weight of the crown on her head. She looked at Derek, and he looked back at her. His eyes were filled with absolute, overwhelming love and pride.Derek reached out and grabbed her hand tightly. He squeezed her fingers, communicating all the things he could not say out loud in front of the crowd.

"Long live the King!" the Bishop shouted loudly.

"Long live the Queen!"The crowd inside the Cathedral erupted.

People stood up from their knees and clapped loudly. They cheered and shouted their approval. The noise was deafening and completely joyous.

Derek did not care about the formal rules of the ceremony anymore. He looked at his wife, standing so beautifully beside him. He reached out with his free hand and gently cupped the side of her face.He leaned down and kissed her right there in front of the entire kingdom.It was a deep, passionate, and deeply loving kiss. Marissa closed her eyes and kissed him back firmly, her free hand resting against the velvet fabric of his chest.

The crowd cheered even louder, celebrating the clear, undeniable love between their new rulers.After a long moment, Derek pulled back. They both smiled widely, breathless and happy.

"Let us show them their new rulers," Derek whispered to her.

They turned around and walked together down the side aisle, heading toward the large double doors that led out to the Cathedral’s high front balcony.

They stepped out into the bright spring sunshine.The moment they appeared on the high balcony, the thousands of people gathered in the massive square below went completely wild. The roaring sound of their cheers shook the stone walls of the Cathedral. Flags waved wildly in the air.

Derek stood tall, looking out over his kingdom. He held Marissa’s hand tightly in his own, holding it up slightly so the crowd could see their unity.

Marissa looked down at the smiling, hopeful faces of the people. She felt a profound sense of peace settle over her soul. She had won. She had beaten fate. She had survived the fire, the poison, and the cruelty of her past.

Derek leaned his head close to hers. The wind blew his dark hair slightly.

"We did it, Mari," He whispered over the roaring noise of the crowd. "We finally found our peace."

Marissa looked up at him. She saw the pure happiness shining in his eyes. She thought about her first life, the pain, and the rebirth.

She knew that every single tear and every drop of blood was completely worth it, just to be standing right here with him.

She smiled her brightest, most beautiful smile. She squeezed his hand with all the strength she had.

"Yes," Marissa replied, her voice filled with an endless, unbreakable love. "In this life, and all the ones to come."