Jayce was up before dawn, poring over reports and finalizing his plans in his secret study.
The room was hidden behind a bookcase that only a few knew how to open, and guarded by his faithful Golden Phoenix royal guards.
From the highest tower of the palace, he could see the city below him. He wore a formal black suit with a red cloak and a golden phoenix pendant, the mark of the Fire King.
He was examining some papers on his desk when he heard a gentle knock. "Enter," he said.
A woman came in through the door.
She walked silently across the carpet and stood in front of Jayce's desk. She waited for him to look up and acknowledge her presence. "Elise," Jayce said, surprised. "You look... not like what I expected."
It was Elise, former Chief Magus at the Fyre Academy but now assigned a new role and a new mission which very few people knew about.
"I wanted to look nice for your wedding day, Jayce," Elise said in a sweet voice. "I hope you don't mind my dress."
Her red dress and ruby necklace accentuated her tall and slender form. It almost made her glowing red eyes less unnerving.
"Well you look stunning," Jayce said. "Do you have the reports that I asked for?"
Yes," her lips curving into a smile.
Jayce nodded. "Go on."
Elise leaned in and whispered, "I have a spy in Duke Kassadin's castle in Dorset who tells me that the Duke is plotting to ruin your wedding and coronation. Sadly, she couldn't find out more. The naughty Duke is hiding his secrets well. The soldiers he sent to Ashendell have stopped their march halfway and are waiting for his signal."
Jayce frowned. "That's not good. It means he's confident that he has someone on the inside or it's a bluff to make me call off the whole ceremony. Which is it?"
He paused and then asked, "What else did you find out?"
Elise said, "I also talked to some of the people of the Fire Kingdom. They are not sure what to think of your marriage and coronation. They don't know much about you, except that you beat Varus of House Magnus in a sword duel. But they are willing to give you a chance, since you have the support of both Prince Hecarim and Princess Guinivere, as well as other respected people like Captain Amaro, Elder Cato, Chief Daimler, and Lord Winston. The people think that if the prince trusts you enough to let you be king and the princess loves you enough to marry you, then you must be someone special."
"That's good news," Jayce responded.
Elise smiled at him. "You have a new name, you know. When you defeated Varus, they cheered 'rookie' for you. Now they call you 'the rookie king'."
"Thank you for your hard work, Elise." Jayce smiled warmly at her. "You have done well. Your report is excellent. I'm glad you accepted the job as my spy master"
Elise nodded humbly. "Thank you, Jayce. You are too kind. I'm happy to serve you."
Jayce dismissed her and Elise turned around and walked out of the room.
Jayce watched her leave and smiled. He was glad he had made her his clandestine adviser.
Her ability to cast strong illusions and hypnotize people was invaluable as a spy.
***
Sunlight streamed through the windows of the throne room, casting a golden glow on the polished marble floor.
The room was not overly decorated despite the impending and momentous occasion.
Just a simple altar at the center, where Jayce and Princess Guinivere would exchange their vows. The walls were adorned with banners of the Fire Kingdom, a gold phoenix.
There were no seats except the two thrones on a platform made of wood covered with gold leaf because the ceremony was supposed to be short and hopefully uneventful.
The air hummed with anticipation.
The throne room was filled with important and influential people, some of whom were representing a different faction of the Fire Kingdom.
They all had their own reactions to the occasion, some more obvious than others.
Former Headmaster Lucian, now Jayce's chief adviser, stood by his side, his expression inscrutable, his piercing gaze surveying the room with acute discernment.
Celeste of House Amniel, her eyes wide with awe, took in the resplendent pageantry that surrounded her, her admiration evident in her mesmerized gaze.
Poppy, though silent, couldn't hide her displeasure, her lips subtly downturned in a pout.
Karma, Jayce's mother, wept silently in her seat.
Aldric, Jayce's father, drew close to Karma, offering comforting words and gentle reassurance.
Elise, the former Chief Magus of Fyre Academy and now one of Jayce's advisors, commanded attention with her stunning appearance. Clad in a radiant red dress that accentuated her every curve, her neck adorned by a beautiful ruby necklace.
General Yi, the former head swordsman of Fyre Academy, now the esteemed leader of the Fire Army, known as the Bronze Phoenix, struck his best smoldering warrior pose in his bronze armour.
Prince Hecarim, now Commander Hecarim of the Royal Guard, known as the Golden Phoenix, after renouncing his claim to the throne cut a striking figure in his resplendent gold and red armor.
Captain Amaro, the leader of the Merchant faction, also known as the Yellow Phoenix, a tall, tan rugged man with a scar on his left eye, nodded at Jayce signaling his approval.
Chief Daimler, the head of the Industrialists faction, also known as the Iron Phoenix, a short man with a bald head, smiled at Jayce with admiration.
Elder Cato, the head of the Farmers faction, also known as the Green Phoenix, wearing his trademark straw hat, bowed at Jayce with reverence and humility.
Lord Winston, the representative of the Noble Aristocrat faction, also known as the Grey Phoenix, immaculately dressed in fine clothes and jewelry, gave a quick bow.
The Bishop of Ashendell, the revered head of the White Phoenix, wore flowing robes of pure white.
He stood at the sacred altar, ready to officiate the wedding and the coronation.
Jayce and Princess Guinevere looked into each other's eyes and said:
"I, Jayce, take you, Guinevere, to be my wife, my partner, and my queen. I promise to love you, honor you, and protect you, for as long as we both shall live."
"I, Guinevere, take you, Jayce, to be my husband, my partner, and my king. I promise to love you, respect you, and support you, for as long as we both shall live.".
The bishop pronounced them husband and wife, and the room erupted in applause.
The wedding was over, but the coronation was about to begin.
The bishop held a crown in his hands and walked slowly towards Jayce.
He reached his head and lowered the crown. But as soon as the metal touched his skin, Jayce felt a wave of nausea and vertigo. His vision blurred, his ears rang, his limbs went numb. He couldn't stand anymore, and he fell into the arms of those around him. The room went silent, as everyone stared in shock and confusion. What had happened? Why had Jayce collapsed?