The Spider Queen

(Alpha Star System- Planet Gaia)

(Hireyn City- Private Amphitheatre)

"Looks like a full crowd," Cleo whispered as she leaned against her girlfriend's body and enjoyed the warmth of her touch.

"Well then… I will need to put on quite the show," Sophie joked as she leaned down and kissed the top of Cleo's head.

The pair held hands for a few more minutes before Sophie reluctantly escaped from Cleo's soft grip.

"See you…" Sophie spoke calmly but her eyes betrayed her hidden nervousness.

"You know… if you made me your consort then I could have been up there on the stage with you," Cleo replied with a cheeky wink.

"When are you going to make me your wife hmm? I'm telling you babe don't get any idea about concubines…"

The princess laughed at the startled expression on her girlfriend's face and then headed towards a door to the left.

Sophie had made sure that Cleo had gotten a seat near the front row.

It was a bit unorthodox considering her status but she wanted to see her girlfriend when the ceremony began.

Sophie let out a light sigh under her breath and slowly counted to ten. She cleared her mind of all excess emotions.

There was no doubt… there was no fear… there was no nervousness…

She was the rightful heir to House Peterlor.

She would continue her father's legacy.

Sophie nodded her head and determination shone in her eyes. In just a few hours this would all be over.

She headed for the end of the corridor and opened the large metallic door that led directly to the main stage.

The stage was around six hundred metres in length and in the centre of the raised platform one could see an iron throne with the flag of House Peterlor in the background.

Next to the throne were two benches on either side of the chair.

The benches were made from a simple oak-like material and a single long cushion had been placed on the seats.

Sophie stepped outside and a spotlight instantly fell on her body.

The conversations in the hall immediately stopped as thousands of nobles focused on her appearance.

Sophie had a calm and relaxed expression on her face as she stepped in front of some of the most powerful men and women across the Federation.

Allies, enemies, and everything in-between.

"Welcome esteemed guests who had travelled from near and afar," Sophie opened her mouth and spoke calmly.

She circulated qi into her throat meridians so that her voice travelled through the entire hall without her having to use a microphone.

"Today we are here for the succession ceremony of House Peterlor," Sophie said in a solemn tone.

"My father's legacy has been handed down to me and I intend to bring House Peterlor to even greater heights in the future."

"There is much for me to learn however with the help of my allies I will try my best to match a fraction of my father's greatness."

Thunderous applause rang out after Sophie finished her speech.

She wasn't sure if it was because they liked her words or because they were afraid of offending an upper ranked noble family.

Either way… she would take it.

Sophie turned to face the throne and slowly walked over to it. The harsh spotlight that fell on her body followed her every movement.

She approached the throne carefully with an almost sense of reverence in her footsteps.

This was the throne that her father had sat on when he became the head of House Peterlor.

And his father before him… and his ancestors before him…

Sophie absentmindedly wondered how many of her ancestors had felt the same way that she did now as they walked up to the iron throne.

Were they nervous as well? Or were they excited to finally gain an enormous amount of power and authority?

Sophie didn't know.

The hybrid girl walked up to the throne and then sat down on its hard metallic surface. It was extremely uncomfortable but not a trace of displeasure showed on Sophie's face.

The atmosphere inside the hall had now changed as Sophie sat on the throne.

It was extremely quiet and the tension was so heavy that one would be able to cut it with a knife.

Several aristocrats from the front row seats stood up and made their way over to the throne as well.

They formed a neat line and sat down on the benches to either side of the throne.

Duke Braveheart was among the ground and instead of walking over to the benches he stepped directly in front of the throne and politely bowed his head.

Whispers of shock filled the hall as some of the nobles could not believe their eyes. The role of announcer was usually given to lesser aristocrats like barons or counts.

How could a duke be willing to act as the announcer?

Sophie gave Leona' father a small smile which the middle aged man returned. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sheet of paper and a ring.

The ring was enclosed in a thick layer of glass but still one was able to make out details about its appearance.

The ring's surface had been carved in the likeness of a grasping hand and jewels had been embedded in the metal to form a circlet.

Duke Braveheart carefully removed the layer of glass from the ring and held it in his right hand.

He used his left hand to hold up the piece of paper and began to read the words on the script without hesitation.

The words that he spoke were solemn and respectful.

"I, Charles Braveheart stand before Sophie Peterlor," Duke Braveheart loudly declared.

"She is the rightful heir and the true inheritor of House Peterlor. She possesses the qualities of leadership, valor, and honesty."

"According to the ancient bloodline rules, she is the one fit to lead her clan through darkness and sorrow as well as through light and happiness."

"Let no one deny her of her rightful place and may she…"

.

.

.

.

(Meanwhile In The Second Row)

Cleo stared at her girlfriend spellbound as she watched the ceremony take place. Sophie was truly gorgeous.

The princess looked at Sophie with a mixture of both happiness and sadness.

She was glad that her girlfriend would take her rightful place as the head of House Peterlor but at the same time…

She had suffered through enough.

Cleo didn't want her to lose her father as well.

"Is this seat taken?" a rough baritone voice interrupted Cleo's musings. The princess turned in the direction of the sound and saw a familiar person.

The crown prince.

Prince Theseus wore a set of black imperial robes with the symbol of the royal family printed on the back and a silver circlet had been placed on his head.

His handsome face shone even brighter under the artificial light illuminating the hall and his piercing green eyes stared directly into Cleo's own.

"Sure…" Cleo replied hesitantly as she shifted to the side. She still felt a bit wary about the prince even though she had no reason to.

The one who had tried to kidnap and threaten her was the crown prince's brother and he had tried to frame Prince Theseus by faking his appearance.

Still… there was something off about Prince Theseus.

Cleo could not put her finger on it but something about his smile sent alarm bells ringing off in her head.

"Thank you," the crown prince warmly replied as he turned to his companion and escorted her to the seat next to him.

His companion was a bit strange.

Cleo raised an eyebrow as a woman with short brown hair wearing a long white lab coat sat down next to the prince.

That was an odd choice of attire…

She was attractive but there was an ice-cold aura surrounding her body that made it clear that she did not wish to be talked to.

"Ah… I suppose some introductions are in order," Prince Theseus spoke casually as he gently touched the top of the mysterious woman's palm to get her attention.

The woman had not stopped looking at Sophie on the stage with emotions in her eyes that seemed oddly… obsessive.

"Hello," the enigmatic woman coldly spoke.

"My name is Dr. Valenna."