Chapter 471
The welcoming ceremony was finally underway. A vibrant stream of guests began flocking onto the palace grounds, their attire dazzling in the evening light, and were being ushered toward the grand hall. Security was noticeably tight, teams of guards worked with silent discipline, ensuring that no suspicious person could gain entry to the prestigious event.
In the privacy of her royal chamber, Amelie was impeccably prepared. Ashna had just completed the final touches on her makeup and hair, ensuring she looked the most beautiful lady. Amelie held Noah securely in her arms, cradling the baby close, when the door opened and Gabriel strode in.
“Amelie, are you ready?” Gabriel asked, his voice ringing with a palpable sense of excitement that was flashing brightly in his eyes. He gazed at Noah, who was looked calm.
Ashna offered a polite curtsy and quietly excused herself, leaving Gabriel and Amelie to their private moment.
“The gown looks absolutely beautiful on you,” Gabriel said, his eyes tracing the elegant lines of her dress. “I hope it’s not too heavy. Did you actually manage to put on the heels p>
“Yes, I did,” Amelie confirmed. She carefully handed Noah to him, transferring the baby with a small smile, and then stood up, allowing him to take her weight.
Noah’s cheerful gurgles immediately filled the room, his tiny hands reaching up to Gabriel’s shirt to play, batting curiously at a shiny button.
“Look at that,” Amelie observed warmly. “Noah and your outfit match perfectly. You two are quite the pair tonight p>
“Well, I was particular about our outfits,” Gabriel confessed with a proud grin.
“Pa!” Noah whispered, his voice a soft bubble of sound, his tiny finger firmly gripping the shining button on Gabriel’s jacket.
“Yes, Noah?” Gabriel lowered his gaze, finding the baby’s hold on the button surprisingly fierce. “Leave it, little one, before you break it off,” he gently admonished.
In response, Noah simply offered a wide, no-teeth smile, his eyes bright with innocent mischief.
Amelie gently held Noah’s tiny arm and carefully managed to break his fierce grip from the button. “Gosh! He’s damn powerful,” she murmured, a genuine sense of awe in her voice. “Are all pups like him p>
Gabriel smiled down at the baby in his arms. “Who knows? Perhaps our Noah is destined to be the most powerful Alpha in history, protecting his mother the way she bravely protected him p>
Amelie’s eyes instantly brimmed with tears at his words, a rush of emotion overwhelming her. “You should say protect his mother and father,” she corrected, her voice thick. “You saved us, Gabriel. Never forget that. You are the one who kept us both safe p>
Gabriel reached out, his hand gently moving to the nape of Amelie’s neck as he tenderly drew her close in a warm embrace. “Shall we go then?” he murmured.
“Hmm. Let me carry Noah,” she offered, extending her arms toward the baby.
“No,” Gabriel countered immediately, a playful seriousness in his tone. “Noah seems to have a fascination with anything sparkling. He’s bound to play with the necklace around your neck and will absolutely trouble you tonight,” he warned. “Let him stay in Daddy’s arms.” He emphasized the last words, bringing Noah up to nuzzle his nose against the baby’s tiny one, earning a soft giggle.
With the decision settled, they turned toward the door. Amelie and Gabriel walked out of the chamber, hand in hand, stepping out.
“Look, here they come,” Raidan, the Alpha King, announced, his voice ringing with pride. He spoke to Mabel, the Luna Queen, who had just been about to send a servant to check on their long absence.
Instantly, every eye in the grand hall swiveled toward the entrance as Gabriel and Amelie made their way in, carefully carrying Noah.
The couple paused before the Alpha King and Luna Queen, performing a deep, respectful bow to their sovereigns and parents.
Gabriel then gently helped Amelie climb the small platform. The space was already occupied by the High Priest, whom his mother, Luna Queen Mabel, had specially summoned for today’s significant welcoming ceremony.
“Lady Amelie, please hold the pup,” the High Priest instructed with a gentle but firm tone.
Amelie hummed softly and tenderly took Noah from Gabriel’s arms, settling the baby comfortably against her shoulder. As she did so, she wiped a stray bit of drool from Noah’s mouth with a handkerchief.
The priest then began the sacred rite. He carried the gold chalice, which was intricately carved with the image of the ancient Great Wolf, and presented it to the court. Inside was water specially drawn from the pond of the Moon Temple.
He dipped his finger into the consecrated water and, with utmost reverence, gently marked Noah’s forehead, a blessing for his mind, and then his wrists, a blessing for the strength of his future arms.
With the marking complete, the priest lowered his head and began to chant a solemn prayer to the Moon Goddess, his deep voice resonating through the hushed hall as he formally asked for her divine guidance and protection over the young prince.
Noah seemed to acknowledge the collective goodwill. He wriggled his arms freely in the air, a small, delightful movement that brought joyous smiles to everyone present in the hall, momentarily easing the solemnity.
As the High Priest placed his hand gently over Noah’s head for the next phase of the blessing, his movements suddenly froze. His body became rigid, and his gaze turned inward, he had received a divination.
The High Priest slowly withdrew his hand, his eyes now shining with an unnatural, intense silvery light. His voice, no longer his own but resonant with the power of the vision, echoed across the silent hall,
“The boy will end the miseries among the people. He is born with a great purpose, a destiny not limited to this Kingdom or country, but reaching out to others too p>
Amelie was quite surprised to learn that, feeling happy for Noah. However, Gabriel hardly believed in such things, but chose to stay silent.