Nicholas realized it was better to get this coronation over with so he could finally move past it. "Alright, mother. I will do this for the sake of the kingdom and our sake as well."
"I'm proud of you, son." Queen Marianne smiled and yet her eyes suddenly became misty.
"Mother…" Nicholas touched her arm. He could tell she was feeling nostalgic and sad because her husband was not around to witness this important event.
"I know that your father would have also been thrilled to see this day come. He was never the best at expressing love, but please know that he did. That was why he was so hard on you," she said.
Nicholas felt his heart suddenly ache at those words and he gently offered his mother a handkerchief. He grew impatient with this woman standing beside him, yes, and he had hated his father.
However, he wouldn't be here if not for them.
