Fenyang's Pov
When our guardians finally exit the room I'm still holing firmly Zaffera's hand to which my mother smiles softly.
"Thank you for waiting so patiently Fenyang and Zafeera. We have discussed the legal application that this union would lead to, we won't bore you now with the paperwork but first it's important you both get crowned formally and a Coronation shall be taking as soon as possible. Therefore it shall take place tomorrow." speaks Zaffera's Mother who has a much softer tone than the last time I have heard her speak.
"Crowned officially?", questions Zaffera pointing at herself in disbelief.
"Yes", the Mother nods, "I belive you are ready to be in charge of the Kingdom, your last act of bravery has truly opened my eyes to see how much you have matured..." I can see Zaffera grow more and more excited as her Mother speaks on and I'm too quite happy for her. She told me about her strictness and upon the little interaction I had with her I would agree with her. I understand how much she has put on the line this these last days, but fortunately it's also been a blessing in disguise.
"But I'm already King." I deflect the attention on me, feeling quite rude for doing so after I speak the words as it was quite a defining moment I just interrupted.
"Yes, but Klaus has informed us that an Official Coronation Ceremony was never held to appoint you as King." Says Mother.
"I know but- I didn't think it necessary as we didn't pepare for one, and assumed it was just a formality."
The talk draws to a close and next thing I'm back in my room, but not alone.
"I always felt like your room was a bit bland..." giggles her way in Zaffera.
"Perhaps so... But it does just the job. Who knows maybe a more welcoming room would help my insomnia though." I force a laugh at the end slightly realising I hit a tad to close to home in my statement. She walks past that and starts looking around my tiny dark room.
"I'm yet to see yours." I speak a few minutes later to redirect her attention back to me as her gaze locks in on a broken frame of mine.
"You look so happy here... How old were you?"
"Fairly young. About 12 I think...?" I stand next to her looking at the picture myself. "I didn't have a care in the world back then... I couldn't stand looking at the frame after I thought my guardians dead and one day I moved the frame too harshly so much I broke it. It was too painful to see everytime." The atmosphere tenses up slightly, but she eases it back up again turning around and embracing me.
"Well...", I clear my throat, "We are here to prepare our coronation speeches so let's get to it."
I see a smirk on her face that can truly only mean trouble.
"Later..." she grabs my arm and takes me to the enchanted garden, "It will be a lot easier here... It's were it all began."
We walk down to small dip in the hill and place by a small body of water as our usual.
"I know we never went through with it, but if we were to open the door and get to ask for a wish, what would you have asked?" I look slight down at her softly as we are lying on the ground, my hand gently twirling some of her loose ends that escaped her braids.
"For my dad to come back," she heaves and my hand freezes in place as a sad expression makes it way to my face.
"Wh-what happened?" I hesitate to ask not wanting to over step my boundaries.
"I would love to know myself, one day we just got up and realised he was gone. Eversince then Queen Mother has grown reserved and more serious. In a way it was like I lost her too that day. And I don't know why my father did what he did but I miss him so much I would risk anything to get him back and explain himself..."
I lean slightly forward to kiss her forehead and for a few moments we lay there, one embracing the other as the wind blows gently and the day carries forward.
"Promise to never leave me the way my father did." she whispers assertively to which I nod with confidence.
"And I ask you to do the same...", we squeeze pinkies in away to officialise our verbal contract.
"Did you know I was the King of Arrow - is that why you befriended me?" I change the subject, thinking back to when I first met her here. No better place than this to make a trip down memory lane
She shakes her head, "I thought that you were a random passerby that could help me learn more about the Kingdom, I really didn't come here with a plan and was mostly annoyed at Gi- I mean people because of...things. Ehm, we should raally get writing now though because the ceremony is tomorrow and we don't have long left." She cuts mid sentence changing the subject which makes me think there's something she is hiding from me. To the best of my ability I put on a face and smile and nod my way through.
When we get back to Palace there are loads of helpers rushing back and forth with ribbons and materials needed for the Ceremony. Being such short notice everything must be done quickly and our guardians wanted it to take place as soon as possible. Although the request seemed quite strange, I happened hear them speak about an upcoming threat on my way out and I wonder if what we think will bring a new era of peace is nothing but a false sense of security. Pushing the thought to the back of my mind I start rhersing the speech aloud.
I'm cooped up in my room whereas Zaffera is residing in a guest room. Mother was quite adamant that she wanted her to have her own space, especially as she will likely be moving here during the transition period.
°°°
"You look lovely Fenyang!" heaves happily Mother adjusting the few creases in my clothes that escaped her methodical ironing."I am so happy to be here to witness your Coronation, you know I never doubted you and the arrows would rescue us...not for a moment." There's a bittersweet glare on her face and I notice tears slowly roll off her cheeks.
I've always known Mother to be sensitive, but I wasn't expecting it now or about this. I awkwardly confort her, tapping my arm on her shoulder which she grabs and hold with both her hands and says, "I'm really proud of you Fenyang... Always have been."
The room is silent for the time being, a confortable silence as I take in her words. A knock at the door alerts us that the Ceremony shall be commencing hereafter and a strange confidence veils me as I recite my speech, thanking the people and my guardians. Most importantly I focus on Zaffera. Without her I would be much worse. Almost as though she stepped in fixed my brocken pieces.
After my speech, an appointed Elder of the chiefs crowns me formally. Bowing down the crown is placed on my head, the crowd's applause ringing in my ears. I take a seat at the throne, something I've formerly not done as I felt unfit for the role, but after Mother's words I have the confidece that I indeed am to seat here.
Next is Zaffera and after she has also taken a seat next to me we stand up and linking arms we bow as they applause for the last time.