Rea walked down the stone floor of a kingdom that once stood firmly by a leader who was corrupt. It stood for thousands of years, but was brought down in flames of a woman, Rea once called friend. Rea dragged her fingers across the cold stone. There were a lot of memories she made in this castle – not all of them were good, but most were perfect.
After the war Rea rebuilt The Kingdom of Lucine and expanded its territory further inland and on sea. She decided not to rebuild Naydawin. Rea left the ruins of the burned down kingdom as a reminder of the past. Some people have returned to their homes in the town by the castle, but most have begun their new lives in Lucine.
She walked into the gardens, now overgrown, vines and moss reaching up the stone walls of the castle. Rea slowly walked across it, admiring the nature. She had spent most of her time here with Tivon and Ivan when they weren't allowed to go outside the castles walls. In the middle of a garden where once stood a majestic tree. Ivan would sit underneath it when he told them stories of kingdoms, pirates, witches, and Ameer. She missed him dearly and knowing she wouldn't be here without him, she owed him everything. Now, where once stood a tree, were sprouts of a new one. Rea reached into the sleeve of her dress and pulled out Ivan's pin. She placed it on the ground by the sprout of a tree.
"Thank you for everything."
She took a step back and smiled.
"Your Majesty?" Rea turned around to Amelia. Her hair was short now, barely touching her shoulders. There was a scar going down her eye and lip, yet her smile was still as kind and beautiful as it was before. "We should go if you don't want to be late."
Rea nodded and left the castle with her lady-in-waiting. Rea's kingdom was Lucine, but she always visited Naydawin in spring. As they rode back to Lucine on horses, Rea admired the beauty of Naydawin's magical forest. She loved it's greenery, the moss covering the ground and the trees. She adored the nature waking up once again and the smell of spring, a light breeze carried through the forest.
There was still one thing she needed to do before she left for Lucine. She stopped to gather red Carnation flowers and little light blue Forget-me-not's. When she was satisfied with the bouquet, she walked to the clearing in the forest, where Hyssopy and Cobily flowers grew. Rea had planted two trees on the glade of their flowers – A purple Wisteria tree and a red Maple tree.
Rea stopped underneath the trees and looked up. They have grown larger in the past few years, its branches entwining with each other.
"It's been ten years since the war." Said Rea quietly as she looked at the flowers in her hands. "You are missed dearly. It has been quiet and lonely without you two. Don't worry, I have Nerin, Amari and Amelia now, they keep me company and they are a joy to be around, but I would still give anything to have you back. You two and Ivan.
"The Kingdom of Lucine is strong now. There is no poverty, my people aren't struggling, and the trading roots are secured. The council wanted me to crown me as Queen five years ago, but I didn't want to, till the people recognized me as one." Rea swallowed and looked down at the flowers. "It's my coronation today and if I'm not lying I am really nervous. At least now I know what I am doing. Thanks to you." She smiled. "You've taught me so much and I will forever be grateful for it.
"I still dream of all of you. Sometimes not all good things, but Amelia, my lady-in-waiting, is always there when the nights are too tough. She always has a cup of lavender tea ready in her hands. I placed Amari as the General of the royal army. They remind me of Ivan with their stubbornness.
"Violet is living in Lucine now with her brother Nick. She has a little store down the main street. She had also helped make me my new crown. As you know Nick was the Captain of The Rose Sparrow, but has retired last year." Rea looked up. "Don't worry Elias, The Rose Sparrow will soon be in good hands. I don't know what I would do without their help. Neirin at sea, helping all the remaining boys from Luana's pleasure houses. Her place is at sea, but she still visits me frequently. Dorea is keeping care of her."
"I buried my parents at the garden, opposite Elysis willow. The guards told me Luana wanted to get rid of it. Fortunately, it still stands strong and Luana is in a secured dungeon. She'll never see the light of day again. Cornelis is dead, but sometimes I still see Evelin, in forests, on streets, quietly sitting on a cliff looking at the horizon. She is grieving."
Rea frowned and gripped the flowers tightly. "I wish you could be here on my coronation." She crouched down. "I wish I could hug you and tell you how proud I am of all of you." Tears gathered in her eyes, but she swallowed them down. "I know you're in a better place now. I miss you and I love all of you dearly."
Rea placed the flowers on the ground and stood up. "I'll see you later."
She quietly walked back to Ameila with a smile. Tivon and Elias were meant for this world. Rea always thought they would live on forever.
At the end she outlived them both.
Amari greeted her by the entrance. They looked awfully impatient and almost more nervous than Rea was.
"What took you so long? Everyone is already waiting in the coronation room."
Rea dismounted her horse. "Is Neirin here?"
"I don't think she came yet. Don't worry about her. It's you who you should be worried about. You need to get dressed."
They took her hand and pulled her into the castle. Amelia helped her dress up in a long dark red gown and made her hair. As she was putting little stars in Rea's hair she asked.
"Are you nervous?"
"Yes."
Amelia smiled. "You don't need to be. You'll make a perfect Queen." She placed her hand on Rea's shoulder and met her eyes in the mirror. "I never doubted you, my Queen."
Rea took her hand and smiled back.
There were a lot of people gathered in the room – more than Rea anticipated. There were Amari and Amelia standing by her throne, Nick and Violet standing at their side, their kind smiles greeting her. Rea scanned the room for Neirin, but she didn't see her anywhere. Is she really late for my coronation?
Rea straightened her back and walked to her throne. When she came to the throne, she kneeled down before the Archbishop.
He raised his hands. "Today we gathered on this beautiful day for the coronation of princess Astrea of The Kingdoms of Naydawin and Lucine." He looked down at her. "Princess Astrea will you solemnly promise and swear to rule to the people of your kingdom?"
"I solemnly promise to do so."
"Do you solemnly promise and swear you will protect your kingdom when it needs its protection?"
"I solemnly promise to do so."
"Will you maintain the power and the law of this kingdom?"
"I will."
Rea looked up and stood up. Violet took the black, crown, that shifted blue in the sun from the blanket Nick was holding. The crown sparkled like a night sky. When she turned the crown towards her a red ruby glimmered in the sun. Violet turned towards Rea and smiled. Rea bowed down.
"I crown you, Astrea, The Queen of The Kingdom of Lucine." Said the Archbishop as Violet gently placed the crown on her head. Rea looked up and smiled at Violet.
"Long live The Queen!"
And the crowd answered with an echo. Rea turned around and smiled at them. Later she walked to the balcony that overlooked over the town to where millions of people were gathered to greet their new Queen. She had finally made it. Rea finally had a steady kingdom and people who recognized her as a loyal leader. She waved her hand at the people cheering for her and wishing her a long ruling.
"Don't let it get in your head." Rea turned around to see Nerin leaning on the wall, hidden in a shadow. "The crown suits you." She smirked. "But you look better in armour."
Rea crossed her arms. "You're late."
"I was there."
"Where?"
"Hidden. I got in as soon as you entered the room. I was late for two seconds but I witnessed everything."
Rea slowly walked closer to her. "And why is that?"
"Ummm." Her face was turning red, and her eyes were darting around the place, just so she wouldn't have to look into Rea's eyes. "You see, first when I was in Ascot I got stuck in this shop, because I wanted to bring you back a gift, and then there was a storm, and you see the ship needed some repair and I couldn't just come back with a half broken ship to your coronation and then-"
"Can you shut up before I kiss you on the lips and make you shut up myself."
Rea almost laughed out loud when she saw her face, frozen and red as Rea's dress.
"Come here." Rea grabbed the collar of her shirt and pulled her into a kiss. Neirin's lips were tense at first, but she quickly relaxed, putting a hand behind Rea's neck, and pulling her closer. When they parted away, and Rea leaned back she laughed at Neirin's still shocked face. "I have another two things for you."
"Rea, I should be bringing gifts. It's your coronation!"
Rea rolled her eyes. She looked over Neirin's shoulder and nodded at the guard. Then she took Neirin's hand and pulled her to the railing of the balcony. She pointed at the harbour, at a black ship, it's black sails closed.
"Yeah, I see The Rose Sparrow. It has been anchored there for a year now."
"Yes." She looked at her. "And it needs a Captain."
Neirin stared at the ship, not quite processing her words. Her eyes narrow when the realization hit her.
"Rea! You're out of your mind. I can't a-accept that. Elias wouldn-"
Rea took her hand. "Elias would be proud to put you as the Captain of his ship." She smiled and looked at the ship. "It's yours."
"Rea. I-I." She was trying to find the right words. "Fuck it."
Neirin cupped her face between her hands and pulled her into a deep kiss. "Thank you."
"That's not all."
Rea looked at the guard to whom she nodded a minute ago. He was holding a box. Rea looked at Neirin and nodded towards the box with a smile. Neirin carefully approached the guard and opened the box.
In it was a beautiful carved hand, its wrist, and fingers movable. Neirin carefully took it out, examining it. She looked at Rea, tears gathering in her eyes.
"I said I never lie."
"Oh Rea." She ran to her, taking her in her arms and kissed her. When Neirin leaned back, she said. "I can't thank you enough, Rea." She looked up into her eyes. "And now I must take you for a ride. Come on," She pulled her away from the railing. "You need a vacation."
"Neirin, I've just become Queen, I can't just go on vacation."
"I'll talk to Amari." She looked at her over her shoulder and winked. "Take it as a honeymoon."
Rea, at that moment, was the most happy, she had been in years.
She slipped her hand against the black wooden railing. The ship was old, but it was still one of the best ships on this endless sea. Rea looked over her shoulder to Neirin standing behind the helm proudly, her now new hand steadily holding the helm. She was always meant to be a Captain of a mighty ship. Elias would be proud to know the ship was in good hands. In her hands.
Rea turned back to the sea. She closed her eyes as she breathed in the freshness of the salty air. She had missed being on the ship. She loved her kingdom and its people, but the sea held a special place in her heart.
"Regret becoming a Queen."
Rea turned around to Neirin and leaned on the railing. "No, never." Neirin joined her. "But I guess I'll need to make an exception every now and then to escape the land."
"I'll always be waiting for you on the shore."
Rea smirked. "Where are we even going?"
"Don't really know. I've spotted an island when returning. Thought we could check it out."
"Are you going to leave me on the deserted island again?"
Neirin leaned closer till their lips were brushing against each other. "If you behave I won't, Your Majesty."
"You know that means treason."
"Hmmm, really?" She smirked. "I wasn't aware." And then she pressed her lips to hers as the ship sailed further.
The island looked a lot bigger than the one Neirin left Rea on. It had sandy shores that spread into stone cliffs and a dense forest, growing into a mountain in the distance. There was a village, but it was empty, as if the people have left it suddenly about twelve years ago.
"Nick had told me about this island." Said Neirin as they were walking through the village. "Some of his crew had families here, but they had moved to other towns and villages." Neirin spined in a circle and opened her hands. "We have the whole island for ourselves."
Rea smiled and followed her to the forest by the town. As they walked through the forest Rea spotted Hyssopy flowers growing on the mossy ground. It made her smile, the memory of Tivon still so fresh in her mind. They continued the path, which was already made, leading deeper into the island.
"Neirin, didn't you say that nobody lived here in more than ten years?"
Neirin turned to her. "Well, Nick told me so. Why?"
"These footprints," She pointed at the ground. "They are fresh."
Neirin followed her look, noticing them too. Suddenly something moved into the forest. "What was that?"
And then Rea heard it. A warm, familiar voice that she hadn't heard in years. Soft, quiet, and warm. She thought she would never hear that voice again.
"Rea?"
________________________________________________________________________________
Author's note:
And just like that, the Two Swords and a Dagger duology is finished.
Firstly, I would like to thank each and every single one who read it. It really means a lot to me. The book is already on Storygraph and I'll try to put it on Goodreads too, so I would appreciate if you could leave a rating/review (even if you shit on the whole story and writing – every review is welcomed).
Secondly, if you liked this book, I also wrote Rune of Assassin (but I warn you, it's not as good) and a little Elias and Tivon Paris AU.
There is also a little Elias backstory novella in the making (I can't promise when it'll be finished) and another a little longer AU with all the characters from TSaaD (I want to make a comic out of it, but idk if I have the will for it). I promise that after this the TSaaD universe will end and I'll start writing other things (there's too many ideas and so little time ahhaha).
Again, thank you for giving this book a try and sticking with me on this journey!
Thank you!
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